The 5-Step Process
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1. You choose a product
Browse verified listings from merchants across Nigeria. Every listing shows the seller's location, verification status, and full product details.
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2. You pay into escrow
Instead of paying the seller directly, you pay a licensed escrow provider. The money leaves your account but is held safely — the seller cannot access it yet.
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3. Seller ships the goods
Once the escrow provider confirms your payment, the seller is notified to ship. Both sides see the same shipment tracking.
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4. You confirm delivery
When the goods arrive, inspect them. If everything matches the listing, click "Confirm Receipt". If something is wrong, open a dispute within 7 days.
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5. Seller gets paid
The escrow provider releases your payment to the seller. If you raised a valid dispute, the funds remain held until the issue is resolved.
What Escrow Protects You From
Non-delivery
If the seller never ships, you get a full refund. The money never leaves escrow.
Wrong items
If the goods don't match the description, you can dispute the transaction and keep the funds in escrow until it is resolved.
Fake sellers
Merchants who take payment and disappear are permanently banned. Their escrow history is reviewed before any new listing is approved.
Currency risk
For cross-border deals, escrow locks in the exchange rate at the time of payment, so neither party loses out from FX swings.
Fees
Escrow protection is charged as a small percentage of the item price. The fee is paid by the buyer on top of the item price.
| Item Price (NGN) | Escrow Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to ₦500,000 | 2.5% (min ₦2,000) |
| ₦500,001 – ₦2,000,000 | 2.0% (min ₦5,000) |
| ₦2,000,001 – ₦10,000,000 | 1.5% (min ₦15,000) |
| Above ₦10,000,000 | 1.0% (min ₦50,000) |
Cross-Border Transactions
Qaraye Marchants supports escrow for international buyers too. When you purchase from a Nigerian merchant as an overseas buyer, or vice versa, the same protection applies:
- Escrow holds the funds in the seller's local currency equivalent
- Payment rails support USD, GBP, EUR, and other major currencies
- Customs documentation and shipping insurance can be bundled in
- Dispute resolution is handled by a neutral third party
Common Questions
Who holds the money during escrow?
Funds are held by a licensed payment provider regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Qaraye Marchants never takes custody of your money.
What if the seller refuses to ship?
Open a dispute through your dashboard. The escrow provider will contact the seller. If they cannot prove shipment within 7 days, your payment is refunded in full.
How long does the money stay in escrow?
Until you confirm receipt. There is no fixed time limit — but most transactions complete within 5–14 days depending on shipping.
Can I use escrow for cash-on-delivery?
Yes — but cash-on-delivery limits protection. Escrow is always safer because the money is committed before shipping, so the seller has proof of intent to buy.
What about international buyers?
Cross-border escrow is supported. Payment is converted at the mid-market rate at the time of the transaction. Refunds are paid back in the buyer's original currency.
Ready to buy safely?
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