How to buy safely from a private seller in Ireland
Updated 9 November 2026
Most private sales go fine. The ones that do not tend to follow the same few patterns, and every one of them can be spotted before you hand over money.
See it, then pay
The single rule that prevents most losses: do not pay for anything you have not seen and held. A seller who cannot meet, cannot do a video call, and wants payment first is the scam, whatever the story.
Payment requests that should end the conversation
- Gift cards, vouchers or crypto of any kind.
- Money-transfer services to someone abroad.
- A "courier" or "shipping agent" who will deliver after you pay.
- An overpayment, with a request to send back the difference.
- A link to "secure payment" on a site you have never heard of.
Meeting up
- Meet somewhere public, busy and well lit — a shopping-centre car park or outside a Garda station.
- Bring someone with you for anything valuable.
- For electronics, check it powers on, charges, and is signed out of the seller’s accounts before you pay.
Paying
Cash on collection or an instant bank transfer made while you are standing with the item are the normal, safe options. Once you have paid by bank transfer it is very hard to get back, so do it only when you are satisfied.
What BidBuy does and does not do
BidBuy hosts the ad, relays messages without showing the seller’s email, and removes ads that break the rules or are reported. It does not verify sellers, items or ownership, and it never holds money. If something looks wrong, use “Report this ad” — reported ads are reviewed by a person.