Pre purchase viewing

It's against Trademe rules to ask for or give contact details either in the auction text or question and answer, or by any other means other than in the special fields available on classifieds and special auctions that have a field for this information, so without swapping contact details it's a bit hard, for obvious reasons. A common thing some people do is to ask lots of questions, ask for measurements, extra photos if needed, and some sellers might say that on inspection when collecting the item if it is not as pictured or described or doesn't suit, then I won't hold you to the purchase.

Hi there Sue - Yes it violates Trade Me T & Cs to organize viewings, unless you are running a classified, selling a car or boat or something like that. There is a few reasons for it, by preventing you from posting your details it stops scammers from getting your personal details, it also stops people from closing the auction early, and avoiding paying fees ( the real reason one suspects!). 

In your situation, its awkward, I do understand why someone would want to view a lounge suite in person, they may want to check the colour, as sometimes colour does not photograph well depending on lighting, or they may have a low resolution screen or something, othertimes stains dont show up very well in photography either, also any odours are impossible to photograph, they also maybe double checking it is coming from a smokefree home. So form a buyer perspective they may have a lot of reasons for wanting to view, its just my experiance that people who buy, but dont do a lot of selling are unaware of the rules sellers have to follow, so hence you get that type of question. ( Which is fine, no harm in them asking). 

I would answer your question this way. " Its against trade me T & Cs to arrange viewings, however, I am happy for you or anyone else who happens to win this auction to inspect the lounge suite, for 100% satisfaction before payment is made." 

But if someone does inpect it before payment, I would avoid letting it turn into a negotiation, whatever they bid is what they owe, dont let them beat you down. 

Do Trade me refund full fees if buyer does pull out of sale?

If the sale does not happen Michelle, Trademe refund the full success fees after you apply for the refund. You don't get a refund for any listing or promotional fees though, although if it's a buyer pullout you can talk to them about covering those for you.