Second-hand Marketplace
Version: v1.0
Last Updated: May 30, 2026
An overview of how the second-hand marketplace works and how the parties interact. For step-by-step guides, see the Customer Guide and the Second-hand Seller Guide.
What it is
The second-hand marketplace is a peer-to-peer space where one customer lists a used item (for sale or free) and another customer buys or claims it, with delivery or pickup. Both sides are ordinary customers — the "seller" is a verified customer, not a formally onboarded business partner.
📸 Screenshot: Second-hand customer-facing browse screen
Who the parties are
| Party | Role |
|---|---|
| Buyer | Browses listings, purchases/claims an item, receives it |
| Seller | A verified customer who lists the item, dispatches it after sale |
| Rider | Collects from the seller and delivers to the buyer |
| Delivery company | Employs the rider for delivery-mode orders |
| Platform (BookMaMe) | Moderates listings, processes payment, deducts the service charge, settles the seller |
End-to-end flow
Seller creates a listing → submitted for moderation
→ Listing approved → goes live
→ Buyer purchases/claims the item and pays (paid listings)
→ Seller marks ready for dispatch → rider handoff (PIN)
→ Rider delivers to buyer (delivery PIN), or buyer collects
→ Buyer confirms receipt → seller is paid (paid listings)
Listing and moderation
Every listing is reviewed before going live against marketplace rules (accurate title, honest condition, allowed category, real photos, no contact info, no prohibited items). A rejected listing gets structured feedback to fix and resubmit. First-time sellers complete seller verification (ID + agreement).
Free vs. paid listings
| Paid listing | Free listing | |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer pays | Yes | No |
| Service charge | Deducted from the sale | None |
| Seller payout | Sale price − service charge | None — platform just facilitates the transfer |
How payments and delivery work
- Buyers pay by online card / mobile money (cash-on-delivery generally isn't offered)
- The seller's payout is triggered after the buyer confirms delivery receipt — not at purchase
- Delivery uses the same rider + PIN handoff model as orders; failed deliveries go to the depot for retry, return-to-seller, or close
- If a return is initiated, a seller payout may be clawed back depending on timing
What's unique about this marketplace
- Peer-to-peer — buyer and seller are both customers; selling happens inside the customer app
- Listing moderation + seller verification before items go live
- Free listings alongside paid ones
- Return-to-seller path for failed deliveries
- Payout held until the buyer confirms receipt, with clawback on returns
Learn more
- Customer — Placing an Order (second-hand buying section)
- Second-hand Seller Guide
- Rider Guide