How it works

Four stages. You and your counterparty stay in control.

Every hold goes through the same lifecycle, tracked from open to close. Buyer and seller run it themselves. A Safehold reviewer only steps in if one of you raises a dispute.

01 · Issued

Open a hold

Buyer and seller agree on a price for the listing, then both confirm the details in Safehold: item, price, and where the handoff happens. Either side can start it.

02 · Funds held

Buyer pays in

The buyer pays the full amount through a secure Stripe-hosted checkout. Funds are held by Safehold, not the seller, from this point on. The seller sees the hold is funded.

03 · Confirmed

Meet and inspect

Buyer and seller meet as usual to hand over the vehicle or item. The buyer inspects it and confirms in the app that it matches the listing before the hold moves forward.

04 · Released

Funds released

Once the handoff is confirmed in the app, either side releases the hold and payment goes to the seller, minus the Safehold fee. Payout lands within one business day. If someone raises a dispute instead, the hold freezes and a Safehold reviewer decides.

Ready to try it on a real deal?

Start a hold