Safest Way To Pay For Trade Me Purchase

subywagon on 17/03/2019 - 18:45

I won a trademe.co.nz auction and was set to pay with Paypal but now the seller is requesting I do a bank transfer as they want to avoid the Paypal fee as they have already paid fees for using Trade Me. I don't have a kiwi bank account anymore so I can't use their "Ping" system that has buyers protection. I'm not sure what would be the safest way to pay in case the item doesn't turn up. I don't have a credit card, just debit cards.

Anyone else out there have experience using trademe.co.nz and have an idea of the safest way to pay?

Thanks

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Comments

  • ThatKiwiFella on 17/03/2019 - 18:49
    +2

    On the payment options that the seller has listed, was Paypal an option?

    • subywagon on 17/03/2019 - 18:52

      I'll have to double check. After purchase though they asked if I'd like to pay via paypal or bank transfer. I chose paypal which at that stage they said it was fine. I've done a few bank transfers before on trademe and it was all fine, but this seller seems a little off through our messaging. Trying to get me to transfer more for shipping than the nz post quote and promising to refund the difference if it's lower etc.

      • ThatKiwiFella on 17/03/2019 - 18:55
        +4

        If Paypal was an option they've listed, they should oblige by that, if they're asking for extra then they're not following their obligations.
        Paypal is an option they've allowed, therefore they accept fees incurred with that method.
        Where abouts in New Zealand is the item, if I may ask?

        • subywagon on 17/03/2019 - 18:59

          I just had a look at the listing and it only states "Cash, NZ bank deposit" though as I said in the initial email from them they asked if I'd like to pay via Paypal or bank transfer. I guess because it's not on the listing they are not obliged.

          The item is located in Oamaru, why do you ask?

          Thanks for you help.

          • ThatKiwiFella on 17/03/2019 - 19:06
            +1

            @subywagon: Yeah I suppose using Paypal could come under bank transfer but they don't necceserily have to accept that method.

            You could just take it on the chin and do a bank transfer from your bank and pay those fees, or another option would be Western Union transfer. How much fees would be incurred using Paypal? Is it enough to make a deal about? Sometimes I've received items and overpaid for postage by say, $5 but wasn't enough to follow up on

            My girlfriend has used the latter in New Zealand to receive money from her mum in Australia.

            As for postage, I'd tell them to get a printed quote and that's the price you're willing to pay

            If it's too much hassle you could also choose not to go ahead with the purchase, which may result in negative feedback but Trademe has a dispute resolution for that

            I was going to offer to be a third party - Could pick up the item for you and send it to you, but I live just over an hour from Oamaru

            • subywagon on 17/03/2019 - 19:48

              @ThatKiwiFella: Yeah, I'm going to push for Paypal. The fees should only be like $5. I'll even offer to pay the $5 fee if it's such a big deal. The item went $8 over reserve anyway… Otherwise I'll have to pass. I don't want to risk them doing a runner with my money.

              Thanks again for your help mate.

      • ozhunter on 17/03/2019 - 19:40
        +3

        I've done a few bank transfers before on trademe and it was all fine, but this seller seems a little off through our messaging

        then use paypal….

        • subywagon on 17/03/2019 - 19:46

          That's what I'm hoping to do, but they are now saying too much fee using Paypal as per my initial post.

          • ozhunter on 17/03/2019 - 19:50
            +1

            @subywagon: Did you tell them that you only want to pay through Paypal?

            I think all sellers would prefer bank transfer to save on fees.

            Trademe appears to be like gumtree, so while paying by Paypal is an option given, it probably doesn't give you any protection.

  • eggles01 on 18/03/2019 - 00:23

    contact PayPal and ask them how much their fees are for the cost of the price of the item,contact the seller and offer to pay the fee and request a new invoice and if he still insists give them a wide birth as it is more likely you are going to be scammed,

  • Ryanek on 18/03/2019 - 09:34

    No way Jose. You have no recourse with a bank transfer.

  • subywagon on 18/03/2019 - 11:07

    I went ahead with Paypal and at last sec they asked me to select "Friends & Family" but I paid with business and gave the $5 more to cover the fees. See what happens…

  • subywagon on 18/03/2019 - 11:08

    I think they might be worried I'm going to scam them, they do have a pretty good rating on Trademe. I look forward to proving them wrong by NOT scamming them…

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