Direct Messages

Pamusika includes built-in messaging so buyers and sellers can communicate without sharing personal phone numbers. Conversations stay private, are anchored to listings, and update in real time.

Starting a conversation

There are two ways to begin a conversation:

From a listing

Open any listing in the marketplace.
Tap the Message Seller button at the bottom of the listing.
A new conversation thread opens with the listing details already attached, so the seller knows exactly which product you are asking about.

From a seller’s profile

Tap the seller’s name on any listing or in the Activity feed.
On their profile, tap the Message button.
This creates a general conversation that is not linked to a specific listing.

Conversation types

The inbox organises your conversations into two types:

Listing chats — Conversations started from a specific listing. The listing title, price, and delivery context are kept inside the thread so both parties have the information they need.
General chats — Conversations started from a seller’s profile. Use these for broader discussions, repeat orders, or anything that does not relate to a single listing.

You can filter your inbox by tapping the All, Listing chats, or General tabs at the top of the Messages screen.

Your inbox

The Messages screen shows all your conversations. Each thread shows:

The other person’s name and profile picture
The last message sent
An unread count badge if there are messages you have not seen yet
The time of the last message

A summary card at the top tells you how many listing chats and general chats you have, along with your total unread count.

Hiding a conversation

If you want to tidy your inbox, swipe left on any conversation and tap Hide. The conversation will disappear from your inbox. If you hide a conversation by mistake, an Undo toast appears at the bottom of the screen — tap it to restore the conversation immediately.

Inside a conversation

Messages appear as chat bubbles. Your messages are shown on the right; the other person’s messages appear on the left.

Message features

Text messages — Type your message and tap the send button.
Image messages — Share photos of products, delivery locations, or anything relevant to the conversation.
Delivery status — Your sent messages show a delivery indicator:
- Sent — The message has been sent to the server.
- Delivered — The message reached the other person’s device.
- Read — The other person has seen your message.
Real-time updates — Messages arrive instantly, powered by real-time syncing. No need to refresh.

Tips for effective communication

Be Specific

Mention the product name, quantity you need, and your location. This helps the seller give you an accurate quote quickly.

Negotiate Fairly

If you want to negotiate, make a reasonable offer. Sellers appreciate buyers who respect their pricing while still looking for a fair deal.

Agree on Delivery

Discuss delivery details upfront — who delivers, where, and when. This avoids misunderstandings later.

Stay in the App

Keep your conversations inside Pamusika. This protects your privacy and gives you a record of all agreements.

Blocking and reporting

If you receive inappropriate messages or feel unsafe:

You can block a user to prevent them from messaging you or seeing your listings.
Blocked users are listed in Settings > Blocked Users, where you can unblock them at any time.