How do messages work?

Messages keep everything about a sale in one place: questions, offers, reserving the item and arranging collection. You'll find them all in Messages.

Step by step

Step 1: On a listing, select Message seller to ask a question. On a business's storefront, Message starts a general enquiry.
Step 2: To make an offer, select Make an offer. The seller can Accept, Counter or Decline. Offers last 24 hours.
Step 3: When an offer is accepted, the item is reserved for that buyer and any other pending offers end.
Step 4: The seller arranges collection in the conversation. Once it's collected, the buyer selects I've collected it, or the seller marks the sale complete.

Good to know
Phone numbers, email addresses, links and social handles can't be sent in messages. Keep the conversation on townsyville: it's safer, and everything stays together.
Tip
If a business hasn't joined townsyville yet, you'll see Let them know you're interested instead of Message. We note that people want to reach them here and tell them when we can. We never share your details with them, and once they join you can message them.
Tip
Use the ⋯ menu in a conversation to report or block someone.

Last updated 30 October 2026