Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about buying and selling games on Vidsmark — escrow, fees, payouts, and the rules. Don't see your question? Email us.
The basics
What is Vidsmark?
Vidsmark is a Canadian online marketplace built only for video games, consoles, accessories, arcade machines, and gaming collectibles. We're based in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, launching locally and expanding across Canada. Escrow-protected payments are live.
How do I sell games without getting scammed?
Sell through Vidsmark's protected checkout. The buyer pays us, we hold the funds in escrow, and we only release them to you after the buyer confirms the item arrived as described. The buyer can't reverse the deal on a whim, and you're not chasing payment. That's the safest way to sell.
How does escrow work?
On a protected sale, the buyer pays at checkout and Vidsmark holds the money — the seller doesn't get it yet. The seller ships or hands off the item. Once the buyer confirms it arrived as described (or the confirmation window passes without a dispute), we release the funds to the seller, minus fees.
Fees and payments
How much does it cost to sell?
Listing is always free. Local cash or Interac e-Transfer pickup sales are free too. On a protected (escrow) sale, the seller pays an 8% fee — and right now buyers pay nothing extra: the 2% buyer protection fee is waived during launch. On orders under $20 a small $0.49 order fee also applies (it covers card processing on low-value sales). No listing fees, no monthly minimum.
Is that cheaper than eBay?
For most game sales, yes. Vidsmark's seller fee is 8%; eBay's fees typically add up to around 13% once you include their cuts. On a $60 game, an 8% fee is $4.80 to the seller — and the buyer pays nothing extra (the 2% protection fee is waived during launch).
When do I get paid as a seller?
After the buyer confirms delivery, we release your funds via Stripe to your connected payout account. Stripe then deposits it to your bank on its payout schedule — typically a few business days, and up to a week or two for your very first payout. Payouts are processed through Stripe Connect, so you'll need to complete Stripe's quick onboarding to get paid.
Can I pay over time?
Yes — buy-now-pay-later through Affirm or Klarna is available via Stripe on eligible orders of $150 or more. You'll see the option at checkout if your order qualifies.
What is Vidsmark Credit?
Vidsmark Credit is closed-loop store credit you can earn (for example, through referrals or promotions) and spend on Vidsmark. It is not cash — it can't be withdrawn or transferred, only used toward purchases on Vidsmark.
Is there a paid seller plan?
Selling is free forever on the Collector plan (8% fee, 36 AI auto-fills a month). Three optional upgrades add more: Starter $5/month (8% fee, shop customisation), Pro $10/month (fee drops to 6%, CSV import/export, sales stats), and Shop $15/month (5.5% fee, premium themes, priority support). See all seller plans. Every plan is optional — you can buy and sell without one.
Local pickup vs. escrow
What's the difference between a local deal and a protected sale?
A protected sale runs through Vidsmark checkout — we hold the money in escrow and release it after the buyer confirms the item. A local deal is cash or Interac e-Transfer paid directly between buyer and seller on pickup. Local deals are free, but they are not covered by Vidsmark escrow.
How do I meet up safely for a local deal?
Meet in a busy public place in daylight, bring a friend if you can, test the item before money changes hands, and trust your gut. Because local cash/e-Transfer deals aren't escrow-protected, you're relying on yourself — escrow checkout exists if you'd rather we hold the funds.
Refunds, disputes, and trust
What if the item isn't as described?
On a protected sale, don't confirm delivery. Open a dispute within the confirmation window and tell us what's wrong. Because we still hold the funds, we can work toward a refund or resolution before the seller is paid. See our Refunds & Disputes Policy for the windows and steps.
How am I protected as a seller?
Escrow is built to be fair to sellers too. We don't auto-refund a buyer just because they ask — disputes are evidence-based, time-bound, and mediated by Vidsmark. Release is tied to real proof of delivery: a shipped order needs carrier tracking added before it can be released, and on a local pay-online deal the buyer confirms at handoff, in front of you. If a buyer goes silent after a carrier-confirmed delivery, contact us — that tracking is strong evidence and we release after review (an automatic timed release rolls out through launch). Buyers are rated too, so bad-faith buyers can be flagged and removed. Full details are in the Seller Terms.
What if a buyer falsely says it didn't arrive?
You're covered. For shipped orders, escrow release is tied to carrier tracking — if tracking shows it was delivered, a buyer can't win by claiming it never came. For local pay-online deals, the buyer inspects the item in person and taps Confirm delivery at handoff to release funds — do this before handing the item over, so they can't take it and then deny receiving it. A bare "it never arrived" claim doesn't trigger a refund; we look at the evidence first.
Do buyers get rated?
Yes. Vidsmark uses two-way ratings — buyers build a reputation just like sellers. You can see who you're dealing with, and buyers who make false claims, no-show on pickups, or abuse chargebacks can be flagged, limited, or removed.
When do I get paid as a seller (after a dispute or silent buyer)?
Your payout releases when the buyer confirms the item (local pay-online payouts release immediately when the buyer confirms at handoff). If a buyer goes silent on a shipped order, contact us — carrier-confirmed delivery is strong evidence and we release after review; an automatic timed release rolls out through launch. If a dispute is opened, you'll have 3 business days to respond with your side before Vidsmark decides; honest sellers with proof of delivery are protected. Payouts go to your connected Stripe account, and Stripe deposits to your bank on its payout schedule (your first-ever payout can take a week or two).
What does CIB mean? What about loose and sealed?
CIB means "complete in box" — game, case, and manual/inserts. Loose means the game only, no box or manual. Sealed means new and still factory-wrapped. Tested means the seller verified it works. Sellers must grade honestly.
What can't I sell on Vidsmark?
Anything non-gaming, plus counterfeit/pirated/bootleg media, stolen goods, recalled or unsafe items, and anything illegal. Full details are in our Acceptable Use Policy.
Account and data
How do I sign up?
Create an account with your email and a password, or sign in with Google. You'll pick a public handle (@name) that other buyers and sellers see.
What data do you collect, and can I delete it?
We store your profile, collection, and order data, with sign-in and accounts handled through Firebase and payments through Stripe. You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data — email us and we'll help. See our Privacy Policy for the full picture.