Kilda
Buyer Protection on every order

How Kilda Works

One journey, two sides. Buyer steps run along the top, seller steps along the bottom, and the escrow that protects both sits between them. Every step tells you exactly which screen it happens on.

Where each step livesListing pageKilda checkoutTradeSafe paymentMy SalesMy OrdersTradeSafe escrowColliveryTradeSafe wallet
BuyerSellerEscrowCourier

  1. Buyer · step 1

    Browse & click Buy

    Listing page

    Listings are public — you only log in when you decide to buy.

  2. Buyer · step 2

    Pay for everything once

    Kilda checkoutTradeSafe payment

    Item + courier + processing fee are shown up front, then TradeSafe takes the card, EFT or SnapScan payment.

  3. Escrow · step 3

    Funds in Escrow

    Money held in escrow

    TradeSafe escrow

    The payment sits with TradeSafe — not with the seller — until the parcel reaches you.

  4. Seller · step 4

    Awaiting payment

    Waybill, print, ship

    My Sales

    Create the Collivery waybill, print it, attach it to the parcel, hand it to the courier, then Mark Shipped.

  5. Buyer · step 5

    Courier booked

    Follow the parcel

    My Orders

    The shipped email carries the tracking number; the order view keeps it live.

  6. Courier · step 6

    Collivery delivers

    Collivery

    Door to door, nationwide, tracked the whole way.

  7. Buyer · step 7

    Delivered

    Inspect & Approve

    My Orders

    When the delivered email arrives, check the item over and approve within the 24-hour window.

  8. Escrow · step 8

    Escrow releases

    TradeSafe escrow

    Funds move on the buyer’s approval, or automatically once the 24-hour window closes.

  9. Seller · step 9

    Payout lands

    TradeSafe wallet

    Item price + courier reimbursement, less Kilda’s 7.5% fee, into the seller’s TradeSafe wallet.

Your money waits in escrow

The buyer's payment is held by TradeSafe, not sent to the seller, until the parcel has been delivered.

24 hours to accept or dispute

After delivery the buyer inspects the item and approves, or raises a problem, inside the 24-hour window shown on the order.

Reviewed by a neutral party

TradeSafe holds the funds and reviews any dispute with both sides before money moves. Kilda doesn't hold the money and doesn't decide the outcome.

What Happens If You're Unhappy?

If the item doesn't match its description, you have 24 hours after delivery to raise a dispute. Here's how it works:

1. Contact the Seller

Try to resolve minor issues directly with the seller first. A small discrepancy can often be settled with a partial refund (amendment).

2. Raise a Dispute

Click "Raise Dispute" in your order view. Funds immediately freeze in escrow while the dispute is open.

3. TradeSafe Mediates

TradeSafe's team acts as neutral mediator. Both parties present their case via the TradeSafe platform. TradeSafe decides the outcome and releases funds accordingly.

Important: TradeSafe's escrow fee is non-refundable once funds are received. If no dispute is raised within the 24 hours after delivery, funds release to the seller.

Why Kilda Exists

Built for Musicians, by Musicians

Kilda exists for one reason: to give musicians a safe, fair, and transparent way to buy and sell gear — without getting ripped off or shortchanged.

Traditional classifieds leave sellers exposed to scams and lowball offers. Kilda flips that. Every transaction is protected by escrow so sellers get paid in full and buyers get exactly what they paid for. No middlemen taking huge cuts. No uncertainty. Just musicians helping musicians.

Safe Transactions

Escrow holds funds until delivery is confirmed — no payment fraud, no ghost sellers.

Maximum Payout

Kilda charges sellers a simple 7.5% platform fee — you keep 92.5% of your sale price. The seller keeps the clear majority of every sale.

Zero Surprises

No hidden fees, no last-minute charges. What you agree on is what happens.

Seller Essentials

Printing requirement for sellers

You'll need to print your waybill and attach it to the parcel before the courier arrives — any printer or a print shop works.

No printer? Print shops, libraries or a friend's office can print the PDF for you.

Packaging Requirements — Non-Negotiable

Sellers are responsible for safe packaging. Damage due to poor packaging is not covered.

Musical instruments are fragile and valuable. Proper packaging is your responsibility as a seller. Damage caused by inadequate packaging may result in a dispute being ruled against you.

