How MerkatoHQ keeps every trade safe
MerkatoHQ is a peer-to-peer marketplace where you can buy and sell almost anything with people you don't know — without the usual risk. The secret is escrow: the money is held safely in the middle until the buyer confirms they got exactly what they paid for.
What is escrow, in plain English?
Escrow is a neutral holding account. Instead of the buyer sending money straight to a stranger and hoping for the best, the payment sits with MerkatoHQ. The seller can see the money is there and ready — but they can't take it. It's only released once the buyer confirms the item arrived as described. If something goes wrong, the funds are still protected and can be refunded.
That single change removes the scariest part of buying and selling online between individuals: you no longer have to trust a stranger with your money or your goods first.
How a trade works, step by step
- 1
You pay into escrow
When you buy, your payment goes into secure escrow — not to the seller. It is held safely while the deal happens, so the seller can never simply take the money and disappear.
- 2
Meet and hand over
Contact details unlock so you and the seller can arrange delivery or a local handover. Inspect the item and make sure it is exactly what you paid for.
- 3
Confirm and release
Happy with it? Confirm receipt and the funds release to the seller. Not as described? Open a dispute instead — your money stays protected until it is resolved.
For buyers
- Your payment is held in escrow — the seller cannot touch it until you confirm you received what you paid for.
- Inspect at handover. If it is 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.
For sellers
- List for free in minutes, with multiple photos and your own price.
- The buyer pays up front into escrow before you hand anything over — no more no-shows or bounced payments.
- Get paid the moment the buyer confirms receipt.
- Disputes are reviewed fairly by our team, with the evidence from both sides.
What happens if a deal goes wrong?
Nobody plans for it, but it happens: the item isn't as described, or the two sides simply can't agree. On MerkatoHQ you never confirm receipt if you're not happy. Instead you open a dispute, and because the money is still sitting in escrow, it stays protected. Our team reviews the evidence from both sides and either releases the funds to the seller or refunds the buyer. No chargebacks, no shouting matches — a clear, fair process.
Ready to trade safely?
Join MerkatoHQ and buy or sell with escrow protection on every order.
Listing is always free. See plans & pricing for the small commission on completed sales.