Trust
Escrow vs bank transfer: when each one makes sense
Transfers aren’t evil. Blind transfers to strangers are.
7 min read · Updated 23 July 2026
trustlayer.africa/pay/ankara-set
You pay
₦28,500
Ankara two-piece · Amaka Thrift
Held in escrow until delivery✓
Dispute with photos if wrong item✓
Paystack card · bank · USSD✓
Your aunt who buys from you every month? Transfer is fine. The stranger from TikTok who wants a ₦90k bag shipped to Port Harcourt today? Different animal. Escrow isn’t “more formal.” It’s who holds the bag while both of you prove you’re serious.
When a normal transfer is okay
You’ve sold to them before. Amount is small. You’re standing in the same market and can see the alert land. Even then — open your bank app yourself. Don’t ship on their gallery.
- Repeat buyers you recognise
- Tiny ticket, low regret if it goes wrong
- Cash / POS in person
When to push protected checkout
Cold DM. First order. Expensive piece. Delivery across town (or the country). Buyer already nervous about personal accounts — they often are. You’re tired of screenshot theatre. That’s the list.
trustlayer.africa/pay/ankara-set
You pay
₦28,500
Ankara two-piece · Amaka Thrift
Held in escrow until delivery✓
Dispute with photos if wrong item✓
Paystack card · bank · USSD✓
Myths that waste time
“Escrow means you don’t trust me.” → Mutual cover. “It’s complicated.” → Same Paystack flow they know; the difference is release timing. “I’ll lose the sale.” → Sometimes. Often you lose the stock instead. Pick your poison.
Start this week
- Decide your rule: strangers = escrow, repeats = your call
- Write that rule into your pinned message
- Try it on the next cold order
Frequently asked questions
- Who pays fees?
- Depends on how you set the link / your plan. Be upfront in the chat so it doesn’t feel like a surprise fee at the end.
- When do I get the money?
- After the buyer confirms delivery (or the inspection window ends without a dispute). Check the dashboard — “released” is the real number.
Run protected sales from one workspace
Escrow checkout · public trust profile · payouts when buyers confirm