How InstaEscrow Works

A step-by-step guide for both sellers and buyers. See exactly how your money is protected from start to finish.

How Escrow Works

Every payment follows this protected flow. Your money is never at risk.

1

Payment

Buyer pays via M-Pesa or card

2

Funds Held

Secured in escrow

Funds secured
3

Delivery

Buyer confirms order

4

Released

Seller gets paid instantly

Instant release on delivery confirmation
For Sellers

Get paid for every sale. Guaranteed.

No more chasing buyers. No more fake M-Pesa screenshots. Create an invoice, share the link, and get paid automatically when the buyer receives their order.

1

Sign up with your phone

Create your seller account in under 2 minutes. All you need is your phone number, store handle, and M-Pesa details.

  • OTP verification via SMS
  • Upload national ID for verification
  • Link your M-Pesa for automatic payouts
2

Create an invoice

For each sale, create an invoice with the buyer's handle, item description, and price. InstaEscrow generates a unique, tamper-proof payment link — and a permanent record of every transaction.

  • Each invoice gets a unique code (e.g. A1B2C3)
  • Include item name, description, and delivery fee
  • Every transaction is logged — your built-in accounting record
  • Link is shareable via DM, WhatsApp, or SMS
3

Share the payment link

Send the link to your buyer. They pay via M-Pesa or card directly through the link — money goes to InstaEscrow's escrow, not to a personal number that could be faked.

  • Real transaction via M-Pesa or card — impossible to fake
  • Buyer sees your verified store name
  • You get notified instantly when payment arrives
4

Ship & mark as delivered

Once you've shipped the item, mark the invoice as delivered. The buyer gets notified to inspect and confirm receipt.

  • One-tap delivery confirmation in your dashboard
  • Buyer gets push notification
  • Funds release as soon as buyer confirms
5

Get paid automatically

When the buyer confirms delivery, the funds release to your M-Pesa instantly. No waiting, no chasing.

  • Instant release on buyer confirmation
  • Funds go straight to your M-Pesa
  • Withdraw your balance anytime

Seller Journey

INVCreate invoiceescrow.pay/A1B2C3LNKShare payment linkHELDKES 5,000 held safelyBuyer pays → escrow holdsPayout to seller
For Buyers

Your money is safe until you're happy.

When you pay through InstaEscrow, the seller can't touch your money until you confirm you received the right item. If something goes wrong, you're protected.

1

Get a payment link from the seller

Your seller will send you an InstaEscrow payment link via DM or WhatsApp. This link is your proof that they're a registered, verified seller.

  • Verified seller badge on payment page
  • See exact item, price, and delivery fee upfront
  • No hidden charges or surprises
2

Pay safely via M-Pesa or card

Pay through the secure link using M-Pesa or your debit/credit card. Your money goes to InstaEscrow's escrow account — NOT directly to the seller. This is the key difference.

  • M-Pesa STK push or secure card checkout
  • Money held securely in escrow
  • Seller cannot withdraw until you confirm
3

Receive and inspect your order

When the seller ships, you'll get notified. Take your time to inspect what arrived — make sure it matches the description and photos.

  • Notification when seller marks as shipped
  • Your money stays in escrow during inspection
  • 48-hour window to confirm or raise issues
4

Confirm delivery or open a dispute

Happy with your order? Confirm delivery and the seller gets paid. Something wrong? Open a dispute — your money stays frozen while it's resolved.

  • One-tap confirmation if everything is good
  • Dispute option for wrong/damaged/missing items
  • Evidence-based resolution process

Buyer Journey

DMSeller sends you asecure payment linkReceive link via DMPAYM-Pesa or card paymentto InstaEscrow (not seller)Pay securelyPKGInspect what arrivedMoney still in escrowReceive & verify orderConfirmDispute

What happens if there's a problem?

Disputes are handled fairly with evidence from both sides. Your money is protected throughout.

Dispute FiledFunds FrozenPlatform Reviews EvidencePhotos, descriptions, communicationRefund to BuyerReleased to Seller

Valid Dispute Reasons

  • Item never received
  • Wrong item delivered
  • Item damaged in transit
  • Not as described/shown online

Resolution Options

  • Full refund to buyer
  • Partial refund (negotiated)
  • Funds released to seller (if dispute invalid)
  • Typical resolution: 24-48 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does InstaEscrow cost?

Free for sellers — no sign-up fee, no commission, no monthly costs. Buyers pay a flat KES 20 peace of mind fee per transaction. That's it. If a dispute is raised and resolved, the losing party pays a dispute resolution fee — this keeps both sides honest.

Do I need to download an app?

No. InstaEscrow works entirely in your browser. Sellers access their dashboard via the web, and buyers pay through a simple payment link.

What payment methods are supported?

M-Pesa is our primary payment method, designed for the Kenyan market. Card payments (Visa/Mastercard) are also supported through our secure payment processor.

What if the buyer never confirms delivery?

Buyers are prompted to confirm delivery once the seller marks the order as shipped. As soon as they confirm, the seller gets paid instantly. If there's an issue, they can open a dispute instead.

Can a buyer scam me by filing a fake dispute?

All disputes require evidence (photos, descriptions). Our resolution team reviews both sides before making a decision. False disputes are flagged and repeat offenders are banned.

How fast do I get paid?

As soon as the buyer confirms delivery, funds are released to your M-Pesa instantly. No waiting periods — you get paid the moment the buyer is happy.

Does InstaEscrow help with invoicing and accounting?

Yes. Every transaction generates a structured invoice with a unique code, payment timestamp, item details, and delivery confirmation. For sellers running their business on Instagram or WhatsApp with no other paper trail, InstaEscrow becomes your de facto accounting record — proof of sales, proof of payment, and a full audit log if a dispute ever arises.

Ready to trade safely online?

Join thousands of Kenyan sellers and buyers who trade with confidence.