Letter to Trade Me

**placidfemme** · 20th February 2006, 07:56

Well.. In a recent post I mentioned an employee at my work who was looking at buying a second hand helmet on Trade. And most of us are aware of the dangers of buying second hand helmets... so I wrote Trade Me an e-mail in regards to the amount of second hand helmets (Sorry if that pisses anyone off who likes buying cheap second hand helmets).

~~

To Whom it May concern

I doubt I have sent this to the correct person but could not find a direct e-mail for complaints other than the ones listed on the Contact Us section. Please can you forward this complaint on to the appropriate person.

I am writting with concern of certain products you allow to be sold on Trade Me. I am an avid motorcyclist and a member of a biking community 4000 riders strong. I have noticed that on Trade Me under the motorcycling section that you allow Trade Me Members to sell second hand helmets.

Unless you are a motorcyclist yourself you may be unaware of the dangers of using a second hand helmet. If a helmet is dropped from as little as waist high it can cause enough damage to the helmet (which might not even show on the outter shell) to cause the helmet to be of no use in the event of an accident.

Just like Trade Me has restricted the selling of baby products that could promote cot death and without the appropriate safety standards. I ask that you seriously re-consider allowing the sale of second hand, damaged helmets and helmets that do no meet NZ safety standards.

New and young bikers, without experience or knowledge may be lead to believe that using second helmets is perfectly fine and safe. This is false advertising and cleary dangerous. Please can you advise what Trade Me's veiws are on this subject and if you are going to take any action what will it be?

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions on: "e-mail addy"

I look forward to hearing back from you in regards to this.

Thanks in advance

Tammy

~~

Do you think they will do anything about this?

Edit: If you feel this is appropriate and wish to see a change, perhaps you could write to them too... maybe if they recieve enough complaints about this they will take action.

**James Deuce** · 20th February 2006, 07:59

If it is OK with you I will follow your lead.

**placidfemme** · 20th February 2006, 08:01

Follow my lead? Sure thats fine with me

**Colapop** · 20th February 2006, 08:06

Just show me where the plackards are I'm protesting too!

**marty** · 20th February 2006, 08:19

have you also written to cash converters, cash inn, loot, trade exchange, the local pawn shop, local op shops?

**placidfemme** · 20th February 2006, 08:20

Originally Posted by Colapop

Just show me where the plackards are I'm protesting too!

Just send them an e-mail like I did... if they get enough complaints they should stop allowing the sale of second hand helmets... if the "Brand New" item tick box is not ticked they shouldn't allow them to be posted...

If I had known about Trade Me when I first started riding... I would have more than likey brought a second hand helmet because they are cheap... but I really don't see the point in buying a "cheap" second hand helmet off Trade Me when brand new helmets start from $89 upwards... why risk your life... but like I said in the letter... most newbies don't know they are dangerous... and that is the problem...

They could even continue to sell them if they have a disclaimer or warning under each listing for helmets stating that second hand helmets are dangerous and could be of no use in the event of an accident. At least let people know of the dangers... it's amazing what some people do for a profit these days...

**placidfemme** · 20th February 2006, 08:21

Originally Posted by marty

have you also written to cash converters, cash inn, loot, trade exchange, the local pawn shop, local op shops?

Give me thier contact details and I will...

**The Stranger:Me** · 20th February 2006, 08:22

Maybe not, but it's better to start somewhere than just ignore it.

**ManDownUnder** · 20th February 2006, 08:29

Nice one Tammy - I'll take this up with a couple of people I know too.

Would be nice to see lids inspected as part of a WOF in some ways (although I can see the complications - not actually being part of the vehicle certified_.

Maybe each lead needs an inpsection - just as air tanks for divers do or similar?

**placidfemme** · 20th February 2006, 08:37

Originally Posted by ManDownUnder

Nice one Tammy - I'll take this up with a couple of people I know too.

Would be nice to see lids inspected as part of a WOF in some ways (although I can see the complications - not actually being part of the vehicle certified_.

Maybe each lead needs an inpsection - just as air tanks for divers do or similar?

I think a lot of bikers would appose that... an extra fee they have to pay...

For second hand helmets on sale at various outlets... sure, but I believe that each rider which a little knowledge will know within themselves if they think their helmet has been damaged... but oppertunists on Trade Me don't give a hoot as to whose life they are endangering for as little as $20. My ex brought 2 helmets off Trade Me when she first brought a scooter... I went with her to pick them up after I tried to explain they were not safe... she got them, and one of them didn't even have padding on the inside... and the saddest part is she put them back on Trade Me and sold them to someone else...

**Drunken Monkey** · 20th February 2006, 08:37

This move could prevent people from obtaining low price, unsuitable-for-road-use, helmets who have a genuine, zero-risk requirement for one, e.g. stage prop, etc...

**Sniper** · 20th February 2006, 08:47

Thats actually a good move Tammy. Good luck.

**Drunken Monkey** · 20th February 2006, 09:14

Originally Posted by ManDownUnder

Maybe each lead needs an inpsection - just as air tanks for divers do or similar?

I beleive the only way to properly test if a helmet is still any good destroys the helmet in the process. You can only make a visual inspection of the external and internal surface, which may or may not reveal any clues as to the suitability of the internal foam.