Code of conduct

This code sets out principles and behaviours that the Trade Me community reasonably expects of buyers and sellers participating in online auctions. 

Basic Principles

The community expects buyers and sellers to:

1. Conduct themselves honestly and in good faith at all times.
2. Comply with all laws, including sale of goods and intellectual property laws.
3. Comply with Trade Me's terms and conditions.

Sellers agree to:

• Describe items fully and accurately and answer questions promptly.
• Respond to emails as soon as possible, and within two working days.
• Ensure items are shipped as soon as possible, and within a week of receiving payment and delivery address, unless otherwise indicated in the listing or agreed by both parties.
• Shipping charges should not be inflated for profit, and must be a fair and reasonable reflection of the actual packaging and postage costs.
• Not place negative feedback without making best endeavours to resolve issues through email first.
• Not engage in retaliatory feedback or behaviour.
• Not subsequently spam previous buyers.

Buyers agree to:

• Respond to emails as soon as possible, and within two working days.
• Pay for goods purchased as soon as possible, and within a week of the auction closing and receiving payment details.
• Not place negative feedback without making best endeavours to resolve issues through email first.
• Not engage in retaliatory feedback or behaviour.
• Not subsequently spam previous sellers.

Professional traders (sellers who are in-trade) agree to:

• Comply with all relevant laws, including the Fair Trading Act 1986 and its regulations, and the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.
• Disclose they are selling in trade.
• Ensure goods are of acceptable quality, safe and durable, and draw attention to any defects.
• Ensure goods are fit for the purposes including any purposes indicated in the listing.
• Act responsibly and promptly to fix any product faults within a reasonable time after the sale (other than those caused by unreasonable use) or offer a replacement or refund.
• Ensure delivery terms are clear and can be met eg. include shipping costs, taxes, fees and estimated delivery times.