For designers – basics
Who can use ZAOZAO?
Any designer who wants to make his or her design a reality! It is important to be respectful of intellectual property; you may draw inspiration from other designers' work but please do not post designs that are not yours.
How do I upload a design?
Check out our how-to video!
How can shoppers “make my design a reality”?
Shoppers can browse your design projects on ZAOZAO. If they like what they see, they can show their support by pre-ordering the design items you upload in your projects.
Can I use ZAOZAO if I only want to sell a small quantity of my design item?
Of course (as long as it is your design)! We recommend a per piece funding amount of at least US $100 though, for payment gateway charges to be worthwhile. Please refer to the designer guideline or contact us for more detail.
Must all pre-orders be fulfilled before I produce my design items?
Yes, you only have to produce your design items after all pre-orders have been received in the allotted timeframe.
Will I be able to retain the copyrights to my design?
Absolutely! We are here to support our talented designers.
Is there a fee to use ZAOZAO?
There is no signup or listing fee. We do take a small commission as will the payment gateway. Please email us for more details.
Can I remove my already listed designs?
Yes, but we discourage this as it will count against you in your future attempts to upload projects onto ZAOZAO. You can remove your designs by emailing [email protected].
How many times can I remove my listed designs?
No more than 3 times. The third time you remove a design, you will not be allowed to upload any more designs on ZAOZAO. Before you remove a design, think about your shoppers. Those shoppers chose to support you, try not to let them down.
Why do I need to provide a Paypal account once my design is successfully funded? Can we just do a bank transfer directly and save on Paypal fees?
Paypal provides an additional control for keeping our designers accountable. By verifying credit card and bank account information, Paypal has already made sure that your details are legitimate and up to date. While we would love to automatically trust all designers and save money on transaction fees, accountability is of utmost importance to ZAOZAO, which is why Paypal is used in dealing with fund transfers.
For shoppers – basics
How do I pre-order a design?
To pre-order a design, simply click “PRE-ORDER NOW” button on the design you are interested in. You'll then be directed through the payment gateway process, which you must complete for your action to be recorded.
When does my credit card get charged?
You will only be charged upon confirmation of your order by the designer.
Can I pre-order as an anonymous user?
No, sorry. Your display name only shows the first initial of your last name, so you won’t have to worry about your full name being visible online. We are cultivating a community where we hope you are comfortable with showing your name in support for designers you like.
Is my list of pre-orders available to the public?
Nope, only you and the designer can access that information.
If I pre-order a design, what information can the designer see about me?
Your username and the amount you have pre-ordered. Only once their design goes into production, will they request further information.
Can I change my mind about pre-ordering a design item?
By placing a pre-order, you are making a conditional promise. Canceling your pre-order is highly discouraged, but if you must cancel, you have every right to do so. Simply email us within 21 days of payment transaction.
What if I want to cancel my pre-order after the project has been successfully funded or after I've received goods? Can I get a refund/exchange?
Again, by placing a pre-order, you make a promise to support the designer. Refund requests are considered on a case-by-case basis depending on individual designers' refund policies. Unless the pre-order cannot be fulfilled, the designer is NOT obligated to honor your request for refund. ZAOZAO takes no responsibility for any refund policies that designers do or do not create. Please refer to Terms & Conditions for more detail.
How do I check on the status of a pre-ordered design item?
Shoppers can check the designer’s page for updates, and to see whether or not the target funding has been reached yet. The designer will provide an estimated delivery date, and shoppers can interact with designers using the comments section.
What should I do if I haven’t received my design item?
Shoppers can check the designer’s page for updates and use the comments section. Please do be patient and bear in mind that you are part of a unique process. The designs you help fund are being carefully made and not being mass-produced in a factory.
FOR ALL
Who is responsible for the delivery of the design item?
The designer is responsible for producing and delivering their design items. We try our best to meet designers in person to check them out but cannot make any claims towards their abilities to complete their design item. In this day and age of social accountability, users can check for any awards or press clippings, professional pages, school references the designer may have. Remember, Google is your friend.
