Payments
Campus Swap holds payment securely until both parties are satisfied. No cash, no risk, no scams.
Escrow is a neutral holding system. When you buy something on Campus Swap, your payment goes into a secure escrow account, not directly to the seller. The seller only gets paid once you've met on campus, inspected the item, and confirmed you're happy.
This means sellers can't disappear with your money without delivering, and buyers can't claim they didn't receive something after a successful exchange.
It's the safest way to trade on campus and it's built into every Campus Swap transaction automatically.
Your money is safe
Held securely until you confirm the item is exactly as described. Every time.
Step 1
Buyer commits
Buyer selects the item and proceeds to checkout. Payment is collected from the buyer.
Step 2
Escrow holds funds
Money is held securely by Campus Swap. The seller cannot access it yet.
Step 3
Campus meetup
Buyer and seller meet in a safe, public location on campus to exchange the item.
Step 4
Buyer confirms
Buyer inspects the item and confirms receipt in the app within 24 hours.
Step 5
Seller gets paid
Payment is released instantly to the seller's account. Transaction complete.
✅ You're covered when…
❌ Not covered when…
What if the buyer doesn't confirm receipt?
If the buyer doesn't confirm within 48 hours of the agreed meetup time, payment is automatically released to the seller. No action needed.
What if the item isn't as described?
The buyer has 24 hours after the meetup to raise a dispute. Submit your evidence (photos, screenshots of the listing) and we'll review it within 5 business days.
What if the seller doesn't show up?
If the seller fails to show up and the meetup is cancelled, the buyer's payment is refunded in full. Report no-shows through the dispute system.
How long does a refund take?
Refunds are processed within 5–10 business days to the original payment method, depending on your bank.
Is there a fee for using escrow?
Campus Swap charges an 8% buyer protection fee on top of the item price. Listing and selling is always free for sellers.
Escrow protection is built into every Campus Swap transaction, no setup required.