Southern Maryland's Online Thrift Store
FAQ
Southern Maryland Junk Source is an online resale business based in and serving the southern Maryland area. We offer an alternative to traditional in-store bargain hunting for buyers who prefer the convenience of online shopping. We do not have a physical store or showroom that customers can visit to shop in-person; all products are sold exclusively through our website. Pickup for prepaid online orders is conducted at a storage location in Mechanicsville, Maryland 20659.
Electronic Payment*:
All major credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express)
PayPal
Venmo
CashApp
ApplePay
Chime
Zelle
Pay Over Time/Financing**:
PayPal Credit
PayPal Pay-in-4
AfterPay
*All electronic payments are processed securely. Credit/Debit card payments are processed through an established third party service.
**Pay Over Time options are third-party services offered by independent financial institutions not affiliated with Southern Maryland Junk Source. Use of these services is subject to terms and credit approval.
Cash payments are not accepted for online orders. All orders must be prepaid in full electronically at checkout. We will not hold unpaid merchandise, or process an order until payment in full has been received. Buyers are not able to defer payment until the time of pickup/delivery.
We understand that some customers may be uncomfortable purchasing secondhand merchandise sight-unseen, or may prefer cash transactions to electronic payments. Over the years, we have tried numerous variations of a Cash Sale/Deferred Payment Policy that would allow buyers to place orders online, then complete payment in-person upon receipt of their order. What we have found, unfortunately, is that when we hold unpaid merchandise in good faith for any length of time, we experience extremely high rates of no-shows and cancellations. Buyers may not understand the impact this has on a small business. Regular no shows/order cancellations are more than a minor inconvenience - this results in lost revenues, unnecessary expenses, and disruptions to daily operations that affect our ability to run efficiently. Requiring upfront payment for orders eliminates these issues and ensures we can continue to provide affordable quality merchandise to our community!
All sales are final.
We do not offer returns, exchanges, or refunds.
Merchandise is sold as-is, where-is, how-is with no warranty or guarantee.
Once an order has been marked as "Ready for Pickup" or "Shipped" the order can no longer be cancelled.
Considerations Made for Damages or Defects
If upon receipt of your order, you discover any of the following defects, please contact us immediately.
An appliance, power tool, or electronic device that does not power on, or does not function correctly when powered on - only if the device was NOT observed in working order at the time of sale
An item that is missing an essential and irreplaceable component - only if this was NOT disclosed in the item listing or during pre-sale discussions
An incorrect size or specification was provided in the item listing or during pre-sale discussions
An item is delivered with damages that occurred in transit
We will only investigate claims made for the above reasons and will work with the buyer to resolve these situations promptly. Individual remedies offered will vary and will be determined by management based on the circumstances of the claim.
Reporting a Claim of Damage or Defect
Time Restrictions
In order for your claim to be considered, a damage or defect must be reported within 24 hours after order fulfillment. For Pick Up Orders, an order is fulfilled at the time it is collected from the Pick Up location by the buyer or buyer's authorized representative. For Delivery Orders, an order is fulfilled at the time it is left at the delivery address provided on the order. If 24 hours passes after order fulfillment and no claim of damage or defect has been received, this will constitute automatic acceptance of your order and waive your right to a claim. Reports of damages or defects made more than 24 hours after order is fulfilled will not be investigated, and no remedy will be considered.
How to Report a Claim of Damage or Defect
All claims of damage or defect must be made via email within 24 hours of order fulfillment.
To report a claim, send an email to SOMDJunkSource@yahoo.com, making sure to reference your order number in the subject line.
In your email, please provide the reason for your claim - including a detailed explanation and photos/videos of all damages or defects.
If any troubleshooting steps have been attempted, please note actions taken so we can rule out common issues.
Proof of damage or defect is required, and a thorough inspection of merchandise will be conducted prior to any remedy offered.
Claims that are incomplete or not properly reported will not be investigated.
Yes! Complimentary standard delivery is available within Saint Mary's, Charles, and Calvert Counties in Southern Maryland. Delivery requires a $50 minimum order. Standard delivery is a no-contact, outside drop-off. For more information, refer to our Delivery Policy.
As an e-commerce business, our customers' privacy and security are a top priority. We want all customers to shop with confidence and believe in transparency and honesty with everything we do.
Payment Processing
All electronic payments made through our site are processed by third party providers using established payment gateways. We partner with Square, PayPal, and Wix Payments to facilitate funds transfers. All data is encrypted and protected, account numbers are anonymized and never shared with Southern Maryland Junk Source. Any contact information collected is only used internally for order processing and fulfillment, as well as marketing campaigns if the individual chooses to opt-in. We will never sell or distribute personal information.
Purchase Protection
All transactions made using our online checkout are considered "Goods and Services" payments, which means your purchase is protected by the financial institution. Purchase protection ensures you receive the items you paid for, and is a great line of defense against online scams. When you make a goods and services payment, the seller pays a processing fee on the transaction. Processing fees are a normal cost of doing business, but some sellers may try to avoid them by asking that you indicate your payment is for a personal exchange. Unfortunately, this is also a common tactic used by online scammers. Payments made to "friends and family" for personal reasons are usually not covered by buyer protections. Without that protection in place, a buyer has no recourse if an unscrupulous seller does not fulfill an order as promised - meaning a scammer can collect your payment and then disappear, and you'll have no way to recover your funds. We will never insist that buyers forgo payment protection.
Avoiding Online Scams
Electronic payments and online ordering are an unavoidable part of doing business in today's modern world. To keep yourself safe, we recommend using caution when shopping online. Electronic payments are generally safe and secure, and many legitimate sellers require deposits or prepayment, but be wary of sellers who insist on payment via methods that do not offer purchase protection. Friends and Family transactions should only be used with people you know and trust. Be sure to ask about a seller's return and cancellation policies. Insist on an invoice and/or itemized receipt as proof of purchase. Pay attention to the tone of the conversation - A legitimate business will have no problem explaining their policies, and will want to earn your trust, whereas a scammer may try to guilt or pressure you if you express concerns. Always trust your instincts - if it doesn't feel right, it's okay to say no!

