J - what amount is on the sold email that trademe sent?

If someone wants to view one of my auctions before "buying", I give them the option to buy it and when they pick it up if they arent happy with it then we cancel the trade. I only do this after answering their questions and they are genuinely wanting to buy it but really need to see if for specific reasons. Ive never had someone not continue with the trade. And if i think they are just tyre kickers, i wont do it 

You cant. They either pay by ping for the item then deposit the money manually info your account or you can cancel the trade and redo the auction with the postage included

I dont think there is anything fishy going on but these are the reasons I dont use trademe's book a courier. If its the B scenario you can normally just wait half a day or a day to book the courier (sometimes only hours) and the other courier company can become available again. If its scenario A, you can check their address yourself on addresschecker and if rural ask them to pay the extra fee or supply a non rural address

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.

How does their feedback make it obvious that they are friends driving up the price?

You could copy them from your previously listing if you only just relisted it

It seems a bit unusual that you could put a link to a list of other items, but not a photo of those other items?   Where does it state you cant in that policy? 

Im not sure if its allowed or would be suitable, but you could take a photo of the excel pages and load them as photos.

Coolio - thanks will try that