Safety tips

Draft: this text is a placeholder pending legal review and may change.

Most deals on Thrift Bay go smoothly. These tips help you avoid the few that don't.

For buyers

Never pay in advance or send a "token amount" before you've seen the item.
Meet in a busy public place in daylight, and bring someone with you if you can.
Inspect the item carefully before paying. Check that phones and electronics work and aren't locked to an account.
For phones and vehicles, ask for the bill or the registration papers and check that they match.
Be wary of prices that are too good to be true.

For sellers

Don't hand over the item until you've received the full payment.
Check UPI and bank transfers in your own banking app. Don't trust screenshots or SMS messages.
Nobody needs your OTP, PIN, or password to send you money. Never scan a QR code to receive a payment.

Shipping

If a seller offers to courier an item, prefer cash on delivery or a trusted courier's open-box delivery.
Never pay a stranger for "courier charges", "customs", or "insurance" before the item arrives.

Keep the conversation in Thrift Bay chat until you're comfortable, and report suspicious listings or users with the Report button. We review every report.