Frequently Asked Questions

Effective date: [insert current date] Applies to: All users of indusfact.com

Everything you need to know about buying, selling, and getting verified on IndusFact. Can't find your answer? Write to support@indusfact.com — we usually reply within one business day.

🌟 Getting Started

What is IndusFact?

IndusFact is India's dedicated B2B marketplace for industrial machinery, spares, raw materials, tools, and material-handling equipment. Post ads, discover surplus stock from factories across India, and connect directly with verified sellers — without the clutter of general classifieds.

What does "No Fikar, Bas IF Kar" mean?

It's our promise, in a mix of Hindi and English: "No worries — just do IF" (where IF = IndusFact). Post a listing, verify your GST, respond to inquiries — we handle the moderation, the SEO, the image protection. You focus on your business.

Is IndusFact free to use?

Yes. Creating an account, browsing listings, posting standard ads, sending inquiries, and reading the blog are all completely free. We charge only for premium visibility features — Urgent Ad, Featured Ad, Top-of-Category placement, and ad packs. See our Pricing page for details.

Who is IndusFact for?

• Factory owners with surplus machinery, tooling, or raw materials to move

• Buyers procuring for their plant / workshop — looking for used or new industrial gear

• Dealers and traders in industrial equipment

• Rental providers offering time-bound equipment hire

• Service providers offering AMC, fabrication, calibration, installation, engineering or industrial consultancy

• Engineers, operators, and industry professionals who want a serious place to trade

IndusFact is strictly B2B. It's not a place to sell your car, phone, or home appliances.

Do I need a company or GST registration to sign up?

No — you can sign up with a personal email and start browsing or inquiring immediately. To post listings, you'll need to fill out your business profile (name, company name, city, mobile). To get the GST Verified badge, you'll need a valid GSTIN.

📦 Posting Ads (For Sellers)

How do I post an ad?

Sign in → click "+ Post an Ad" in the header → choose listing type (Sell / Wanted / Rent / Service) → pick category → fill in title, description, price, location → upload photos → submit. Takes about 90 seconds if your photos are ready.

How long does approval take?

Every listing is reviewed by a real human moderator before it goes live. Typical turnaround is 24–48 hours on working days. Complex cases (unusual category, missing docs) can take up to 5 business days. You'll get an email once it's decided.

Why can't I just publish instantly?

Because that's how most classifieds sites become scam warehouses. Human moderation is deliberately slower — but it's why IndusFact stays clean and buyers actually respond. See our Listing & Verification Policy §2.

How many photos do I need?

Minimum 3 real photos of the actual item from different angles. Stock images, watermarked competitor photos, or images lifted from Google will be rejected.

Why does IndusFact add its logo to my photos?

To protect you. Once your photo is uploaded, we automatically apply a small IndusFact watermark so your image can't be stolen and reused by copycats or WhatsApp scammers. This is a feature, not a bug — verified sellers repeatedly tell us this is one of the best things about the platform.

Can I put my phone number in the listing title or description?

No. IndusFact uses gated contact reveal — buyers see full listing details, but your phone / email is revealed only after they send a real inquiry. This keeps cold-callers, spam, and scam bots away from you. Ads with contact details pasted into the text will be edited or removed. Learn more in Listing & Verification Policy §3.3.

How long does my ad stay live?

60 days from approval. You'll get an email reminder before it expires — one tap to renew for another 60 days. Unrenewed listings move to "expired" (still visible to you) for 90 days, then are archived.

Can I edit my listing after it's live?

Yes, any time. Small edits (typos, price tweaks under 20%) go through instantly. Major edits (category change, big price change, spec change) may re-enter light moderation.

Can I list the same item twice?

No. Duplicate listings from the same seller are removed. If you want more visibility, use a premium tag (Urgent Ad, Featured Ad) instead.

What items are NOT allowed on IndusFact?

Anything non-industrial: cars, bikes, phones, laptops, home appliances, clothing, furniture, cosmetics, real estate (except industrial plots), livestock, food, and agricultural produce. Also banned: firearms, radioactive material, counterfeit goods, and anything illegal under Indian law. Full list in Listing & Verification Policy §1.3.

My listing was rejected. What now?

You'll get an email with the reason. Either edit and resubmit, or appeal to moderation@indusfact.com within 7 days. Details in Listing & Verification Policy §7.

🔍 Finding & Buying (For Buyers)

Do I need to sign up to browse?

No — you can browse all live listings without an account. To contact a seller, save a listing to favourites, or set up a saved search, you'll need to sign up (free).

How do I contact a seller?

On any listing page, tap "Contact Seller". Fill in a short inquiry (what you need, quantity, timeline). The seller receives your message + your contact details in their IndusFact inbox and responds directly.

Why don't I see the seller's phone number up front?

By design. Gated contact reveal protects sellers from cold-calls and protects buyers from mass-scraped scam listings. Send an inquiry — most sellers respond within 24 hours, and their contact details are revealed to you in the reply.

