TRADEME PING IS USELESS
Paid $2.2k via Ping for an iPhone on 23 September 2026, assuming Trade Me Ping Buyer Protection had my back. (Seller had a well established account with over 700 positive reviews…)
The seller ghosted after a few days. No tracking number, no proof of dispatch, no communication.
Trade Me’s response? Almost three weeks of stall tactics and infinite 48-hour extensions for an unresponsive account.
After almost 3 weeks of going back and forth with Trade Me, they just told me they are giving the scammer another 1–2 weeks to "start an investigation with the shipping company."
How do you investigate a shipment with a courier when there is no tracking number or proof it was ever dispatched?
Instead of enforcing their own policy, Trade Me is protecting their cash flow…
Gave up on their support team today (after 19 days of hearing excuses from Trademe) and lodged a BNZ Visa Chargeback (Goods Not Received).
PSA**:** Don't rely on Ping Buyer Protection to act quickly on clear non-delivery fraud. If Trade Me drags their feet past a couple of weeks, save your evidence and go straight to your bank for a chargeback.
Any similar experiences dealing with Trade Me?