Guide · Safe trading and delivery
Handing over an item safely in Nairobi
Tips for a safe in-person handover of a used item in Nairobi and around Kenya: choose a public place, daylight, bring a friend, test the item, and when to confirm.
If you and the other person agree to meet, keep it simple, public and short.
Choose the place and time
- Meet in a busy, well-lit public place, in daylight.
- Tell someone you trust where you are going and when.
- Bring a friend if you can, especially for higher-value items.
- Agree the time and place in the order messages on Bids Kenya, so there is a record.
At the handover
- Buyers: test the item. Power it on, check what the listing promised, and check what is included.
- Sellers: do not hand over the item until the platform confirms the buyer’s payment.
- Do not share more personal information than you need to.
- If anything differs from the listing, do not confirm receipt. Report a problem.
Frequently asked questions
Should I pay the seller in cash at the handover?
No. The buyer pays the balance to Bids Kenya. Paying outside the platform removes your protection.
When do I confirm receipt?
After you have checked the item. Confirming releases the seller’s payment.
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