Sending & Receiving Messages

How to Contact Sellers and Manage Messages on Kijiji

Found something you’d like to buy, rent, or inquire about? Kijiji makes it easy to contact sellers, landlords, and dealerships directly through listings.

This guide explains how messaging works, how to manage conversations, and how seller response times can help you know what to expect.

Sending a Message

On Web or the Kijiji App

  1. Open the listing you’re interested in.

  2. Select one of the suggested quick messages or write your own message.

  3. Review your inquiry.

  4. Click Send Message.

Once your message is successfully sent, you’ll see a confirmation message.

Category-Specific Inquiry Options

Some categories offer additional ways to help sellers understand your needs before responding.

Real Estate: Request a Viewing

For eligible rental listings, you may see a Request a Viewing option.

This allows you to:

  • Indicate your interest in the property

  • Suggest preferred dates and times

  • Connect directly with the landlord or property manager

Providing your availability can help streamline the scheduling process.

Autos: Contacting a Dealership

When contacting a dealership through an eligible vehicle listing, you may have the option to indicate interest in specific dealership services.

Available options may include:

  • Test Drive

  • Trade-In

  • Financing

You can select one, multiple, or all available options when submitting your inquiry.

These selections help the dealership understand your needs before responding.

What Happens After I Send a Message?

Once submitted, your inquiry is delivered directly to the seller, landlord, or dealership associated with the listing.

Depending on the type of listing, the recipient may contact you to:

  • Answer questions

  • Confirm availability

  • Schedule a viewing

  • Arrange a test drive

  • Request additional information

  • Discuss financing or trade-in options

Response times vary by seller.

Where to Find Your Conversations

All conversations can be accessed through My Messages.

To view your messages:

  1. Sign in to your Kijiji account.

  2. Select the My Messages icon (chat bubble).

  3. Open the conversation you’d like to view.

Your inbox keeps all active conversations organized in one place.

Receiving Replies

When someone replies to your message, you’ll typically receive:

  • A notification in Kijiji Messages

  • An email notification

  • A mobile notification (if enabled in the Kijiji app)

Professional Listings

Some professional or business listings may respond directly by email instead of through Kijiji Messages.

If you’re communicating with a professional seller, continue the conversation using the contact method provided in their response.

Replying to Messages

You can reply through:

Email

Select Reply from the email notification.

Kijiji Messages

  1. Open My Messages.

  2. Select the conversation.

  3. Enter your response.

  4. Click Send.

Your conversation history will remain available while the conversation is active.

Protecting Your Privacy

To help protect user privacy, Kijiji masks email addresses during most conversations.

Instead of displaying your actual email address, messages are routed through a protected Kijiji messaging system.

Exceptions

Email masking may not apply to:

  • Professional listings

  • Certain business accounts

  • Jobs category listings

In these situations, communication may occur directly by email.

Message Retention

Messages are stored for 60 days from the date of the first message.

After 60 days:

  • Conversations are removed from your inbox

  • Replies can no longer be sent through Kijiji Messages

  • Deleted conversations cannot be recovered

Deleting Conversations

To delete a conversation:

  1. Open My Messages.

  2. Select or hover over the conversation.

  3. Click Delete.

  4. Confirm your choice.

Deleting a conversation removes it from your inbox but does not delete messages from the other participant’s account.

Understanding Seller Response Times

Seller profiles may include information such as:

  • Average Reply Time

  • Reply Rate

  • Seller Badges

  • Member Since date

These indicators help buyers understand how responsive a seller is likely to be.

Average Reply Time Categories

You may see response times displayed as:

  • Within 2 hours

  • Within a few hours

  • Within 1 day

  • Within a few days

Response times are calculated using a seller’s messaging history and help set expectations for future conversations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I contact a seller without the Kijiji app?

Yes. You can send and receive messages through both the Kijiji website and email notifications.

Can I request a viewing for a rental property?

Yes. Eligible Real Estate listings may include a Request a Viewing option.

Can I request a test drive through Kijiji?

Yes. Eligible dealership vehicle listings may include a Test Drive option within the inquiry form.

Can I ask about financing or a trade-in?

Yes. Some dealership listings allow you to indicate interest in financing, trade-in opportunities, or both.

Why can’t I find an old conversation?

Messages are automatically removed 60 days after the conversation begins.

Can sellers see my email address?

In most cases, no. Kijiji masks email addresses to help protect user privacy.

Buy, Rent, and Shop with Confidence

Kijiji Messages helps buyers, renters, and shoppers connect safely with sellers, landlords, and dealerships. Whether you’re scheduling a property viewing, arranging a test drive, or asking a simple question, messaging tools make it easier to communicate and complete transactions with confidence.