Kaarakauppa is an open marketplace where private sellers and businesses meet buyers. Most transactions go smoothly — knowing the most common scam tactics and keeping your deal inside Kaarakauppa significantly reduces your risk.
Recognise the warning signs
- Payment is requested outside Kaarakauppa — cash upfront, a messaging app transfer, or cryptocurrency.
- The offer is suspiciously good — compare the price against similar listings on Kaarakauppa before reaching out.
- The deal is being rushed, or you're pressured to skip a viewing.
- Contact moves to another channel right away, before anything has been agreed.
As a buyer
Do this: - Use Kaarakauppa's messaging system for the whole deal — the history is there if you need it later. - Inspect the vehicle in person and pay only after you've seen all the documents.
Avoid these: - Do not pay a deposit or reservation fee to an unknown seller without meeting first. - Do not rely on a phone call alone — ask for the agreement in writing.
As a seller
Do this: - Ask the buyer to identify themselves before a test drive. - Confirm the payment is visible in your account before handing over the keys.
Avoid these: - Do not hand over the vehicle based on a cash promise alone. - Do not let a stranger take an unsupervised test drive.
💡 Tip: A "Financing from … €/month" figure on a listing is the dealer's lowest advertised monthly payment, not a personalised offer. Kaarakauppa does not yet have a calculator that compares financing options for you — ask for a written quote before committing.
Before you close the deal
- [ ] I have checked the other party on Kaarakauppa (profile, listings, message history).
- [ ] The vehicle has been inspected or test-driven in person.
- [ ] The deal terms and payment are agreed in writing and handled safely.
If something feels off
Report a suspected scam, misleading listing, or harassing message to Kaarakauppa: How to report suspicious content. If the situation requires urgent help, open a support ticket directly at support.kaarakauppa.fi.