❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Pixar Cars Garage is a free online platform designed specifically for Pixar Cars diecast collectors. It helps you:

• Catalog your collection - Add all your cars with photos, details, and notes
• Track values - See current and predicted future values for your cars
• Trade with others - Connect with collectors worldwide to trade or sell
• Build a wishlist - Get notified when cars you want become available
• Join the community - Share finds and connect on our SpotLight feed

Think of it as your personal garage combined with a collector community!

Yes! Pixar Cars Garage is completely free to use. All features including:

• Unlimited car entries in your catalog
• AI-powered valuations
• Trading and messaging
• Wishlist alerts
• Community features

There are no hidden fees, premium tiers, or subscriptions. We built this for collectors, by collectors.

No. Pixar Cars Garage is an independent fan-created platform. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Disney, Pixar, or Mattel in any way.

All trademarks, character names, and related imagery are the property of their respective owners. We're simply passionate collectors who built a tool to help the community.

Creating an account is simple:

1. Click the "Sign Up" button on the homepage
2. Enter your name, email address, and create a password
3. Verify your email (check your inbox)
4. Start adding cars to your garage!

The whole process takes less than 2 minutes.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Pixar Cars Garage has strict content policies to maintain a safe, focused community.

✅ You MAY post:

• Photos and videos of Pixar Cars diecast toys
• Photos and videos of Pixar Planes diecast toys
• Related Pixar vehicle diecast (ships, trains, etc.)
• Packaging, display cases, and storage for the above
• Hands holding cars (but no faces or identifiable people)

❌ You may NOT post:

• NO human faces - Adults, teenagers, or children
• NO identifiable people - Not even in the background
• NO images of minors - Especially children under 18
• NO other merchandise - Only diecast toys allowed
• NO action figures, plush toys, clothing, or non-diecast items

Why These Rules?

These policies exist to:

• Protect the privacy and safety of all users, especially minors
• Keep the platform focused on diecast collecting
• Create a safe space for collectors of all ages

📖 For complete details, see our Content Restrictions in the Terms of Service.

There are several ways to add cars:

Option 1: Quick Add (Recommended)

1. Click the ➕ button in your catalog
2. Search our Masterlist database by name or Mattel #
3. Select the matching car
4. Add your own photo and notes
5. Save!

Option 2: Manual Entry

1. Click ➕ then "Manual Entry"
2. Fill in all the details yourself
3. Upload a photo
4. Save!

Option 3: Scan

1. Click the 📷 Scan button
2. Take a photo of your car's packaging or the car itself
3. Our AI will try to identify it automatically
4. Confirm and save!

Yes! You have full control over your catalog privacy:

1. Go to ⚙️ Settings
2. Find Privacy Settings
3. Toggle "Public Catalog" on or off

When Public: Other users can browse your collection and see what you have.

When Private: Only you can see your full collection. Cars listed for trade/sale are still visible in the Community Garage.

To Edit:

1. Find the car in your catalog
2. Click on it to open the detail view
3. Click ✏️ Edit
4. Make your changes and save

To Delete:

1. Open the car's detail view
2. Click 🗑️ Delete
3. Confirm the deletion

Warning: Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone!

SpotLight is our community feed where collectors share their finds, show off their collection, and connect with other enthusiasts!

• 📷 Share photos of your latest finds
• 🎬 Post videos (up to 20 seconds) of unboxings and collection tours
• 💬 Get AI-generated captions to make posting easy
• ❤️ Like and comment on other collectors' posts

Posting videos is easy! Here's how:

1. Go to SpotLight and click "Share Your Find"
2. Click the 🎬 Video (20s) button
3. Click ⏺ Start Recording
4. Record your video (max 20 seconds - it auto-stops)
5. Click ⏹ Stop when done (or let it auto-stop)
6. Preview your video, then click ✅ Use Video
7. Add a caption (or let AI write one!) and click Share Post

Tip: Videos are automatically compressed for fast uploads!

Videos can be up to 20 seconds long. The recorder will automatically stop when you reach the limit.

This keeps the feed fast and engaging - perfect for quick unboxings, collection tours, or showing off a rare find!

