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Why Use Escrow as a Buyer?

When you’re paying someone you don’t fully trust, escrow protects you:
  • ✅ Your money is safe until you receive what was promised
  • ✅ The seller is motivated to deliver quality work
  • ✅ Disputes get resolved fairly by professional agents

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Step-by-Step: Creating Your First Escrow

1

Connect Your Wallet

Go to app.zen.land and connect your wallet. We recommend NYKNYC for zero gas fees.
2

Click 'Create Escrow'

Start a new escrow from your dashboard.
3

Enter the Details

Fill in:
  • Seller’s wallet address — get this from your seller
  • Amount — how much you’re paying (in USDC or USDT)
  • Description — what you’re buying
  • Protection time — how long you have to review the delivery
4

Choose an Agent (Recommended)

Select a professional agent to resolve any potential disputes. Or choose “No Agent” for a locked escrow.
Without an agent, disputes can only be resolved through mutual agreement. Funds may be locked forever if you disagree.
5

Review & Sign

Review the generated PDF contract, then sign and fund the escrow. The 1% fee is added on top of your amount.
6

Wait for Seller

The seller must accept the escrow before work begins. If they don’t accept in time, you can cancel and get a refund.

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Managing Your Escrow

Once the seller accepts, here’s what you can do:

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Communicate with Your Seller

Stay in touch! Use Telegram, email, or your preferred channel to:
  • Track progress
  • Answer questions
  • Receive updates
Good communication prevents most disputes. Check in regularly with your seller.

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Review the Delivery

When the seller marks the escrow as Fulfilled:
  1. Check the work carefully against your agreement
  2. Test everything you paid for
  3. Take your time — you have the full protection period

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Release the Funds

If you’re satisfied:
1

Click 'Release'

Find your escrow and click the Release button
2

Confirm

Approve the transaction in your wallet
3

Done!

Funds are instantly transferred to the seller

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What If Something’s Wrong?

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Option 1: Negotiate with the Seller

Before opening a dispute, try to resolve things directly:
  • Clearly explain what’s not meeting expectations
  • Give the seller a chance to fix it
  • Many issues can be resolved with good communication

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Option 2: Open a Dispute

If negotiation fails:
1

Click 'Dispute'

Open a dispute from your escrow page
2

Invite the Agent

The pre-selected agent will review the case
3

Present Your Case

Share evidence (screenshots, messages, deliverables) with the agent
4

Agent Decides

The agent determines a fair split of the funds. Their fee is deducted first.

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Option 3: Propose a Split

Would you settle for a partial refund? Propose a split:
  • You suggest: “I keep 40%, seller keeps 60%”
  • Seller approves or counter-proposes
  • Funds are distributed when you both agree

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Important Buyer Tips

Choose Protection Time Wisely

Give yourself enough time to properly test the delivery. Minimum is 1 day.

Select a Good Agent

Check agent reputation and resolution history before choosing.

Document Everything

Save conversations, screenshots, and specs. They help in disputes.

Don't Be Afraid to Release

If the work is good, release promptly! Great sellers deserve quick payment.

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FAQs for Buyers

If the seller doesn’t accept within the acceptance window, you can cancel the escrow and receive a full refund.
You can’t unilaterally cancel, but you can:
  • Ask the seller to refund you (they can do this anytime)
  • Open a dispute and let the agent decide
  • Propose a mutual split
If the seller marked Fulfilled and your protection time expires, the seller can claim the funds. Review deliveries promptly!
Just 1% of the escrow amount (min 0.50,max0.50, max 50). This is paid when you create the escrow.