How Sendways escrow works: a complete guide

Escrow is the financial foundation of community delivery. Without it, senders pay and hope. With it, payment is tied directly to confirmed delivery.

Step 1: Payment held. When a sender books a delivery, they pay the agreed fee. That money goes into an escrow account held by Sendways; it does not go to the traveler yet. The traveler knows the money is committed and confirmed.

Step 2: Delivery in progress. Both parties confirm the handoff in the app. The escrow is now tied to this specific delivery.

Step 3: Delivery confirmed. When the sender (or recipient) confirms delivery, the escrow is released to the traveler. This is instant: the moment confirmation is received, the traveler's account is credited.

Step 4: Dispute scenario. If the delivery is not confirmed within the expected window, either party can raise a dispute. Sendways reviews the evidence (handoff photos, app messages, traveler response) and makes a determination. If the delivery is deemed unconfirmed, the escrow is returned to the sender.

What escrow does not cover. Item damage during transit (escrow is a payment mechanism, not insurance). Customs seizure of prohibited items.

Response times. Sendways aims to resolve disputes within 5 business days. Complex cases involving contradictory evidence may take longer.

Escrow is not complicated technology. It is a simple, proven mechanism that enables trusted transactions between strangers; Sendways applies it to peer delivery.