Because HC is different than most shopping sites, it can take a little getting used to. There are links to the left to Frequently Asked Questions for shoppers and sellers, as well as the HC Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Finally, the information below lists the most common issues users encounter.

• New Store setup

If you're just getting started and would like to sign up for a store, please click here.

I will strive to have your store set up within 24 hours of payment. It's possible for me to overlook your payment, so if your cart isn't set up within 24 hours, please feel free to 'nudge' me by forwarding your Paypal receipt to payments@hyenacart.com with subject line "Payment error". Note that if you paid by e-check, I will set your store up after your check clears.

• How to open a home-based business

If you have questions about starting your own home-based business. Try this page and also the Work-at-home-mom (WAHM) forums at HC.

• Advertising

To display your banner at HC, please follow the instructions on this page.

• Changing store configurations

If you already have an HC store and would like to add image uploading, switch from Standard to Multi or vice versa, or change the name of your store, please log in to your vendor pages and go to Store Settings >> Request changes.

• Store payment

To make a payment for your store, please log in to your vendor pages and go to Store Settings >> Make payment. If you made a payment but it didn't alter your paid date, please forward your Paypal receipt to payments@hyenacart.com with subject line "Payment error".

• Bugs and requests

If you're having trouble with your cart and would like to report a bug, or you have a request for a new feature, please drop us an email at support@hyenacart.com.

• Change email

If you'd like to change the email address associated with your shopping account, log in to your account, go to My HC and click on the "Manage Account" link on the left.To change the email on a seller account, please log in to your vendor pages and go to Store Settings >> Profile page.

• Bad transaction

To report a bad transaction, please leave feedback via the "Feedback" link on your purchase history page (MyHC >> Purchases). Please mark the transaction "Negative" using the checkbox at the bottom of the feedback form. The seller will then have the opportunity to respond and resolve the situation. If the situation is resolved, you will have the opportunity to make a final comment and unmark the "Negative" checkbox.

• Can't log in

Unfortunately, it's possible to have a lot of different HC accounts. As a customer, there's an account for purchasing, and an account at the forums. For a seller, there's your customer and forum accounts, plus your vendor account (sometimes more than one for those of you with multiple stores or who are part of congos), and your advertising account.

Before you contact me with log in issues -- if you are a customer who is just setting up a new account, see if you can at least get the account activated. You should be able to click on the activation link and get the words "Your account has been activated!" If you get that, but you still can't log in, try using the "Forgotten Password" link to reset your password. When you get your new password, type it in, rather than using a cut and paste. If you still aren't having any luck, please forward your latest password change email to support@hyenacart.com.

If you can't log in to the forums, first remember to register for an account (it's separate from your normal HC account). If that still doesn't work. Please forward your registration email to forums@hyenacart.com.

As a vendor, you should be able to use the Forgotten Password link to recover your password (not for HC Multi yet, I'm working on that). If you're part of a congo, your congo admin can reset your password for you.

• Questions

I am happy to answer any other questions you may have, but I ask that you check a few places first before contacting me directly. First, read through the FAQ page which has answers about advertising, payment, store customization, how to get on the HC calendar, etc.

Also try posting your question on the HC questions forum here.

• Contact me

Whew! After all that, if you'd like to contact me directly, please feel free to do so at support@hyenacart.com. I get a lot of emails that start with "Sorry to bother you, but..." Please don't feel the need to apologize! I love to hear from all of you, and I hope that this web phone-tree doesn't seem too impersonal. I'm actually trying to help you get your answers faster and also save me a little time to improve our cart.

If you do contact me directly about an issue -- please forward me all the relevant information -- your username, your store name, a link to a listing that isn't working, an order number of an order that didn't go through correctly, etc.

Thanks so much!