Starting a listing
Make sure your listing descriptions and headings are clear and concise, accurate, and focus on the relevant details. Clear images are just as important, and make sure to put your listing in the correct category, with the correct attributes.
Listing types
Auction
You set a reserve price, start price and can have a Buy Now price. Members can place bids, and the highest bidder when the auction closes (if the reserve price has been met) is the winner. Or, someone could use the Buy Now to instantly win the auction. Auctions are used in our general and motors categories.
Multiple Quantity Listing (MQL)
If you have more than one of the same item, you can set up an MQL. Select 'Buy Now only' when creating the listing and pop in the amount you have on hand in the 'Quantity available' box. You can choose if shipping is charged per order or per item, simply select what works best for you under the 'Shipping' heading.
MQLs are Buy Now only, so there's no bidding. MQLs are used in our general Marketplace categories.
Classified
Classifieds are like ads in a newspaper. You set an asking price, and interested traders message you directly. Once you've reached a deal, you simply withdraw your ad from the site. The sale happens off Trade Me, so feedback isn't left. Classifieds are used for property, motors, and certain machinery and animals.
Services
You can set up an ad to offer your services. You can add your business, contact and website details on the listing. Members can enquire directly if they're keen to learn more. They can leave a thumbs up or down to review their experience which will be visible to other members.
Multiple Variant Listings (MVL)
If you have an item that comes in multiple sizes, colours, or materials, you can set up an MVL. If you're keen to learn more about MVLs, feel free to see if our listing tool TradeVine would be a good fit for you as you'll need to use the software to offer MVLs. MVLs are used in our general Marketplace categories.
Categories
How do I choose the category?
Just click the 'Sell' tab and narrow down the sub-categories until you've found the best spot for your item. If you're a bit stuck, try searching the site for similar items to see where other sellers have chosen to list for a bit of inspiration.
Listing in a second category
If you reckon your item could be placed in another spot too, after you've chosen your first category, select 'List in a second category' at the bottom of the page. Narrow down the sub-categories for your second category and hit 'Next' once you're ready to move on.
Photos
You can add up to 20 photos to your listing. Your main pic should showcase your item, and it's best to use multiple photos to give interested traders as much detail as possible. For our general Marketplace categories, make sure your photos are in line with our photo policy.
If you're having trouble uploading photos, double check that your browser is up to date.
Listing length
|
Category |
Maximum listing length |
|---|---|
| General marketplace | Up to 10 days |
| DVD catalogue | Up to 14 days |
| Motors car listings | Up to 90 days |
| Flatmates wanted | Up to 14 days |
| Property for rent | Up to 14 days |
Depending on what you're listing, there's a range of different listing lengths.
- General Marketplace auctions have a maximum duration of 10 days
- DVD catalogue listings have a maximum duration of 14 days
- Flatmate wanted classifieds, Property for rent classifieds, Motors classifieds and auctions have a maximum duration of 14 days
- Property for sale and lease classifieds have a maximum duration of 56 days
- Job ads have a maximum duration of 30 days
- Service listings have a maximum duration of 90 days
Don't stress, you can still relist (or extend) listings for as many durations as you need. If you have a specific end time in mind, you can set a custom closing time for an auction (within the maximum duration).
Keep in mind, if someone places a bid within the last two minutes of an auction, it will auto extend by an extra two minutes. To make sure you're getting the best price possible, an auction will only close if there are no bids placed in the last two minutes.
Restricting bidding
If you'd rather limit your auction so only members who have authenticated their account can place bids, just tick the 'Authenticated members only' box when creating your listing. Members you've blacklisted also won't be able to bid.
Shipping
To give buyers as much information as possible, it's best to have your shipping options lined up before you start your listing. Feeling a little stuck with this step? No worries, here's a rundown of some common options.
Listing policies
If you're thinking of listing something a little out of the box or just want to make sure that your item is cool to list, feel free to take a look over our listing policies first.