How Can We Help?

Creating a PleaseStart account is simple and secure:

1. Select "Sign In" or "Create Account" in the top navigation
2. Choose "Sign in with Google" (currently our only authentication method)
3. Authorize PleaseStart to access your basic profile information
4. You're ready to start browsing, buying, or selling!

PleaseStart is built on three core differentiators:

• Quality Standards: Listings are checked against requirements for clean titles, seller-documented condition details, and clear photos
• Automated Listings: VIN autofill and a generated description help you build a listing; the listing score rates its information
• Transparency First: Buyers see the seller's condition disclosures and the listing score before they get in touch

We charge a flat $19.99 listing fee and take no commission on the sale.

Common Sign-In Issues and Solutions

Issue 1: "Couldn't authenticate" or redirect errors

• Clear your browser cache and cookies
• Try signing in using an incognito/private browsing window
• Turn off privacy or ad-blocking extensions for pleasestart.com, then try again

Issue 2: The Google sign-in page doesn't open, or you aren't sent back to PleaseStart

• "Continue with Google" opens Google's sign-in page in the same tab, not in a new window. If the page doesn't change, reload the sign-in page and select "Continue with Google" again.
• After you sign in with Google, you're sent back to PleaseStart and see "Signing you in…" before you're taken on to your account. Don't close the tab or use the Back button until that finishes.
• If PleaseStart shows "Check your sign-in", read the message, then select "Back to Sign In" and start again.
• Try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)

Issue 3: "Account not found" or "Invalid credentials"

• Verify you're using the correct Google account
• If you signed up with a different email, try that account
• If this is your first time, select "Create Account" to create an account

Issue 4: Stuck in redirect loop

• Clear all pleasestart.com cookies and site data
• Sign out of all Google accounts, then sign back in
• Try accessing from a different device

Issue 5: "Access denied" or permission errors

• On Google’s consent screen, approve the request from PleaseStart
• We need access to your basic profile (name, email) to create your account
• If you previously denied access, revoke PleaseStart from your Google Account Settings and try again

Still Having Issues?

If none of these solutions work:

1. Note the exact error message you're seeing
2. Take a screenshot if possible
3. Email us at support@pleasestart.com with:
   • The error message
   • Your browser name and version
   • The Google account email you're trying to use
   • Steps you've already tried

Our support team aims to respond within 1 business day to help with your sign-in issue.

Since PleaseStart uses Google OAuth for authentication, your account is tied to your Google email address.

To Use a Different Google Account:

1. Open the user menu (your initials at the top of the page) and select Sign Out
2. Sign out of Google in your browser
3. Return to PleaseStart and select Sign In
4. Choose "Sign in with Google"
5. Select the different Google account you want to use

If You Need Help With Your Previous Account:

If you can no longer sign in to your previous account, or need help with its listings or messages:

1. Contact support at support@pleasestart.com
2. Include the email address of your previous account and of the account you use now
3. Describe what you need help with

To Update Your Display Name:

While you can't change your Google email, you can update how your name appears:

1. Go to Account → Profile
2. Update your first and last name
3. Save changes

Your Google email is used for sign-in only—buyers and sellers see your display name, not your email.

Yes! PleaseStart is available throughout the United States. You can:

• Search for vehicles anywhere in the US
• Filter by distance from your location
• Buyers and sellers coordinate shipping independently
• List your vehicle for buyers across the country

Buyers and sellers arrange vehicle shipping independently.

PleaseStart offers multiple powerful search methods:

Natural Language Search

Simply type what you're looking for: "red Toyota Camry under $25k near me" or "family SUV with 3rd row"

Advanced Filters

• Make, model, year range
• Price range and mileage
• Body style, fuel type, transmission
• Seller type and listing score
• Distance from your ZIP code

Saved Searches

Save your search criteria so you can run the same filters again from your account.

Contacting sellers is secure and straightforward:

1. View the listing detail page and sign in
2. Select "Message Seller" ("Contact Seller" on small screens) to open the message form
3. Select a topic (I'm interested, Have questions, or Ask about the price) to start from a suggested message, or write your own
4. Send your message

Your message stays in PleaseStart. We don't share your email address or phone number with the seller; include them in a message only if you choose to.

