Question 1

Who founded Harrisburg Shopping and why?

Accepted Answer

Harrisburg Shopping was inspired by a 94-year-old neighbor named Miss Edna who spent a week in darkness because she couldn't replace a lightbulb. Our founder, who is also homebound, created the platform to ensure no neighbor is left in the dark.

Question 2

How is Harrisburg Shopping legally structured?

Accepted Answer

It is a 100% custom-built nonprofit public utility governed by a charitable trust. This structure ensures the platform can never be sold, privatized, or run for corporate profit.

Question 3

What defines someone as 'homebound' for your delivery service?

Accepted Answer

We use the standards set by the VA, Medicare, and Medicaid: a person is homebound if leaving the home requires significant effort or the assistance of another person or device.

Question 4

How do residents verify their homebound status?

Accepted Answer

Residents must have their healthcare provider sign a one-page certification form. We do not require medical records; once the form is verified, it is securely destroyed to protect privacy.

Question 5

What safety checks are required for delivery volunteers?

Accepted Answer

All volunteers must undergo a Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) background check. They are neighbors who give their time freely, often including church members, students, and workers.

Question 6

Are there delivery fees for homebound neighbors?

Accepted Answer

We provide free or low-cost delivery through our volunteer network. Please note that individual farms in our Farmers Market may set their own specific delivery hours and fees.

Question 7

Can I shop here if I am not homebound?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Anyone in the Harrisburg area can shop from our local businesses. However, only verified homebound customers receive free or low-cost delivery; others pay standard vendor rates.

Question 8

Do you deliver to assisted living or nursing homes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We deliver to nursing homes, senior apartments, and group homes across Harrisburg, working with staff to ensure secure delivery to residents' rooms.

Question 9

What is the 'Best of Harrisburg Shopping' award?

Accepted Answer

It is the highest honor a vendor can receive. It is earned solely through verified reviews and votes from the homebound community and cannot be purchased or faked.

Question 10

What is 'Artisan Status' for vendors?

Accepted Answer

Artisan Status recognizes elite handmade craftsmanship. Vendors must maintain a 4.0+ rating and pass unannounced 'Silent Shopper' audits to verify their techniques and quality.

Question 11

What is the 'Janitor's Pick' badge?

Accepted Answer

This badge is the personal seal of the anonymous homebound neighbor who built Harrisburg Shopping, honoring vendors who prioritize the needs of 'Honored Guests' over the marketplace noise.

Question 12

What accessibility fonts are used on the website?

Accepted Answer

We use the Atkinson Hyper-Legible typeface and large font sizes to ensure the site is easy to read for the elderly and visually impaired.

Question 13

How does the site accommodate color blindness?

Accepted Answer

The site is optimized for Protanopia (red/green), Deuteranopia (green/red), and Tritanopia (blue/yellow), with high-contrast settings for low-vision users.

Question 14

How many languages are supported on the platform?

Accepted Answer

We support over 100 languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Vietnamese, through automatic translation to serve all members of the Harrisburg community.

Question 15

What are the 18 departments available in the mall?

Accepted Answer

Our departments include Farmers Market, Makers Market, Swap & Shop, Local Services, Collectors Corner, Clothing, Baby/Toddler, Health/Beauty, Home/Garden, Pets, Electronics, Arts, Toys, Books, Office, Sporting Goods, Industrial, and Vehicles.

Question 16

What items can I buy at the Harrisburg Farmers Market?

Accepted Answer

You can find fresh eggs, seasonal produce, raw honey, dairy, meats, baked goods, jams, mushrooms, herbs, and nuts directly from local agricultural community growers.

Question 17

What is found in the 'Harrisburg Makers Market'?

Accepted Answer

This section features handmade crafts, artisan products, DIY creations, jewelry, home décor, and unique local artworks from Harrisburg creators.

Question 18

Does Harrisburg Shopping sell alcohol or tobacco?

Accepted Answer

No. We strictly prohibit the sale of alcohol, tobacco, and related products like e-cigarettes or hookahs to ensure a safe marketplace.

Question 19

Are weapons allowed for sale on the marketplace?

Accepted Answer

Functional guns, ammunition, explosives, and dangerous knives (like switchblades) are strictly prohibited. We only allow gun safety accessories like locks.

Question 20

What is your policy on adult content?

Accepted Answer

Sexually explicit content and pornography are strictly prohibited. Adult merchandise like lingerie or artistic nudity must be clearly labeled for adult sales only.

Question 21

Can I rent or buy real estate on Harrisburg Shopping?

Accepted Answer

No. Due to the high risk of online fraud, we do not allow the rental or sale of real estate, including apartments, houses, or businesses.

Question 22

Is gambling content allowed?

Accepted Answer

Gambling vouchers and lottery tickets are prohibited. However, gambling accessories like poker chips or books on gambling strategy are allowed.

Question 23

What is the policy on counterfeit products?

