FAQ
Questions? Answered.
Everything in plain English. Tap a question to open it.
The basics
What this is and how it works
What is R4ACO?
A marketplace of ACO providers. Providers run fast checkout tech for limited drops; you find one, join free, and tell them what you want.
What’s an ACO provider?
ACO means auto-checkout. A provider runs checkout software on sold-out-in-seconds releases for their customers. You pick the items and give your details once; they try to buy it for you.
What can I get?
Whatever your provider opens a release for at Pokémon Center and Target: Pokémon TCG, One Piece TCG, Magic: The Gathering, Disney Lorcana, sports cards, Funko Pop!, PlayStation 5 (PS5), Nintendo Switch and other limited drops. Every release lists its exact items and prices before you sign up.
Which stores?
Pokémon Center and Target today. More stores get added as providers support them, and we only list a store once checkouts there actually work.
Do I need Discord, bots or any software?
No. Just an email. Everything happens on the website or the iPhone app. Already on Discord? You can sign in with it and get updates there too, but it’s optional.
So I don’t have to wait in line?
That’s the point. No camping outside the store at 5am and no refreshing all night. Your provider checks out online the second the drop goes live.
Money
What it costs and when you pay
Is it really free?
Yes. Creating an account, browsing providers, joining one and signing up for releases cost nothing. R4ACO never charges buyers.
When do I pay, and who do I pay?
Only when your provider gets you a successful checkout, and you pay that provider directly, not R4ACO. Miss the drop and you pay nothing.
How much do providers charge?
Each provider sets its own fee. You see it in their terms before you join and again before you sign up for a release.
Who pays for the item itself?
You do, at the store’s price, using the payment details you give for that release. The provider’s fee is separate and only owed after a successful checkout.
Drops & sign-ups
Getting in on a release
Is an order guaranteed?
No one can guarantee a sold-out drop. Providers give you a real shot with fast automated checkout, and you only pay their fee when it works.
How do I sign up for a drop?
Open the release from your provider’s page, tap the items you want, add shipping and payment once, and send it. We walk you through every step and save your details for next time.
When’s the next restock?
Providers open a release before each drop they run. Join one and turn on notifications to hear the moment a new release opens.
Can my slot run every week?
Yes, if your provider turns on Weekly Runs for that release. Tick “Run it every week” when you send your request (or switch it on from the request page later). The same slot goes out again each week, no resubmitting, until you stop it. Your provider can stop it too. Fees work the same: you only pay when a run scores.
Can I use more than one provider?
Yes. One free account works with every provider you join. Switch between them from the top of any page; each keeps its own requests and orders.
How do I pick a good provider?
Check Discover: star ratings and reviews come from real members of each provider. Featured providers are hand-picked by R4ACO. Read their terms and fee before you join.
Is there an app?
Yes, an iPhone app is in TestFlight pilot. The full website works on any phone or computer in the meantime.
Safety
Your details and your account
Is my info safe?
Card values and retailer passwords are never displayed back through your page or the app. Only the provider you sent a request to can use them, for that request. Each provider publishes a privacy policy you read before joining.
Who can see my details?
Only the provider you joined, and only what they need to run your request. Other providers and other customers never see them.
Can I delete my account?
Yes, any time from Account settings, on the web or in the app. Your saved details and reviews go with it.
For providers
Running an ACO on R4ACO
What does R4ACO do for providers?
It replaces forms, spreadsheets and hand-built files with one branded workspace: customer sign-ups with item picks, saved profiles, Target account pairing, native bot exports, order tracking and fee tracking. Your bot still does the checkout.
How much is it for providers?
Free during the open beta, no card needed. After the beta it’s $20 a month or $200 a year (two months free), no setup fee, and we’ll tell you before the beta ends. Your workspace, your team, unlimited customers and a Discover listing are all included. Customer fees go straight to your own Stripe account; R4ACO takes no cut.
How do Weekly Runs work for providers?
Turn on Weekly Runs on any release. Customers who opt in come back in that release’s export every week, marked “due this week”, with no rerun reason to pick. Stop one customer’s run, or switch the whole release off, anytime. A run comes due again six days after its last download, so it can’t go out twice in one week.
Which bots and stores are supported?
Native exports for Shikari, Refract, Valor, StellarAIO, SWFT, Hayha and R4ID, for Pokémon Center guest checkout and Target. Availability is path-specific: the export screen checks each bot, store and checkout mode and names any missing piece before it makes a file. Captured payment details are included in authorized exports for the matching profile.
How do I get listed or featured in Discover?
Your listing is included. Turn it on in Settings once your terms and privacy policy are published. Featured spots are picked by the R4ACO team.
Is setup hard?
No. A checklist walks you through brand, terms, Stripe and your first release, and every step tells you what it is, why it matters and how to fix it.
Can I run an ACO and buy from others?
Yes. The same sign-in works for your workspace and any provider you join. Use Switch at the top of any page to move between selling and buying.