Has the intention to use PING been based on International sellers feedback and surveys as they would use a different bank, some of which wouldn't be recognized Operators to our NZ ones?     As an aside, it is noted Max Key has monies owed to him and his father is involved with BOLT which is a Digital money system.   Note the irony of not been paid CASH...perhaps if those involved had to make payments in person at a bricks and mortar bank this may not have occurred. It would be interesting to know if those involved in MK situation used overseas Digital Payment providers or a known NZ Bank as...

Maybe they will learn from what's been happening with Courier Companies - including Aramex who have been discussed and used within Trade Me process Systems. The recent Commerce Commission Investigation and court proceedings resulted in a reprimand and fine.   None of us know what's been going on behind the scenes that's resulted in the situation we find ourselves with PING.   As an aside The Reserve Bank has some useful information in regards to Money, Cash and Banking systems, including Digital currency trials.

Would this change have come about because of mainly international money transfers using Fintech accounts over say SWIFT to a NZ Bank account? There's also the FAFT ( Financial Action Task Force) requirements to fulfill and New Zealand has always sat in good rankings so not such a high risk factor with our financial services sector.  One would expect APAX to have considered NZ ratings there with sound Banking Operators, surely?

Why has this changed do you know Michelle? It has always been of benefit to see who is watchlisting to factor into account if that person is online 24/7, as in regularly, or perhaps someone who isn't internet savy, or living in an area where they don't have the same access to everyday internet provisions like some in here daily. It has been a key valuable service we have used to decide how many days to provide Fixed Offers and helped to generate smooth sales that have benefited all including Trade me.  

Not sure if you can blame Rural buyers as it's also a Postal service and Courier delivery issue and that of Templates. Some of these challenges for us all go back to the era of Deregulation and Centralized of services which is when our Government signed contracts with Microsoft to provide digital services and we lost logic we had with Paper based Systems.   We too have problems with some, generally newer migrants, Post office staff not knowing locations as they don't have the geography Education us locals were taught at school in NZ. Be understanding and explain it to your buyers. 

Yes we to have had the same problem and had to use "Place feedback" on their accounts to alert them to check junk / spam mail. Seems to be a problem with Google and Gmail taking it upon themselves that Trade Me emails are Spam! Which email provider are you with?  

Jungraelim  Is it a local seller or international? We would be interested if it's also a brand new item listed with lots of other listings the same, so we know if it's a reputable source. Meanwhile we hope your item arrived.   Thank you    

So can a buyer pay in part for fees with PING to Trade me and the rest of the transaction in Cash to the Seller?

goodsound, it's your money so why shouldn't you? Guess it will be like ENTAIN & TAB structure, a mess with the National Cash Register lurking in the background and Digital Monopoly.  

Well Trade Me need to remove default so we can "choose" to either Opt in or Opt out or other.   There's a multitude of laws internationally for all to comply with for International e-commerce.   Where does the arrow lie?