Yes, absolutely. Even with PleaseStart's quality standards, we strongly recommend a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic.

Inspection Options:

• Your Mechanic: Take the vehicle to your trusted mechanic for inspection
• Mobile Inspection: Schedule a certified inspector to come to the vehicle's location
• Third-Party Services: Use services like Lemon Squad or YourMechanic for standardized reports

What Inspections Cover:

• Engine and transmission condition
• Brake system and suspension
• Underbody rust or damage
• Fluid levels and leaks
• Electrical systems
• Computer diagnostics (error codes)

Buyers and sellers arrange payment independently. PleaseStart provides messaging and listing services only—we don't process vehicle purchase payments.

Common Payment Methods:

• Cash: Meet at a bank to count and verify
• Cashier's Check: Verify at issuing bank before releasing vehicle
• Wire Transfer: Only after inspecting vehicle and verifying title
• Independent financing: Work directly with your bank, credit union, or provider before meeting

Safety Tips:

• PleaseStart reviews every listing for quality, but doesn't verify buyer or seller identity beyond Google sign-in and doesn't hold funds
• Complete the transaction at a DMV or bank for added protection
• Never send money before inspecting the vehicle in person

Buyers pay ZERO fees to use PleaseStart.

That's right—no buyer premiums, no transaction fees, no hidden charges. You pay only the agreed purchase price to the seller.

Services Buyers May Need (Arranged Independently):

• Vehicle Inspection: Arrange one with a third-party inspection service (highly recommended).
• Shipping: Variable by distance - coordinate directly with seller or shipping company
• Financing: Work with your bank or credit union for best rates

We make money from seller listing fees ($19.99), not buyer charges or commissions. This keeps our incentives aligned with creating quality listings.

Creating a listing on PleaseStart is straightforward:

Step 1: VIN Entry

Enter your vehicle's 17-character VIN (it's on the driver's side of the dashboard) and its current mileage. PleaseStart fills in the details it finds for that VIN, such as the year, make, and model, and you fill in any required detail it can't find.

Step 2: Photos

Upload at least 10 clear photos:

• Front, rear, both sides (exterior)
• Dashboard, front seats, rear seats (interior)
• Engine bay
• Close-ups of any damage you disclose (optional; they appear in your photo gallery)

Step 3: Condition & History

• Current mileage
• Service records (optional)
• Accident history (full disclosure required)
• Known defects or issues

Step 4: Pricing

Set the asking price you want buyers to see. You can change it after publishing.

Step 5: Submit and Pay

Complete your vehicle facts and condition disclosure, upload at least 10 photos, then submit your listing and pay the $19.99 listing fee. Checkout readiness is checked before you pay; photo coverage and other publication checks follow payment.

Step 6: Quality Review

After payment, automated quality checks run. A listing that passes is published for 30 days; some listings are held for manual review first, and a listing that fails is rejected. Publication is not immediate. A rejection explains the reason. Refund eligibility depends on that reason; see the listing-fee and refund terms, or contact support if you think the decision is wrong.

All PleaseStart listings must meet these standards:

Title Requirements

• Clean title only (no salvage, rebuilt, or branded titles)

Photo Requirements

• Minimum 10 photos (more photos raise your listing score)
• Well-lit, in-focus, high-resolution images
• Full vehicle exterior (all angles)
• Complete interior coverage
• Engine bay photo
• Optional condition close-ups can support seller-authored defect disclosures

Documentation Requirements

• VIN verification
• Full defect disclosure

A title document and service records are optional.

Description Standards

• Factual, accurate information
• Complete condition disclosure
• No superlative marketing language
• Checked for clarity before publishing

Simple, Flat-Fee Pricing

That's it. No hidden fees, no commissions, no surprises.

