Once you’ve met, inspected the vehicle and come to an agreement, it’s time to finalize the deal. There are many options to transfer money, both online and in person. Let’s take a look at the benefits of each.

 

Deposits

Requesting or offering deposits for items on the site is not recommended. However, some sellers do request one. Never pay a deposit on a vehicle you haven’t seen in person. If you have seen it and you’re not completely comfortable leaving a deposit, it may be best to move on to another deal.

 

Cash

Cash is often the safest option because it’s the hardest to fake. However, it’s not impossible. If you’re accepting cash for a large purchase, make sure you know how to recognize counterfeit currency.

Carrying cash as a buyer can have its own risks and can be less convenient. Consider the situation and decide what’s best for you.

 

Cheque

Cheques are easier to fake than cash, and there’s no guarantee that they won’t bounce. The safest option is to ask for a certified cheque and go to the bank with them to cash it before the vehicle is signed over.


Preferred Secure Cashless Payment Methods

As a safe alternative to carrying cash, consider choosing your preferred third party (at your own discretion). Secure cashless payment methods include electronic money transfers (Interac e-transfers). Never mail a cheque or wire money to sellers. Services like Western Union or MoneyGram should be avoided. Typically, scammers will use these services and will even falsify documents from a legitimate company. It’s best to avoid them entirely and keep things local!

   

Money Transfer/Western Union/MoneyGram

Electronic transfers are easy to fake, and hard to verify. If you decide to accept payment through one of these methods, don’t give them the item until you’ve been able to confirm with 100% certainty that the funds are in your account.

Note: If any buyer sends you an electronic transfer and then asks you to move some of the funds somewhere else – especially if they require the funds to be moved before you actually receive the money – don’t do it! This is likely an SMS scam.

Trading during COVID-19
 
In order to help ensure the health and safety of our Kijiji Community, it is important to observe and apply protocols outlined by Health Canada when trading with other users of Kijiji. Your well-being remains our top priority. Please seriously consider whether in-person meetings are necessary.
 
If the transaction you’re making is necessary, please consider the following options:
 

• Cashless Payment: Please consider choosing your preferred third party, secure cashless payment method.
• Shipping: If considering sending/receiving the item via Canada Post or other shipping agents, ensure that the agent you’re using is reputable; it’s recommended that if using a shipping agent, that a tracking number is used and additional precautions are taken when sending/receiving items; particularly items of a high value. Increased care should be taken with high value items to ensure both sides are comfortable sending or receiving the item through a postal or shipping service. Please note, Kijiji itself does not offer postal or shipping services; it is organized between buyer and seller (agreement should be mutual, and we recommend confirming all details such as service provider, cost, packaging, pick up location and delivery address). Kijiji will not be held responsible for items not received or for any items that do not meet the buyer’s expectations (including where they are not as described).
• Curbside pickup / Drop-off / Delivery: This can be a great alternative to shipping and allows both buyer and seller to inspect the item and make an exchange, all while observing social-distancing protocols.

Other things to consider:
 

• Remote Inspections / Video Chat(s) / Virtual Tour(s) (Long Terms Rentals): Remote inspections via your preferred video conferencing call service, enables Community Members to discuss the transaction, while observing social-distancing protocols; Community Members can also send additional images, to show features/condition.
• Online Applications in Long Term Rentals: Online applications for rental agreements enable the landlord and applicant to interact while observing social-distancing protocols. Be careful of applications that request information such as Age, Occupation, Income, Gender and more sensitive information such as bank or SIN card numbers. These can often be attempts to steal information. Please note that Kijiji does not facilitate online applications and we are not involved in any agreements made between the landlord and applicant.
• Clean / Disinfect Items: We recommend cleaning items before and after a transaction as per the Health Canada page on Coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention. Please visit Health Canada to learn more about precautions to take at this time.