Looking for services on campus? Campus Collective is the student-to-student marketplace for beauty, fitness, academic & lifestyle services. Trusted. Affordable. Flexible. This guide will show you how to make the most of your Campus Collective experience as a member.
Getting Started as a Member
Creating Your Account
- Sign up using your university email
- Verify your email through the confirmation link
- Complete your profile (optional but recommended)
- Add a payment method to start booking
Your university email keeps Campus Collective safe and campus-only. We’ll never share your information with third parties.
Finding the Perfect Service
Browse by Category
Campus Collective organizes services into four main categories:
💅 Beauty
- Hair styling, cuts, and coloring
- Nail services (manicures, pedicures, nail art)
- Makeup application
- Skincare and facials
💪 Fitness
- Personal training
- Yoga and pilates classes
- Nutrition coaching
- Group fitness sessions
📚 Academic
- Subject-specific tutoring
- Essay editing and proofreading
- Test preparation
- Study group facilitation
🏡 Lifestyle
- Photography (portraits, events, graduation)
- Moving help and dorm setup
- Room organizing
- Meal prep and cooking
Using Search and Filters
Find exactly what you need with our powerful search tools:
- Search bar: Type keywords like “math tutor” or “haircut”
- Price range: Filter by your budget
- Availability: Find vendors available when you need them
- Rating: Sort by highest-rated vendors first
- Vendor status: Filter by Rising, Active, or Top Vendors
Pro Tip: Top Vendors have completed 51+ bookings and maintain 4.5+ star ratings. They’re often your safest bet for quality service!
Understanding Vendor Profiles
What to Look For
When evaluating a vendor:
Profile Photo & Bio
- Professional appearance
- Clear, friendly photo
- Detailed bio about their experience
Portfolio Photos
- Multiple high-quality images of their work
- Before/after photos (for applicable services)
- Recent examples
Reviews & Ratings
- Overall star rating
- Number of completed bookings
- Recent review comments
- Response to negative feedback
Vendor Status Badge
- Rising: New vendor (0-10 bookings)
- Active: Established vendor (11-50 bookings)
- Top: Elite vendor (51+ bookings, 4.5+ rating)
Pricing & Availability
- Clear pricing structure
- Available time slots
- Booking windows
The Booking Process
Step-by-Step Booking
- Select a service from a vendor’s profile
- Choose your date and time from available slots
- Review the details (price, duration, location)
- Add a message (optional) with special requests
- Enter payment information
- Confirm booking
You’ll receive instant confirmation via email and in-app notification.
Before Your Booking
- Check your confirmation for time and location details
- Message the vendor if you have questions
- Add to your calendar so you don’t forget
- Prepare any materials you need to bring
Secure Payments
How Payment Protection Works
Campus Collective uses Stripe for secure payment processing and escrow protection:
- You pay when booking
- Payment held in secure escrow
- Service completed by vendor
- You confirm completion (or auto-confirm after 24 hours)
- Vendor receives payment
This protects both you and the vendor. If there’s an issue, funds stay in escrow until resolved.
Accepted Payment Methods
- All major credit cards
- Debit cards
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Digital wallets
All transactions are encrypted and secure. We never store your full payment information.
Communicating with Vendors
In-App Messaging
Use Campus Collective’s built-in chat to:
- Ask questions before booking
- Confirm details about timing or location
- Share requirements or special requests
- Coordinate last-minute changes
Best Practices:
- Be clear and specific
- Respond promptly
- Keep all communication in-app for safety
- Be respectful and professional
Safety Tip: Never share personal contact information (phone, social media, email) until after you’ve booked and confirmed the vendor is legitimate.
Your Booking Day
What to Bring
- Confirmation details (check your email or app)
- Payment confirmation (already processed)
- Any requested materials mentioned in the listing
- Positive attitude!
If You’re Running Late
- Message the vendor immediately through the app
- Give an updated arrival time
- Apologize for the inconvenience
- Note: Frequent no-shows may result in booking restrictions
If You Need to Cancel
More than 24 hours before:
- Full refund, minus a small processing fee
- Message the vendor to let them know
Less than 24 hours before:
- May forfeit 50% of the booking fee (vendor’s cancellation policy varies)
- Always check the listing’s cancellation policy before booking
Emergency cancellations:
- Contact Campus Collective support
- Explain your situation
- We’ll work with you and the vendor
After Your Service
Confirming Completion
Within 24 hours after your booking:
- Confirm service completion in the app
- Release payment to the vendor (or it auto-releases)
- Leave a review to help other students
Writing Helpful Reviews
Great reviews include:
- Overall experience (quality, professionalism, value)
- Specific details about what the vendor did well
- Areas for improvement (constructive feedback)
- Would you book again?
Do:
- Be honest and fair
- Mention specific strengths
- Include context (e.g., “Perfect for last-minute needs”)
- Keep it respectful
Don’t:
- Attack the vendor personally
- Leave reviews for services you didn’t use
- Write reviews for friends to boost their rating
- Include inappropriate content
Safety & Security
Staying Safe on Campus Collective
Before Booking:
- Read reviews from other students
- Check vendor’s booking history
- Message with questions
- Trust your instincts
During Service:
- Meet in public campus locations when possible
- Let a friend know where you’re going
- Keep valuables secure
- Use in-app messaging for all communication
If Something Feels Wrong:
- End the service politely
- Leave the area if you feel unsafe
- Report the issue immediately
- Contact campus security if needed
Reporting Issues
Use the report button if you experience:
- Inappropriate behavior
- Unsafe situations
- Service not as described
- Harassment or discrimination
- Scams or fraud
Our team reviews every report within 24 hours and takes appropriate action.
Dispute Resolution
If You’re Unhappy with a Service
- Try to resolve directly with the vendor first
- Explain the issue calmly and clearly
- Request a partial refund or redo if applicable
- Document everything with photos/messages
Requesting a Refund
If direct resolution fails:
- Contact Campus Collective support
- Provide details and evidence
- Our team mediates between you and the vendor
- Fair resolution based on our policies
Common reasons for refunds:
- Service not completed
- Significant deviation from listing description
- Vendor no-show
- Safety concerns
Getting the Most Value
Pro Member Tips
Save Money:
- Book first-time clients for vendor discounts
- Look for package deals (multiple sessions)
- Book off-peak hours for better rates
- Become a repeat client for loyalty perks
Get Better Service:
- Book with Top Vendors for reliability
- Read reviews to set expectations
- Communicate clearly about your needs
- Be punctual and prepared
Build Relationships:
- Book the same vendor repeatedly
- Leave thoughtful reviews
- Refer friends to great vendors
- Tip for exceptional service (optional)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if a vendor is legitimate? A: All vendors are verified students with university emails. Check their status badge, reviews, and booking history.
Q: Can I book services for a friend? A: Yes! Just enter their information in the booking notes and coordinate directly with the vendor.
Q: What if a vendor cancels my booking? A: You receive an immediate full refund. Frequent cancellations hurt a vendor’s leaderboard standing.
Q: Can I book multiple services at once? A: Yes! Add services to your cart and checkout together, or book separately with different vendors.
Q: Do I need to tip vendors? A: Tipping is optional but appreciated for exceptional service. You can tip through the app after completion.
Your Next Steps
Ready to book your first service?
- Browse categories to explore what’s available
- Read vendor profiles and reviews
- Message vendors with questions
- Make your first booking!
- Leave a review to help the community
Campus Collective makes it easy to find affordable, reliable services from people you trust — your fellow students. Start exploring today and discover all the amazing talent on your campus!
Welcome to Campus Collective. Let’s build a stronger campus community together! 🎓