Replies to an advert#
How people get in touch#
An interested person fills in the form on your advert. The message reaches you by email, and you can reply directly to the sender.
Your email is not shown publicly
This is why the form is used. It protects you from bulk mailings.
All the replies are also gathered on the Replies tab of the advert's edit screen — even if the advert is not under an account and you open it with a password. Each one shows whether you have already read it.
An email can be missed, the overview cannot
When you are not sure whether something slipped into spam, go through the Replies tab — it is the complete list, not just what reached your mailbox.
An offered price#
An enquirer can attach their own price to the message. It reaches you as a price offer on their reply.
You need not engage with offers far below your price
Ignoring them is fine. Explaining rarely leads anywhere.
Reply quickly#
The first reply decides more often than the price
An enquirer usually writes to several people and chooses whoever answers first.
What to watch out for#
Offers to send goods by a courier with payment up front are usually a scam
Typically: the buyer offers more than you asked and wants the goods sent through a service of their choosing. The money never arrives.
Never click through to “verify a payment”
A link to a page where you enter card details so that money can reach you is always a scam. Receiving money never requires a card number.
Do not hand over goods before payment
And with a transfer, wait until the money is actually in your account — a payment confirmation that a transfer was sent is not confirmation that the payment was credited.
Handing over in person in a public place is safest
Especially for expensive items.
Reporting#
Adverts and messages usually carry a report link. The operator reviews reports.
Report fraudulent behaviour even if you did not fall for it
You spare somebody else.
When replies do not arrive#
- Check the email on the advert — any typo?
- Look in spam.
- Is the advert visible at all? See Managing adverts.
- Is the price out of line? An advert nobody responds to is usually overpriced.