How do I know a listing is genuine?

Every listing is human-moderated before going live. On top of that, look for the 🟢 GST Verified badge — those sellers have proven their GSTIN + business name to us. When you turn on the "Verified sellers only" filter, non-verified listings are hidden.

Can I filter by location?

Yes. Filter by state, city, and (soon) industrial hub. IndusFact is India-first — most sellers ship pan-India, but you can prioritise local sellers when transport cost matters.

How do I save listings to view later?

Tap the ❤️ / bookmark icon on any listing to add it to your Favorites. Access your saved listings any time from Dashboard → Favorites.

Can I set up alerts for new matching listings?

Yes. Save a search (e.g. "used HAAS VMC, ₹5-15L, NCR") and we'll email you when new matching listings go live. Free users can save up to 3 alerts; paid plans get more.

Are prices negotiable?

On most listings, yes — but that's between you and the seller. Some listings display "Contact for Price" — inquire directly.

Does IndusFact handle payment or shipping?

No. IndusFact is a marketplace, not a middleman for transactions. All payments, deliveries, invoicing, and after-sales handling happen directly between buyer and seller. We do not hold funds, and we're not liable for the transaction itself. See Terms & Conditions §4.

✅ Trust & Verification

What is the green tick badge?

It's the GST Verified badge. It means the seller has submitted a valid GSTIN which matches their business name on IndusFact, and our team has verified it manually. It signals identity trust, not product quality.

How do I get GST verified?

Dashboard → Verification Center → enter your 15-digit GSTIN + upload your GST Registration Certificate. We review within 2–5 business days. Once approved, the green tick appears next to your name on every listing, blog byline, and public profile.

Can I get verified without a GSTIN?

Not currently. GSTIN is our only verification tier live today. MSME, ISO, and physical-visit verification tiers are on our roadmap — GST-verified sellers will get first access when they launch.

Does verification mean IndusFact guarantees the product?

No. Verification means we've confirmed the seller's business identity — not the condition, safety, or legality of any specific listing they post. Always do your own due diligence: inspect photos closely, ask for a video call, request compliance certificates, and consider a physical inspection for high-value machines.

Can I lose my verification badge?

Yes, if your GSTIN is cancelled by the tax department, if multiple grievances are upheld against you, or if you post prohibited items repeatedly. Details in Listing & Verification Policy §4.5.

💳 Payments, Plans & Rewards

How does IndusFact make money?

Free platform + premium promotion features. Sellers can pay to boost visibility (Urgent Ad, Featured Ad, Top-of-Category). We also offer subscription plans with bundled ad slots, priority moderation, and higher favorites/follows limits. Full details on the Pricing page.

Which payment methods are accepted?

We use Razorpay — accepting UPI, all major credit/debit cards, netbanking, and popular wallets. Payment happens over Razorpay's secure gateway — IndusFact never sees or stores your card details.

Are subscription fees refundable?

Fees are non-refundable except as set out in our Refund Policy. Common exceptions: duplicate charge, technical failure where the paid feature didn't activate, or platform-side error.

What are IndusFact Points?

Points are earned by using the platform:

• Cashback on paid plans and ad packs (4% of your purchase amount as points)

• Referral bonuses when someone you invite signs up + makes their first payment

• Weekly login streaks for consistent activity

Redeem points for discounts on future paid features. 5 points = ₹1 in redemption value.

How do I refer someone?

Dashboard → Invite & Earn → copy your referral code or share your unique link on WhatsApp. When your friend signs up and makes their first payment, you both earn bonus points.

I bought an ad pack but the promotion didn't activate — help!

Email billing@indusfact.com with your transaction ID (shown in the Razorpay receipt). We resolve payment issues within 1 business day.

📨 Communication & Inquiries

Where do my inquiries go?

Dashboard → My Inquiries. Every buyer message about your listings lands in this single inbox — no juggling WhatsApp and email. Reply from within IndusFact, or take it to phone / WhatsApp once the buyer's contact is revealed.

How fast should I respond?

Within 48 hours. Sellers who repeatedly ignore inquiries lose eligibility for premium promotions and rank lower in search results. It's not a punishment — it's about keeping the marketplace responsive for buyers.

I'm getting spam inquiries — what do I do?

Report the inquiry via the Report button in your inbox. Repeat offenders are suspended. If a buyer's messages feel like phishing or a scam attempt, flag them immediately — we act within 24 hours.

Can I turn off email notifications?

Yes — Dashboard → Email Preferences — toggle per notification type (inquiries, listing status, weekly digest, promotions). Transactional emails (like password reset or payment receipts) can't be disabled, as required by law.

🛡️ Trust & Safety

How do I report a suspicious listing or user?

Every listing page has a Report this listing button. Alternatively, email moderation@indusfact.com with the listing URL + reason. Per IT Rules 2021, we acknowledge within 24 hours and act on unlawful content within 36 hours; other grievances within 15 days.

