Does New Zealand Hate Americans Living Here? 3 Lessons. 

#1 The Consumer Guarantees Act requires that any goods sold, even on TradeMe, must be "fit for purpose". So unless they disclaimed the comupter as being sold only for parts, it must be functional on delivery or else the seller must refund the item unless a replacement is accepted by the buyer. Every Kiwi knows about the CGA and there's no way this lady didn't, which means she was probably trying to hussle you into paying to dispose of her broken rubbish. #2 As others have mentioned, compensation for property damage is handled by insurance and compensation for bodily damage handled by ACC. You actually can't even sue people in NZ for accidental injury, whether an individual or a company, because the whole point of establishing ACC was to ensure that accident victims weren't dependent on a successful lawsuit (that could take years) against a defendant who could afford to pay in order for them to receive compensation, so the ability of a private individual to sue for compensation was removed. Only the police or a relevantly empowered government body (such as WorkSafe) can sue people for accidental injury, and third party car insurance means the other car's damage is covered, so a lawsuit for property damage is redundant. The people you hit likely pursued a dispute resolution against you _because_ they literally can't sue you, but that also means you have literally no reason to participate in the dispute resolution, because the main reason to accept a dispute against you is to avoid the troublesome court case that is threatened otherwise. Which is to say, it sounds like you got hussled into paying money and participating in a process that you didn't have to, probably because you're American so they thought you wouldn't know any better and would presume this "litigation" to be normal. #3 I can totally see a cultural gap causing a lot of awkwardness between a Kiwi therapist and an American client. My only suggestion is that, if a suitable American therapist is not a viable option either locally or online, it might not be a bad idea to lampshade your American extroversion at the beginning of your first session. A therapist without much experience of American clients or Americans in general would probably handle things much better if you explained to them first how Americans are over the top and that it's considered "normal" back in the States. They probably wouldn't be at so much of a loss for how to respond if given that heads up, though at least they're not trying to hussle you. 😅

It sounds like with the accident you were just being taken for a ride, any kiwi in their right mind would have told the "mediator" where to go and precisely how to get there.

Sorry you had a few rough experiences. Enjoy your videos. FYI. There was a time when American troops were sent to NZ for recovery. They were handsome and had money. Some kiwi girls fell in love with these guys. At that time, some Kiwi soldiers disliked those Americans. You bring a smile to our faces. I think the Americans that irritated some Kiwis are those that come across as loud and full of themselves and their achievements. Kiwi culture, in general, is to achieve success but don't advertise it. I don't mean my comments as a criticism. I am trying to explain why some Americans may have the impression they aren't liked. I really enjoy the way you come across and your sense of humor. Have a great week.

With the Trade Me thing, it sounds like you were just dealing with a bad egg. There's no reason to think it was because you're American though. I'm 1000% sure they would have just as happily have scammed a fellow kiwi 🙄

That 1st issue with Trademe, have you thought about getting contact with Fair Go? They are really good at dealing with these sort of situations.

#2 What were you offering them money for? As you can't sue someone for accidence injuries in NZ, we have a compo system called ACC that covers your injury recovery costs (is meant to). So My Question is what was the compo for?

So sorry to hear of your terrible TradeMe experience, Morgan. I have had very few glitches, but I also haven't tried buying a computer. Hope you rated the seller as bad!! I was also sorry to hear about the lack of cultural competence from your counsellors. That was really shocking!

I like the cicadas. Their sounds makes the whole video like a Japanese anime😂

Morgan, please don't assume - you know what that does. NZ is full of different nationalities, the seller is a straight out A/Hole. It's not a case of buyer beware via Trade Me, they have their rules and regulations, sorry, but I'd be knocking on their door again. You know the sender's address? I'm no legal beagle but if Trade Me aren't prepared to help, then I would approach either Legal Aide or the Consumers. Yeah we have con artists here/scammers like every where else in the world - seriously they are outright scum pigs. Further more it seems to me Trade Me covered their own back - they have policies. Holy hell girl, the courts decide if there is to be any compensation/restitution not some mediator, plus our ACC covers so much, insurance takes care of the cars. Sounds like their spokesperson was getting a percentage. As for the therapists, just wow, these people are meant to be highly trained, doesn't matter what the case is, they are there to support, listen and not be judgmental. Please get off your American bend, we don't judge like that, hell we fight like hell with countries when it comes to our sport, but in the same breath we will sit down and have a beer with them. Representing yourself does not bide well now-days, they have long gone. I'm not going to say lesson learnt, or suck it up because you were simply screwed over. NZ might be laid back in many areas, but you have to remember the powers that be are right up there with the rest of the world, more so those who use legal jargon to their own benefit.

Sorry to hear of you experience on TradeMe. I haven't had a bad experience but I thought TradeMe managed the transactions somewhat. Yours is a cautionary tale.

Trying to get the Post Office to accept liability for this is hard. I would actually recommend you repackage the box and then drive a spike through it. You will have a better chance of liability insurance claim if there is definitely box damage. Take a photo of the box where the courier left it to show the damage.

at what point does mediation ever become a thing in a car accident? insurance should cover property damage and ACC should cover any physical injury. the only victim mediation i'm aware of is in criminal cases and i'm almost certain your accident wasn't intentional. sorry to hear of your misfortunes - there are shitty people everywhere, it's just the ratio that varies.

