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Peace of mind with every trade

Using Ping gives you an added layer of protection and is a simple step you can take to keep your money safe.

By Trust & Safety team 3 October 2025

The easiest and safest way to pay is with Ping, our secure payment platform

Why Ping is your best bet

When you pay with Ping, you're not just making a transaction – you're getting an added layer of protection. This is because every eligible Ping payment is covered by our Buyer Protection policy. It’s like an insurance policy for your purchase

This means if something goes wrong and the item:

  • Doesn't turn up
  • Is faulty
  • Isn't as the seller described

...we can step in and help sort a refund up to $5,000.

Payments made directly into a seller’s bank account don't have this same protection, which means we can’t help you if things go wrong.

What to do if something goes wrong

On the rare occasion a trade goes wrong, we've got a team based right here in Aotearoa to help. Here's what to do:

  1.  1. Contact the seller first. Most sellers on Trade Me want to do the right thing and will be keen to resolve the issue directly to protect their feedback rating.
  2. 2. File a dispute report. If you can't resolve it with the seller, you can file a dispute report with our team. Our Disputes team will review your case and work with you and the seller to find a resolution. Head to Trade Me Help to file a dispute report.

Placing feedback during a dispute

It's fine to leave honest feedback about a trade while a dispute is being worked through, it's a normal part of the process. If things get resolved and the situation changes, feedback can be edited once, so it's worth checking in on this once the dispute wraps up.

We're here to help you get the best outcome and have a great experience on Trade Me. Remember, using Ping and our Buyer Protection policy is a key part of staying safe on our site.

Buyer Protection has you covered
You're covered up to $5,000 when you pay with Ping or Afterpay. Get the details in Buyer Protection policy.
Learn more

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Trust & Safety team Trust & Safety team

We’re the team working behind the scenes to keep Trade Me the safest place for Kiwi to buy and sell. From spotting scammers to helping you navigate a sticky dispute, we’ve got your back.