Accepted Answer

We strictly prohibit knock-offs, replicas, or imitations. Products with logos that mimic genuine brands will be removed immediately.

Question 24

Are there prohibited supplements or pharmaceuticals?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we ban high-risk substances like DMAA, Superdrol, and various unapproved weight-loss or 'miracle cure' supplements to protect public health.

Question 25

What makes a vendor a 'Family Owned' business?

Accepted Answer

This badge identifies shops where the craft is a household tradition, such as century-old farms or new family kitchens where everyone in the family contributes.

Question 26

What does 'Farm Fresh' signify on your site?

Accepted Answer

It means the products come directly from the farm with minimal transit time, supporting growers within our local 20-mile agricultural community.

Question 27

How is Harrisburg Shopping a 'Google Safe Shopping' website?

Accepted Answer

We adhere to all of Google's guidelines for prohibited item sales and maintain privacy standards equivalent to HIPAA to ensure a secure environment.

Question 28

Who is responsible for vendor licensing in Harrisburg?

Accepted Answer

Vendors are responsible for their own licensing. They must register their business with the PA Department of State and obtain city permits from the Harrisburg Bureau of Licensing.

Question 29

What are the food safety requirements for vendors?

Accepted Answer

Food vendors must obtain a Retail Food Facility License from the PA Department of Agriculture and undergo health inspections for their facilities.

Question 30

How do vendors handle sales tax in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

Vendors must register for sales and use tax collection via the myPATH portal and are responsible for all filings and payments to the state.

Question 31

What is the vendor commission fee?

Accepted Answer

We charge a 14% all-inclusive commission on each sale. This covers payment processing, platform maintenance, and delivery coordination for homebound neighbors.

Question 32

Which payment processor does Harrisburg Shopping use?

Accepted Answer

We use Stripe, a secure payment processor trusted by companies like Amazon and Shopify, to handle all vendor payments safely.

Question 33

Can I buy a badge for my store?

Accepted Answer

No. Badges on Harrisburg Shopping cannot be purchased, faked, or bartered for. They are strictly earned through service and quality audits.

Question 34

What is the 'Homebound Seller' badge?

Accepted Answer

This badge honors disabled mothers, grandmothers, or those in nursing homes who are homebound themselves and pour their hearts into their handmade crafts.

Question 35

How does a vendor get 'Artisan Baked' status?

Accepted Answer

This refers to hand-kneaded, small-batch baked goods that meet our high standards for traditional techniques and quality ingredients.

Question 36

What is the 'Customer Favorite' badge?

Accepted Answer

This represents the pulse of Harrisburg; it is earned by stores that neighbors frequently visit and recommend to others.

Question 37

Does the platform allow political content?

Accepted Answer

No. Harrisburg Shopping does not allow the sale or promotion of political content to maintain a neutral, welcoming space for all neighbors.

Question 38

How are delivery schedules determined?

Accepted Answer

Most volunteer deliveries occur between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM, though this varies based on driver availability and individual store policies.

Question 39

What is your policy on animal cruelty?

Accepted Answer

We strictly prohibit content promoting animal cruelty, including animal fights or products made from endangered species like ivory.

Question 40

How do you protect against phishing and scams?

Accepted Answer

We prohibit deceptive business behavior, fake business names, and impersonation of trusted brands. Store profiles must include verified contact details.

Question 41

Is there a return and refund policy?

Accepted Answer

All vendor stores are required to clearly state their individual return and refund policies on their profile pages before making sales.

Question 42

What are 'Vintage Finds' on your marketplace?

Accepted Answer

These are curated treasures with history and character, including antiques, collectibles, and vintage items found in our Swap & Shop section.

Question 43

What happens if a product is recalled?

Accepted Answer

The sale of recalled products is strictly prohibited. We reserve the right to remove any item that may harm the well-being of our neighbors.

Question 44

How can I donate to Harrisburg Shopping?

Accepted Answer

We gratefully accept donations used exclusively to cover website infrastructure, specialized delivery services, and platform maintenance.

Question 45

How does the 'silent shopper' audit work?

Accepted Answer

Anonymous shoppers visit physical stores or purchase items unannounced to grade vendors on craftsmanship, packaging, and attention to detail.

Question 46

Who owns the Harrisburg Shopping website?

Accepted Answer

No one person or company owns it. It is community-run and legally structured as a charitable trust for the people of Harrisburg.

Question 47

What is the 'Community Favorite' badge?

Accepted Answer

This badge is for products that have become Harrisburg Shopping 'legends'—items that almost everyone in the community has or knows about.

Question 48

How do I get started as a homebound customer?

Accepted Answer

Simply download our certification form, have your doctor sign it, and send it to us. We will verify your status and start your delivery service immediately.

Question 49

Why does the website have such large fonts?

Accepted Answer

We use large fonts and the Atkinson Hyper-Legible typeface to ensure that elderly neighbors can shop independently and with confidence.

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