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The Daily Insight

How much did Sam Morgan sell Trade Me for?

Author

Emma Jordan

Published Mar 16, 2026

Sam Morgan (born 1975) is best known as the founder of Trade Me, New Zealand’s largest online auction site, which he sold in 2006 to Australian media company Fairfax for over NZ$700 million.

How did Sam Morgan start trademe?

The story goes that a young computer consultant named Sam Morgan started Trade Me after a frustrating experience buying a heater for his chilly Wellington flat. Sam was fed up with other websites that didn’t cater well to Kiwis, and he reckoned he could offer something better.

How old is Sam Morgan?

46 anos (1975)
Sam Morgan/Idade

Who invented trademe?

Sam Morgan
Trade ME/Fundadores

What’s happened to Trade Me?

In May 2019, Trade Me was acquired by private equity firm Apax Partners for NZ$2.56 billion. Trade Me Ltd also operates several sister websites including FindSomeone and Holiday Houses.

Can I sell wine on trademe?

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 states that the sale of alcohol to the public or any member of the public requires a licence. Unless you have registered as a wine seller with Trade Me (read more), you may not list alcohol of any nature on the site.

What made Sam Morgan successful?

Morgan worked out his competition and how they made their money. He established that the biggest internet businesses operating at the time were auctions and dating, so that is what he set up. He then established why online auctions like eBay were doing so well overseas.

How does trademe make money?

Instead, casual sellers are charged 7.9% of the sale price, and in-trade sellers are charged 7.9% of the sale price and the shipping cost combined. The maximum success fee is $249, and no fees are taken for items that sell for $1 or less.

When did Sam Morgan start trade me?

1999
Sam is an entrepreneur most famous for founding Trade Me at the age of 23 in 1999 after a frustrating experience buying a heater for his chilly flat. After several years of tireless work, he sold it in 2006 for over $700 million. TradeMe currently has a market cap of over $1.7 billion.

Why is trademe so slow?

The ‘old’ site is, and always has been, safe and functional. However, it was built over 20 years ago in a way that’s becoming rapidly outdated behind-the-scenes, and this makes Trade Me slower and clunkier – both for you to use, and for us to keep improving on.

Can you withdraw an offer on trademe?

Trade Me may limit the number of offers buyers can make. You must not make an offer for an amount you are not willing or able to pay for the item, as you will not be able to withdraw your offer once you have made it and, if your offer is accepted by the buyer, you have entered into a binding agreement to buy the item.

Can you sell animals on trademe?

Cats and dogs can either be sold (a listing fee applies) or given away for free (no cost to list). Fish, mice and rats, chinchillas, bearded dragons, and turtles can only be sold by auction. Please check our restrictions on the sale of pets and animals.

When did Sam Morgan start Trade Me?

How do I contact Sam Morgan?

Sam Morgan’s Phone Number +64 4-803 XXXX. +64 3-544 XXXX.

Can I sell wine on TradeMe?

Why is TradeMe so slow?

Can I go back to the old trade me?

Can I go back to the old Trade Me? Think of this as an evolution of Trade Me, so we’re slowly moving all members and all functionality over to our new–look site. If you don’t enjoy using it, we’d love to hear why.

How do you delete a comment on trademe?

Editing feedback as a buyer To edit or remove feedback, head to our desktop site. Select ‘Won’ from ‘My Trade Me’. Select ‘Feedback placed’ from the right-hand menu. Select ‘Delete’ or ‘Edit’.

How do I withdraw money from my trademe account?

You can use your Ping balance to buy items on Trade Me, withdraw the funds to your bank account, or top up your Trade Me account….Withdrawing from Ping

  1. Head to ‘My Trade Me’.
  2. Select ‘View profile & account’ and select ‘Manage Ping’.
  3. Select ‘Transfer out’.

How long do you have to pay on trademe?

Buyers agree to: Respond to emails as soon as possible, and within two working days. Pay for goods purchased as soon as possible, and within a week of the auction closing and receiving payment details.

Sam is an entrepreneur most famous for founding Trade Me at the age of 23 in 1999 after a frustrating experience buying a heater for his chilly flat. After several years of tireless work, he sold it in 2006 for over $700 million.

How did Sam Morgan start Trade Me?

Who started Trade Me?

Trade Me/Founders

About 46 years (1975)
Sam Morgan/Age

Can I sell wine on Trade Me?

How does Trade Me show economic growth?

Summary of Shamubeel Eaqub’s report on Trade Me Trade Me is 3.5x more productive than the wider New Zealand economy. Trade Me’s productivity is ranked in the top 10 of industries. In 2018, Trade Me contributed an estimated $225m to the New Zealand economy – a significant contribution for a single business.

Is Trade Me NZ owned?

Trade Me is New Zealand’s largest online auction and classifieds website. Managed by Trade Me Ltd., the site was founded in 1999 by New Zealand entrepreneur Sam Morgan, who sold it to Fairfax in 2006 for NZ$700 million. In May 2019, Trade Me was acquired by private equity firm Apax Partners for NZ$2.56 billion.

Why is Trade Me so slow?

Can you sell dogs on Trade Me?

There is a listing fee, but there are no success fees. Cats and dogs can either be sold (a listing fee applies) or given away for free (no cost to list). Fish, mice and rats, chinchillas, bearded dragons, and turtles can only be sold by auction. Please check our restrictions on the sale of pets and animals.

How much is Trade Me Going to be sold to?

Trade Me’s board is recommending shareholders accept the offer at $6.45 a share. Trade Me looks set to be sold to private equity firm Apax Partners for $2.56 billion after the British buyer finalised and upped its offer by about $20 million to match an indicative offer from rival US bidder Hellman & Friedman.

Who is the owner of Trade Me auction site?

Trade Me is the largest internet auction website operating in New Zealand. Managed by Trade Me Ltd., the site was founded in 1999 by New Zealand entrepreneur Sam Morgan, who sold it to Fairfax in 2006 for NZ$700 million. Trade Me was publicly listed as a separate entity on 13 December 2011 under the ticker “TME”.

Who is the owner of Trade Me New Zealand?

Trade Me is New Zealand’s largest online auction and classifieds website. Managed by Trade Me Ltd., the site was founded in 1999 by New Zealand entrepreneur Sam Morgan, who sold it to Fairfax in 2006 for NZ$700 million. Trade Me was publicly listed as a separate entity on 13 December 2011 under the ticker “TME”.

Who is the parent company of Trade Me?

Trade Me was publicly listed as a separate entity on 13 December 2011 under the ticker “TME”. In May 2019 Trade Me was acquired by private equity firm Apax Partners for NZ$2.56 billion. Trade Me Ltd also operates several sister websites including FindSomeone, Travelbug, Holiday Houses and LifeDirect (online insurance comparisons).