Our AI caption feature automatically writes fun captions for your posts!

For Photos:

• AI analyzes your image to identify the car/character
• Generates an enthusiastic caption with relevant emojis
• You'll see "✨ AI is typing..." while it works

For Videos:

• AI generates a generic video-friendly caption
• Perfect for sharing your latest find or collection tour

You can always edit the caption before posting - it's just a helpful starting point!

What You Should Know:

• Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter and other platforms have strict policies against automated posting
• These platforms use sophisticated systems to detect posts from third-party tools
• Using automated sharing may result in:
  • Your posts being flagged as spam
  • Temporary account restrictions
  • Permanent account suspension
  • Content removal or reduced visibility
• Pixar Cars Garage is NOT responsible for any consequences to your social media accounts

Recommendations:

• Review each platform's Terms of Service before using sharing features
• Use sparingly - avoid excessive or rapid automated posting
• Space out your posts across different times
• Consider using secondary accounts if you want to test these features
• Stop immediately if you receive any warnings from the platform

📖 For complete details, see our Social Media Sharing section in the Terms of Service.

Our trading system guides you through a structured process designed to help both parties stay on the same page. Here's the complete flow:

📋 The 6 Stages of a Trade:

1. OFFER - One user proposes a trade to another
2. ACCEPTED - The other user accepts the offer
3. LOCK IN - Both parties confirm commitment (5-day shipping countdown starts)
4. ADDRESS EXCHANGE - Both users submit shipping addresses privately
5. SHIPPING - Both users ship their cars and enter tracking info
6. COMPLETED - Both confirm receipt, cars swap in catalogs, reviews left

Important Notes:

• Both parties must complete each step before moving to the next
• Addresses are only revealed after BOTH submit them
• Tracking info is only revealed after BOTH have shipped
• This simultaneous approach helps protect both parties

🔄 Complete Trading Walkthrough

STEP 1: Making or Receiving an Offer

To make an offer:

1. Find a car you want in the Community Garage
2. Click on it and select "Propose Trade"
3. Choose which of your cars you're offering (you can offer multiple)
4. Our AI will analyze the trade value for you
5. Add a message and submit your offer

The other user will be notified and can Accept, Decline, or Counter.

STEP 2: Offer Accepted → Lock In

Once an offer is accepted:

1. Go to Trade Center to see your active trade
2. Review the trade details carefully
3. When ready, click "🔒 Lock In Trade"
4. This starts a 5-day shipping deadline
5. ⚠️ After locking, the trade cannot be cancelled

STEP 3: Address Exchange

After locking in:

1. You'll see an Address Exchange section
2. Enter your complete shipping address
3. Click "Submit My Address"
4. Wait for your partner to submit theirs
5. Addresses are revealed only when BOTH have submitted

Tip: You can save a default address in Settings → Trading to auto-fill!

STEP 4: Ship Your Car

Once you have your partner's address:

1. Package your car securely (bubble wrap recommended!)
2. Ship with tracking - ALWAYS use tracking!
3. Click "📦 Mark as Shipped" in the trade
4. Enter your carrier and tracking number
5. Wait for your partner to ship theirs
6. Tracking info is revealed only when BOTH have shipped

STEP 5: Confirm Receipt

When you receive your car:

1. Inspect the car to make sure it matches the description
2. Click "✅ Confirm Received"
3. Wait for your partner to confirm they received yours
4. Once BOTH confirm, the trade is complete!

STEP 6: Rate Your Partner

After completion:

1. You'll be prompted to leave a review
2. Rate 1-5 stars based on your experience
3. Optionally add a comment (AI can help write one!)
4. Your ratings build your trading reputation

To list a car as available:

1. Go to your catalog and find the car
2. Click ✏️ Edit
3. Look for the "Availability" dropdown
4. Choose from:
   • For Trade - You want to swap for another car
   • For Sale - You want to sell for money
   • Both - Open to either option
5. If selling, enter your asking price
6. If trading, describe what you're looking for
7. Save your changes

Your car will now appear in the Community Garage with a badge showing it's available!

⚠️ This is why trading has risks.

