Kate, it does look like you'll have to think of ways to use the new template (or specify your own shipping options in each individual listing and forego all the "benefits" of the new template). Trade Me is trying to limit the number of options available so they could use them for filtering. Having too many arbitrary options defined by the seller is going to make the searching and sorting algorithm too complex, maybe to the extent of it stop working. It's really a strange decision to not include the option to have rural postage, hopefully they change that.

The Trade Me record is useless. If your driver doesn't bother to scan on pick up, it's up to you to prove the parcel has indeed been picked up. I have been told to provide security footage before. That's why I have a security camera pointing directly at my gate now. It's still hard to prove a particular parcel is among a bunch of parcels picked up though. The NZ Post driver who picks up my parcels scan them 90% of the time, Aramex is the opposite, they don't scan on pick up 90% of the time.   

Doesn't sound like you're using My Products? IMHO, the hours would be better used to learn how to use My Products.

Presumably it's not signature required? Regardless, NZ Post should be able to at least proof it's been delivered to the right address since all their parcels are tracked now, maybe a GPS location when it was delivered? Get in touch with NZ Post and let the buyer know that you need to wait for NZ Post's investigation, before deciding whether to refund them. If they are not happy, just ask them to lodge a dispute with Trade Me, that will buy you A LOT of time.

Yeah, I won't waste time playing cat and mouse waiting for the chat icon to appear (don't understand why they hide it when they are all engaged, that causes confusions in many people who can't find online chat due to that). I would just submit a "Contact us" form and forget about it. The good thing is someone will eventually get to it and reply (usually within a week), so far so good.

Getting the media involved might help? But since this is not something that causes serious harm, not sure will anyone be interested in taking any actions, I wouldn't expect Trade Me to do anything about it. You can also try complaining to the Commerce Commission.

Another reason to accept only Ping and AfterPay

Marty, I read in one of the discussions on here before that you could go to Trade Me to get a refund of the difference between the book a courier quote and the actual courier cost. You don't have to approach the courier companies for that.

Personally, I do use this "tactic" of not answering certain questions to subtly tell a potential buyer to "go away, I'm not selling to you". So....if you feel something is not right, just move on, and don't read too much into it. Not sure if it's against any TM rules to not answer questions, I hope not....haha

I'd just let the auction run. A bidder can request for a bid to be removed, but I don't think the seller is obligated to remove. Chances are they won't complete the sale, you'll then have proof to report them to Trade Me and hopefully they get banned from the site.