byPicker Frequently Asked Qustions
Signing up
How much does it cost?
It is free for everyone.
What is a picker?
A picker is someone who can post picks on byPicker. Other than that there is no difference in joining as a collector or as a picker. Both pickers and collectors receive alerts based on keyword selection. If you change your mind later you can change from a collector to a picker under the settings tab.
Why do you need my location?
It is one of the criteria byPicker uses to determine the relevance of picks to collectors. Matching picks that are closer get placed higher in search results. It is also a way for buyers to eliminate picks that are too far away. You may want to avoid dealing with people you don't know over too great a distance.
Do you save my location?
We only save your coordinates (latitude and longitude). We do not know or save your street address.
Why do you need my email address?
It is how we contact you when some one posts a pick that matches your keywords.
Then why do you need my phone?
We don't. If you have a text message capable phone and would like to receive text alerts instead of email alerts then add and verify your mobile number, otherwise skip this part.
Do I have to give out my contact information?
No. Only if you want others to be able to contact you regarding your interests.
What does it mean to follow a picker?
If you follow a picker (and only pickers may be followed), you will receive alerts for all of their picks. Otherwise you will receive filtered picks from them when keywords in their picks match your keywords and distance.
How important are keywords?
They are extremely important. Your keywords (along with distance) determine whether or not you receive alerts on others picks. Pick common keywords and you may get too many alerts. Choose the wrong words and you may miss what you want. Since pickers are also collectors this is true for both types of users. In addition to that, keywords also help collectors to find pickers to follow. So choose wisely. Feel free to experiment too. You can change your keywords under settings anytime.
What does "byPicker is a tool for pickers and collectors to use and byPicker can not investigate or vouch for any of its users or offers. You must therefore agree to hold byPicker harmless for all transactions that result from use of this service." mean?
This is a "big boy" clause. It means that you understand that byPicker is not liable for anything that arises from your use of the service. Before you can become an active member of byPicker you must agree to this. Use your best judgement when dealing with people you don't know. If anyone says they have been verified by byPicker it is not true. We do not vouch or verify anyone.
Why must I verify my email address?
You must verify your email to use the service. We don't want to send emails to bogus or mistyped addresses. Until it is verified you can't use the service.
How do I verify my email address?
Click on the link in the email we sent to the address you entered. If you have lost or can't find that email, log in and go to http://bypicker.com/pages/edit/email.php Check that the email is correct and click 'verify' to resend the verification email then click on the link in that email.
Posting Picks
How do I post a pick?
Log in and go to your home page. You can go "home" from any page by clicking on the big red dot. Then click 'add pick'. You have to be a picker to do this. Then with 140 characters, describe your pick taking care to use good keywords in the description. The keywords will determine who receives the alert! With limited characters, only describe in broad terms what you have.
Why am I limited to 140 characters?
Many collectors use text alerts on picks they receive. Text alerts are limited to approximately 160 characters. ByPicker also appends a link to the pickers page on each 140 character pick alert so this adds up to ~160. The link is so collectors can go the picker's page on byPicker and view all their picks or ask questions. This is where including your contact information in your about page comes in handy. Limiting the length of picks also makes it much quicker to use byPicker to post picks. The pick is just to start a conversation between pickers and potential buyers, it can't include everything so be prepared to ask or answer questions. Once you are talking, emailing, or texting, go into the details then.
Why can't I post pictures?
Not all smart phones allow you to do post images to web sites; most notably the iPhone. In the future this may change.
Receiving Picks
Why can't I receive picks?
1. You must first agree to the terms of service. If you ignored this when you signed up, then you are not active and will not receive alerts. 2. You must verify your email. 3. If receiving text alerts, you must verify your phone. 4. You must choose good keywords or follow active pickers. 5. There must be alerts to receive.
How can I find pickers to follow?
If you are on a picker's home page click the 'about' link. Then click 'follow or ignore' me. On this page you can follow, filter, or ignore this picker. You can also go to your home page by clicking the big red dot and click 'find pickers'. Search for pickers here based on keywords you enter and then click follow for anyone you like.
I keep getting picks from a picker I don't like. What do I do?
If you are on a picker's home page click the 'about' link. Then click 'follow or ignore' me. On this page you can follow, filter, or ignore this picker.
General
To get to your home page
Click the big red dot.
To change settings
Go to your home page and click settings. Here you can change just about anything, keywords, usernames, alert preferences and more.
My Picks? Other Picks?
On your home page, if you are a picker you have a choice of viewing my picks or other picks. 'My picks' are your picks that you have posted. Under this tab you can view all of your picks and can mark them as sold or delete them. Under 'other picks' are picks you received from others based on your keywords, location, and who you follow. You can always go to this page to view all your pick alerts from others. If you are not a picker you only have the 'picks' menu option which is the same as the 'other picks' option above.
I have just joined. Why do I not have any picks?
Log in. Go to your home page, by clicking the big red dot. If you are a picker click 'other picks'. If you are a collector click 'picks'. Here should be a listing of matching picks you have from others. When you joined, byPicker searched for picks that matched your keywords. If there are no picks, then there were no matches. You can go under 'settings' on your home page and select 'keywords' to change your keyword settings. After that check again.
I joined as a collector but now I want to be a picker. What do I do?
Log in. Go to your home page, by clicking the big red dot. Click 'settings' and then click 'upgrade'.
I want to quit byPicker. What do I do?
Log out. Go back to byPicker at http://bypicker.com. Click login. At the bottom of the page is a 'close account' link. Click this and enter your username and password (twice).
My question wasn't answered here. What do I do?
Click the 'help' link at the bottom of the page.