If your trade partner doesn't ship their item:

• The 5-day shipping deadline will pass
• The system will flag the trade as overdue
• You can report the user through our contact form
• We may suspend or ban users who repeatedly fail to ship

However:

• We CANNOT force anyone to ship
• We CANNOT recover your item if you already shipped
• We CANNOT mediate disputes or provide refunds
• We are a platform only - not a party to the transaction

This is why we recommend:

• Starting with smaller trades to build trust
• Checking user ratings and reviews before trading
• Both parties shipping on the same day
• Using tracked and insured shipping

🛡️ Tips to Protect Yourself:

• Start small - Build trust with smaller, lower-value trades first
• Check reputation - Look at their trade count, rating, and reviews
• Request current photos - Ask for timestamped photos before agreeing
• Use tracking - ALWAYS ship with tracking numbers
• Insure valuable items - Purchase shipping insurance for rare cars
• Screenshot everything - Save all conversations and agreements
• Ship simultaneously - Both parties should ship on the same day
• Trust your gut - If something feels off, walk away

🚨 If You Experience Fraud:

1. Document everything (screenshots, tracking info, photos)
2. Report it to us so we can ban the user
3. If payment was involved, contact your payment provider
4. Consider filing a police report for significant losses

Remember: We can ban bad actors from the platform, but we cannot recover your items or money. Please trade responsibly.

It depends on the stage of the trade:

• Before Lock In: Yes, either party can cancel freely
• After Lock In but before addresses exchanged: May be cancelled with mutual agreement
• After addresses exchanged: Cannot be cancelled - you've committed
• After shipping: Definitely cannot be cancelled

Why can't I cancel after lock in?

The lock-in system exists to prevent "trade and bail" behavior. Once you lock in, you're committing to complete the trade. This protects both parties from wasting time and shipping costs.

This is a safety feature designed to encourage fair trading:

• It ensures both parties actually ship before getting tracking info
• It prevents one person from waiting to see if the other ships first
• It creates accountability - you can't just say you shipped without doing it

Once BOTH parties mark their shipment as sent and enter tracking, the tracking information is revealed to both users simultaneously.

When proposing a trade, our AI analyzes both sides to help you make informed decisions:

• Value Comparison - Shows current market value of both cars
• Difference Calculator - Shows if the trade is balanced or one-sided
• Trade Verdict - AI recommendation (Fair Trade, Good Deal, etc.)
• Message Generator - AI can write a friendly trade message for you

Remember: Values are estimates only. Sometimes a car is worth more to you personally than its market value - and that's okay!

📦 Shipping Tips for Diecast:

• Bubble wrap - Wrap each car individually
• Rigid box - Use a sturdy box, not a padded envelope
• Fill empty space - Use packing paper or more bubble wrap
• Double box for rare items - Put the wrapped car box inside a larger box
• Seal securely - Use packing tape, not regular tape
• Include a note - A thank you note is a nice touch!

📬 Shipping Recommendations:

• Always use tracking - No exceptions!
• Consider insurance - Especially for valuable items
• Take photos - Photograph the item before packing and the sealed package
• Ship promptly - You have 5 days from lock-in

The Buy Now feature lets you purchase items directly using PayPal:

1. Find a car listed "For Sale" in the Community Garage or SpotLight
2. Click "Buy Now" to see the sale page
3. Review the price, shipping cost, and total
4. Enter your shipping address
5. Click the PayPal button to pay
6. Complete payment through PayPal's secure checkout
7. The seller is notified and ships your item
8. Confirm delivery when you receive it

Important: Payment goes directly from your PayPal to the seller's PayPal. We never touch the money!

Yes! Payments are processed through PayPal's secure platform:

• 🔒 PayPal uses bank-level encryption
• 🔒 We never see or store your credit card numbers
• 🔒 We never see or store your bank account details
• 🔒 We never see your PayPal password
• 🔒 Payment information goes directly to PayPal

We only store a transaction reference number so both buyer and seller can track the sale status.

Since payments go through PayPal, you can use:

• ✅ PayPal balance
• ✅ Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover)
• ✅ Debit cards
• ✅ Bank account (linked to PayPal)

You can create a PayPal account during checkout if you don't have one.

