Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
Everything makers and shoppers ask most. Still curious? Email hello@makerroute.com.
What is MakerRoute?
MakerRoute is a hyper-local marketplace and micro-fulfillment hub for independent makers. We give farmers-market vendors, boutique creators, and high-ticket artisans a secure, climate-controlled home for their inventory plus a 24/7 online storefront that delivers their goods to local doorsteps in under an hour.
How does delivery happen so fast?
Because every maker's inventory lives in one central hub, we pick, pack, and dispatch a single optimized delivery to each shopper — typically in under an hour. Orders ship from one location, so you never pay a separate delivery fee for each maker in your cart.
What does it cost to sell on MakerRoute?
Makers choose a monthly storage plan — Shelf at $49, Standard at $99, or Gallery at $149–$199 — plus a 12% commission on each sale and a $2.50 pick-and-pack fee per order. Delivery is a flat pass-through fee of about $5.99 paid by the shopper on a $35 minimum order.
How is this cheaper than renting a booth?
A physical boutique booth in Arizona typically runs $300–$450 a month plus a 10–12% sales cut — and you still drive in to stock it and tear it down every weekend. MakerRoute starts at $49 a month, keeps your goods in one secure place, and sells them 24/7 without you staffing a booth.
Can I still sell at in-person markets?
Yes — it's your inventory. An authorized rep can check stock out any time for a weekday market, pop-up, or craft fair. Items scanned out are instantly delisted online and relisted when you bring them back. Withdrawing stock is free; bringing items back triggers a $15 restock fee per return visit, and your first return each month is free.
What is included with every plan?
Every tier — Shelf, Standard, and Gallery — includes climate-controlled storage, AI-powered security cameras, a 24/7 secure drop-off, and tap-to-enter access control so only verified makers and staff ever reach the floor.
How do payouts work?
Payments are processed securely through Stripe. When an item sells, the funds split automatically at checkout — your payout, the platform fee, and delivery are settled at the moment of sale, so there is no month-end reconciliation.
Is my inventory safe?
Yes. The facility is fully climate-controlled and monitored around the clock by AI-powered security cameras, with tap-to-enter access control and ID-verified pickup. Every item is barcoded and spot-checked at intake, and high-value pieces can be stored in a secured gallery zone.
How is MakerRoute different from a 3PL or Etsy?
A traditional third-party warehouse stores your goods but gives you no storefront, no local shoppers, and no delivery. Online marketplaces give you a listing but no local same-hour fulfillment. MakerRoute combines secure local storage, a curated storefront, and under-an-hour delivery in one place.
Who is MakerRoute for?
Farmers-market vendors, boutique and craft makers, and high-ticket artisans — from a $15 jar of honey to a $300 custom painting. The Gallery tier is built specifically for fine art and premium, fragile pieces.
Where is MakerRoute available?
Our pilot hub is opening in Queen Creek, Arizona. Phoenix is next on our roadmap, and the model is designed to expand into new suburban markets under one national brand.
When does it launch, and is my deposit refundable?
We're opening the Queen Creek pilot soon. You can reserve your vendor space now with a small deposit or join the waitlist for launch updates. Every lock-in deposit and contribution is 100% refundable if MakerRoute does not go live as planned.
Ready when you are
Reserve your vendor space in the Queen Creek pilot with a small, fully refundable deposit — or take a closer look at the numbers first.