Trade Me loosens rules to allow traders to sell essentials

Monday, 6 April 2020

Trade Me will allow members on the auction website to sell essential items during the lockdown.

The company announced the move on Monday, paving the way for some auctions to be completed.

Previously, all auctions had been extended so that they would close after the end of the four week lockdown period. Trade Me had also removed all 'buy now' options.

Trade Me will now allow members to trade in essential goods.

Trade Me's marketplace head Lisa Stewart said the step allowed people to trade essential items.

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Trade Me users will now be able to buy essential items like face masks and hand sanitisers on the website.

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'We want to make sure our members are able to get the things they may need during isolation quickly and safely,' she said.

'This means that from today, we are allowing both casual and professional sellers to list items in approved essential categories.'

Steward said the company was working with couriers and members to ensure everyone followed the public health measures.

Members were expected to follow the Government's guidelines on safe trading during the lockdown, and prices had to be in line with Trade Me's national disaster and civil emergency policy, Stewart said.

The policy was introduced after accusations of price gauging by some sellers.

Trade Me pulled at least 300 items in less than six hours after launching a clampdown on profiteers selling overpriced hand sanitiser and face masks on the auction site.

The items, along with thermometers and other health supplies, have sold out at some chemists and retailers as concerns over coronavirus increased ahead of the lockdown.

Stewart said anyone not following these guidelines will likely have their account suspended.

Essential listings included heating equipment, medical supplies, baby gear, phones, computers, pet supplies, food, health and wellbeing products, and car parts.

Stewart said the company had also put measures in place to ensure all trades were contactless.

Trade Me recommended sellers use the 'book a courier' service to eliminate the need to leave the house, Steward said.

'All payments must also be made through our instant online payment service Ping or bank transfer.'

There has been ongoing debate over what items should be considered essential, with the Government updating the essentials list one week after the lockdown began.