Is my data safe?

Yes. We use SSL/TLS in transit, hashed passwords, restricted staff access, and never sell personal data. Full details in our Privacy Policy. We also comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and have a dedicated Grievance Officer (grievance@indusfact.com).

I paid a seller and haven't received the item. Can IndusFact help?

IndusFact is a marketplace, not a party to transactions. If you've been scammed, we can:

• Immediately suspend the seller's account pending investigation

• Remove all their listings

• Provide their profile details to law enforcement on lawful request

But we can't reverse your payment — that's between you, the seller, and your bank / payment provider. This is why we strongly recommend transacting with GST Verified sellers only, and using proper invoices + escrow for high-value deals.

What if I have a dispute with a buyer or seller?

First, try to resolve it directly through the platform inbox. If that fails, email grievance@indusfact.com with all context (listing URL, chat screenshots, transaction receipts). Our Grievance Officer will attempt mediation within 15 days. IndusFact's decision is final at the platform level; you retain all other legal rights.

👤 Account Management

How do I change my password?

Dashboard → Profile → Change Password. If you've forgotten it, tap Forgot password on the login screen — we email a reset link that expires in 1 hour.

How do I update my profile photo, company name, or GSTIN?

Dashboard → Profile → edit any field. Changing your GSTIN triggers re-verification if you were already GST Verified.

Can I have multiple accounts?

No — one person / business = one account. Multiple accounts by the same PAN / GSTIN / mobile are flagged and merged or suspended. If you run genuinely separate businesses under different GSTINs, contact support@indusfact.com to link them cleanly.

How do I delete my account?

Dashboard → Profile → Delete Account. Or email privacy@indusfact.com. We remove personal data within 30 days except records we're legally required to keep (e.g. GST invoices — retained for 8 years per Indian tax law). Your live listings are removed immediately.

I'm shutting down my business but want to keep my listings for a while — options?

Dashboard → Profile → Deactivate. Your account and listings go dormant; you can reactivate any time within 6 months. After that, we archive automatically.

🧑‍💻 Technical & Troubleshooting

Which browsers does IndusFact support?

Latest 2 versions of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge on desktop. Mobile Chrome and Safari on Android / iOS. We test at 1440 × 900 (desktop) and 390 × 844 (mobile). Older browsers may work but aren't officially supported.

My photo upload keeps failing.

Common causes:

• File > 10 MB — resize before uploading

• Format not JPG / PNG / WebP — convert first

• Poor network — try Wi-Fi instead of mobile data

• Browser cache issue — hard-refresh (Ctrl+Shift+R / Cmd+Shift+R) and retry

Still stuck? Email support@indusfact.com with a screenshot.

I'm not getting IndusFact emails.

• Check your Spam / Promotions folder

• Add indusfact.com to your safe senders

• Confirm your email is verified: Dashboard → Profile → Email

• Some corporate mail servers block external senders — try adding your personal Gmail instead

The site is loading slowly for me.

Try a hard refresh (Ctrl+Shift+R / Cmd+Shift+R), clear browser cache, or switch networks. If the whole site is slow for everyone, we usually acknowledge it on our What's New page within an hour.

The mobile layout looks broken.

We're actively improving mobile — please email support@indusfact.com with a screenshot, your device model, and browser version.

🎨 Brand, Community & Future

Who are Indus and Fact?

Our two mascots. Indus is the letter "I" wearing a yellow hard hat — he represents the doers (sellers, posters). Fact is the letter "F" with round spectacles — he represents the checkers (moderators, verifiers). Together they spell "IF" — reinforcing the brand initials every time you see them.

Does IndusFact have a blog?

Yes — our blog has how-to guides for factory owners: buying a used CNC, preventive maintenance for VMCs, hydraulic press safety, GST tips for MSMEs, and more. Free to read, no signup needed.

What features are coming next?

Peek at our roadmap: Local Bazaar pages (curated pages for industrial hubs like Faridabad, Ludhiana, Chennai machine markets), Auction module, Kaizen competitions, and an Industry Forum where engineers can ask/answer. Watch What's New for launches.

How do I suggest a feature?

Email feedback@indusfact.com with your idea. Every suggestion is read by our team. We can't build everything, but user feedback shapes what we prioritise.

Is IndusFact hiring?

Sometimes. Watch our LinkedIn page or email hello@indusfact.com with your resume and interests — we keep good candidates in mind.

📞 Still stuck?

• General help: support@indusfact.com

• Listing / moderation questions: moderation@indusfact.com

• GST / verification: verification@indusfact.com

• Payments / billing: billing@indusfact.com

• Privacy / data: privacy@indusfact.com

• Formal grievance: grievance@indusfact.com

• Feedback / ideas: feedback@indusfact.com

We usually reply within one business day. For urgent moderation issues or reported scams, we act within 24 hours.

No fikar. Bas IF kar. — Team IndusFact