Selling on DoneDeal puts you in front of serious buyers across Ireland. And while the vast majority of people are genuine, staying alert helps keep everything smooth and straightforward.
A few simple checks can make all the difference.
1. Keep communication on DoneDeal
DoneDeal’s message centre is there to protect you.
If someone asks to move the conversation to email, text, WhatsApp or another app early on, pause for a moment. Keeping everything on DoneDeal gives you an extra layer of protection — and makes it easier for us to step in if needed.
2. Be alert to suspicious messages
Occasionally, someone may pose as a buyer and send messages that don’t feel quite right.
Watch out for messages that:
Ask you to “verify” your account through a link
Claim your ad has been suspended
Request personal details outside DoneDeal
Offer to organise and pay for delivery through a courier or postal service
Important to know: DoneDeal will never contact you through the Message Centre to ask for account verification or payment details.
If something feels unusual, don’t click any links. Report it instead.
3. Be cautious with courier or collection arrangements
If a buyer says:
A courier will collect the item
Payment will be released after collection
You need to pay a small “insurance” or “release” fee
Take a step back.
Genuine buyers don’t ask sellers to pay fees in order to receive money. You should never have to pay to complete a sale.
4. Don’t rely on screenshots for payment
Some fraudsters use fake or manipulated banking apps to show a “payment sent” screen when collecting an item or vehicle.
Always check your own bank account directly.
Only hand over the item once funds are fully cleared and visible to you.
If the money isn’t in your account, the payment hasn’t happened.
5. Trust your judgement
If a buyer feels pushy, vague, or overly complicated, it’s okay to walk away.
A genuine buyer won’t rush you or pressure you into decisions. Selling should feel straightforward — not stressful.
If you’re ever unsure
Stop the transaction and report the message through the Help Centre.
We work hard behind the scenes to keep DoneDeal safe — but the strongest protection is an informed seller.
Take your time. Stay on-platform.
And sell with confidence.
Contact Us
If you have any further questions or would like to chat, please reach out to our Customer Support team.