Why it helps
Whether you're a shop clearing old stock or you're finally selling the spare cot in the garage, a good Trade Me listing needs a searchable title, a clear description and honest condition notes. Most people rush it, then spend the week answering the same questions.
Give AI the facts and the flaws, and it writes a listing that's easy to read and answers the obvious questions up front. Being upfront about condition also means fewer unhappy buyers and fewer awkward messages after the sale.
The prompt
Copy it, swap the bits in [square brackets], and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot.
Help me write a Trade Me listing. I'm [a small business clearing stock / an individual selling something] in [town], New Zealand. - Write a title with the words a buyer would actually search for (brand, model, size, colour). Keep it short enough to fit Trade Me's title limit. - Write a short, friendly description in NZ English. Use short paragraphs and a bullet list of key details. - Include an honest "Condition" section using exactly the flaws I list. Don't hide or soften them, and don't invent any. - Add a "Pickup and shipping" section using the options I give. - Only use the facts I give you. Don't add measurements, ages, model numbers or claims I haven't given you. If a buyer would obviously ask something I haven't covered, list it as a question for me at the end. - Don't suggest a price. Item details: [what it is, brand, model, size, age, what's included] Condition and flaws: [scratches, wear, anything that doesn't work] Pickup and shipping: [e.g. pickup from [suburb], or courier at buyer's cost]
Then keep chatting
Give me 3 alternative titles to choose from.
Make the description shorter. Buyers skim.
Write a polite reply to a buyer asking if I'll take a much lower offer.
Write a short reply to the question "is this still available?" that also confirms pickup times.
Turn this into a Facebook Marketplace post as well.
Step by step
- Get the item out and look it over properly. Note every scratch, chip and missing part. Take photos of the flaws too.
- Find the brand, model and size on the label or box. Measure it if size matters.
- Fill in the prompt and paste your details. Leave out your address and phone number.
- Check the listing against the item. Answer any questions the AI listed and add the answers in.
- On Trade Me, check the category, the current listing rules and any fees or promotion costs before you list, as these can change. Then paste in the title and description and add your photos.
Worked example
Example details are made up. Your results will vary, so always read and check before you use them.
Watch out for
- Privacy: don't put your home address, phone number or kids' names in the listing or the prompt. Give your address only to the winning buyer, through Trade Me.
- Be honest about condition. Misleading descriptions can breach the Fair Trading Act, and if you're a business the Consumer Guarantees Act generally still applies, even on Trade Me. Check consumerprotection.govt.nz before saying things like "sold as is".
- Check Trade Me's own rules for prohibited and restricted items, and the current fees, on the Trade Me help pages. Don't rely on the AI for these.
- For kids' products like car seats, cots and strollers, check any safety standards or recalls at productsafety.govt.nz before you sell.
Go further
If you're a shop listing lots of stock, save the prompt with your shipping and returns wording already filled in. Then each listing is just the item details. The product descriptions use case pairs well, so the same facts work on your own website too.
