How Vidsmark keeps buying & selling safe
This is the one place that explains how trust works on Vidsmark — escrow, two-way ratings, evidence-based disputes, honest grading, and where the protection stops. Escrow-protected payments are live; we're an early-stage marketplace, so a few features finish rolling out through launch. Everything below is how it works, in plain terms.
Is it safe to buy from a stranger on Vidsmark?
On a protected sale, yes. You pay at checkout and Vidsmark holds your money in escrow — the seller doesn't get a cent until the item arrives as described. If something's wrong, you open a dispute before the funds release. You're not sending an e-Transfer into the void and hoping for the best.
How does escrow actually work?
The buyer pays, Vidsmark holds the funds, and we release them to the seller only after delivery is confirmed. For a shipped order, the buyer can only confirm once the seller has added tracking — and if a buyer goes silent after carrier-confirmed delivery, Vidsmark reviews the evidence and releases. For a local pay-online deal, funds release immediately when the buyer confirms at handoff, in person.
What stops a buyer from lying to get a refund?
Release is tied to real proof, not a buyer's word. Shipped orders require carrier tracking before they can be released — and if tracking shows "delivered," a bare "it never arrived" claim doesn't win. On local pay-online deals the buyer confirms at handoff, in front of the seller, so they can't take the item and then deny receiving it. We look at evidence first, every time.
What if I'm the seller — am I protected too?
Yes. Escrow cuts both ways. Vidsmark does not auto-refund a buyer just because they ask. Disputes are evidence-based and time-bound, and if one is opened you get 3 business days to respond with your side before we decide. Honest sellers with proof of delivery are protected, and bad-faith buyers can be flagged.
Do buyers build a reputation, or just sellers?
Both. Vidsmark uses two-way ratings — buyers earn a reputation exactly like sellers do. Before you deal, you can see who's on the other end. Buyers who make false claims, no-show on pickups, or abuse chargebacks can be flagged, limited, or removed, so good faith works in everyone's favour.
How do I know the condition is honest?
Sellers grade against a clear standard — CIB (complete in box), loose, sealed, and tested (the seller verified it works) — and must post real photos of the actual item, not stock images. Honest grading is the rule, not a nice-to-have, and the condition you see is what you're buying.
Are the reviews and ratings real?
Yes, and that's a line we won't cross. Vidsmark does not fabricate reviews, ratings, or social proof. No bots, no padded numbers, no fake testimonials. We're a small marketplace in beta, and we'd rather show you a true, smaller picture than a fake, flattering one. Trust you can't verify isn't trust.
Are local cash and e-Transfer deals protected?
No — and we say so plainly. Local cash or Interac e-Transfer deals are free but not covered by Vidsmark escrow. They work like any classifieds meetup: the protection only applies to payments we hold and release through checkout. If you go local, meet in a busy public place in daylight, test the item before money changes hands, and trust your gut.
So which way should I sell?
If you want the money held and released on proof, use a protected (escrow) sale. If you'd rather meet up, deal in cash, and skip the fee, the free local lane is there — just go in knowing it's on you. Both are valid; pick the one that fits the deal.
Want the fee and payout details? Read the FAQ. Ready to post something? List your first game — it's free to list. The exact dispute windows and steps live in our Refunds & Disputes Policy.