PayPal Purchase Protection:

When you pay using PayPal Goods & Services, you may be eligible for:

• Item Not Received - If your item never arrives, you may be able to get a full refund
• Significantly Not as Described - If the item is materially different from the listing

How to File a PayPal Claim:

1. Log into PayPal
2. Go to "Activity" and find the transaction
3. Click "Report a problem"
4. Follow PayPal's dispute process

Note: PayPal's coverage has requirements and limitations. Review PayPal's Buyer Protection policy for details.

To sell a car on Pixar Cars Garage:

Step 1: Set Up PayPal

1. Go to ⚙️ Settings
2. Find the PayPal Email field
3. Enter your PayPal email address
4. Save your settings

Step 2: List Your Car

1. Go to your catalog and find the car
2. Click ✏️ Edit
3. Set Availability to "For Sale" or "Both"
4. Enter your Sale Price
5. Enter your Shipping Price
6. Save changes

Your car will now show a "For Sale" badge and buyers can purchase directly!

When someone buys your item:

1. Payment is sent directly to your PayPal account
2. You'll receive an email from PayPal confirming payment
3. You'll also receive an email from us with the buyer's shipping address
4. Ship the item and enter tracking info
5. Once the buyer confirms delivery, the sale is complete

💰 PayPal Fees:

PayPal charges a fee for receiving payments (typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for US sellers). This fee is deducted from the payment before it reaches your account. We do not charge any additional fees.

Tip: Factor PayPal's fees into your pricing if needed!

Here's the complete purchase flow:

📋 Sale Status Stages:

1. 💳 Pending Payment - You've started checkout but haven't paid yet
2. ✅ Paid - Payment received! Seller will ship soon
3. 📦 Shipped - Item is on the way! You'll see tracking info
4. 🎉 Completed - You confirmed delivery. Car is now in your catalog!

What You'll Receive:

• Email when payment is confirmed
• Email when the seller ships (with tracking number)
• The car automatically transfers to your catalog when you confirm delivery

If your item doesn't arrive or isn't as described:

1. Contact the seller first - Try to resolve it directly through our messaging system
2. File a PayPal dispute - If you can't resolve it, open a case with PayPal within their timeframe (usually 180 days)
3. Report the user to us - We can ban problematic sellers from the platform

To File a PayPal Dispute:

1. Log into PayPal.com
2. Go to "Activity" and find the transaction
3. Click "Report a problem"
4. Select "I didn't receive my item" or "Item not as described"
5. Follow PayPal's instructions

Remember: This is why we recommend PayPal - it offers buyer protection that we cannot provide!

No! Pixar Cars Garage is completely free:

• ✅ Free to list items for sale
• ✅ Free to buy items
• ✅ No commission on sales
• ✅ No subscription fees
• ✅ No hidden charges

PayPal does charge fees to sellers (typically 2.9% + $0.30). These are PayPal's fees, not ours.

We built this for the collector community, not to make money!

Confirming delivery serves several purposes:

• Completes the sale - Marks the transaction as finished
• Transfers ownership - The car moves from the seller's catalog to yours
• Updates stats - Both buyer and seller get credit for a successful sale
• Enables reviews - You can leave feedback for the seller

⚠️ Only confirm when you actually receive the item! Once confirmed, the sale is complete.

Yes! If you don't want to pay the listed price, you have options:

Make Offer Button:

Click "Make Offer" to propose a different price. The seller can accept, decline, or counter.

Message the Seller:

You can always message the seller to discuss pricing, bundling multiple items, or other arrangements.

Note: If you agree on a different price through messaging, the seller can update the listing or you can arrange payment directly. Always use PayPal Goods & Services for protection!

The Wishlist lets you track cars you're looking for and get notified when they become available:

1. Add cars you want to your wishlist
2. When another user lists a matching car for trade or sale, you'll be notified
3. Jump directly to make an offer before someone else does!

It's like having a personal scout watching the community for you 24/7.

