ToneTrade is a South African online marketplace for buying and selling musical instruments and related gear. Listings are posted by independent sellers. Checkout uses TradeSafe escrow so payment is held securely until the gear is delivered and the deal is confirmed.

TradeSafe — our licensed escrow and payment partner — holds the buyer's funds in escrow. ToneTrade is the marketplace; we do not take custody of transaction funds. Money is only released to the seller after delivery is confirmed (or according to TradeSafe's dispute / acceptance rules).

You check out on ToneTrade and pay via TradeSafe. Funds are held in TradeSafe escrow (not the seller's bank). The seller ships only after payment is secured, then marks the order Delivered when you have the gear. You inspect the instrument and confirm acceptance via TradeSafe email or SMS so payment can release to the seller (typically a 7-day inspection window). If something is wrong, raise a dispute before funds are released — TradeSafe holds the money until the issue is resolved.

Browse listings, read condition notes and live photos carefully, then checkout and pay through TradeSafe escrow — never pay the seller outside ToneTrade. On your first purchase you'll upload an SA ID, passport, or driver's licence before paying. Wait for courier delivery, inspect the instrument against the listing, then confirm receipt to release funds. Step-by-step: How it works · Buyer protection.

Register as a seller, submit ID / business documents for ToneTrade approval, then draft your listing on any device. Add at least 3 live phone photos (QR on your draft), set honest condition, price, courier, and processing time (3–5 or 5–7 business days). Publishing unlocks after approval + live photos. When a buyer pays, TradeSafe holds the funds in escrow. Ship after payment is secured, pack well, and share tracking. Mark the order Delivered when the buyer has the gear — they then confirm via TradeSafe email/SMS (7-day inspection window). You are paid when they accept or when that window ends without a dispute.

Each listing has one courier and a delivery fee set by the seller (or free shipping if they offer it). Buyers pay that fee at checkout for the items they order. Sellers must pack instruments properly and dispatch within their stated processing time. ToneTrade does not operate its own courier network — the seller's chosen courier handles delivery.

There are two seller-side fees on successful sales — not one. ToneTrade's marketplace commission is 1% + R10 fixed (settled via Dokan). TradeSafe's escrow/payment fee is separate and seller-paid on ToneTrade; the rate depends on how the buyer pays (for example EFT ~0.75%, Ozow ~1.5%, cards ~3% excl. VAT — see TradeSafe's published integration table). Courier fees are set per listing and paid by the buyer. Cart/checkout may show estimates for transparency. Full detail: Fees.

Contact the seller first with photos or tracking evidence. If you cannot resolve it, escalate via TradeSafe's dispute path from their email/SMS while funds are still in escrow — TradeSafe will hold the money. Material complaints need supporting evidence. Unresolved disputes may follow TradeSafe's process (including negotiation, and if needed Small Claims Court or arbitration). See Refunds & disputes.

After delivery is confirmed, TradeSafe typically gives buyers an inspection / acceptance window of up to about 7 days on ToneTrade transactions (exact timing follows the TradeSafe settings on that order). If you do not raise a dispute in time, funds may be released to the seller automatically. Inspect promptly and keep packaging until you are satisfied.

Buyers need an account to checkout, and must upload an SA ID, passport, or driver's licence before their first payment (not shown publicly). Sellers can draft listings while verification is pending — those stay private. After ToneTrade verifies the seller, listings with at least 3 live phone photos go public automatically. TradeSafe also requires seller bank details so payouts can settle when escrow releases.

Yes. Music retailers and businesses can sell alongside private sellers. There is no integration or setup fee — on successful sales you pay ToneTrade's 1% + R10 marketplace commission plus TradeSafe's separate seller-paid escrow fee. Complete business / seller verification, add live listing photos, and connect TradeSafe payout details. See Fees.

No. ToneTrade is a marketplace. TradeSafe provides the digital escrow and payment facilitation. Neither replaces your bank — funds move through TradeSafe's escrow processes and banking partners according to their terms.

ToneTrade is for legitimate musical instruments, pro audio, and related gear. Illegal items, stolen goods, counterfeit branded products sold as genuine, weapons, drugs, and other prohibited categories are not allowed. Listings must describe condition honestly (Like new, Used, Refurbished, or For parts).

Sign in, open the listing, and tap Ask seller a question. Threads live in My Account → Listing questions (sellers who buy use that inbox too). Unread counts show on the menu and conversation list. Don't share phone numbers or email in messages. Buyer protection and TradeSafe escrow apply after checkout — not for pre-purchase chats. Sellers reply from Dashboard → Listing inquiries. Buyer protection

Pre-purchase questions: sign in and tap Ask seller on the listing (My Account → Listing questions — sellers who buy use this too; unread counts show on the menu). After you buy: use Order support on that order. Rob Helpford can help with policies but cannot message the seller for you. Contact page / sales@tonetrade.co.za for marketplace help. Escrow questions may need TradeSafe — include your order number. Contact · Buyer protection

Rob Helpford is ToneTrade's in-site assistant (orange circle). On the shop and listings he finds live gear cards (Featured on top; “cheapest on site” sorts by price) and can add a pick to your cart (Add on the card, or say 1–7 / “add the first one”) — then opens the usual mini-cart. Clear “open my cart / orders / account” asks take you there. On My Account and the seller dashboard he can also answer readonly questions about your orders, unread messages, saved city/region, and your listings (cards in chat, max 7) — he never messages sellers for you or changes your account. Ask for a human and you get the same leave-a-note form as when Helpford is offline. Guide: https://tonetrade.co.za/meet-bot-helpford/