I didn't sign up for Ping!

Michelle, Trademe have changed the way listings are made and Ping is ticked by default when starting a new listing. If you don't want to offer Ping, you can edit your listings to untick the box and when listing a new auction make sure to untick the Ping option.

What a con! If a user is going to pay a commission, surely making it a default option is tantamount to scamming. I am actually really cross about this, it is dishonest.

What other silent rip offs are they going to put in place?

If Trade Me didn't have Ping, then I wouldn't be using it.

It should though be by informed consent, not default.

As a matter of interest I checked with a few of my friends who are regular TM users, and they too were unaware of this default Ping thing... And also not interested in using it as sellers.

As a seller, i dont use it but many do as its instant payment means no waiting for deposits. I agree that it shouldnt be ticked by defautt, however it is up to every seller to make sure when they are listing items they are listing it in a manner they want to, including the payment options. Just like when booking/buying things eg like a flight, or renting a car, you opt out of the extras.

Except adding it quietly as a default option is just plain sneaky. Why not make it opt in, instead? Because a lot more people wouldn't? Can't help wondering what the commerce commission would think...

Hi Michele. In my view it's not exactly hidden. Here is how it looks on Desktop when you create your listing.

Ping offers quite a few advantages to both both buyers and sellers. I won't purchase (higher value) items without Ping. Ping offers buyer protection. If the item doesn't arrive or there is a problem with it Trade Me cover it if the seller won't.

Yup, I'm sure it was there Callim, but because I didn't expect to see it I probably missed it. As have quite a few of my lot out here in real life, lol. I still think it should not be a defaulted option. If TM is collecting a commission it should be a consented option. An opt in, not opt out. Like being an organ donor! But hey, I know now, I'll be opting out if I make any more listings.

Funnily organ donation in NZ is neither. When you apply for a licence you have to tick either yes or no. There isn't a default and you can't proceed until you have chosen one of the options.

There is a whole debate on whether opt in, or opt out should be default for organ donations. Each country approaches it differently.  But that's a topic for another day and another page. :)

One of my favourite soap box topics from way back when...

I do miss those days. But change is inevitable, not always for the better! 😉

You will be happy to know that I THINK once you've opted out of Ping future listings you make will have the box default unticked.

Then all you have to deal with is buyers asking you to add Ping. Which I am surprised you haven't encountered already, unless you don't particularly list many items or have lower value items.

I rarely list these days, you are quite right. And I may well have been operating on automatic with this last one... I have never had buyers ask for Ping, I like to think that's because mine don't need buyer protection, I hope my feedback gives them confidence. And while Ping does make paying quick and easy, with the banks putting in the account name thing there should be fewer issues with going direct bank to bank. And that is faster than my one and only Ping transaction. But I do see its effectiveness with the big listers like yourself - but then that is where the focus is these days. I will be more aware though as I continue with this decluttering project if and when I list the next thing, almost worth doing it just to see if your Think is right. It usually is... 😁

Callum,

I had the Ping discussion with Michelle...

Ahhh, so unless its a relist I still need to be wary. Good to know, thanks Callum. And Michelle...

And I still think auto default is sneaky. But hey, if listing numbers continue to fall I guess every dollar earned is a good one for the money men... 😉