Adding to your wishlist is easy:

1. Click "🌟 Wishlist" in the menu
2. Click "➕ Add to Wishlist"
3. Use the search to find a car from our Masterlist, OR
4. Fill in details manually (name, Mattel #, movie, year, rarity)
5. Set your preferences:
   • Maximum price you'd pay
   • Whether to notify for trades, sales, or both
6. Save your wishlist item

When someone lists a car that matches your wishlist criteria:

1. You'll see a notification badge on the Wishlist button
2. The notification tells you which car matched and who listed it
3. Click to go directly to the car and make an offer

Matching works on:

• Exact Mattel # match (highest priority)
• Partial name match
• Movie + Year + Rarity combinations

Our AI-powered valuation system considers multiple factors:

• Rarity - How hard is it to find?
• Character popularity - Main characters vs. minor ones
• Movie - Cars 1 vintage often worth more
• Variant type - Chase, Super Chase, promotional exclusives
• Historical sales data - What have similar items sold for?
• Condition - Mint in package vs. loose

⚠️ Important: These are estimates only. Actual value depends on what a buyer is willing to pay. We are not professional appraisers.

Our values are educated estimates, not guarantees. They're useful for:

• Getting a general sense of what your collection is worth
• Comparing relative value between cars
• Evaluating trade fairness

They should NOT be used for:

• Insurance claims
• Official appraisals
• Tax purposes
• Legal matters

Market values fluctuate constantly. Always do your own research before major transactions.

1. Go to ⚙️ Settings
2. Select Profile tab
3. Scroll to Change Password section
4. Enter your current password
5. Enter and confirm your new password
6. Click Update Password

1. Go to ⚙️ Settings
2. Select Trading tab
3. Scroll to Shipping Address section
4. Enter your street address, city, state, ZIP, and country
5. Click Save Trading Settings

This address can auto-fill when you're exchanging addresses during a trade!

You can download a copy of all your data at any time:

1. Go to ⚙️ Settings
2. Select Account tab
3. Click Download Data
4. An Excel file will download automatically

The file includes multiple sheets with your:

• Account information
• Complete car collection
• Wishlist
• Posts and comments
• Offers sent and received

The file opens in Excel, Google Sheets, or any spreadsheet app.

We respect your privacy and give you full control over your data. You have the right to:

• Access - Download all your data anytime (Settings → Account → Download Data)
• Correct - Update any inaccurate information in your profile or catalog
• Delete - Permanently delete your account and all associated data
• Portability - Export your data in a standard format (Excel)

These rights apply to all users, including those in the European Union under GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

For more details, see our Privacy Policy or contact us with any questions.

⚠️ Warning: Account deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.

1. Go to ⚙️ Settings
2. Select Account tab
3. Click Delete Account
4. Type "DELETE" to confirm
5. Enter your password
6. Click Delete Forever

This will permanently remove your catalog, messages, trade history, and all other data.

1. Go to the login page
2. Click "Forgot Password?"
3. Enter your email address
4. Check your inbox for a reset link
5. Click the link and create a new password

If you don't receive the email, check your spam folder or contact us for help.

Pixar Cars Garage works best on modern browsers:

• ✅ Google Chrome (recommended)
• ✅ Mozilla Firefox
• ✅ Microsoft Edge
• ✅ Safari (Mac/iOS)
• ✅ Samsung Internet

For the best experience, keep your browser updated to the latest version.

If images aren't uploading, check:

• File size - Images should be under 10MB
• File format - Use JPG, PNG, or GIF
• Human faces - Our AI blocks images with human faces
• Internet connection - Ensure you have a stable connection
• Browser cache - Try clearing your browser cache

If problems persist, try uploading a smaller image or contact us.

Currently, Pixar Cars Garage is a web-based platform optimized for both desktop and mobile browsers. There is no dedicated iOS or Android app at this time.

Pro tip: You can add our website to your phone's home screen for an app-like experience:

• iPhone: Open in Safari → Share button → "Add to Home Screen"
• Android: Open in Chrome → Menu → "Add to Home Screen"

Found something broken? Please report it!

1. Go to our Contact page
2. Select "Bug Report" as the subject
3. Describe what happened and what you expected
4. Include screenshots if possible
5. Tell us your browser and device type

We appreciate bug reports - they help us improve the platform for everyone!