If an item doesn't meet our quality standards, we'll email you with options based on our team's review. All quality review decisions are final. A quick self-check before you ship helps — see What are Croissant's quality standards?.
Your options
Depending on the item, you'll see:
Reduced buyback — if the flaw is minor and the item is still sellable, we may offer a lower buyback amount. Accept it, or have the item returned.
Return — have the item sent back to you.
Donate — we'll donate it to a local organization on your behalf.
An item that can't be resold will offer donation or return only.
Your exact options — and any details for each — appear in the app and on croissant.com when your item's review is complete, so check there for the most current choices.
You have 72 hours to decide
We'll send email reminders during the window. If you don't act in time, the item defaults automatically:
If a reduced buyback was offered → it defaults to accepting the reduced buyback.
If only donation or return is available → it defaults to being returned to you (at your cost).
Once you confirm an option — or it defaults — it can't be undone, so choose carefully. Keep notifications on so you don't miss the window — see Set up your notifications.
Where to find items that need action
Each flagged item shows the reason it didn't pass, along with a warehouse photo, so you can see exactly why. There are two ways to get there, in the app or on croissant.com.
From a notification
In the app, tap the bell icon ① at the top right of your Home tab, then open the Action needed alert ② to jump straight to the item and make your choice.
On croissant.com, choose Notifications under Home in the left menu, then click the alert that says your piece needs your answer ①.
From your Sales
In the app:
Tap the ⋯ menu at the top right of Home ① and select Sales ②.
Tap Action Needed ③ (alongside In Progress and Completed).
Open the item that needs action.
On croissant.com:
Choose Sales under Collection in the left menu.
Under Needs your answer, click the piece you want to answer for ①.
On your phone's browser, croissant.com has tabs at the top instead of a left menu. Tap Collection, then Needs your answer ① (it shows while a piece is waiting on you). Tap the piece ②, then make your choice ③. More on getting around: Using Croissant on Your Computer.
Making your choice
Open a flagged item and you'll see everything you need to decide.
In the app
The decide-by date — a scheduled payout or return date — and the reason it didn't pass.
A photo to review the issue.
The action to confirm: Confirm Payout (accept the reduced buyback) or Confirm Return.
The alternative: Return (if a payout was offered) or Donate (if it's a return).
On croissant.com
The page opens with what we can do: We can pay $X for this piece. if a payout was offered, or This piece is coming back to you. if it's a return.
What we found shows the reason ① it didn't pass and the date your payout (or return) is scheduled.
Next to it is a photo ② to review the issue.
The main button is the action to confirm ③: Confirm $X payout (accept the reduced buyback) or Confirm return.
The link beside it is the alternative ④: Return it to me (if a payout was offered) or Donate it (if it's a return).
Before your answer is sent, a pop-up asks you to confirm it — in the app and on croissant.com.
Matching sets
Each piece is reviewed on its own. If a set was bought as separate pieces and both are in your Collection, they're evaluated individually — if one passes and the other doesn't, you're paid for the accepted piece and given options for the other. Once a piece is accepted it can't be returned, so inspect each one before shipping. Sets aren't guaranteed to be accepted or paid out together.
Missing an accessory?
If an item arrives without one of its original accessories — a belt, strap, removable insert, and so on — it automatically fails inspection, and you can't send the accessory separately afterward to change the result. Once an item's evaluation is complete, it can't be resubmitted. (This is different from forgetting a whole item you meant to sell — that item is simply marked "not received" and returned to your Collection. See Forgot to include an item in your shipment.)
Return timeline
Items you choose to return go into our return queue; processing and USPS pickup usually take 3–5 business days. Track it any time under In Progress in Sales, in the app or on croissant.com.