Trade Me closing accounts?
They can do this because they keep the system working, by weeding out scammers and people that don't play by the rules.
But sometimes the rules seem a bit draconian. For instance it seems they tend to act first, notify later - following the guilty until proven innocent doctrine instead of the other way around.
I found an example of Trade Me closing accounts during the weekend in our Geekzone forums. Brad Stewart, one of our moderators (whom I have met a few times before and the team vouche for him) had his account terminated, apparently because he was running more than one account, which is not allowed.
Brad denies running multiple acconts.
He points out that he had some auctions running, a few past the reserve already, which are now ruined.
He actually had just recharged his account, and one poster asked what happened to Brad's money? Would have wound up on someone else's (unknown) account after this "consolidation"?
So what's the rule here? Fire first, ask questions later? Disrupt the users?
I am not in a position to say which side is correct, but it would be a bit easier to understand if a more user friendly process was followed. Something like asking questions first?
Other related posts:
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Did Twitter really take in consideration these DMCA notices?
Comment by mobygeek, on 15-Oct-2007 16:09
I do know one thing, our daughter transferred money to Trade Me by mistake and had to contact them for a refund. She was told it would take two weeks for them to send her a cheque. Just short of two weeks later she received said cheque in the mail for the full amount. I would be asking Trade Me if they thought a scammer would actually put money into their account? Do the laws of the land protect Brad?
Comment by paradoxsm, on 15-Oct-2007 22:59
Trade me are idiots whom the power has gone to their heads and the userbase is sadly not much better as the sour experience with trying to sell the N95 just proved. I think most genuine users have been put off by their horrible fees and draconian tactics.
My own account has been disabled numerous times, for legitimate auctions they did not think were "valid" before and other stupid stuff. I posted a driver URL that might be useful to a seller in a comments box and suddenly "I was posting contact details and instantly disabled" They also disable it instantly and then expect you to email them and wait a week to get it re-enabled and each time they warn you "next time it will be permanent"
I'm almost tempted to put trademe in the too hard basket & cut my losses and just keep n95 as "another gadget"
Note: Tradme keep logs of all the IP addresses and other users whom connect using that IP within 24 hours. If you then happen to bid on one of their auctions in future, instant ban as had happened at an internet cafe before...
Comment by Dean Winter, on 16-Oct-2007 07:54
Hi, my name is Dean Winter, I'm the Manager for Trust and Safety at Trade Me.
I'd like to let you know that there were a number of links between the memberships being discussed, which led us to believe they were being run by the same person.
We've since been in touch with the member concerned and were able to confirm those links, as well as the reasons behind them. We have re-enabled the member.
I hope they continue to enjoy their use of the site.
Dean
Comment by bbman, on 16-Oct-2007 10:33
Further to the trade me talk,
TM has a habit of withdrawing auctions and then notifying you after the fact. I had an instance this past weekend where admittedly i had additions available in my auction and with 2 hours of closing time the auction was withdrawn.
I accept that the additions are against TM T&C but I would expect like most fair businesses that are happy to take your money to advertise, would give you warning, stating the additions needed to be removed with in a 6 hour period or the auction would be withdrawn or some thing similar. Upon receiving I would have removed straight away. (This is a common practice on TM by the way), I obviously won’t do it again.
Does TM follow this fair trading practice!! No TM withdraws first and then they tell you. But hold on they also keep the advertising fees as well!!! Hold on advertising fees for advertising that is useless because they have removed the auction.
I find this not only offensive but border line illegal because they TM did not vet the auction at the start well enough and warn me then that my auction was in breach of their rules. They proceeded to take my advertising fees and then with draw with in 2 hours of close of auction and I am out of pocket with fees and I am with out a potential sale.
My TM message board comments have so far suggested that this is common and with discussions with other traders off site it is a common belief that TM is taking $1000's in with draw fees weekly and monthly.
Is this theft, well I don't know, is it legal, I don't know.... is it right HELL NO..
TM might want to watch out; you can only steal from your user base for so long!
Comment by seank, on 21-Oct-2007 04:15
Yes I have had problems with Trade Me as well. I reported a seller who refused a valid request for a refund and Trade Me's only response was to go to the disputes tribunal.
Two weeks later I received an email requesting I prove I owned a laptop I was selling by sending a picture of the goods being sold with a current copy of the newspaper!!!!! Talk about guilty until proven innocent. If only they had handled my complaint was this kind of alacrity they wouldnt need to resort to these kinds of measures.
I only found out about this a couple of days later by which time they had closed my sale and emailed me to that effect. No suggestion of a refund for the costs I had incurred for advertising either (I had chosen a couple of extra options).
I readvertised only this week and same thing happened. This time I lost my temper and told them to stop harassing me to which I got a snotty reply from one of their so called customer service people. I sent a picture of the goods plus with newspaper only to be told it wasn't clear enough and I should send again!!!!
I have closed the account and plan to complain to the Commerce Commission. No doubt it will do me no good but you have to try. I really think the law needs to change as these guys are, in my opinion making their own rules and punishing the wrong people.
Comment by mark, on 26-Oct-2007 13:36
I think that Trade Me need to sort their problem out about accusing people with multiple accounts.
If two people live in the same house and each has their own account. TM will disable an account without even asking first - just because they share an IP address.
They just seem like a bunch of A Holes really. They have gone so so co operate, they are just going to try tackle every market within reason - and steel every ones money for their shitty - no features - web site.
Comment by Father and son, on 2-Nov-2007 21:41
Another two people here burned by Trade me on several occasions too. All we wanted to do was enjoy what they have to offer and we were until I started getting bullied on the message board for my opinion on certain subjects, it seemed I wasn't allowed to say certain things while other members could. I tried contacting TM support about it, no joy there and kept getting told 'we will look into it', I retaliated, and then it felt to me like I was getting picked on from TM support. We were two accounts on the one computer too. First I was disabled and had to prove I was a different person than my Father, reluctantly I sent very personal info to them that I felt I didn't need to, they asked for it so I felt obliged. I was reinstated, more trouble on the boards and because more people complained about me than I was complaining about them I was booted again. Very unfair and for what? opinions other user couldn't handle and so strong I was putting them in their places each time, I guess they didn't like that. Turns out all they had to do was email TM support and whinge and whine about me enough times and I was gone disabled from the boards for good. They let me keep trading though, funny that huh, still wanted my money and for me to make money for them, that screams HYPOCRITES to me. In the end I told them to shove the whole account. There was a strong feeling TM was pushing us to phone them through the 0900 number to sort out our accounts which was just another way for them to make money and people still say that today. There was also a strong feeling of bullying tactics like they controlled you totally and if they said jump you had to jump, like a 'Hitler, Gestapo' style of handling issues. We were guilty of things we could not prove our innocence of over the net or over the phone without it costing a small fortune. Very very unfair. Worst of all it has all happened again except now they owe me $10.00 and I am having a hard time getting a refund out of them, they'll send a cheque ok but I don't want a cheque I want cash the same as what I gave them. Jaquie the TM support 'manager' is trying to force it on me saying it is their policy when in actual fact I can't find it anywhere in their terms and conditions which is where their policies are and should be. She is trying to force me to accept the cheque, I told her I would tear it up if they sent it and request a refund the way I originally wanted it (deposit via internet into an account) which I am entitled to ask for, she told me if I tore it up (now how would she know?) I would get no refund. I then told her I may never receive the cheque so what will happen if I ring up and say the cheque has never arrived. I told her I do not believe in or live by cheques especially getting sent through the mail and the whole way she is forcing the cheque onto me and threatening no refund if the cheque isn't cashed is plainly wrong. She has gone all quiet now but I feel strongly that she is the bad apple in the cart at Trade me, she is the rot in the wood. I feel she was fairly seriously picked on and bullied at school and it is paybacks for her. There really is no other explanation. I am going to fight this and if anyone has any vital information that may help please post it. They have burned a fair few people they are everywhere throughout the NZ web zone. Go to any NZ web site and there will be someone there stung by TM. Jaquie has a lot to answer for, she is definately the root of the evil there.
Comment by Father and son, on 2-Nov-2007 23:15
I appreciate I rejoined when I had been previously disabled, but remember it was only from the message board and I told them to close my account down last time so I was never booted from the site. The issue here is hassling people for info they shouldn't be, and wrongfully disabling/banning and restricting accounts and frustrating members so much that they end up vacating the place, that all happened the first time round. I just feel the double standards are rife and they choose who they pick on and who they don't. Surely there are thousands and thousands of double ID's more guilty of breaching than us. It is still an enjoyable site EXCEPT for the evil that is in TM Admin!!
