This article is for buyers. It explains how to ask the seller a question from a listing, where to find answers, and what the different statuses of your questions mean.
Summary
- You ask your questions at the bottom of the listing, in the
Questions & Answerssection.
- The seller receives your question and answers it from their personal space.
- You are notified by email as soon as you receive an answer.
- All your questions are grouped in your personal space, under
Buy>Questions & Answers.
1. Asking a question, step by step
Step 1 — Open the relevant listing
Go to the page of the item you're interested in, then scroll down to the Questions & Answers section at the bottom.
Step 2 — Read the exchanges already published
When the seller has made their answers public, they appear directly on the listing. Your question may already have been answered: you'll save time.
Step 3 — Click Ask a question
An input field appears.
Step 4 — Write and send
Write a precise question, then click Send. It is forwarded to the seller.
You must be logged in to ask a question: this is how we're able to send you the answer.
2. What happens next
- The seller receives your question and handles it from their personal space.
- As soon as they answer, you receive an email.
- The answer appears in your personal space, and on the listing if the seller chose to make it public.
Response times depend on the seller. Ask your questions as soon as possible after the listing is published, rather than waiting until the last hours of the sale.
3. Tracking your questions from your personal space
Go to the Buy > Questions & Answers menu.
By default, you see questions awaiting a response. A selector lets you display the others.
Status | What it means |
Pending | Your question has been sent, but the seller hasn't answered it yet. |
Answered | The seller has replied: their answer appears below your question. |
Ignored | The seller chose not to answer. The reason they gave is shared with you and displayed on screen. |
An answered question directly displays the seller's reply:
An ignored question displays the reason given by the seller:
From this list, clicking the item's thumbnail takes you back to the listing, and the View action displays all the public exchanges related to that item.
4. Private answers and public answers
For each answer, the seller chooses whether it stays private or becomes public:
- private: only you see it, in your personal space and by email;
- public: the question and answer are displayed on the listing, for all interested buyers.
This is why some listings already have several exchanges: take advantage of them before asking your own.
5. What questions to ask
The most useful questions are about what the listing cannot show:
- the item's working condition and its maintenance history;
- the defects visible in the photos, to understand their extent;
- the access conditions at the collection location: loading dock, lifting equipment, vehicle size required;
- the accessories or documents provided with the item;
- the possibility of a viewing, if the listing doesn't specify one.
Never share personal contact details in a question, and never propose a purchase outside the platform: these exchanges can be reported, and you would lose all protection related to the sale.
Our tips
- One question per topic: you'll get more precise answers.
- Mention what you've already read in the listing, to avoid getting an answer that's already been published.
- Stay polite and factual: your question may become visible to everyone.
- If the answer is slow to arrive and closing time is near, consider a viewing or forgo bidding rather than bid while still in doubt.
Frequently asked questions
Is my question visible to other buyers?
Only if the seller chooses to make their answer public. In that case, the question and answer are displayed on the listing.
How long will it take to receive an answer?
This depends on the seller. You are notified by email as soon as they reply.
My question appears as "ignored", why?
The seller chose not to answer and gave a reason, which is shared with you. You can rephrase your question if it's still relevant.
Can I contact the seller directly?
No. Exchanges go through the questions and answers section: this keeps a record and protects both parties.
Can I ask a question after the sale has ended?
The section remains viewable, but for any question after the sale ends, please contact customer service.
Can I edit or delete my question?
No. Proofread before sending; if needed, ask a new, more precise question.