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Messaging

RTC Collector's messaging system lets you communicate with other users, whether you're discussing a potential purchase, coordinating a trade, or asking questions about items.

Marketplace MessagesMarketplace Messages

Types of Conversations​

Pre-Purchase Conversations​

Before buying an item, you can message the seller to:

  • Ask questions about condition
  • Request additional photos
  • Clarify shipping options
  • Negotiate price informally before making an offer
  • Get more details about the item's history

These conversations start from marketplace listings and help you make informed buying decisions.

Transaction Conversations​

After an offer is accepted, a transaction-specific conversation opens automatically. Use this to:

  • Confirm shipping addresses
  • Share tracking numbers
  • Update on delays
  • Resolve minor issues
  • Coordinate trade shipping

Transaction conversations are linked to the specific sale or trade and remain accessible even after the transaction completes.

Starting a Conversation​

From a Marketplace Listing​

  1. Open the listing you're interested in
  2. Click Ask Seller a Question or Message Seller
  3. Type your message
  4. Click Send

The seller receives a notification and can reply. You'll get a notification when they respond.

From the Marketplace Tab​

When you have an active transaction:

  1. Go to Marketplace
  2. Switch to the Messages tab
  3. You'll see all your conversations listed
  4. Click on one to open it

Using the Messaging Interface​

Conversation List​

The conversation list shows:

  • Seller or buyer's name and avatar
  • Last message preview
  • Timestamp of last message
  • Unread indicator (blue dot)
  • Related item thumbnail (if conversation is about a specific listing)

Conversations are sorted by most recent activity.

Conversation View​

When you open a conversation:

  • Messages appear in chronological order
  • Your messages on the right (blue)
  • Other person's messages on the left (gray)
  • System messages in the center (yellow) for transaction updates
  • Typing indicator when the other person is writing
  • Read receipts showing when messages were seen

Sending Messages​

  1. Open a conversation
  2. Type your message in the text box at the bottom
  3. Optionally add emojis using the emoji picker button
  4. Press Enter or click Send

Messages are sent instantly via WebSocket when you're online. If you're offline, they're queued and sent when you reconnect.

Message Features​

Text Formatting: Messages support plain text. Links are automatically detected and made clickable.

Emojis: Click the emoji button to open the emoji picker and add emojis to your message.

Edit Messages: Click the three dots menu on your sent messages and select "Edit" to change what you wrote (within 15 minutes of sending).

Delete Messages: Click the three dots menu and select "Delete" to remove a message. Deleted messages show as "[Message deleted]" but the conversation history is preserved.

Real-Time Features​

Instant Delivery​

Messages are delivered in real-time using WebSocket technology. When you send a message:

  • It appears immediately in your conversation
  • The other person sees it right away (if they're online)
  • No need to refresh the page

Typing Indicators​

When someone is typing a reply:

  • You see "[Name] is typing..." at the bottom of the conversation
  • This helps you know they're about to respond
  • Appears only when they're actively typing

Read Receipts​

When messages are read:

  • Small checkmarks appear next to your sent messages
  • Single check: Message delivered
  • Double check: Message read

You can't disable read receipts. They help establish trust in marketplace transactions.

Online Status​

You can see if the other person is currently online (green dot next to their name). This helps you know if you're likely to get a quick response.

Notifications​

When You Receive Notifications​

You get notified when:

  • Someone sends you a new message
  • Someone replies to your conversation
  • You receive a system message (offer accepted, item shipped, etc.)

Notification Types​

Push Notifications: Browser notifications appear even when you're not on the site (if you've granted permission).

In-App Notifications: Red badge on the Messages tab showing unread count.

Email Notifications: Email summary of new messages (configurable in Settings).

Sound Alerts: Optional sound when messages arrive (enable in Settings).

Managing Notifications​

Go to Settings → Notifications to control:

  • Push notifications for messages (on/off)
  • Email notifications for messages (instant, daily digest, off)
  • Message sound alerts (on/off)
  • Desktop notifications (requires browser permission)

Offline Messaging​

When You're Offline​

If your internet connection drops:

  • You can still view existing conversations and messages
  • You can type and send messages
  • Messages are queued locally
  • A banner appears showing you're offline

Automatic Sync​

When you reconnect:

  • Queued messages are sent automatically
  • New messages from others are received
  • Conversations update to show latest activity
  • The offline banner disappears

This uses the Background Sync API so messages send even if you close the tab after typing them offline.

Privacy & Safety​

Message Encryption​

All messages are encrypted at rest in our database. We use AES-256-GCM encryption to protect message content.

What We Can See​

While messages are encrypted, our team can decrypt them if:

  • You report a message for abuse
  • A dispute is opened and messages are relevant evidence
  • We're required to by law enforcement

We don't read your messages otherwise.

Blocking Users​

If someone is harassing you or sending inappropriate messages:

  1. Open the conversation
  2. Click the three dots menu
  3. Select Block User
  4. Confirm

Blocked users:

  • Can't send you new messages
  • Can't start new conversations with you
  • Don't see that they're blocked (messages just don't deliver)
  • Can be unblocked anytime from Settings → Blocked Users

Reporting Messages​

If someone sends you:

  • Harassment or threats
  • Spam
  • Scam attempts
  • Inappropriate content
  • Attempts to take transactions off-platform

Report the message:

  1. Click the three dots menu on the message
  2. Select Report Message
  3. Choose a reason:
    • Harassment or bullying
    • Spam or scam
    • Inappropriate content
    • Off-platform transaction attempt
    • Other
  4. Add additional details (optional)
  5. Submit report

Our moderation team reviews all reports. Serious violations result in account suspension.

