Interesting change. I can now delete questions, answers, and comments.

Lol - New Toy for you Callum - Awesome! 😊

Ok, I can see a downfall if this can happen, sellers deleting their original answers, Shipping scenario for starters,

Buyer asks for shipping, seller answers with a price, Buyer then bids agreeing with that shipping forming a contract,                    But then seller decides that is not enough, deletes original answer puts a whole new higher price up, bidder may not see?, They then win auction pay original shipping they were given?,

What ground does the buyer have if seller comes back and says no it is more than that as in answer to question because he edited it later, after buyer had made bid to original price forming a contract?,

If we think about seriously, I say it is a bad idea, being allowed to delete answers to questions, that can form binding contracts?, also that sharing contact information then deleting the answers so no one else see's but buyer gets an E-Mail with contact details, phone numbers etc. to view & to make sales outside Trade Me?,

Yes, it would be good to hear Trademe's reasoning behind this change as it makes no sense at all to me. Maybe they were getting inundated with requests via chat for questions to be removed or something. Very strange.

These improvements just keep coming - and no one except Callum seems excited!

Here's another problematic scenario. I ask a question then delete it straight away. Seller gets the notification that a question has been asked so goes to answer it. Nothing is there. Until people are used to it if it becomes a permanent thing, you are gonna get people thinking they have gone bonkers.

In some further testing. If I ask a question, seller answers, then I delete my question the answer disappears as well. So in a way if you don't like the answer the seller gives, you can make it all go poof.

Poof and it's gone! - Love it. ;)

I could see that could be a real problem! Functionality issues that many trade me members have on the new look have not yet been remedied. Perhaps amending those before providing a rather odd tweak that could jeopardize or create a dispute, with proof removed. Perhaps someone got tired of being asked to remove questions?

There are definitely ways traders could abuse this, however I have at times asked a question and then on second thought didnt need to or had a change of mind  - so for this purpose it saves the seller time needing to reply.

In terms of the proof argument, you can still receive emails with the question being asked, or the answer to the question so as long you keep these then you have the proof if needed.

I think like most things, there are some genuine benefits for those honest ones, but also open to abuse for others 

definitely open to abuse.if money can be saved by simply adding then deleting a phone number it could be tempting.

a seller can also pick and choose which questions to delete before offering an unsold item.pretty dodgy in the case of vehicles etc.

Hi rob. A seller can't delete questions asked on their auctions. Sellers can only delete the answers they have made. BUYERS can delete the questions they have asked, should they want to.

So in your example it wouldn't be possible for a seller to delete questions before sending out an offer.

do you not think deleting the answer has the same effect?

I have noticed a lot of constructive answers in here getting thumbs down as numbers are down from yesterday and earlier today, so someone may think it is all good?, so if they think it is all good, they may be ones open to abuse the system if implemented, which I hope is not, as others say very open to abuse, which is so true,

Just hope Trade Me realize this & can the whole idea and concentrate on fixing current issues, like the Trade Me address E-Mails with no addresses and to arrange pick up?, when pick up is not an option as seller does not allow pick ups, had 5 in last few days, this has been problematic for a good 18months and not fixed, They need to prioritize current issues & fix them before bringing in new ideas,

Kia ora all, there will be a record on our side of any questions or answers that are removed. In the case of a dispute arising we'll be able to review anything that was there. If a buyer posts a question that breaches our code of conduct you'll still need to report it to us and we can remove it.

Kia Ora Michelle,

Is it within the last hour of a Listing closing the Delete bin disappears please?

I can probably test that for you S. Got an auction closing now with 41 minutes left. Bin icon still there, so my guess is it doesn't disappear. I also tested some closed items. I can still delete any answers or comments on those if I want, even though they are no longer live on the website.

Thanks Callum,

I had 1 closing with 7mins left & the Bin wasn't visible - will be good to hear what your countdown is - Cheers.😊 

EDIT: - Checking the closed Listing I did'nt have the Bin visuals either though checking it now after reading your Comment Yes! the Bins are back on the closed Listing - Perhaps a Hiccup in the system?? - Cheers.😊

I can confirm that, for me at least, the bin icon for both answers and comments stayed there right down to the last second. This is on my own auctions.

Also did a quick test on a $1 reserve closing now item. I could place and then remove a question with 1 minute and 20 seconds to go. Hope that poor seller didn't mind!  

Thanks Callum,

In the name of Testing that's Awesome Thank you - I must have got a system glitch come up for me - the stars in the middle of names eg. S*****A were back at the time the Bins were missing also though the names & Bins are now showing on the closed Listing for me also. - Cheers.