Before you post or respond to an advert posted here, please be aware that there is a risk involved when posting or responding to online classified ads. These classifieds are available to anyone on the internet. We do not screen individuals who post here and we do not assume any responsibility for contacts that may occur as a result of the ads posted here. If you do not agree to these terms, do not use these ads. Users of this website are required to register and have to verify their email address and although this is somewhat save please make sure you trade safely. If you use free classified ads on sites like MediTrader to sell, either regularly or now and again, follow these tips to ensure the transaction goes as smoothly as possible.


Trust your instincts: 

First and foremost, the old adage “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”  definitely applies to e-commerce. Your instincts are often the best indicator if something is amiss. Follow your gut feeling and use common sense.

Meet in Safety: 

There are plenty of people around who will take advantage of you if they can. Free classified ads seem to attract criminals as well as nice people so you need to be careful.
 If you’re female or live alone, meet the buyer somewhere public, like a coffee shop, or somewhere convenient where there will be people around. That may not be practical for larger items, but then the following is more useful there.


Don’t Sell Alone: 

When selling using free classified ads, try to have someone else with you when meeting buyers. Whether you meeting somewhere public or at home, don’t go alone. The vast majority of sales from free classified ads will go smoothly, but it’s always wise to take precautions.


Don’t Give Personal Information: 

When discussing the transaction with a buyer, don’t tell them you’ll be alone when they come round. Don’t tell them you live alone, or your partner is at work, in fact don’t tell them too much at all. Again, the majority of people are perfectly safe, but it’s good to be certain and safe.
 Give the buyer enough information to make the transaction work and for them to be able to buy and collect the item, no more.


Try to Get a Photo: 

Try to get some kind of visual record of the transaction, whether video or photograph. With the advent of cellphone cameras, we all have a camera on hand, so try to get a good face shot and plenty of footage should the worst happen. Hopefully, you may never need the images, but it's good to have them in case you do. If you can collect such things surreptitiously, then all the better as you don’t want to put the buyer on their guard.


Report abuse and suspicious looking postings:

If you feel that an ad or a posting looks suspicious report it by clicking the 'Report Abuse' but that appears on the advert.

Research the item:

Do this beforehand so you know what you are buying, how much it should cost, and what shape it should be in.

Never give out personal information:

(When using online classifieds) Never give your personal information such as your ID number, date of birth, banking information, your address or any information that does not have any bearing on the sale/purchase. Should the buy/seller demand it without reason, it would be better to terminate the deal.

Talk on the phone:

While email may be the most convenient, especially for initiating transactions, when possible try to speak over the phone before agreeing to a transaction or agreeing to meet if it is a local online classified transaction. If they refuse, excuses are often very revealing. Again, go with your gut.

Try to Keep it local:

You can reduce your risk by keeping all transactions local. This also eliminates the need to use anything other than cash when buying or selling.

Inspect before you buy:

Never buy something that you can’t check out in-person first – not only can you assess its quality for yourself, but you can meet the seller in-person.

Don’t go to the car:

Do not accompany a person to their car for any reason, and, of course, do not let them go to the car with items in hand if they haven’t paid for them yet.

Ask questions:

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask sellers why they are selling their item and about its condition. And sellers – don’t be afraid to ask buyers what their intentions are. If something sounds shady, remember you don’t owe anyone anything and you can always back out of a transaction before any money is exchanged.

Keep records:

Especially if you buy and sell often – keep some sort of record of what you have bought and/or sold, where you met, and who you bought from or sold to. Many of the tips above are focused on conducting safe online classified transactions but many can also apply to any online shopping.

The most important tip is:

Only proceed with a transaction if you are 100 percent comfortable. As a rule your instincts are your best protection.