Buyer Protection

Every transaction on HobbyMart is automatically protected by our integrated escrow and verification protocols at zero additional cost.

Escrow Mechanics & Timeline

1. Payment Security: Funds are securely held in an independent escrow account upon checkout and are never released upon courier delivery confirmation alone.
2. 3-Day Inspection Window: Buyers have exactly 3 calendar days from the courier's timestamped delivery notification to unpack, test, and inspect the item.
3. Manual or Automatic Release: Buyers may release funds immediately by Completing the order. If no dispute is logged within 3 calendar days, order is completed automatically and the escrow funds release to the seller.

Dispute Coverage & Evidence Standards

• Covered Events: Items received damaged, incorrect, counterfeit, or significantly different from the listing photos and seller's condition grading.
• Dispute Submission: To pause fund release, tap "Open Dispute" in your order dashboard before the 3 calendar days window expires. This freezes the escrow hold indefinitely pending review.
• Evidence Required: Photos of the inner/outer shipping packaging, close-ups of the discrepancy, and a detailed description are required when opening a dispute.

Exclusions & Non-Covered Claims

• Transactions, payments, or communications negotiated outside the HobbyMart platform.
• Buyer's remorse, subjective preference changes, or sizing/fit issues when the item matches the listing measurements.
• Untracked shipping methods chosen outside standard platform options.

Returns & Financial Liabilities

• Return Shipping: For an approved dispute requiring the item to be returned, the buyer is responsible for the return shipping cost.
• Lost/Damaged Goods: Items damaged or lost in transit by the carrier are fully refunded to the buyer through the HobbyMart Dispute process.

Seller Identity & Verification (KYC)

All sellers must complete Know Your Customer (KYC) identity verification, (including government-issued ID and bank account validation) before listing items or withdrawing balance payouts. Anonymous selling is strictly prohibited.