// BUYING
Paying for your purchase
Found some gear you want? Here's how payment works on TradeSoft, the safest ways to pay, and the checks worth doing before any money changes hands.
TradeSoft doesn't handle the payment
This is the most important thing to understand: TradeSoft does not process, hold or escrow payments between buyers and sellers. We're a platform that connects local traders, so you arrange payment directly with the other person. The only things you can ever pay for inside the app are optional Featured listings and bump credits for your own listings, and those go through the app store, not to another trader.
That means the way you pay, and how safely you pay, is up to you. The good news: a few simple habits keep buying on TradeSoft straightforward and low-risk.
1. Paying in person is always best
When you can, meet the seller and pay on collection. It's the safest option by a distance, because you see exactly what you're buying before you part with any money. We recommend you:
- Meet in a safe, public place: a busy car park, a shopping centre, or your local field or skirmish day are all good options.
- Inspect the item properly. Check it matches the listing photos and description, and test it if you can.
- Pay on collection, once you're happy. Cash or an on-the-spot bank transfer both work well when you have the item in hand.
2. If distance means you have to post it
Sometimes the seller is at the other end of the country and posting is the only realistic option. If so, weigh up your payment method carefully, because you're paying before you've seen the item.
- PayPal Goods and Services offers buyer protection, so you have some recourse if the item never turns up or isn't as described. It's not hugely popular in New Zealand and it may add a fee, but that fee can be worth it for the cover on a higher-value item. (Note: the protection generally doesn't apply if you send it as a "friends and family" payment, so use the Goods and Services option.)
- Bank transfer is common and convenient in New Zealand, but be aware there is no recourse once the money is sent. If it turns out to be a bad deal, the bank generally can't claw it back. Only use it when you're confident in the person you're dealing with.
3. Do a little due diligence first
If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Before you pay, take a minute to size up who you're dealing with. TradeSoft surfaces trust signals right on a person's profile and listings to help:
- A phone-verified badge, which shows the account is tied to a real, verified mobile number.
- A Club Verified badge, if they belong to a registered club.
- Their feedback score from previous trades on the platform.
- When they were last online, and whether they have a complete profile (photo, bio, region).
None of these are guarantees on their own, but together they paint a picture. If something feels off, ask more questions, request extra photos, or do your own independent checks before committing. You can always ask questions on the listing first, and if a listing or person looks dodgy you can report them or block them.
TradeSoft's role, and the fine print
To be crystal clear: TradeSoft is a platform that connects traders. It is not a party to any trade between members, it doesn't take payment for gear, and it is not liable for deals that go wrong. The agreement, the payment and the handover are all between you and the other trader. For the full detail, see our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Once your deal is done and dusted, please leave feedback as a buyer. It's how the community keeps track of who the good traders are, and it makes the trust signals above work for everyone.
Not made your offer yet? Read how to make an offer on a listing.
