Independent Online Booksellers Association

While local, state, and federal laws in the United States, and local and governmental laws in other countries will govern how members operate their businesses, members are expected to use courtesy in dealing with each other and with the general public. Members shall take responsibility for furthering mutual trust and respect between booksellers and customers by conducting their businesses with fairness and integrity.

Members will be familiar with the correct usage of the generally accepted terms of the book trade and apply them responsibly in the conduct of their business.

Members are responsible for accurately describing all material they offer for sale. As professional booksellers, IOBA members are expected to conduct a thorough inspection of any item offered for sale. Any defects, blemishes, or other characteristics which reduce a book's quality from 'As New' or 'Fine' should be included in the book's description. IOBA members should guard against using language in their book descriptions which might conceal material defects, overstate a book's condition, or mislead buyers in any other respect. Unless mutually agreed upon between a member and a customer, a full refund will be made to the purchaser of any misrepresented material if returned material is received back in the same condition as shipped out (for returns for reasons other than misrepresented material, postage shall not be refundable).

Members will make reasonable efforts to ascertain the authenticity of any materials offered for sale. Unless other terms are clearly stated to the customer, members will unconditionally guarantee representations of authenticity of all materials offered for sale.

Members will not knowingly purchase or sell stolen materials, and will cooperate with authorities on the recovery of stolen materials.

Responsibility for damage to, or loss of, goods in transit will remain with the member.

Members will not violate any copyright law.

All members shall provide the following contact information on their website and in any other internet venue where they offer books for sale:

• name
• email address
• website address (if applicable)
• postal mailing address (street or PO Box)
• telephone number

All members' terms and conditions of sale, including return policies, shall be clearly stated when offering any material for sale. These terms and conditions may be modified by mutual consent between member and customer.

Association members offering appraisal services shall be responsible for:
i) meeting all legal requirements in their jurisdiction;
ii) performing appraisals only for items available for physical inspection;
iii) informing clients in writing of any conflicts of interest before accepting an appraisal assignment.

Unresolved disputes involving any member of the IOBA should be reported to the IOBA Ethics Committee, and members shall abide by the decisions of the Committee regarding the settlement of such disputes.

Violation of this Code Of Ethics may be grounds for censure, suspension, or expulsion.

For information on dispute resolution regarding an IOBAbooks seller, please email: ethics@ioba.org