Message Templates and the Built-In Inbox
FindA.Sale's messaging system lets you send automated updates to shoppers and keep all buyer conversations in one place. Message templates save you typing the same thing over and over. The inbox is where all your conversations live. This guide covers how to create templates, when they send automatically, and how to use the inbox for one-off messages.
How it works
**1. Create a message template** Go to your sale settings and tap "Message Templates." Create a new template with:
- A name (e.g., "Sale Starts Tomorrow," "Thanks for Buying")
- The message text (what shoppers will read)
- A trigger (when this message sends automatically, if at all)
**2. Set up automation** You can:
- Send it manually to specific shoppers
- Send it to all shoppers in your sale (everyone who viewed it or bought from it)
- Schedule it to send automatically at a certain time (e.g., 6am on sale day: "We open at 8am")
- Send it after a purchase (e.g., "Thanks for shopping with us!")
- Send it when an item gets marked sold (e.g., "Your watch just sold")
**3. Browse templates** FindA.Sale includes pre-written templates you can use as-is or customize:
- "Sale starts in 2 hours"
- "Only 2 hours left"
- "We're closed tomorrow, back next weekend"
- "Thanks for buying [item name]"
- "Your item hasn't sold yet—want to adjust the price?"
**4. Send to shoppers** You can message one shopper (from the inbox) or broadcast to all. For one-off messages:
- Go to the inbox
- Find the shopper
- Type your message
- Tap send
For broadcasts:
- Go to message templates
- Tap "Send Now" on any template
- Choose: send to all, send to recent viewers, send to buyers only
- Confirm
**5. Track the inbox** Your inbox shows:
- All conversations (one thread per shopper)
- Last message received or sent
- Unread messages highlighted
- Time stamps
Common uses
When should I send an automatic welcome message?
Create one that sends when someone first views your sale: "Hi! We open at 8am Saturday. Come browse our [yard sale/estate sale]. Questions? Message me here." It's warm without being pushy.
When should I use post-purchase messages?
Send a thank-you automatically after someone buys. Example: "Thanks for shopping with us! Your items are ready for pickup at [location] or [date/time]." If you offer delivery, include that info.
Can I send different messages to different shoppers?
Yes. You can segment by: - Buyers (people who paid) - Viewers (people who browsed but didn't buy) - Specific consignor's items (shoppers who viewed a certain consignor's inventory) - Recent activity (last 24 hours, last week, etc.)
Common questions
What if a shopper replies to a template message?
Their reply goes into your inbox. It's a conversation. You can reply directly, and they'll see it as a normal message thread.
Can I use emoji in templates?
Yes. Emoji are fine. Keep the tone friendly and professional.
Do shoppers have to opt in to receive messages?
Shoppers opted in when they created their FindA.Sale account or viewed your sale for the first time. They can mute notifications from your sale anytime, but they won't receive no more messages from you unless they block you.
Can I schedule a message to send days in advance?
Yes. Set the send time when you create the template. Example: Schedule "Thanks for shopping" to send 2 hours after someone makes a purchase, or schedule "Sale starts tomorrow" to send at 6am the day before.
What if I send a template and then want to edit it?
Edits only apply to new sends. Shoppers who already got the old version still have the old text. You can't edit messages that are already sent.
Can I see if a shopper read my message?
You'll see a "Seen at [time]" timestamp under messages they've opened. If they haven't read it yet, it shows "Unread."
How to keep messages useful
Do:
- Keep templates short (3–5 sentences)
- Be specific ("Your lamp from the bedroom is here" vs. "Item sold")
- Include what they need to do next (pay, pick up, watch for restock)
Don't:
- Send too many messages (once or twice a day max)
- Use vague language ("Stuff is available")
- Forget to include your location or hours in every message
Ready to put this into practice? Your next sale starts here.