Comment by jenna, on 5-Nov-2007 20:52
I had a trade me account asweel and because my daughter (under 18) used it, they diabled our account and told us to call their 0800 number when she became 18. Also, that was right after we topped up $30 onto that account. I think that is quite unfair and really unreasonable. Also, I tried to sell an item and it was withdraw within a couple of days as it was supposedly a copy of a louis vuitton bag. I tried to explain that the bag was similar but the pattern on the bag was completely different but trade me did not seem to reason. I think that is really rediculous but somebody contacted me and we completed the trade offline. I just wish someone would make a trading account that didnt have fees!!!
Comment by Karen, on 5-Nov-2007 20:56
I was once a trade me member but my account got automatically disabled after my 14 year old daughter used my account. I have just topped up $30 into the account and they told us they would open up the account again once my daughter turns 18 and to call their number when that happens.
I think that is really unreasonable. Also, on my new trade me account, I attempted to sell a bag with trade me claimed to be a fake copy of a louis vuitton bag.
I told them it was a similar design but the pattern was definately not the same, it was bought from an NZ boutique. Trade me did not listen and withdrew it. Fortunately, someone gave me their contact details via trade me and we completed the trade outside of trade me.
I think they should loosen up a little and give us a warning to remove an item ourselves or tell them why the item is up there. Some of the trade me staff are really silly and unreasonable.
Comment by Anon Commenter, on 6-Nov-2007 21:33
I'v had a very strange Trade Me experience this weekend. I updated my address details and listed my old car for sale on the same day, and this has resulted in immediated suspension of my account. they state my contact details are incorrect (they are not). I think there was one attempt only to phone my landline to confirm I live there, and when they got no reply my account was suspended. I've explained the best time to contact me (I am a shift worker), but despite the occasional e-mail from a member of the "Support team" promising to call (but then not doing so) I have hit a brick wall.
I refuse to pay for their premium rate help line as on principle I don't believe I should be out of pocket.
I suspect this is actually a money making scam by trade me to increase revenue from the help line charges.
Interestingly, my car advert is no longer appearing in the searches, but they haven't refunded the $48 I paid for it.
Who are the scammers here?
Comment by sweetness, on 21-Jan-2008 00:04
hey everyone, after reading everyones posts and being a former member of trademe, I have decided to open a new auction website, where people will be notifyed if there is a problem and also will be setting up a 0800 number where members can ring for free instead of paying. I will not be closing people's accounts due to one household having more than one account, as people have stated, some of us have 2 or 3 people wanting their own account and using the one computer at times. trademe have not only ripped me off but closing my account and taking the 83.00 credit on there but have the nerve to tell me they will send me a cheque, umm hello I never sent them a cheque and want them to transfer the cash back as I did with them. I am going to take on trademe with my own auction website and one thing I can promise new zealanders is that I will not be running my site like theirs. they ripp people off, all I want to do is create a site where everyone is happy and where members will be heard and not ignored like how trademe treats their members.
Comment by Hervard, on 7-Feb-2008 07:55
For a Trade Me alternative, check out Zillion: www.zillion.co.nz
Comment by Terry, on 7-Sep-2008 16:42
Zillion? It's just another TradeMe with different name. They have almost exactly same price (see: http://www.zillion.co.nz/help/smart-fees.php).
I use Lixtor (Lixtor.co.nz) which kept getting better every time you go back to the site. And it's free (check: http://www.lixtor.co.nz/help/selling-and-fees/Fees-Structure.aspx).
Comment by Alex, on 12-Jan-2009 03:51
Trade Me is a clear example of corporate greed. They have several terms and conditions which they choose to force upon only those members who are not high sellers. They will often overlook the high sellers as the success fees generated from their listings is TradeMe's highest source of income, as well as charging ridiculous rates for their 0900 helpline and recently getting paid to promote Google ads. They are most despised for the continual rise of their prepaid listing fees, often with no warnings until it happens.
With regards to them withdrawing auctions, they employ the most inept bunch of tards you can hire. They will often withdraw an auction because using their discretion it is deemed offensive or in bad taste but will leave auctions up where sellers are clearly dropshipping (auctions for items not in stock, where they are shipped directly to the buyer from overseas suppliers) or trying to bypass the auction process (by posting a phone number or email address) to avoiding fees and the feedback mechanisms that go with it.