What's Included:

• 30 days of active listing exposure
• Up to 80 photos per listing
• Draft description generated from your vehicle data and disclosures
• VIN autofill of year, make, model, trim, and other specs NHTSA provides
• Seller-documented condition details for transparent listings
• Secure buyer messaging
• A listing score from 0 to 100 that buyers can filter by
• Analytics dashboard

Listings may be rejected for the following reasons:

Title Issues

• Salvage, rebuilt, flood, or other branded title

Vehicle and Listing Eligibility

• Another active listing already exists for the same VIN
• Commercial vehicles (cargo vans, box trucks, buses, fleet rigs)

Photo Quality

• Fewer than 10 photos
• Blurry, dark, or low-resolution images
• Missing required angles (exterior/interior/engine)

Documentation

• VIN verification failed
• Fraudulent or altered service records
• Incomplete defect disclosure

Description Issues

• Incomplete defect disclosure
• Misleading or false information
• Excessive marketing language

Receiving Offers

Buyers can contact you through:

• Messages sent from your listing page, such as questions or test-drive requests
• "Make an Offer" (when your listing is open to offers)

Best Practices for Negotiation

• Respond Quickly: Reply within 24 hours to maintain buyer interest
• Be Transparent: Answer questions honestly about condition and history
• Set Clear Expectations: Communicate your lowest acceptable price early
• Verify Buyer Readiness: Ask about payment method or proof of funds before meeting
• Use Platform Messaging: Keep communication on PleaseStart for safety and documentation

Test Drives

• Meet in public, well-lit locations
• Verify buyer's driver's license before test drive
• Accompany buyer during test drive
• Consider requiring proof of insurance or funds

Accounts

• Google OAuth sign-in — every account signs in with a Google account

Listings (every listing is reviewed before it goes live):

• Clean-title requirement — salvage, rebuilt, and branded titles are rejected
• VIN decoded and checked against NHTSA vehicle data
• Watermarked and stock photos are rejected; duplicate photos are flagged
• Duplicate listings for the same VIN are blocked
• Quality review before publication, with human review when needed

Dealers (Additional):

• Dealer applications require business details, a dealer license number, and license documentation
• Every dealer application is reviewed by our team before approval

Common Scam Warning Signs

• Seller refuses to meet in person or allow inspection
• Price far below comparable vehicles
• Requests payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
• Pressures you to act immediately
• Won't provide VIN or title information
• Story changes or inconsistencies in communication
• Asks for personal information unnecessarily

How to Report Suspicious Activity

1. Email support@pleasestart.com, or use our contact form and select Report fraud or a policy violation as the topic
2. Include the listing link and what happened
3. Attach any evidence you have (screenshots, messages)

We aim to respond to active fraud reports within 4 business hours (9 a.m.-6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday-Friday). That is a first response, not a completed investigation; we don't promise how long an investigation takes.

What We May Do

Depending on what we find, we may:

• Remove the listing
• Suspend or close the account
• Refer the matter to law enforcement

PleaseStart doesn't hold funds or settle disputes between buyers and sellers, so we can't recover money paid in a private sale.

Data Security Measures

• Encryption: HTTPS protects connections to the website; our database and stored files use encryption at rest.
• OAuth Authentication: We never see or store your password
• Payments: Listing-fee and token payments are processed by Stripe; we do not store full payment card details
• AWS Infrastructure: PleaseStart runs on Amazon Web Services

What We Share (and Don't Share)

We never share:

• Your email address with other users
• Your payment card details
• Your browsing or search history with other users
• Your email address with advertisers or data brokers

What's Visible to Others:

• Your display name (from your profile)
• Your listing information (if selling)
• If you're selling and your account has a phone number, signed-in buyers can reveal it from your listing

Privacy Controls

You control your data:

• Delete your account (Account → Profile → Delete Account)
• Manage communication preferences (Account → Profile)

Read our full Privacy Policy and Terms of Service

Safe Transaction Checklist

Before Meeting:

• Keep all communication in PleaseStart messaging so you have a record
• Arrange inspection (buyers)
• Arrange payment independently before meeting (buyers)
• Agree on price and payment method

During Meeting:

• Meet in public location during daylight
• Bring friend or family member
• Verify VIN matches title and listing
• Test drive with seller present
• Review all paperwork carefully

Payment Methods (Ranked by Safety):

1. Cashier's Check (verify at issuing bank)
2. Wire Transfer (only after receiving title)
3. Cash (meet at bank, count in bank lobby)

After Transaction:

• Transfer title immediately
• Provide bill of sale
• Cancel insurance (sellers)
• Register vehicle (buyers)
• Sellers: mark the listing as sold in My Listings