The Payment Process, Explained
A protected payment process is the foundation of trust we are building on useEmark.com. The goal is that buyers never pay without receiving what they were promised, and sellers never transfer assets without getting paid. Here is exactly how it is designed to work. These features are in development during private beta.
In development: useEmark.com is in private beta. The payment protection, dispute handling, and payout features described below are being built and are not yet live for transactions.
How It Is Designed to Protect You
For Buyers
- Your money would be held safely until you confirm you received what was promised
- A planned refund if the seller fails to deliver during due diligence
- A dispute handling process if the asset doesn't match the listing
For Sellers
- Buyer's funds would be verified and committed before you transfer anything
- Auto-release if the buyer doesn't respond within the confirmation window
- Installment payments would each be individually protected
The Four-Step Process (Planned)
Buyer Initiates Payment
Buyer
You submit your payment (lump sum or first installment + down payment) through useEmark.com's checkout system.
Seller
You receive a notification that the payment has been funded. The deal is now active.
Platform
Funds are designed to be held in a protected account. Neither party can access them yet.
Due Diligence Period
Buyer
You would have 7-14 days (depending on deal size) to verify the business matches the listing. Request documentation, access analytics, and confirm everything.
Seller
You provide access to requested data, answer questions, and demonstrate the business is as described.
Platform
Funds remain protected. The clock is running on the due diligence window.
Asset Transfer
Buyer
You receive all accounts, credentials, code, and assets according to the transfer checklist.
Seller
You transfer everything listed in the agreement. Follow the platform's step-by-step transfer guide for your asset type.
Platform
Transfer progress is tracked. Both parties confirm each step is complete.
Buyer Confirms Receipt
Buyer
You verify that all assets were received and are functioning as described. You click 'Confirm Receipt' in your dashboard.
Seller
You wait for buyer confirmation. If the buyer doesn't respond within the confirmation window, funds are designed to auto-release.
Platform
Once confirmed (or after the auto-release window), funds are released to the seller's connected payout method.
Escrow for Installment Payments (Planned)
Installment payments follow the same protection principles, but on a monthly cycle (planned design):
- 1.Buyer's monthly payment is automatically charged on the due date.
- 2.Payment would be held for 48 hours as a verification period.
- 3.After 48 hours, the seller's portion is released. useEmark.com's service fee is deducted.
- 4.If payment fails, the buyer has a 7-day grace period. After 3 missed payments, the contract defaults.
- 5.Upon final payment, the protection period closes and full ownership is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if the buyer and seller disagree?
useEmark.com is building a dispute handling process. The intended design: if either party raises a dispute during the protection period, funds are frozen while the platform reviews evidence from both sides. Decisions would be based on the original listing, messages, and transfer documentation. These features are in development during private beta.
How is the payment process designed to work with installments?
The planned design routes each monthly installment through the protected payment process individually. The buyer's payment would be held for 48 hours, then released to the seller. If the buyer misses 3 payments, the contract defaults and the asset reverts to the seller. Previous payments are non-refundable. These features are in development.
What are the fees?
Payment processing fees are included in the platform's service fee (0.5% to 8% depending on your subscription tier). There are no additional charges planned. For larger transactions, useEmark.com is evaluating a third-party payment protection provider for additional security.
How long does it take to get paid?
Once payouts are live, the intended timeline is that after the buyer confirms receipt, funds release to your Stripe Connect account within 2-3 business days. For installment payments, each monthly payment would release 48 hours after it clears. Payout features are in testing during private beta.
Can I cancel a transaction after payment is funded?
The planned design lets both parties mutually agree to cancel, in which case funds are returned to the buyer minus any processing fees. Unilateral cancellation by the seller may result in penalties. Buyer-initiated cancellation during due diligence would return full funds.
Will my money be safe during a transaction?
That is the goal of the protected payment process we are building. The intended design holds funds in segregated accounts separate from useEmark.com's operating funds, with Stripe handling custody for most transactions and a licensed third-party provider being evaluated for larger ones. These protections are in development during private beta.
Due Diligence Checklist
Know exactly what to verify before closing.
Read guideSelling Your First Startup
Step-by-step guide to your first sale.
Read guideBuilding a marketplace designed to protect transactions
Explore listings while we build the payment protection and seller review features behind every deal.
Browse MarketplaceRelated Guides
Avoid scams and protect every deal
What to verify before you buy
A beginner's selling walkthrough
How to buy digital businesses safely
How to sell your digital business
What useEmark is and how it works