A Guide to the Trade Me App

Modified on Tue, 12 Nov at 4:16 AM

A Detailed Guide to the Trade Me App

Trade Me is New Zealand's largest online marketplace for buying and selling goods and services. The platform is widely used by Kiwis to buy and sell everything from second-hand items to new products, and it includes categories for jobs, property, cars, services, and more. The Trade Me app is the mobile version of the website, designed to make browsing, buying, selling, and managing listings easy on-the-go.

If you're new to New Zealand or just unfamiliar with how Trade Me works, this guide will walk you through the key features and functionalities of the Trade Me app.

1. Getting Started with the Trade Me App

Downloading the App

Available On: The Trade Me app is available for free on both Android (via the Google Play Store) and iOS (via the Apple App Store).
Search for: “Trade Me” in your app store to find it.

Once you've downloaded and installed the app, open it to begin exploring.

2. Creating an Account or Logging In

You need a Trade Me account to buy, sell, or manage your listings. If you don’t already have one, follow these steps:

Sign Up: Tap on the profile icon (usually in the top-left corner of the app). Then, you can either sign up with an email address or use a Facebook or Google account to register.
Login: If you already have a Trade Me account, just log in using your credentials.

After logging in, you can manage your listings, make purchases, and track your activity.

3. Navigating the Trade Me App

The app is organized into several key sections. Here's how to navigate:

Home Screen

The home screen displays a mix of featured listings and popular categories. You'll see categories like:
- For Sale
- Cars
- Property
- Jobs
- Services
- Community
- Motors

You can scroll through these or tap on any category for more specific results.

Search Bar

At the top of the screen, there’s a search bar where you can type in what you’re looking for. Use keywords like “bicycle,” “phone,” “furniture,” etc.
You can also filter your search results by location, price, or condition (e.g., new vs. used).

Navigation Menu (Hamburger Menu)

Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top-left corner to open the app’s main menu. This includes options such as:
- My Trade Me (account settings, watchlist, and listings)
- Messages (for communication with sellers/buyers)
- Watchlist (view items you’ve saved to check later)
- Bidding History (track your bids)
- Saved Searches (revisit your saved searches)
- Trade Me Help (access customer support and FAQs)

4. Buying on Trade Me

Browsing and Searching for Items

Search Results: When you search for an item, results will show up by relevance, or you can sort by options like price, auction start time, or distance from your location.
Item Details: Tap on any item to see more detailed information. This will include:
- Item description (with photos)
- Price (if listed for sale or auction)
- Seller information and ratings
- Delivery options or pickup details
- Questions and answers from other users (if any)

Bidding on Auctions

Many items on Trade Me are sold via auctions. Here’s how to bid:

Placing a Bid: Tap on the "Place Bid" button. You'll be prompted to enter the amount you want to bid.
Reserve Price: Some items may have a reserve price, which is the minimum price the seller is willing to accept. If the bidding doesn’t reach this amount, the item may not be sold.
Auto-Bid: Trade Me has an auto-bid feature. If you set a maximum bid, the system will automatically raise your bid incrementally until it reaches your set limit.

Buy Now Listings

Some sellers list items with a Buy Now price, which allows you to bypass the auction and immediately purchase the item at a fixed price. If you see a "Buy Now" option, you can simply tap it to purchase the item directly.

Watching Items

Watchlist: If you’re unsure about an item or want to keep track of an auction, tap the heart icon to save it to your Watchlist. You can easily view your Watchlist in the "My Trade Me" section.

5. Selling on Trade Me

Selling items is straightforward with the Trade Me app. Here’s how you can list an item for sale:

Creating a Listing

Tap the “Sell” button: Usually located on the home screen or in the menu, the “Sell” button allows you to create a new listing.
Category: Choose the appropriate category for your item (e.g., For Sale, Cars, Property).
Title & Description: Add a clear, descriptive title and details about the item. Be specific about the condition and any issues it may have.
Photos: Add high-quality photos of your item. The app lets you take pictures directly or upload from your phone's gallery.
Price Type: Choose between an auction or a fixed-price (Buy Now) listing.
Reserve Price: If you choose an auction, you can set a reserve price. If you choose Buy Now, you'll set the fixed price.
Location & Shipping: Specify the location of your item and offer shipping options. You can either offer nationwide shipping or set a local pickup.

Managing Listings

My Trade Me: Once your listing is live, you can manage it from the "My Trade Me" section. Here, you can:
- Edit your listing
- Track bids and offers
- Respond to potential buyers
- Mark the item as sold

Responding to Questions

Potential buyers may have questions about your item. You can respond directly within the app, which helps in building trust and ensuring a smooth transaction.

6. Messaging and Communication

Trade Me facilitates communication between buyers and sellers via Trade Me Messages. This is a secure messaging system that allows you to:

Contact the Seller: Ask questions about the item before placing a bid or making a purchase.
Track Messages: All conversations are stored in the app, making it easy to reference past communication.
Negotiations: Some buyers and sellers may negotiate price or terms directly through messaging.

Notifications

The app will send push notifications to alert you about activity related to your listings, bids, or messages.

7. Payment Options

Trade Me offers several secure payment methods to ensure smooth transactions:

Bank Transfer: The most common method in New Zealand.
Credit/Debit Card: You can pay directly through the app with a credit or debit card.
Pay Now: For Buy Now items, you can pay instantly using the integrated payment system.
Trade Me Protect: This service helps ensure that both buyers and sellers are protected, especially when it comes to large transactions. Trade Me Protect holds the funds until the buyer confirms receipt of the item.

8. Trade Me Mobile App Features

Some additional features that enhance your experience on the Trade Me app include:

Barcode Scanner: You can scan barcodes to quickly list items you want to sell.
Saved Searches: Save searches and receive notifications when items matching your criteria are listed.
Payment via Apple Pay or Google Pay: The app supports integrated payment methods for convenience.
Seller and Buyer Ratings: Check seller and buyer feedback to ensure you're dealing with a reputable party.
Offer System: You can make an offer on Buy Now listings, allowing you to propose a lower price.

9. Trade Me Services

In addition to buying and selling goods, Trade Me also offers other services that you can access via the app:

Jobs: Search for job listings or apply for positions directly.
Property: Browse property listings for rent or sale.
Motors: Look for vehicles for sale, including cars, motorbikes, and boats.

10. Safety and Tips

Fraud Prevention: Always deal within Trade Me’s system (i.e., use secure payment methods and communicate through the app). Be wary of sellers who ask to meet outside of the platform or use untraceable payment methods.
Shipping: When buying, ensure you understand the seller’s shipping policies, and keep records of the transaction.
Inspect Items: For local purchases, try to inspect the items before committing, especially for high-value goods.

Conclusion

The Trade Me app is an essential tool for anyone in New Zealand looking to buy or sell items, find jobs, search for property, or even find services. With its intuitive interface, robust features, and secure transaction system, it’s easy to see why Trade Me is the go-to platform for Kiwis. Whether you’re looking for a used car, renting an apartment, or selling your old phone, the Trade Me app has you covered.

By exploring the app, you’ll quickly become familiar with how it works, and it will become a useful resource during your time in New Zealand.