TradeMe still deny that their is fraud on these site, to date there have been thousands of individual accounts that have been hijacked using phishing emails. These are predominantly the work of a Romanian cyber crime syndicate who operate by selling big ticket items which don't exist (taking the money and running). I know when to spot a scam like this but thousands of their users have no idea at all and are sitting ducks to fraud.
I had my account terminated by them too, I had 250+ sales and 100% feedback too. However it is very easy to set up a new account afterwards, just use a new email address. But after being quite a big Trade Me buff for a while, I have lost interest in the site altogether and I can't wait to the day where a competitor can finally rival Trade Me to the same degree.
Comment by Kathleen, on 30-Jan-2009 10:07
Hi there,
Trade me has just disabled my personal account and my partners personal account. They have emailed both of us to inform us we have been removed as we are using multiple accounts. The thing is my husband deals with computers and computer parts. I like to buy baby stuff and sell as well so it only made sense that I had my own account. My husband had almost 300 feedbacks in which he also had 100% postive rating, I was a new member with 15 trades under my belt aslo 100% positive feedbcak. We both had money on the accounts and we both had sold auctions. After numerous emails to Trade Me we had no success they are sure we are one person which is really funny. I requested my sold information as I had a commitment to other traders who have purchased goods from me. Again it took email after email untill I got sick of there bull shit and threatened them with legal action as were with holding information keeping me from completeing a trade I had received money for. They charged success fees and kept our money we were in credit on our accounts, to my suprise they quickly forwarded my sold information. I think that Trade Me are total rip offs I also had a transaction on my bank statement for $11 I couldn't account for. I notified the bank and to my suprise it was Trade Me who had taken the money between the bank myself and trade me it took allot of stress and paitents but in the end it turns out Trade Me could not explain why the money had been taken. What really pissed me off was they took no responsibility for what happend and the Bank refunded the money as Westpac has a credit card fraud 100% gaurentee. Don't trust Trade Me I am going ahead with a formal complaint today and getting legal advice. Keep your eyes and your ears open as I am contacting fair go and the news papers too.
Comment by Richard, on 26-Feb-2009 09:31
TradeMe not only have ethical issues with customers but also with other businesses. Check this National Business Review article: http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/trademe-trying-intimidate-says-auction-rival-37428
Comment by Neil McIntosh, on 4-Apr-2009 09:29
Hi could someone please tell how I can get in touch with trade me, re phone number, I'm not that computer savvy. thank you.
Comment by Eeleen, on 10-Apr-2009 16:53
Wow, after reading your comments, it really has put me off trading on TradeMe. I was a new trader in trademe and they arbitrary closed my new account today. Their reason was that I was listing counterfeit products (which it stupid, cos they did not even ask to check for the proof of purchase I had) before closing the account, and also on the basis that I am not a domicile of New Zealand or Australia (****????).
I was gong to fight tooth and nail to get my account reinstated or get my refund back. After reading this, seems like I am better off insisting on my refund.
Comment by Glen, on 22-Apr-2009 01:27
I too have had a real bad run in with trademe.. it all started back it 2005 i had my own personal account with good trading history. my work wanted a trademe account made up for there products and wanted me to create it for them so i did. after a while of there trading it turned sour and they ended up with negative feedbacks etc (not my doing) anyhow they linked that account with my personal account and shut that down too. sent numorous emails to them and got no-where so thought bugger it my partner had a trademe account so ill just use hers after a while of good trading they shut that down too. i got furous about this so i continued the angry emails to trademe but got reply's that seemed near computer generated. i gave up and let it settle for awhile and one day started a new trademe account under different name and it was shut down. i think to date i created aprox 10 trademe accounts which every single one has 100% positive feedbacks but still shut them down. ( i am fully aware that its breach of there terms and conditions) but i have kids to feed and trademe just do not want to hear my side of the story. ALL because of 1 account that i helped set up for my old employment. my friend with over 500 pos feedbacks had his shut down because i used it to sell a car.. if they were to actually get off there high horse and look at my trading history instead of playing big boy politics they would see that im not a bad guy and am not a scamming trader. im assuming pigs would fly first..
