Buy and sell with people you don't know, on Facebook, Marketplace or WhatsApp. The buyer pays into a hold. The seller sees the real money, and is paid when the parcel arrives. Every deal is locked to both numbers. Nobody has to go first.
The seller makes the deal for the buyer’s number. It waits in the buyer’s own wallet. The buyer pays with their wallet PIN. The seller sees the real money is there, but is not paid yet.
The seller has 7 days to send it, by courier or by hand, and taps I sent it. A tracking number or a photo can go with it.
The buyer taps It arrived, and the seller is paid. If the buyer says nothing, the seller is paid 7 days after sending.
The buyer does not need a wallet to start. See every step, with pictures.
| A deal | R10 to R5 000 |
|---|---|
| Who can sell | Wallets whose ID is checked. A new seller: up to R2 000 a deal until 3 different buyers with checked IDs have been paid, on deals of R100 or more |
| Locked to | The seller’s number and the buyer’s number. Only the buyer’s wallet can pay. |
| Time to send | 7 days, or the money goes back to the buyer |
| When the seller is paid | When the buyer taps It arrived, or 7 days after sending |
| More time | The buyer can ask for 7 more days, once |
| A problem | The money stays held while TapAPI's team looks at it and decides. Both sides are told why. |
| Longest hold | 21 days, unless a problem is still being looked at |
| Ratings | Buyer and seller rate each other. Stars show once both have rated, or after 7 days. Each person counts once. |
| Names | First name and the first letter of the surname |
| Bad marks for sellers | Not sent in time, a problem decided against them, a paid deal they cancelled, or 1 or 2 stars. From 3 different buyers in 90 days, and the seller cannot make new deals until our team has looked. |
| The buyer | Nothing |
|---|---|
| The seller, when paid | Nothing on a deal paid by 31 December 2026. After that 1% of the price, at least R2 |
| If the money goes back | Nothing, for either side |
After 31 December 2026: sell for R100 and you pay R2. Sell for R250 and you pay R2.50. Sell for R1 000 and you pay R10. Every fee.
Open TapAPI yourself. The deal waits in Protected deals, made for your number. You never need a link.
Never tell anyone your wallet PIN or a one-time PIN. TapAPI never asks for them by phone, WhatsApp, SMS or email. You never pay a fee to get paid.
Never tap It arrived before you have it. Not for the seller, not for a courier, not for anyone.
A buyer never sends a seller a Protected deal. To get paid you click nothing, scan nothing and type no wallet PIN.
Tell your members about Protected deals. We will send you a link for your members, the words to put in your group rules, and pictures. Email help@tapapi.co.za.
Writing about Protected deals? Visit our press room, or email help@tapapi.co.za.
It waits in your own TapAPI wallet under Protected deals, made for your number. The seller's number on it must be the number you are chatting with. You can also type its code yourself at tapapi.co.za/check. If anyone asks for your wallet PIN, a one-time PIN or a fee to get paid, it is not us.
Ask for their seller reference. It starts with PS, and many sellers put it in the advert. Type tapapi.co.za/check yourself and type the reference. You see the seller's first name, if their ID is checked, their deals, their stars and part of their number. That number must be the number you are chatting with. Then ask them to make you a Protected deal.
No. The deal is locked to your number and waits in your own wallet. Open TapAPI yourself and look in Protected deals.
Never. It arrived pays the seller and cannot be undone. Only tap it when the item is in your hands. Nobody, not the seller, not a courier and not TapAPI, will ever need you to tap it first.
No. Only the seller makes a Protected deal, in their own wallet. To get paid you never click a link from a buyer, scan a code or type a wallet PIN. Paid deals show in your own wallet as paid and held.
No. The seller makes the deal for your cell number first. To pay, open a free wallet with that same number, and the deal is waiting there. The seller needs a wallet with their ID checked.
No. You pay from your TapAPI wallet, so put the money in your wallet first.
If it is not sent within 7 days, you get all your money back. If it was sent but never comes, tap Problem before the 7 days are up.
Tap Problem and say what is wrong. The money stays held while our team looks at the tracking number, the photo and what you both said.
Your first name and the first letter of your surname, and your record as a buyer.
TapAPI's team. Both of you are told the decision and why.
Anyone whose wallet has its ID checked. A new seller can hold up to R2 000 a deal until 3 different buyers with checked IDs have been paid, on deals of R100 or more.
R10 to R5 000 a deal.
Nothing, for the buyer or the seller, on a deal paid by 31 December 2026. After that the seller pays 1% of the price, at least R2, when paid. If the money goes back to the buyer, nobody pays a fee.
Protected deals are part of your TapAPI wallet and follow the Protected deals terms and the Terms of Use. TapAPI holds the money and follows these rules; it does not insure the goods or promise what a seller sells.