Buy from strangers, without the risk
The scariest part of buying online from an individual is trusting them with your money first. On MerkatoHQ you never do. Your payment is held safely in escrow until you confirm you got exactly what you paid for.
Your money is held, not sent
When you buy, your payment goes into escrow — the seller cannot touch it. They only get paid after you confirm you received what you paid for.
Inspect before you confirm
At handover, check the item is exactly as described. Nothing is released to the seller until you actively confirm receipt.
Refunds when a deal goes wrong
Not as described? Do not confirm — open a dispute. Because the funds are still in escrow, they are refunded to you if your claim holds up.
Know your seller first
Every seller shows a star rating, real reviews and a verified-payout badge, so you can judge who you are dealing with before you buy.
How a safe purchase actually goes
- Browse and buy. Find something you want and pay — the money goes into escrow, not to the seller.
- Meet or receive. Contact details unlock so you can arrange delivery or a local handover.
- Inspect. Check it over carefully. This is your moment — nothing is released yet.
- Confirm or dispute. Happy? Confirm receipt and the seller gets paid. Not happy? Open a dispute and your money stays protected.
Red flags to watch for
Escrow protects you — but only while the deal stays on MerkatoHQ. Be wary of:
- A seller who wants to move the deal off MerkatoHQ or be paid directly — that removes your escrow protection. Keep everything on-platform.
- Pressure to confirm receipt before you have actually inspected the item. Confirming releases the money — only do it when you are happy.
- Prices that are far too good to be true, or a brand-new account pushing a high-value item with no reviews.
- Requests for gift cards, bank transfers or crypto "to hold the item". On MerkatoHQ you pay into escrow, full stop.
Buyer questions, answered
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 is not as described?
Do not confirm receipt. Open a dispute instead — your funds stay in escrow and are refunded if the claim holds up.
How do I get a refund?
If a dispute is resolved in your favour, the money held in escrow is returned to your original payment method. You never had to chase the seller for it.
Start shopping safely
Selling too? See how to sell safely.