Buy and sell anything, safely.
MerkatoHQ holds the money in escrow until you confirm you got what you paid for. No scams, no chargebacks - just fair trades between real people.
Anyone can trade. No shop required.
MerkatoHQ is a true peer-to-peer market. Buy and sell from a single account, with no physical space and no setup. Here the market sets the price — not individual shop owners — so good deals rise to the top.
One account, both sides
Buy and sell from the same account - be a shopper today and a seller tomorrow. Anyone can trade.
No storefront needed
Skip the rent and the setup. Open your own shop with nothing but your listings - no physical space required.
The market sets the price
It’s peer-to-peer: buyers and sellers agree through open offers. Price good items well and you compete with anyone - not against fixed shop prices.
Built for visibility
Your items surface to real, nearby buyers who are actively searching - far more reach than a corner shop.
Start in seconds
Sign up with no special setup or configuration. List what you want to sell, or search for what you want to buy. That’s it.
Create your free account
It takes under a minute. No fees to list - start trading today.
How the escrow works
Three steps, and your money is protected the whole way.
You pay - we hold it
Your money goes into secure escrow the moment you buy. The seller is never paid until you say so.
Meet & hand over
Contact details unlock so the two of you can arrange delivery or a local handover.
Confirm & release
Happy with it? Confirm receipt and the funds release to the seller. If not, open a dispute.
Shop without the risk
- Your payment is held in escrow - the seller can’t touch it until you confirm.
- Inspect the item at handover. Not as described? Open a dispute and get refunded.
- See each seller’s rating, reviews and verified-payout badge before you buy.
- Local deals first - listings are ranked closest to you.
Sell to real, nearby buyers
- List for free in minutes, with multiple photos and your own price.
- Reach nearby buyers actively looking for what you’re selling.
- Get paid the moment the buyer confirms.
- Boost visibility with featured (promoted) listings.
Know exactly who you’re buying from
Before you buy, every listing shows the seller’s track record up front - whether they’re verified, their star rating, how many items they’ve sold, and where they’re based. Check it, and you get quality every time.
- Verified sellers, clearly marked
- Real star ratings & buyer reviews
- How many items they’ve sold
- Their location - so you know it’s local
Trade almost anything
From phones to furniture - browse by category.
Built around trust
Everything you need to trade with confidence.
Make an offer
Haggle in the open - send offers, get counter-offers, lock in a fair price.
Seller reputation
Star ratings, reviews and verified-payout badges so you know who you’re dealing with.
Nearby first
Listings are ranked closest to you, so local deals surface at the top.
Photo galleries
Multiple photos per listing so you see exactly what you’re getting.
Save for later
Bookmark listings you like and find them again on your Saved page.
Disputes & refunds
If a deal goes wrong, open a dispute - funds stay protected until it’s resolved.
MerkatoHQ in your pocket
The same escrow-protected marketplace, built for your phone. Track offers, message buyers and release funds from wherever you are.
- Instant offer alerts
- Chat without sharing your number
- Release escrow from anywhere
Questions? Answered.
Everything a first-time trader wants to know.
Is it safe to pay before I get the item?
Yes. Your money goes into escrow, not to the seller. They only get paid after you confirm you received what you paid for.
What if the item isn’t as described?
Don’t confirm. Open a dispute and our team reviews it - your funds stay protected and are refunded if the claim holds up.
How do sellers get paid?
Funds release to the seller the moment you confirm you received the item. Until you confirm, the money stays safely in escrow - so sellers are paid as soon as the buyer confirms receipt.
What does it cost?
Listing is always free. On a completed sale a small commission is deducted from the seller’s payout, and buyers pay a low processing fee on top of the price to cover card costs. Sellers who want lower commission, higher listing limits and pricing tools can add an optional Pro or Business plan.See plans & pricing
Can I negotiate the price?
Yes - send an offer, get counter-offers, and lock in a fair price before you buy. It’s all in the open.
How do we arrange the handover?
Once payment is in escrow, contact details unlock so you and the seller can arrange delivery or a local meetup.
Ready to trade safely?
Create a free account and buy or sell your first item with full escrow protection.