Last Updated November 11th, 2020. Please check back regularly for updates
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Tradingpost Tips
The team at the Tradingpost are continually monitoring the COVID-19 situation and urge all Australians to keep up to date with the official Australian Government guidance, rules and regulations, which are available in several different languages here:
During these challenging times, the health and safety of our community is our priority. In order to help stop the spread of COVID-19, here are a few preventative steps:
Contact-free Payments
Handling of cash in these times should be avoided whenever possible. If you do have to handle physical currency, please use gloves whenever possible and always be sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Paypal offers a convenient way to send and receive electronic payments, without having to share your bank account details with strangers. If you do decide to accept a payment via PayPal, please always login to your PayPal account to verify whether funds have been received, do not trust email or SMS payment notifications as these can be easily faked. More information on PayPal’s offering and service fees are available at their official website, here:
PayID is another way you can accept payments directly into your bank account, without having to share your bank account details with strangers. Supported by major Australian banks, PayID allows buyers to send payments using a single identifier such as your email address, phone number or ABN number. In most cases you can quickly and easily register for PayID using your financial institution’s online banking app. Please visit the PayID website for more information:
Never trust email or SMS payment notifications - always login to your internet banking to verify whether a payment has been received.
Contact-free deliveries
If the item you're selling is small enough to be shipped, and the buyer is happy to pay for it in advance, here are a few ways you can arrange it to be shipped without having to stand in queues at your local Post Office.
Please note that while some Australian states have border restirctions in place, postal and parcel shipping services are still operating - but due to increased parcel volumes, you should expect delivery times to be significantly longer than usual.
Sendle offers a full door-to-door service - simply pack your items securely, print and attach the Sendle shipping label, and leave it in a safe place for collection - Sendle’s couriers will then pick-up your shipment and deliver it to your buyer totally contact-free. Get more information on Sendle’s offering and service areas at their website:
For larger and heavier items, Truckit.net offers a service that helps put you in touch with transport providers who can provide you with custom shipping quotes for door-to-door service. See how it works and get more information at their website:
Other major Australian parcel courier services are offering special guidance in response to COVID-19, please visit their websites for more information:
https://www.couriersplease.com.au/
Always verify that payment has been received in full before delivering. Be wary of fake payment notifications and over-payment scams.
Personal transactions
Some items just aren’t practical to be posted, some buyers want to see (or test-drive) before they buy, and sometimes it’s just plain quicker and easier to transact face-to-face. In these cases it’s vital that you only venture out when buying essential items, and that all applicable laws (and common sense) on social distancing and public gatherings are followed.
Tips for personal transactions:
Ensure you are up to date on the latest rules and regulations on border closures, travel restrictions and social gathering limitations.
Consider using video calling technologies such as Apple Facetime, Skype or Facebook Messenger to conduct a virtual inspection of your item for sale in lieu of a physical inspection.
Clean items thoroughly before placing them in safe, accessible location for the buyer to collect them. If leaving on a doorstep or other mutually agreed location, share a clear photo of the item and where you left it to avoid confusion.
If meeting up in person, choose a safe, well ventilated outdoor space such as a shopping centre car park. Preferably in an area monitored by security cameras, and in a location where it’s easier to avoid crowds.
Try to use one of the recommended electronic payment methods if possible. If handling cash, wear disposable gloves and always clean your hands thoroughly after disposing the gloves used.
If selling a car, caravan or other major item that the buyer needs to physically inspect, use an appropriate sanitizer on all touch points both before and after the inspection.
Please note that the Tradingpost does not offer any of the services mentioned above, and is providing these tips as a public service only. The response to Coronavirus is continuously evolving and it is your responsibility to ensure you abide by all applicable laws, and take appropriate precautions to protect yourself and others.