Protected Transactions
100% of your money back if anything goes wrong.
Our escrow-backed protection holds your funds securely until you confirm everything is exactly as described. Pay with confidence — from anywhere in the world.
Three layers of protection on every transaction.
Funds held securely
Your payment is held by a licensed escrow provider — not the seller — until you confirm everything is right.
Dispute support
If there's a problem, our team and the escrow provider review the evidence and issue a fair ruling.
Never at risk
Sellers cannot access funds until you approve. Walk away from any deal without losing a penny.
How it works
Agree on the deal
Buyer and seller agree on price and terms through the AbsenteeAds messaging system.
Buyer pays into escrow
Funds are transferred to a licensed escrow provider — not the seller — and held securely.
Seller ships or hands over
With funds confirmed in escrow, the seller ships the item or completes the handover.
Buyer inspects and confirms
You have an agreed inspection window to verify the item matches the listing description.
Funds released
Once you approve, the escrow provider releases payment to the seller. Everyone's happy.
Agree on the deal
Buyer and seller agree on price and terms through the AbsenteeAds messaging system.
Buyer pays into escrow
Funds are transferred to a licensed escrow provider — not the seller — and held securely.
Seller ships or hands over
With funds confirmed in escrow, the seller ships the item or completes the handover.
Buyer inspects and confirms
You have an agreed inspection window to verify the item matches the listing description.
Funds released
Once you approve, the escrow provider releases payment to the seller. Everyone's happy.
Our Full Protection Guarantee
When you choose Protected Transactions, AbsenteeAds works with its escrow partner to keep your funds safe for the duration of the agreed inspection window. If the item does not arrive, or is materially different from its listing, you will receive a full refund — subject to the terms of the protection policy.
Covered
- Item never arrives
- Item is materially different from the listing description
- Item is damaged in transit and documented on arrival
- Seller fails to complete the agreed handover
Not covered
- Buyer's change of mind after the inspection window closes
- Damage caused by the buyer after receipt
- Disputes raised outside the inspection window without prior notice
- Listings excluded from the programme (e.g. services, jobs, consumables)
Simple, flat-rate pricing.
The buyer pays this fee in full — the seller receives the full listing price with no deduction. The fee covers the complete escrow service, dispute resolution, and human support. No hidden charges, no subscription required.
Backed by segregated accounts
Your money is protected until you say so.
All buyer payments are held in ring-fenced, segregated accounts managed by a licensed escrow provider. They are never commingled with operating funds and can only be released with your explicit approval.
Buy with ProtectionAvailable on eligible listings. 10% fee paid by the buyer. Sellers receive the full listing price.