Safety · 4 min read · Free
Verify Payment Yourself Before the Item Leaves Your Hand
A screenshot is not proof of completed payment.
Do not let a buyer rush the final thirty seconds of the transaction. Check the payment independently using the actual service. Build this into every sale so it is a routine, not an awkward judgment call.
What it is
A fixed transaction rule: the item stays with you until you independently confirm the agreed payment.
Why it matters
Screenshots, emails, and buyer phone displays can be misleading or fake.
When to use it
Use for every local handoff regardless of buyer profile.
How to do it
Agree on payment method in advance. At the meetup, verify payment through the actual bank/payment service or count cash carefully before releasing the item. Do not let a buyer rush this step.
Worked example
A buyer shows a transfer confirmation screenshot. Instead of relying on it, you check your actual account/app and wait until the funds are confirmed according to the payment method you use.
Your action plan
- Choose accepted payment methods
- Write your verification rule
- Apply it to every buyer
Common mistakes
- Trusting a screenshot
- Handing over the item while payment is 'processing'
- Changing payment methods at the last second
Key takeaway
The final handoff is not complete until you verify payment yourself.
Try this
Write a fixed handoff rule: item stays with you until you verify funds in the real account or payment app.
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