Also interested in getting in contact with "sweetness" as i too am looking at starting a online auction site
Comment by gdz1la, on 23-Apr-2009 21:12
glen my story is much the same.. i started way back in 2000, i had on account for a year then i proposed to my boss to expand his bussiness via tm.. the pawnshop.. i got a measly $2 a hour raise, it was a bad idea i was the fit stong storeman so i pissed off all the old coots at work because i was allowed to list auctions all day (30-50) which wernt stitty dvds they were all high prices items like jewerrly dvd players etc, i did this for week and after listing to many auctions got a call from them suggesting to start a new store option.. i aggreed and setup tm's 2nd store back in feb 02.. i ran it for a few weeks and after a large fire a work stressed everyone to bits all the tm attention didnt help the questions (back then all expozed before answered) we that frustratily stupied and arrogant it drove me a-wall... i litterly lost it.. i told them to pull there heads in in numerous ways and after having a face to face run in with a few of the muppets who came to the store i was saked.... tm didnt take nicely to this either (the boss used me as a excusee not to get banned) so insted of deleing there new store which was exelent income for them...(already 1-3g a week,) they banned me personally from using it... so i then had no job or tm which was my secondary form of income...
i stated annmous accounts prob 30-50 to date.. some would last hours, some weeks,, most recenly a whole year
but today i got booted..!00% fedback but linked like a long chain back to pawn shop.. do not pass go do not collect $200.. im now technacally super unemployed have rent to pay and the pawn shop now has 50000 plus feedbacks :( fuch authority fuch trade me..
burn you corparate pigs
Comment by Naz & Tom, on 19-Jun-2009 18:29
Me & my family are in the same boat to unfortunately & it totally sux's. Me & my husband both had a separate Trade Me account since round 2005, both got disabled (after ignoring there warnings) as they said we were selling counterfeit goods that Asian shops including the $2 shops all over Auckland sell in there stores & we don't see them getting closed down? I have seen literally 100's of people selling fake as fake can be goods on Trade Me & they don't do squat about it. They choose to pick on the little people & let the bigger traders keep trading along. My little brother (20 yrs old) opened his very 1st Trade Me account in beginning of May 09, topped it up with $10 to become authenticated then the following day he had his account disabled saying he was linked up with another account which was my old account that got disabled. TM BELIEVES it to be the same person. We are 2 seperate individuals living in the same house. All this was done without TM asking my bro questions first & just them simply acting on assumptions & ripping us off. Total a**holes they are!!! Down below is a copy of the very first stupid email they sent my bro. This is 1 of many reply emails that i have received from them, demanding answers & proof on my bro's behalf but they can't provide no evidence what so ever due to SECURITY REASONS!!! How unfair is that?
Dear Arif,
Thanks for contacting us.
I have had a look into this and it appears that this membership holds strong security links to a previously suspended membership on the site by the name of keisha6. We have reason to believe that this membership has been opened or operated by the same individual.
Accordingly, we have suspended this membership. You are no longer able to participate in activity on the site.
I can see that you have a balance of $10.00 in the account. We are able to process a refund of this amount less a $5.00 processing fee.
If you would like to go ahead with a refund of $5.00, please provide:
-First four and last four digits of your credit card
-Expiry date
Please do not create further memberships on Trade Me.
If you have further questions regarding this issue please reply and we will answer your email as soon as possible.
Regards,
Laura
Trade Me Support
Comment by Tom, on 20-Jun-2009 08:44
Trademe sux
i have found alot of new zealand website similer to trade me where there are no fees at all.
www.sella.com
www.ezyauctionz.co.nz
enjoy
Comment by tom, on 20-Jun-2009 08:47
sorry its
www.sella.co.nz
www.ezyauction.co.nz
enjoy
Comment by vanessa, on 1-Jul-2009 08:57
well im glad to see im not alone. Maybe someone can help me. Trademe have just shut me down, accusing me of having strong links to a skullz must be there user name, who has been banned. I have no clue who they are i just know that there not me.I only have one account, my computer skills are basic. I really need my account as i have been selling stuff from around the house to survive since i was made redunant, plus it sucks to be accused of somthing i havent done. I dont know if skullz is someone i know or not trade me will give me no information, if anyone can point me in a direction to get help with this id really appreciate it, as i to can not afford there customer service line.
Comment by Oats, on 2-Sep-2009 19:37
Dear Trade Me,
Today I received your email telling me my account has been suspended as it has been in debt for 3 months. This is fair enough as it's your service and you chose the terms on which you operate. I would like to pay my account off as it is your money and I used your service.
