Please remove mandatory phone number requirement

Hello mj15003

Where are you finding it mandatory to provide your number to conclude a sale? I've never heard of that before.

TradeMe say that your phone number which IS mandatory to have an account on here is kept private. 

Or do you mean a seller is asking for your phone number? Some do this, saying it is for courier purposes. You can ignore that or explain that you won't be providing it. Unless it was stated as a term of the purchase in their description before you bought it. 

You have correctly identified the circumstances but are wording as assumption. As example  "for courier purposes"  your answer guesses that "you can ignore" because in reality  the buyer has no choice of their own to ignore, rather they cannot complete the sale, other than complete the phone number field. OR give up on that purchase and move to a more considerate seller. And again your missing the detail and inventing excuse , as its not "stated as a term of the purchase in their description " , other than finding out that the phone field is mandatory. 

TradeMe need to adapt different identification protocol, to move away from phone numbers, so as not to reject those members who cannot and as a result of age or disability,  do not use phones.        

I still don't really understand you sorry. It is NOT MANDATORY for you to provide your number to complete a sale. Are you saying you can't complete checkout unless you add the phone number?

If a seller has asked for it, then either ignore it, or cancel the trade. It's not there as any attempt at malice. They just want the courier to be able to contact you if there are delivery difficulties

I've bought from dozens of sellers who say it, I just ignore it. 

And here is example of the mandatory phone number field.

I have never seen something like that. But perhaps this is coming through on the "new" Trade Me. Maybe someone else has seen it and can confirm. In the meantime, I'd just try the good old 99999999 or whatever if you don't want / can't put your phone number there. 

Pacifying as you suggest, with false information , is not at all proper.  The answer is to make the field optional  and not mandatory, for the reasons already stated.   

But you are not allowed an account on here without a phone number. It is mandatory when you sign up. Like many other businesses it is required as an additional security measure or point of contact. So if you don't have a phone number you shouldn't have an account? Unless you have permission from Trade Me to do so. That is possible I guess. 

However I don't know why you are being asked for it to complete a sale. I have not seen that before. 

Gosh what a funny reply like lecturing, on how to discriminate.  Obviously  identification and fields that are mandatory requiring phone numbers needs to change to accommodate those with a disability or of age, that they cannot use phones. Being constructive, what do you suggest ?  

I suggest you contact Trade Me directly to voice your concern. You can do so at the bottom of any page (including this one) 

Kia Ora mj15003,

I'm on the New Look Desktop site - Edge Browser - The phone number field which comes up for me on selecting to Buy Now is an optional field as in the screenshot below ...

The following Help file shows you how to clear your cookies & cache and update your Browser - it's possible you may be picking up a redundant cookie there or an extension is possibly interfering - If you're using one of the Apps to access the site uninstalling then reinstalling the App will ensure you're on the latest up to date version.

Website troubleshooting – Help - Trade Me

If you are experiencing the same problem after the Troubleshooting steps then noting the Listing number and filing a report, including your screenshot, with TradeMe staff as Callum suggested will allow an investigation into the issue, you will have unique information to pass on. - All the Best.

My browser is automatically updated, but let's see if its the listing:  You will need to go to buy now, and pressing on delivery instruction causes the " Please enter a phone number " in red 

Try this one ;   https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/sports/hunting-shooting/archery/other/listing/5751287931

and this one

 https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/home-living/outdoor-garden-conservatory/garden-power-tools/other/listing/5751388499

and you should get  

Kia Ora mj15003,

Yes! you are correct - these 2 are TradeMe stores which have the mandatory phone number field coming up in red which can't be bypassed to complete the purchase. - One of the stores stipulates it is mandatory to add a mobile number otherwise the trade will not be able to be completed...

Thanks S. Always good to learn something new. 

mj15003 If you get this requirement maybe take it as a warning that the item is likely coming from overseas and to double check the sellers feedback. A pretty risky proposition buying your first example if that's what you were considering. Not someone I would trade with. Your risk threshold might be higher than mine of course ;) 

Not a seller overseas thing Callum. My last 3 purchases from different stores have had phone number compulsory requirement and no option to complete trade till phone number added.

I see. I'm pretty sure a phone number is a compulsory part of sign-up on here. So mj15003 must have a phone number, unless they've organised with Trade Me to have an account without it.

Not being willing to disclose it to a seller for privacy or their own personal reason is a different argument, but they should have one available to have a Trade Me account in the first place I would have thought.

No he does not have to " must have " at all. Yes 15 years ago I signed up with one  , but I no longer can use a phone.

Kia ora mj15003, as a workaround follow Callum's advice to put in a number like 9999999, also email the seller and let them know you don't have a phone number so if they, or the courier need to contact you then email is best. You could also give your email address in the delivery instructions with an explanation like "no phone, must email customer". 

Thanks Michelle, that's a good work around, but the phone number it requires, needs to be a valid number  not made up. I have tried, "no phone"  but without success. 

Kia Ora mj15003,

If you really want the items and can't find them outside of the stores perhaps using a neighbours, family member or a friends phone number for these ones may be a feasible option for you to get passed this stage in the Order Summary process. - All the Best.

Kia ora mj15003, can you use the number of a friend or family member? It's only for if something goes wrong and they need to contact you so someone close by who can let you know could be an option. Alternatively use a 'valid' fake number like 021 000 1234. 

I would not be so forward, with friends or neighbors. Also not for me to use any false detail.  Which gets back to resolving for everyone, by making the phone field optional , and never mandatory,  to complete a sale.    

This goes back to the use of Forms & Templates having transitioned to Digitisation robotics/ automation using a semi- conductor from Paper based systems unfortunately.

There's many an example of these problems completing them without being afforded the choice to indicate yes or no or whatever like we all have been provided with prior to the current Digitalised systems.

Hence having a real Human being involved is very important to function in society.

A brickbat to the Tech / Telecommunications sector 

It's a logistical requirement of international & customs Trading laws - supply chain security and compliance. - Each country has its own regulations and requirements when it comes to customs procedures, documentation requirements for shipments, tariffs, duties, taxes etc. 

Well thankfully no , there is no requirement to have , or use a phone, in any aspect of law. However what is in law, is the Human Rights Act that makes it discriminatory with the provision of Goods and Services at 44 (1) (b) 

by reason of any of the prohibited grounds of discrimination.