Common questions.
What exactly does DealProof verify?
That a real person, reachable at the contact the buyer provided, currently possesses the specific item, proven on a live, timestamped video against a prompt generated at the moment of recording. Optionally, that the seller completed a government-ID check through Stripe Identity.
Why not just use PayPal Goods & Services?
PayPal G&S is useful, but it does not prove the seller actually has the item, is the person in the photos, or is not using stolen images. DealProof is for the part that happens before you send money. It creates a live, timestamped proof trail so you can make a better decision before payment, not after a dispute. The best buyer behavior is often both: verify with DealProof first, then still choose a payment method with protection appropriate to the risk.
Does DealProof hold or transfer the money?
No. DealProof does not process, hold, transmit, or escrow payment. It is not an escrow service, marketplace, broker, or dispute resolver. After reviewing proof, you pay the seller directly through whatever method you choose.
What does DealProof cost?
Every DealProof is free: live video proof, random prompts, the full review flow, no card required. For deals where the value justifies it, you can add an ID Check Verification for a flat $9. The seller's government ID is confirmed through Stripe Identity, with the verified status shown to you (never their documents).
What if I pay for the ID Check Verification and the seller never does it?
Then you pay nothing. Your card is authorized when you create the DealProof, but the fee is only captured when the seller passes the ID check and submits proof. If the seller skips the ID check or ghosts and the DealProof expires, the hold is released automatically. And consider what you learned for free: a seller who wouldn't spend two minutes proving they have the item just told you everything you needed to know.
Do I get a refund if I reject the seller's proof?
No, and that's by design. If the seller submitted proof on a Verified deal and it didn't hold up, DealProof did exactly what you paid it for: it may have just saved you the entire deal amount. The fee covers the verification service, which was delivered.
Can the seller fake the video?
The proof prompt (a code to say out loud, a handwritten note to show, item-specific shots) is generated at the moment of recording, and the video must be recorded live in the browser. Pre-recorded or recycled footage won't match the prompt. Verification reduces risk substantially; no system can eliminate fraud entirely.
Does the seller need an account or to pay anything?
No. The seller opens a secure link, confirms a display name and email, and records the proof. Standard DealProofs are free for everyone; on Verified deals the buyer pays the fee.
What does the buyer see from an identity check?
Status only: not started, started, verified, failed, or requires review. The seller's identity documents are never shown to the buyer.
How long does a DealProof stay open?
Free DealProofs expire after 72 hours; Verified after 7 days. Expired rooms become read-only. Proof videos are retained for 30 days (Free) or 90 days (Verified).
Can I use DealProof for firearms or regulated items?
DealProof does not facilitate the sale, purchase, shipment, transfer, or payment of firearms or regulated items, and does not determine whether any transaction is legal. It only provides an optional proof-of-possession and identity workflow. You are responsible for complying with all applicable laws, and DealProof may restrict categories, users, or DealProofs at its discretion.
Is an accepted proof a guarantee?
No. "Buyer accepted proof" means you reviewed the evidence and chose to proceed. DealProof does not guarantee that a seller is honest or that an item is authentic, legal, safe, functional, or as described.
What DealProof is and is not
- DealProof does not process, hold, transmit, or escrow payment.
- DealProof does not guarantee that a seller is honest, or that an item is authentic, legal, safe, functional, or as described.
- DealProof does not determine whether a transaction is legal. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws.
- Identity verification reflects a provider's check status, not trustworthiness.
- Video proof can reduce risk but cannot eliminate fraud.
- DealProof may restrict categories, users, or DealProofs at its discretion.