I will not continue to use Trademe anymore as I do not believe that you have acted in the New Zealand way. When I first joined Trademe, if my account was in debt, I could not sell but could still make purchases. When the time came for me to sell an item, I topped up only then (as most people, I only do things when they're critical) and my account would be positive again. This, I don't think hurt either of us as you did (after some delay unfortunately) get payed what I owed you.
A few months ago, I noticed I couldn't ask questions because my account was in debt. This was frustrating as I could not buy certain purchases which are still online today unsold. This is fair enough- your business.
Today's suspension however was harsh. I may only have a rating of 30 but I have made enough purchases with 100% positive feedback to represent and average buyer. Having my account suspended makes me reluctant to reuse Trademe as it leaves a bitter taste. Unfortunately your competitors aren't very developed so I will miss out.
So please send me a way to pay off my owing fee (about $8) and then terminate my account. Trademe was a very good New Zealand service so please reevaluate this policy so other costumers will not experience the same thing.
Kind regards,
former o_m
Comment by SickOFTrademeBull, on 1-Nov-2009 17:58
Check this out for recent Trademe activity.. hmm
http://fakeflashnews.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/fake-usb-flash-drives-on-trademe-run-by-ebay-in-new-zealand/#comment-756
Comment by Barry, on 4-Nov-2009 14:57
I seconded that Trademe is being too harrash in banning people's account.
They've banned my auntie's account because her daughter opened up her own account and trademe accused them for owning two accounts as the same person (My auntie's account got 100% customer satisfation rating).
Since I sometimes get them to sell my 2nd hand camera and computer stuff, I will have to open another new account to sell my own stuff.
Guess what? TradeMe has banned my account as well either because we live at the same house or we are on the same network.
I think its time for trademe to review their customer relation. I agree that they should continue the hard work to catch people who dont follow the rule, but the reason have to be reasonable and have evidence instead of "I ban you because I think you have done something wrong"
and it is totally not necessary to ban a whole family.
Comment by Barry, on 4-Nov-2009 15:05
I seconded that Trademe is being too harrash in banning people's account.
They've banned my auntie's account because her daughter opened up her own account and trademe accused them for owning two accounts as the same person (My auntie's account got 100% customer satisfation rating).
Since I sometimes get them to sell my 2nd hand camera and computer stuff, I will have to open another new account to sell my own stuff.
Guess what? TradeMe has banned my account as well either because we live at the same house or we are on the same network.
I think its time for trademe to review their customer relation. I agree that they should continue the hard work to catch people who dont follow the rule, but the reason have to be reasonable and have evidence instead of "I ban you because I think you have done something wrong"
and it is totally not necessary to ban a whole family.
Comment by JustLooking™, on 7-Nov-2009 19:33
it seems like LAN = BAN kinda thing here lol.
did trade me actually check before banning? maybe a little logic upon this matters?
if trade me used logic on this matter that means they didnt do enough lol.
networking is pretty much common now, many people with the know how's would have a simple network at home sharing the same IP add. or if we would wanna avoid this things we would use proxies or other means.
right, for a trader that actually put money into an account, they actually put trust into your services. and um.. as long as there is money in the account, address verified etc, you shouldnt ban them.
well, if someone wants to do something bad on the internet they could easily hack/use an internet connection anywhere. like universities, schools, library etc. there is internet everywhere.
trust me, there are people with alot of serious know how's / flaws/ grey areas around if they actually wanna deal scams simply because nothing is 100% bulletproof.
if you really wanna avoid this kinda dodgy things, trademe have plenty of other approach. bank accounts and stuff can be used to trace the trader or scam anyway. unless its overseas.
other approach might cost abit more or maybe more help from ISP/police/goverment but hey, thats ur job to keep everyone happy. or else why do we pay you upon sales? you do take a %'age right?
atm its we pay you to ban us. lol thats nice.
Comment by Daniel Mcquoid, on 16-Dec-2009 18:18
WATA JOKE!!!! had my account for ages ! selling golf clubs then bang gone ! saying links n s*&^T , Then they dont reply to me at all! i mean im a pc nerd! i can get around rtademe easy, theres no way they just ban ip ! dont worry trademe your losing people faster then u can gain them!>
Comment by Alan, on 2-Jan-2010 22:46
I am getting fed up with Trademe, I have nearly 500 transactions with them, 100% positive feedback, and yet I still get terse threatening message from them over my listings. The latest one concered a replica of a racing car brake caliper. I listed that is was suitable for Sports Cars, F1 , and listed 6 different sport cars manufacturers. I was told that I had been reported for using too many keywords. I could have listed 100 sports car !! I wish to sell my item for the best price, and get the widest coverage on any of my listings. I could have understood if I had listed Train, planes, Ships, stamps etc, that is just trashing the whole thing. The names I listed WERE relevant. They just edited my listing without asking first. Yet they have taken my listing fee, and of course, should I sell the item, will take the winning fee as well. I was reminded by Trademe that this was my 4th time !! So what, I get shot by them....Draconian is not the word.
