Most people you'll meet on Adify.ie are genuine. A few simple habits protect you from the ones who aren't.
How Adify.ie helps
- Every seller verifies a mobile number by text message before their first ad goes live.
- Businesses can show a "Verified business" badge once we've checked their company documents.
- You can report any ad in a couple of clicks, and report or block a user from your inbox. We review reports and remove ads and accounts that break our rules.
- We never handle payment for items. You always pay the seller directly.
Spot the warning signs
Walk away if a seller:
- has a price that seems too good to be true;
- won't let you see the item, or can't meet;
- asks for a deposit by bank transfer before you've seen the item;
- wants to move the chat to WhatsApp or email straight away;
- says they're abroad and will send the item by courier once you pay;
- rushes you, saying lots of people are interested and you must pay now;
- sends you a link to "pay through Adify.ie". We have no such payment system, so it's a scam.
Never share a code sent to your phone, with anyone. Nobody from Adify.ie will ever ask you for one.
Before you pay
- See it first. Check the item in person, and test that it works.
- Ask questions. Age, condition, why they're selling, and whether they have the receipt or box.
- Check ownership. For anything valuable, ask for proof it's theirs, like a receipt or warranty card.
- Phones and laptops: make sure they're signed out of the seller's account (Apple ID or Google) and reset to factory settings while you're there.
Pay safely
- Cash on collection is simplest for smaller items. Count it out together.
- Bank transfer: only pay once you've seen the item and are happy with it. Avoid paying strangers in advance.
- Never pay with gift cards or vouchers, or send money to "release" a delivery.
Meet safely
- Meet in a busy public place in daylight, like a shopping centre car park.
- Bring someone with you, especially for larger items or when collecting from a home.
- Tell a friend where you're going.
Buying a used car
A car is the biggest thing most people buy second-hand, so take extra care:
- Run a history check with Cartell or Motorcheck. It shows outstanding finance, write-offs, mileage records and whether the car was reported stolen. A car with outstanding HP or PCP finance belongs to the lender, and it can be repossessed even after you've paid the seller.
- Check the VRC (logbook). The name and address should match the seller, so ask for photo ID. The chassis number (VIN) on the VRC should match the one on the car.
- Check the NCT on the certificate, and compare the mileage recorded at past tests with the odometer.
- Look at the service history, and test drive on different roads. Make sure you're insured to drive it.
- Get a mechanic's opinion if you're not sure. A pre-purchase inspection costs far less than a bad car.
- Don't pay before the change of ownership. Complete and sign the VRC with the seller when you hand over the money. You can only tax the car once the change of ownership has gone through. Arrange insurance before you drive it away.
Selling instead? See our guide to selling a car privately in Ireland.
Something wrong?
If an ad or a user looks suspicious, report it and stop replying. If you've lost money, contact your bank straight away and report it to your local Garda station. For your rights when you buy from a business, see the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).