Sorry to hear of your trademe issue. You should contact the police to file a fraud report against the seller for selling you goods she knew to be faulty.

Coincidental that it's sign language week? Your hands certainly did some work there - which is a good thing. Being able to lip read in the first minute or two now means l have to use an eyewash! Of more relevance l guess regarding #3 scenario, l, and l believe most kiwis, have never had counseling, whereas it seems to be almost mandatory in the US. Btw - another good watch Morgan.

Very relatable 🌺🇳🇿❤️

Love your channel so much, Morgan! I hope this is the extent of your crazy issues in my lovely NZ (although I'm in Maine :-)) but keep keeping it real!

Actually I believe if the seller misrepresented the item for sale then they must refund the money. The trade me seller said working condition so that is false advertising. Unbelievable..

I've never used Trademe ever

This was very interesting about your car crash situation .Were you charged for careless driving causing injury ? that would be the only way I could think of for someone to want or have contact with the other party who was injured when they were innocent of causing a crash .?We have ACC so people can get treatment without the process of suing and emotional and cost of that system .I watched the carzy case with Gwyneth Paltrow ,glad she won ,as that was crazy case .I've seen vid's in Russia where people jump out at cars at intersections so they can sue with a fake injury .I'm glad with our system ,it's hard if you do cause a crash ,or get crashed into ,but the sueing system is crazy .

Something tells me #2 was trying to swindle you. You could have also offered the computer from #1. (Jokes) 😅 We have the Commerce Commission or Fair Go TV show team that could still help you. Best wishes.

Under the consumer guarantees act they have to replace or refund.

Did you give the computer seller a bad review? Don’t really understand the mediation business for the car accident as this is simply an insurance, and ACC matter.

You are protected by the comsumer guarantees act since it was sold on trade me you can go to small clames court at a cost of i think $20 or $30 no lawyers just you and her to hash it out with a binding mediator. And also if you paid by debit or cred card tell the bank you are disputing the transaction.Also give the seller a very bad review.

what zodiac sign are you?

Sorry that the consumer guarantee act does not apply to private sellers. It is a matter of keeping fingers crossed that the seller will be reasonable. I always look at sellers' ratings and reviews. I only had one bad incident and that person put in a bad review which i did not care because she was the only one negative out of the rest. A year later , Trade Me emailed me that they have taken down the negative review because she was causing a lot of trouble with a whole lot of people and she was banned from trading.

With your Trade experience did you look at the seller history and star rating ? this is the real way that people should be honest and helpful on trade to avoid bad ratings .I did use rating to avoid paying someone who I thought would not send me what I was wanting and I was right ,and I did notice that person started a new account after having to many bad feed back (had same location and same products but different name ,trade me does have a few bad apples (no pun intended ) I look at history and feed back to decide on a trader .

Unfortunately when you buy from a private seller you have no redress under NZ law, hense caveat emptor, buyer beware. You could try under the small claims tribunal

Yes I think a scam, but it’s so unusual in NZ?

Yeah, trademe is a joke

New Zealand like living in "Alice in wonderland".

But our spiders are tiny and harmless Morgan 🤦‍♀😅

Hey millenial girl ... love your humour, love your content ...

Hi on your Trade Me problem if you spend a lot on one item it helps to check on the feed back comments you find out very fast what person you dealing with On the car accident where, how, did mediation get in to the picture. ACC should cover any and all physical injury, and your car insurance any and all damages. Don t be so nice and show them some back bone

Sounds like you got scammed with the mediation thing for the car accident. That is not a thing that happens here.

Yeah, she's making excuses when there's NO excuse. Get your money back. May be trademe needs to do what dhgate does; holds onto the money and only when you're happy, the vendor gets it.

Why would you bye a computer on line? And from a private person not a company Thats just crazy.

yeah a bad experience with trademe, never can happen in us craigslist?! trademe runs on trust and thats ok. and yeah, mediation, but also tribunals just open your eyes how shitty people are. but at least no lawyers involved, thats a good way to not wate money. just imagine getting sued in america by 3mil and losing and then what? your life is over. all you had was awkwardness.

You've been suckered badly on the first two.

Some one else also asked ,why were offering money ? that's a slippery slope to go down ,as sometimes there will never be the right amount and we do have Acc system to stop people going crazy on clams and making people do get treatment when it may cost thousands and thousands of dollars .

What i think of the USA? Eventhough I've never been to the USA before...Is there's some nice people living in the USA. But the danger side of the USA is 100% diffreantly guns. I heard news about US Police accdiental shootings/Terrior attacks/school's mass shootings which I feel scread of. Like what happens if you're visiting the USA, and you just walking minding your buinesses and then out of the blue bang! You just been hit by a gun! I just don't think living in the USA is safe to live, than living in New Zealand.

I'm sorry I had to unsubscribe, I live in America and enjoy watching videos about NZ to get information about their lifestyle, but bashing the country with bs that also happen in the States with ebay or feel outraged because Americans should be treated as royals or some kind of pampered adults is plain unacceptable to display in videos

Use Trade Me at your own risk, it's full of scammers, there are all sorts of pieces of shit out there selling stolen goods. #2 ACC got you covered for injury, insurance for the cars, that mediator shit sounds like someone trying to scam you, it's not normal, publish them so we can look them up to verify their relevance.