I lived in the UK before , and used Ebay, and never once had any of these issues, they seem to deal much fairer than Trademe, which is probably why Trademe will only be a Kiwi site, and dare I say drop its popularity unless it actually gets a much more user friendly attitude.
Who regulates these guys? They seem to be able to do what they like, and by having the monopoly, bully members, yet earn a massive profit out of the same members.
There should be an open forum for issues with Trademe, as I have been told by a few people I work with that they have had similar issues. They also need a decent competitor over here, as this always seems to be a way of keeping "suppliers" fair!!
Rant over, but still fuming.... Cheers Alan
Comment by H, on 5-Jan-2010 02:33
Nah your right there is not a lot of human logic in there assesments on closing accounts etc etc.
I dont think its the employees fault, its the fomula Trademe management have decided to follow, of getting a computer program to work out risk, and then not having the staff to follow up these PERCEIVED risks, (to see if theres a reason), instead they have decided to employ less staff and to lose a few customers here and there.
I think Trademe management have also been "wowed" by the software developers, that blind fath in there system without, or with little human intervention is fine, and a good business model.....Its def not in the long term !!.
This formula has been used by ebay/paypal, for a while now. But the repercussions are only just catching up with them now, with loss of customers (some high value big traders), bad press, in fact there are even a lot of "hate" ebay/paypal websites !!, (yes im for real). I would not go near ebay these days !!.
Trademe make a decesion, go local stay local, and provide good service, because if you dont ebay might just get a foot in the door this time around ;-). Trademe's point of difference was the local thing, and the less complicated bull S**t. Without that they better be careful a high roller like ebay, (not these small NZ players), does not come a long. Yes Ebay failed here last time, due to Trademe's point of difference. But if they change to much they will lose that, especially if another player, (like ebay), creates a more localised site that New Zealanders are more comfortable trading in.
The choice is up to Trademe.
Comment by Daniel McQuoid, on 21-Apr-2010 11:03
Hey guys ! , does anyone know ANYTHING !!! about getting round this ... and maybe making a accocunt that cant be touched, I mean an ip changer works, but noone makes them for new zealand ... if you having trouble on ebay I have the programme, but trademe doesnt allow outa new zealand and are really anal on the aussie account even, let me know cheers,
Comment by shaun, on 12-Oct-2010 10:12
I have had a similar problem with accounts, instead I received an email from a Trademe representative advising I was allowed to have multiple account, one for business sales and one for personal use, however my account was still closed.
When contacting Trademe they refused to comment and refused to refund my remaining balance.
Comment by Anonymous, on 24-Dec-2010 02:53
I recently sold an item privately from someone who didn;t bid, did not contact me and was not even looking for my item, it was a private sae to a friend. I therefore put a note on my listing it was sold to let those asking questions know. (by the way, ever notice that those askign questions neevr buy!).
Anyway TM told me off. They are jerks.
But I now have a way to avoid fees they cannot do anything about. I hope it catches on..
List your item. If you do sell it other than auction (by whatever means now) just increase the $ value of your listing way above what anyone would pay for it. Not $10,000 or anything stupid, just a $4000 car, change to $7000. Or a boat at $18,000 to $26,000. Or a surfboard from $400 to $900.
TM have pushed me enough. Up them from now on.
Comment by Shane, on 22-Mar-2011 15:13
TradeMe are the most arrogant and ignorant people I have ever had to deal with. I had listed a tablet pc for sale and trademe withdrew the auction just hours from it closing then emailing me claiming that i was breaching intellectual property rights as apple have the IP rights over tablet pc's. I informed them that this was an android product and that I believed that i was not in breach of any ones rights. I also pointed out to trademe that they are allowing other traders to trade in these products and there reply was not we don't yet I was watching others sell these on trademe right under my nose. I continually disputed this matter with trademe and there response is to terminate my account. If you have experienced this and have a solution please let me know. We all need to unite together and show other New Zealanders that there are other trading sites.
