How to Use Escrow Safe Trade on Paysasa as a Buyer and as a Seller

Escrow Safe Trade is Paysasa's way of protecting both sides of a deal. The buyer's money is held — not handed over — until the agreed terms are met. The seller can see that the money is secured before delivering. If something goes wrong, there is a clear process to resolve it.

This guide covers how to use Escrow Safe Trade as a buyer and as a seller.

Before you start

• Both parties should have Paysasa accounts, ideally with KYC completed.
• Agree the basics before creating the escrow: what is being sold, the condition, the price, the delivery method and date, and what counts as "complete".

Part 1: Using escrow as a buyer

Step 1: Open Escrow

Sign in to Paysasa and open Escrow from your dashboard (app.paysasa.com/dashboard/escrow). You will see an overview of your escrows, any active holds and any disputes.

Step 2: Create a new escrow

1. Click New Escrow or Create Escrow.
2. Choose the seller. You can pick a saved contact or enter their details, such as their wallet number or, where offered, a till number.
3. Enter the escrow amount and a clear description of the item or service.
4. Choose the release trigger offered — for example, release when you confirm — and note any auto-release deadline shown.
5. For bigger projects, set up milestones, so funds are released stage by stage.

Step 3: Fund and authorise

Review the summary, including the amount that will be held and any fees shown. Then authorise the escrow with your PIN. The funds are now held and both of you can see the status.

Step 4: Receive and inspect

When the item arrives or the work is done, inspect it promptly against what was agreed.

Step 5: Release, or raise a dispute

• If everything is right: release the funds. You will authorise the release with your PIN, and the seller is paid.
• If something is wrong: open a dispute before releasing. Go to the payment in your activity or the Disputes section, choose dispute, and share the order reference and what was missing or damaged. Release is paused while the case is reviewed. Resolved cases either release the payment to the seller or return it to you.

Important: disputes must be raised while the funds are still held. Once you release, the payment is final.

Part 2: Using escrow as a seller

Step 1: Agree terms and invite escrow

When a buyer is hesitant, offer escrow: "You can pay through Paysasa Escrow — the money is only released when you're happy." Agree the details in writing.

Step 2: Confirm the escrow is funded

Open Escrow in your dashboard and check that the escrow shows as funded. Do not dispatch or start work until you see the hold in your own dashboard. Ignore screenshots or forwarded messages.

Step 3: Deliver as agreed

Deliver the item or service exactly as described. Keep proof: photos of the packed item, courier receipts, rider contact details or a delivery note.

Step 4: Work through milestones (if used)

For milestone-based escrows, mark each milestone complete when you finish it. The buyer approves the milestone, and that portion is released to you.

Step 5: Get paid

When the buyer releases the funds, the payment moves to your wallet. You can then use it, transfer it or withdraw.

Step 6: Handle disputes calmly

If a buyer raises a dispute, respond quickly with your evidence and keep communication polite. Clear descriptions and good delivery records make disputes rare and easier to resolve.

Tips for both sides

• Keep the deal on Paysasa. If someone suggests paying "directly to save time", treat it as a red flag.
• Write everything down in the escrow description or messages.
• Act promptly. Buyers should release when satisfied; sellers should deliver on time.
• Use milestones for projects, such as website builds, renovations or bulk orders.

Fees

Escrow fees are listed on the Paysasa pricing page. Check the summary before authorising.

Conclusion

Escrow Safe Trade gives buyers the confidence to pay and sellers the confidence to deliver. Agree clear terms, fund and confirm in the dashboard, deliver as promised and release or dispute while funds are held.

Ready for your first protected deal? Learn more about Escrow Safe Trade or sign in to Paysasa to create an escrow.