Use a Sturdy Box

Use a double-walled cardboard box sized appropriately for the item. Avoid reusing crushed or weakened boxes. Hard cases inside a box are strongly recommended for guitars and keyboards.

Wrap Everything

Wrap the item in at least 3cm of bubble wrap on all sides. Secure with packing tape. For fragile parts (necks, headstocks, knobs), add extra padding individually.

Fill Empty Space

Fill any empty space inside the box with packing peanuts, crumpled paper, or foam. The item must not shift or move when the box is shaken.

Seal It Properly

Seal all seams with strong packing tape (not regular sticky tape). Apply tape in an H-pattern on both top and bottom. Do not rely on a single strip across the middle.

Photograph Before Sending

Take photos of the item before packaging, during packaging, and of the sealed box with the label attached. These protect you in the event of a dispute.

Detune Strings

For guitars and stringed instruments, loosen strings before shipping to reduce neck tension in transit. Remove or protect fragile accessories like tremolo arms or pickguards.

⚠️ Seller Responsibility: By shipping an item on Kilda, you agree that it is your responsibility to ensure it arrives in the condition described. If a buyer raises a dispute citing damage caused by insufficient packaging, TradeSafe may rule in the buyer's favour and funds may be returned.

Why You Can Trust Kilda

Escrow Protection

Payment is held by TradeSafe in escrow. Funds only release to seller once the buyer confirms delivery, or automatically after the 24 hours following delivery.

Nationwide Shipping

All shipments via the Collivery nationwide courier network with live tracking. Note: shipping insurance is not included — we recommend arranging your own Goods in Transit cover for valuable items.

Transparent Pricing

Item price + shipping + TradeSafe's payment-processing fee (paid by buyer, shown at payment) + escrow protection. No hidden fees at checkout.

Buyer Protection

Funds stay locked in escrow until you confirm delivery. If the item isn't as described, raise a dispute within 24 hours of delivery.

Real-Time Updates

Track orders, shipments, and payments in real-time. Get notified at each step of the journey.

Seller Payout

Fast, reliable payouts. You keep 92.5% of your sale price — Kilda charges sellers a simple 7.5% platform fee. Payment-processing fees are paid by the buyer.

Pricing Breakdown

Simple, transparent fees. No surprises at checkout.

What Buyers Pay

Item price
Set by seller
Shipping & handling
Live courier quote
Escrow protection
Included
Kilda platform fee
None
Payment processing (TradeSafe)
Paid by buyer, by method
Total at checkoutItem + Shipping + processing fee

No hidden fees. Buyers pay the item price + shipping + TradeSafe's payment-processing fee, shown on the payment page for the chosen method. Escrow protection is included at no extra charge.

What Sellers Get

Sale amount
100% of listing price
Kilda platform fee
−7.5%
Payment-processing fee (TradeSafe)
Paid by buyer
Shipping cost
Paid by buyer
Settlement fee (TradeSafe)
R5 excl. VAT, where applicable
You keep92.5% of sale price

Fast payouts — the seller makes the most from every sale. You keep 92.5% of your sale price. Payment-processing fees are paid by the buyer, and a R5 excl. VAT settlement fee may apply when funds are paid to your bank account.

How the Seller Fee is Calculated

Kilda charges sellers a simple 7.5% platform fee on the sale price — you keep 92.5%. TradeSafe's payment-processing fee is paid by the buyer, based on their payment method. A R5 excl. VAT settlement fee may apply when funds are withdrawn to your bank account under TradeSafe's terms.

7.5%
Kilda Platform Fee

A simple 7.5% of the sale price, deducted from the seller's proceeds. For a R1,800 sale that's R135.00 — you keep R1,665.00.

Paid by buyer
TradeSafe Processing

TradeSafe charges a payment processing fee based on the payment method used (EFT: ~0.75%, credit card: ~2.5–3.5%, SnapScan: ~1.5%). It's paid by the buyer and never deducted from the seller.

92.5%
You Keep

The seller makes the most from every sale — you keep 92.5% of your sale price. A R5 excl. VAT settlement fee may apply when funds are paid to your bank account.

Note: TradeSafe's processing fee is charged when funds are received and is non-refundable, even in the event of a dispute. The settlement fee (R5 excl. VAT) is a TradeSafe withdrawal charge, not Kilda revenue.

Ready to Get Started?

Join thousands of musicians buying and selling quality instruments on Kilda.