Trade Away plans on helping lots of West Australians buy, well, almost anything on Trade Away! Our service is a bit different to a lot of the bigger national sites, as we don’t get involved with the actual payment process; this is between the buyer and the seller. Here are some guidelines to safer buying on Trade Away:
Check:Always check a member’s feedback and always add your own feedback after a trade is completed; this ensures that we build up records of the trading practices of all our members and this also supports our safe trading ethics.
We encourage all members to become 'Address Verified', as this confirms that members are who they say they are and this helps to build trust. It’s free and easy for a member to become Address Verified. This also supports our WA member only policy.
One of Trade Away's unique features is that it is solely for the use of Western Australians. We should all be one big happy family, but rest assured that if ever the situation arises, all Address Verification records and listing information are kept safe at Trade Away HQ.
When buying, ask lots of questions:
This can be done through the Q & A option on the listing page. Read the item description carefully and note things like; whether the item is being sold with all of its accessories and/or the instruction manual; the age of the item, its brand, and its condition; and even why it is being sold. If you wish to know, ask is our motto. If a member fails to describe an item accurately, please place feedback to that effect.
Veiw Items:
Because we offer this service only within WA, we hope that most people will be happy to allow the viewing of items. This means that you can go and see what it is you’re bidding on in person, so there are no surprises! You can then decide what you’re willing to pay and enter an auction with confidence.
Even if the item is listed as “BuyNow” or “Fixed Price”, by all means, get in contact with the seller and ask to have a look, especially if the item is an expensive one.
We do not advise trying to buy anything from members who want you to bypass the auction process. To protect the auction process we do not allow the exchange of phone numbers, or personal details during the auction process.
After the auction closes:
Once you have won an auction or sale, stay in contact with the seller. It’s always a good idea to get phone numbers, as it can make life easier to get in touch. But it is up to both of you to ensure contact is made and the sale completed.
Trade Away sends, contact detail emails, to both parties confirming the auction and sale results. You then arrange pick-up or delivery and if items are being delivered, safe packaging is the responsibility of the seller. Make sure you keep your personal details up to date in our system so we send out the right information.
Understanding:
Ensure that you understand when to expect the delivery or pick-up to take place and keep the lines of communication open. You should also keep all the payment details of the seller and any emails you have exchanged with them. If you're selling, another good idea is to take a screen shot of your listing at step 5, press crtl PrtSc on your computer and then save this image.
Payment Options:
We advise NOT to make or accept payments from/or with Western Union, Money Gram or instant cash transfers, as they cannot be traced. Pay for larger items by cheque, credit card or bank transfer if possible. These transactions are easily traceable by the bank, if anything goes wrong.
If you have paid for the item and the seller has not sent the item nor responded to your emails, 'Place Feedback' immediately. Always report to us any members who do not trade fairly. Either use our communitywatch system, which is linked to each listing page, or contact us directly. We recommend paying cash and picking up the item where possible. This way the deal is more personal and immediate.
Missing Emails:
Sometimes buyers and sellers may not receive one another’s emails due to faulty spam filters or other email filtering, so make sure to check your junk or bulk email folders. We will be on hand to assist with any problems that may arise and we hope to resolve any disputes or misunderstandings through good communication and common sense.
For any further advice, please contact us at support@tradeaway.com.au also check out the Government website linked below, 'Scam Watch' which offers lots of useful advice