Messaging Guidelines​

Do's​

  • Be polite and professional
  • Respond within 24-48 hours
  • Clearly communicate shipping details and expectations
  • Ask questions to clarify anything you're unsure about
  • Keep conversation relevant to the transaction
  • Be honest and transparent

Don'ts​

  • Don't share personal contact information (phone, email, social media) to avoid fees
  • Don't use offensive or abusive language
  • Don't spam sellers with the same message multiple times
  • Don't request or send payment outside the platform
  • Don't harass users who don't respond immediately
  • Don't share sensitive information (passwords, payment details)

Completing Transactions Off-Platform​

This is not allowed.

We prohibit taking transactions off-platform after initial contact on RTC Collector. This includes:

  • Asking for PayPal, Venmo, or other external payment
  • Sharing phone numbers or email to complete the sale elsewhere
  • Meeting in person after finding each other on RTC Collector

Why?

  • You lose buyer/seller protection
  • Payment disputes can't be resolved
  • It violates our Marketplace Terms
  • It may result in account termination

Exception: After a transaction completes successfully on RTC Collector, you can exchange contact info for future dealings. But the initial transaction must go through our platform.

System Messages​

System messages appear automatically in conversations to keep both parties informed:

Transaction Updates​

  • "Offer accepted"
  • "Payment received"
  • "Item marked as shipped"
  • "Tracking updated: [status]"
  • "Item delivered"
  • "Transaction complete"
  • "Dispute opened"

These can't be deleted and provide a record of the transaction timeline.

Trade Updates​

  • "Trade accepted"
  • "Waiting for both parties to mark as ready to ship"
  • "[Name] marked as ready to ship"
  • "Both items shipped"
  • "[Name] confirmed receipt"
  • "Trade complete"

Archiving Conversations​

After a transaction completes, conversations remain accessible but move to an archived state:

Active Conversations: Current transactions and recent messages (last 30 days)

Archived Conversations: Completed transactions and conversations with no activity for 30+ days

You can always access archived conversations:

  1. Go to Messages
  2. Click Show Archived
  3. Search or browse archived conversations
  4. Click one to view the full history

Archived conversations can't receive new messages unless the transaction is reopened or a new listing is created.

Search in Messages​

Find specific conversations or messages:

  1. Click the search icon in the Messages tab
  2. Type keywords (item name, username, message content)
  3. Results show matching conversations and messages
  4. Click a result to jump to that conversation

Useful for finding:

  • Conversations about specific items
  • Tracking numbers you shared
  • Shipping addresses
  • Specific agreements or details

Message Limits​

To prevent spam and abuse:

Rate Limit: 50 messages per hour per conversation

Daily Limit: 500 messages per day across all conversations

If you hit these limits:

  • You'll see a notice explaining why
  • Limits reset after the time period
  • This shouldn't affect normal usage (limits are very high)

If you're a high-volume seller and need higher limits, contact [email protected].

Troubleshooting​

Messages Not Sending​

If messages won't send:

  • Check your internet connection
  • Refresh the page
  • If offline, messages will queue and send when you reconnect
  • If the issue persists, check your account status (you might be temporarily restricted)

Not Receiving Notifications​

If you're not getting notified:

  • Check Settings → Notifications and ensure messaging notifications are enabled
  • For push notifications, verify you granted browser permission
  • Check your email spam folder for email notifications
  • Ensure your browser allows notifications from rtccollector.com

Can't Find a Conversation​

If a conversation disappeared:

  • Check archived conversations
  • Use search to find it by item name or username
  • If the other user deleted their account, the conversation may be hidden

Messages Showing as Unread​

If messages are stuck as unread:

  • Open the conversation and scroll to the bottom
  • Refresh the page
  • Clear your browser cache if the issue persists

Best Practices​

For Sellers​

  • Respond quickly (within 24 hours)
  • Answer all questions thoroughly
  • Be patient with buyers who have many questions
  • Provide additional photos if requested
  • Clearly state all shipping and payment details
  • Keep communication professional even if buyers are difficult

For Buyers​

  • Ask all your questions before making an offer
  • Be specific (don't just ask "is it good?")
  • Don't expect instant responses
  • Read the listing carefully before asking questions already answered there
  • Be respectful of sellers' time
  • Don't make offers through messages (use the offer system)

During Transactions​

  • Confirm shipping addresses
  • Share tracking numbers promptly
  • Update on any delays
  • Communicate proactively if there are problems
  • Keep the conversation focused on the transaction

After Transactions​

  • Thank the other party
  • Leave a fair rating
  • If you had a great experience, consider connecting as friends
  • Don't request personal contact info to avoid future fees (that's against the rules)

Message History​

All messages are retained for:

  • Active transactions: Forever (or until transaction completes + 90 days)
  • Completed transactions: 2 years after completion
  • Disputes: 3 years after resolution

After this period, messages are automatically deleted. You can export conversation history before then if you need a permanent record:

  1. Open the conversation
  2. Click Export
  3. Download as TXT or PDF

Questions?​

If you have questions about messaging: