I am aware that the following news outlets have been contacted today: The Herald News Room RNZ The Post Stuff 1News

Jeffrey - that's the one.

There is precedent for ComCom stepping in where they have considered something to fall under Unfair Contract Terms. There is also an online post (albeit it from a private trader) where they said that they argued to Trade Me that Ping was an unsolicited service and as a result had their Ping fee reimbursed. When eBay still owned Paypal, they tried to introduce a similar change in payment terms to this change from TM, initially in Australia, where their equivalent of ComCom did view it as anti-competitive and did not permit eBay to make this move.

I've been told the article quotes Trade Me saying they are confident they comply with all relevant laws and that ComCom will take no further action at this stage. 

Hi Callum, that makes sense. It would be preferable for this thread to be pinned, or featured, rather than to create a new post each time it slides off the front page. As the original poster of the 'scam' post, is this something you are able to request of TM?

Shortsbandy, looking through your listings I can only see ones that have ping enabled?

Jennifer, Paddy Gower has been contacted as well. For your listing issue, perhaps reach out to TM direct via their chat or start a new post on the message board.

Shortsbandy, do you have any examples of usernames?

Are you able to get back to any of the listings for actual usernames?

Henleyworks - what are the usernames of the two sellers?