Comment by jacky, on 1-Jun-2011 18:37
no fcuking buy and sell in trademe, i had gut full of angry dealing with them
Comment by paul, on 10-Jul-2011 20:49
man, what a great list. i have experiences just like the others. TM is a bunch of aholes! they just want your money and don't care about you. if they were a physical business, they would go down.
i have been using the partners account for a while and it was getting a bit inconvenient. so i created my own account. at the same time, i created a account for someone with no internet. BANG! my new account was closed without warning.
i asked, they won't provide proof of their so called 'links' you are using multiple accounts, but asks you to provide proof of your id instead.
i have refused to give them my details until they give their proof.
after disputing this, they have closed the account i have for someone else with no internet. again no proof given.
i asked what about flatmates using the same ip address and computer to create/use their own account? they have no answer for that other than you have to send your id.
this remains unresolved and i recommend all readers to use all the tricks above to not let TM win. or just use another sites like i'm just starting to do now. TM is good if it wasn't for all those idiots running it.
Comment by Minion, on 13-Jan-2012 16:08
Hey, this is exactly what we are finding - while it's understandable that TradeMe want to protect the integrity of the website, blocking and terminating accounts is not the answer. And if something happens, what then? Call an 0900 number for help?
We want your opinion for a new auction website we're launching. Go to: http://tiny.cc/ffmct
and get involved.
This is a community, not profit, driven project so make sure your opinion is heard!
Comment by fred, on 22-Jan-2012 03:31
Funnily enough, I have the opposite problem. For privacy and security reasons I would like to close my TradeMe account but it appears to be impossible. What I don't like is the way bought & sold items are listed for public view forever. I kind of think after the auction is closed, that info should just be for you and the seller/buyer. Because it remains public to google, it enables a stalker or snoop to collect information on what you buy or sell, and potentially use that to ID you later somewhere else. Basically I discovered I was unwittingly giving out more personal information to strangers on TradeMe and Ebay than I was on Facebook. Likely this is because Facebook had to shape up with privacy controls; TradeMe & Ebay probably haven't had the same complaints over privacy (yet)...
Meanwhile, I can understand why TradeMe got tough on new accounts. Basically shill bidding tricks can be used over time to build up positive profiles before a rapid scam. If the story is long and sordid enough, police won't be too interested. I don't know if TradeMe has ever revealed how much money has been lost in total on scams (it is not always reported in the news), but I suspect it's kinda high.
So, I think they should let users close accounts and hide feedback profiles like Ebay does, I don't see how it can 'hurt, and people may just have to bite the bullet and send in their IDs if they seriously want to use the service. I personally wouldn't though, not any more.
Comment by Ella, on 8-Feb-2012 01:04
This is a good thing to get the truth out about trade me, I find the funny thing is , is that they will allow a person to open a account and the account will stay there --UNTIL-- you top up the account with money, once you credit your account with 10 or 20 dollars they then pounce and cut the person account saying , there is already a account used at the address you are starting your account from, they do not give the money back, I feel its fraud and stealing! it is actually the exact reason why they say that they stop or freeze peoples accounts would be because a person will list an item, the buyer would pay money for the auction they had won, then the seller would collect the money and not send the goods, so they would end up keeping both, ''stealing'' which is what trade me do, and there is nothing any one can do, because once they ''can'' your account you can never ever have another trade me account again, they give you 14 days to try and sort out your feedback but becasue they have frozen your account you have no way to contact any one or get there email addresses because your account has been closed. when you try and enter into your account to get information , it just says ''oops sorry ra ra, It doesn't matter to trade me what might be going on in the persons life that may have lead the person to having unresolved trades, they don't care what the reason is, you think of the saddest thing that could possibly happen to you, and you phone trade me tell them, this is what has happened and this is why I haven't been able to follow through with my trades, can you help me reinstate my account. they will so NO. I guess we do see though , trade me is very slow at the moment and things are not selling like they used to, so many auctions sell at 1 dollar, and so many 1 dollar reserves dont even sell, the only people trade me truely look after are people like ''turners auctions'' if you try and give any of there big company partners like turners auctions a bad feedback the next day it will be taken off, its all a big joke
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Comment by lance, on 15-Oct-2007 15:46
call the 0900 number and they will sort it out.