Never pay a stranger upfront again.
See the item first. Release the payment only when you're happy.
Paid only when you're happy
The seller can't touch the money until you release it.
Held by Stripe
Payments are processed and held by Stripe, a regulated payment provider.
Sellers never pay
No fees, card details or deposits to receive money. If anyone asks, it's a scam.
Three simple steps to a safe purchase.
01
Lock the money
Pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay or card. The money is held safely by Stripe, not sent to the seller.02
Send the link
Share your secure link in the chat. The seller sees the payment is secured, with no app or sign-up needed.03
Release when happy
Meet up, have it posted, or pay for a job stage by stage. Check it, then release the payment. Not happy? Don't release it.
Dealing with a stranger is a risk for both sides.
Holdipay takes the gamble out of it, so nobody hands over money or an item and is left with nothing.
Buying
- Without Holdipay
- You send a deposit or pay upfront, then the seller stops replying or the item isn't what was promised.
- With Holdipay
- Your money is held by Stripe, not sent to the seller. You check the item first and only release the payment when you're happy. Something wrong? Don't release it, and report a problem.
Selling
- Without Holdipay
- You hand over the item, then the bank transfer never arrives, or the "payment sent" screenshot was fake.
- With Holdipay
- You see the money is secured before you meet up or post anything. When you meet, you scan the buyer's code on your own phone, so nobody can show you a fake confirmation. Hand the item over once your screen says you've been paid.
Buying? Stop worrying about the deposit.
- No more sending money to someone you've never met.
- Ask the seller for live photos or video of the item before you travel.
- Something wrong with the item? Don't release, and report a problem.
Selling? Know the buyer is serious.
- See the payment is secured before you meet up or post anything.
- No account, no app and nothing to pay. Just confirm your mobile number.
- Paid straight to your bank as soon as the buyer is happy.
Hiring someone? Pay stage by stage.
- Split the job into stages and pay for it all upfront, so they know it's secured.
- They show you photos of each finished stage.
- Release each stage when you're happy. Unfinished work stays on hold.
We will never ask a seller to pay.
The most common marketplace scam is a fake "payment link" that asks the seller to pay a fee or enter card details. Holdipay never does this.
A simple rule
Common questions
When does the seller get paid?
Only when you release the money. If you meet up, you check the item and show the seller your release code. If it's posted, you release it when it arrives, or it's paid automatically 7 days after posting unless you report a problem. Until then, the seller can't touch the money.
What if something is wrong with the item?
Don't release the money. Report a problem instead and your payment stays on hold while our team looks at what happened. We aim to decide within 5 working days whether to refund you, pay the seller, or split it.
Read more about buyer protection.
Do I have to pay anything to receive money?
Never. Holdipay will never ask a seller to pay a fee, enter card details, or send money to receive a payment. If anyone asks you to, it's a scam.