Marketplace etiquette: best practices for buyers and sellers

For buyers

Open with a proper greeting and specific question. Don’t send "is this available" without a follow-up. If you agree a time, show up. If you can’t make it, message ahead. Don’t haggle after you’ve inspected the item unless there’s a genuine issue you didn’t know about.

For sellers

Reply within 24 hours — fast responders sell up to 40% faster. Update the listing status when the item is reserved or sold. Don’t take fresh offers once you’ve agreed a price with someone. Show up on time.

Negotiation etiquette

A polite "would you take €80?" is fine. Insulting lowball offers or long negotiations by message are not. Sellers can (and should) ignore or block persistent chancers.

Meetups

Daylight, agreed location, agreed time. If the buyer or seller ghosts you twice in a row, remove them from the conversation and re-list to the next interested party.

Reviews

Leave one — short, honest, based on the trade. "Prompt, honest and easy to deal with" is worth more than a long paragraph.

Frequently asked questions