How to deal safely on Carousell
As a buyer, all you have to do is to look out for ‘Buyer Protection’ listings and pay via the ‘Buy’ button. If your order doesn’t arrive or is not as described, you request for a full refund.
And as a seller, you should enable the ‘Buy’ button on your listings so buyers can pay via Carousell to confirm the deal. This ensures that you only deal with genuine buyers! You’ll receive your earnings once your buyer receives their order.
Carousell is an open community where members have the freedom to conduct transactions in ways which they feel most comfortable.
We take the safety of our community very seriously and do our best to keep the marketplace a pleasant place for all. Nonetheless, as with any online marketplace or trading site, there may still be unforeseen circumstances.
Here are some tips to help ensure you have the best experience on Carousell:
As a buyer
Find out more about the seller
Check for additional information about each user via their 'User Badge' - This will appear when starting a new chat with sellers, so you can stay more alert when chatting with unverified businesses.
Read user reviews - You can read through detailed reviews that a seller received by going to their profile. This is where other community members, including buyers like yourself, share their experiences dealing with the user.
Do your due diligence - Do your research and homework, read an item's description, ask questions and request for photos to ensure an item you are getting is as you have expected. If you come across an item which you think should not be sold on Carousell, do not hesitate to report it to us so that it can be reviewed and removed if needed.
Learn about the seller's policies - Every deal on Carousell is considered an agreement between you and the seller. If any sellers have individual policies, such as whether they accept negotiations, refunds or exchanges, be sure to clue yourself in on them before you commit to a deal.
When transacting
Look out for ‘Buyer Protection’ listings and pay via the ‘Buy’ button - With Buyer Protection, your payment is safely held by the platform until the item is confirmed to be received as listed. This also means that you’ll get covered in case of disputes; receive a full refund when the item is not received or significantly not as described.
For transactions without the ‘Buy button, secure an agreement by chatting with your seller and making an offer - This, along with the seller's acceptance of the offer, is Carousell's way of a firm handshake to show both parties are committed to the deal. This is because both parties would be able to exchange reviews thereafter. The right time to do this would be when all aspects of the transaction have been negotiated and agreed on, such as price and delivery method, day & time etc.
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When doing meet-ups, always meet in well-lit, public places – Meet-ups are a fun way to meet new people with similar interests and hobbies. While Carousell may be a community, always remember that meeting up with someone for the first time is akin to meeting a stranger, so be safe and bring a friend with you if possible! Avoid carrying large sums of cash with you!
👉 Remember: Always check the item carefully during your meet-up to make sure it matches what was agreed in chat.
Electronics: Verify receipts, serial numbers, or model details in chat and in person (do a search online to confirm originality).
Branded Bags: Request authenticity cards, receipts, or certificates and confirm they’re included.
Appliances: Ask for a demo video and test the item at the meet-up in a safe place.
Event tickets and vouchers: Check the vendor’s terms and conditions before buying, as some may not be valid for resale and could be turned away at entry.
In general
Always keep all transactions and communications within the platform - This ensures all relevant transaction records are available to facilitate subsequent investigation and dispute resolution should the need arise.
Keep your personal banking details confidential – Information such as 16 digit numbers on your credit/debit card, CVV, PIN, OTP, i-banking passwords are confidential and should not be shared with other parties.
Common sense is king - Use your gut feel and logical reasoning to assess the sensibility of each deal. Offers that sound too good to be true may not always be. Do your due diligence and don't be shy to ask questions if unsure or even request for additional photos of an item to help you make your decision.
As a seller
Find out more about the buyer
Check for additional information about each user via their 'User Badge' - This will appear when starting a new chat with buyers, so you can stay more alert when chatting with new users.
Read user reviews - You can read through detailed reviews that a buyer received by going to their profile. This is where other community members, including sellers like yourself, share their experiences dealing with the user.
When transacting
Enable the ‘Buy’ button on your listings and gain access to secure payment methods Receive your earnings in Carousell Balance once the item is successfully received; you will not need to reveal personal information when asking for payment.
Listing with the ‘Buy’ button allows you to offer convenient delivery options; whether it be through Carousell pick-up service or your preferred courier. You may track the parcel in- app.
State your policies clearly in the listing description - Every deal on Carousell is considered a private agreement between you and the buyer. If you have any policies regarding negotiations, refunds or exchanges, be sure that they are communicated to and acknowledged by your buyer prior to their commitment and carrying out of the deal.
For categories where the ‘Buy’ button is disabled, secure an agreement through the Make an Offer button as it will allow both parties to be able to exchange reviews thereafter. Only deal through meet-ups and collect payment after meeting face to face. It's also a fun way to meet new people with similar interests and hobbies!
When doing meet-ups, always meet in well-lit, public places – Meet-ups are a fun way to meet new people with similar interests and hobbies. While Carousell may be a community, always remember that meeting up with someone for the first time is akin to meeting a stranger, so be safe and bring a friend with you if possible!
In general
Always keep all transactions and communications within the platform - This ensures all relevant transaction records are available to facilitate subsequent investigation and dispute resolution should the need arise.
Keep your personal banking details confidential – Information such as 16 digit numbers on your credit/debit card, CVV, PIN, OTP, i-banking passwords are confidential and should not be shared with other parties.