Buying and Selling Guidelines on ToneTrade: Buyers, Individuals, and Businesses
Good deals on ToneTrade start with clear information and a clean process. These guidelines cover buyers, individual sellers, and business sellers — so everyone knows what “done right” looks like.
Guidelines for buyers
- Compare condition notes and live photos carefully — ask questions before you pay
- Check shipping options and estimated timelines for your city (one courier + fee per listing)
- Complete checkout through TradeSafe escrow; avoid off-platform payment requests
- On your first purchase, upload a clear SA ID or passport before paying
- Inspect gear on arrival and confirm via TradeSafe email or SMS when satisfied
- Raise issues early, with photos, if something does not match the listing — escalate via TradeSafe while funds are still in escrow
Guidelines for individual sellers
Strong listings sell faster and attract fewer disputes. Listings stay private until ToneTrade approves your seller account and you add at least three live phone photos of the actual item (camera capture at listing time — desktop uploads are not used for listing photos).
- Capture honest photos on your phone from multiple angles (include serials and wear)
- Pick an accurate condition: Like new, Used, Refurbished, or For parts
- State what is included: case, power supply, cables, original box
- Choose one realistic courier option and fee (or free shipping) per listing
- Ship only after TradeSafe confirms funds are in escrow; pack as if you would buy it yourself
Guidelines for business sellers
- Keep store branding, policies, and contact details consistent
- List stock with SKU-level clarity: new vs ex-display vs used
- Set shipping rules your warehouse can actually meet
- Respond to buyer questions during business hours with clear next steps
- Treat escrow timelines as part of your fulfilment SLA
Escrow steps in plain language
- Buyer places the order and pays into TradeSafe escrow
- Seller prepares and ships (or arranges pickup/local delivery) only after funds are secured in escrow, within their stated processing time (3–5 or 5–7 business days)
- Seller taps Mark Delivered in their dashboard when the buyer has the gear — TradeSafe then notifies the buyer to inspect
- Buyer receives and inspects the gear (typically up to about seven days to dispute)
- Buyer confirms via TradeSafe email or SMS — or the inspection window completes — and funds release to the seller
Fees in brief
Buyers pay the listing price plus courier at checkout. On successful sales, sellers pay ToneTrade’s platform commission (1% + R10 per order) plus TradeSafe’s separate seller-paid escrow fee (rate depends on how the buyer pays). Full detail: Fees & Platform Charges.
Quick photo checklist (sellers)
Capture on your phone at listing time: front, back, headstock or control panel, close-ups of wear, and accessories laid out. You need at least three live photos before a listing can go public. Natural light beats heavy filters. Buyers trust what they can see.
Follow these habits and most ToneTrade transactions stay boring — in the best way. Clear listings, escrow checkout, careful packing, prompt confirmation.
