TRADEME selling from China

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ageorge

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#256040 11-Sep-2019 18:03

I know its probably of no interest to many, but many traders make their incomes from selling on TradeMe and I thought it would be prudent to put the facts here; which I have sent to TradeMe too. If there are others who feel the same way, then perhaps we can continue this discussion to set up a competitor?

Hi there. Originally TradeMe was a company set up for Kiwis. Recently Ive noticed that you are including direct listings from China, which previously, you said you would never do. That is your commercial decision of course, but it does deviate from the original honorable intent of Trademe, and certainly effects many of us who source goods from China, including self who will now investigate another platform whereas before I had you as exclusive agent. Just in case you are wondering about reduced turnover. Integrity reflects.
Best wishes,
Alistair.

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#2315173 11-Sep-2019 18:03

Hmmmm. Here we go.

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#2315178 11-Sep-2019 18:08

Do you have a link or reference where they have stated no sellers from China? I don't recall them ever making such a statement BICBW.

I think the GST changes they've brought in will level the playing field a little.

Dratsab

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#2315186 11-Sep-2019 18:26

ageorge: I know its probably of no interest to many, but many traders make their incomes from selling on TradeMe and I thought it would be prudent to put the facts here; which I have sent to TradeMe too. If there are others who feel the same way, then perhaps we can continue this discussion to set up a competitor?

Hi there. Originally TradeMe was a company set up for Kiwis. Recently Ive noticed that you are including direct listings from China, which previously, you said you would never do. That is your commercial decision of course, but it does deviate from the original honorable intent of Trademe, and certainly effects many of us who source goods from China, including self who will now investigate another platform whereas before I had you as exclusive agent. Just in case you are wondering about reduced turnover. Integrity reflects.
Best wishes,
Alistair.

"Originally Trademe" hasn't existed for quite some time now. Whatever may have been said by previous owners holds no water now.

ageorge

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2315189 11-Sep-2019 18:35

logo:

Do you have a link or reference where they have stated no sellers from China? I don't recall them ever making such a statement BICBW.

I think the GST changes they've brought in will level the playing field a little.

The original intent was a selling site for Kiwis by Kiwis, and reflected in their original ads which sorry I cant find but ive been there since the beginning.

Obviously they can do what they like. I'm only expressing an opinion.

Senecio

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#2315190 11-Sep-2019 18:37

So companies are not allowed to adapt to stay relevant to what's going on around them?

ageorge

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#2315192 11-Sep-2019 18:42

Senecio:

So companies are not allowed to adapt to stay relevant to what's going on around them?

Obviously they can do what they like. I'm only expressing an opinion.

Personally, if I had a huge number of Kiwi sellers who were regular customers, I would have some semblance of responsibility towards them as valued clients.

Seems I may be alone in this opinion.

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#2315199 11-Sep-2019 19:16

ageorge:

logo:

Do you have a link or reference where they have stated no sellers from China? I don't recall them ever making such a statement BICBW.

I think the GST changes they've brought in will level the playing field a little.

The original intent was a selling site for Kiwis by Kiwis, and reflected in their original ads which sorry I cant find but ive been there since the beginning.

Obviously they can do what they like. I'm only expressing an opinion.

I'll bet you that I've been a member longer ;-)

The original intent of TM has changed a lot - these days TM's big earners are property and motor vehicles. The general items, from memory, make up only 28% of total revenue.

But why single out the chinese sellers? What about the Australian and UK? Can't say I like any of the overseas sellers but it's easy enough to ignore them and they are clearly marked as such. I would like to think most buyers are savvy enough to know if you buy from an overseas seller than a) expect delays and b) you can probably source a lot of the items cheaper through aliexpress. Alas many buyers are just dumb.

toejam316

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#2315234 11-Sep-2019 20:10

To be honest, TradeMe's original intention has been replaced by Facebook. Why would you list on TradeMe where you have to pay a percentage, when you can list on Facebook and pay with your data instead? Almost everyone has already made a Facebook account anyway.

I don't do much in those realms myself, but my family's order of operations seems to be Facebook before TradeMe.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

Dial111

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#2315238 11-Sep-2019 20:24

Facebook is an often terrible marketplace mostly made up of scammers, trolls and tyre kickers, personally I can’t think of a worse place.

clive100

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#2315246 11-Sep-2019 20:32

If I recall any seller on Trademe was required have the sales item at hand. Certainly NOT drop shipping from wholesaler / supplier overseas.

Scott3

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#2315254 11-Sep-2019 20:53

Regarding setting up a direct trade-me competitor, a decent number have tried some with big money behind them. None have thrived. I'm thinking Weedle, ListSellTrade, Sella, Allgoods etc. For a new startup to succeed they would need a substantially different offering. Trademe's size means that similar but cheaper or slightly better offerings will not gain critical mass.

clive100:

If I recall any seller on Trademe was required have the sales item at hand. Certainly NOT drop shipping from wholesaler / supplier overseas.

This was correct. Trademe is pretty open that they have changed their stance on drop shipping:

https://help.trademe.co.nz/hc/en-us/articles/360011802912-Drop-shipping

Technofreak

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#2315263 11-Sep-2019 21:16

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But why single out the chinese sellers? What about the Australian and UK? Can't say I like any of the overseas sellers but it's easy enough to ignore them and they are clearly marked as such. I would like to think most buyers are savvy enough to know if you buy from an overseas seller than a) expect delays and b) you can probably source a lot of the items cheaper through aliexpress. Alas many buyers are just dumb.

There are some items on Trade Me that are only available on Trade Me from overseas sellers. I'd rather support someone here in New Zealand with stock they can ship immediately to me but sadly that's not the case with some products.

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quickymart

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#2315266 11-Sep-2019 21:26

toejam316:

To be honest, TradeMe's original intention has been replaced by Facebook. Why would you list on TradeMe where you have to pay a percentage, when you can list on Facebook and pay with your data instead? Almost everyone has already made a Facebook account anyway.

I don't do much in those realms myself, but my family's order of operations seems to be Facebook before TradeMe.

I've never heard of anyone buying anything off Facebook (although I do see listings for sale). Trademe, yes, but Facebook? No. What is Facebook's market share percentage for sales, as opposed to Trademe?

richms

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#2315271 11-Sep-2019 21:41

I generally avoid it because its a disfunctional piece of crap website that just gives you an email address for a buyer and then goes all handsoff the process, yet still takes a massive cut of the sale.

You can filter to New Zealand as a location now which I think they added because I used to just search north island when looking to buy so it would have missed all the south island sellers.

Richard rich.ms

toejam316

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#2315284 11-Sep-2019 22:33

richms:

I generally avoid it because its a disfunctional piece of crap website that just gives you an email address for a buyer and then goes all handsoff the process, yet still takes a massive cut of the sale.

You can filter to New Zealand as a location now which I think they added because I used to just search north island when looking to buy so it would have missed all the south island sellers.

Oath, a few years back new accounts kept buy now'ing a car I was selling the directly messaging me the same low-ball offer.

I gave up on TradeMe fairly quickly.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

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