Inspection Period
At DepositGuardian.com, we understand that not every transaction goes smoothly. Items can arrive damaged, or they may not match the description provided by the Seller. That’s why we offer an Inspection Period — a critical part of our process that ensures Buyers have the opportunity to review their purchase before any funds are released to the Seller.
What is the Inspection Period?
The Inspection Period is the agreed-upon timeframe that allows Buyers to review and verify the goods, domains, or services they’ve purchased. This period begins after delivery and does not include shipping or transfer time.
During this window, the Buyer can either:
- Accept the item or service if everything checks out.
- Reject it if there’s a problem.
Funds are only released to the Seller when the Buyer confirms acceptance or when the Inspection Period ends without action.
Before the Inspection Period Begins
Once payment is secured, DepositGuardian.com will notify the Seller when it’s time to ship or transfer the item, domain, or service.
We strongly recommend that Sellers:
- Keep all shipping receipts and tracking numbers.
- Document the item’s condition before shipping.
- Save any relevant records to show proof of delivery.
When Does the Inspection Period Start?
The Inspection Period begins as soon as:
- The Buyer marks the item as received.
- Or DepositGuardian.com verifies delivery through tracking or other confirmation methods.
How Long is the Inspection Period?
The Inspection Period can range from 1 to 30 calendar days, depending on what both parties agree to when setting up the transaction.
This timeframe should allow enough time for the Buyer to inspect the goods and, if needed, have them appraised or authenticated.
The Inspection Period ends when:
- The Buyer accepts or rejects the item.
- Or the agreed-upon period expires without action (in which case, the funds are released to the Seller).
Buyer Options During the Inspection Period
Option 1: Accepting the Goods or Service
If the Buyer is happy with the transaction, they can click the “Release Payment” button in their DepositGuardian.com account.
- This ends the Inspection Period immediately.
- Funds are released to the Seller.
Option 2: Rejecting the Goods or Service
If the Buyer is dissatisfied, they can click the “Dispute” button before the Inspection Period ends.
- The Buyer will be responsible for returning the goods or canceling the service.
- The Buyer has 10 calendar days to confirm shipment of the returned item or transfer back the domain/service.
- The Buyer covers all return shipping and insurance costs.
What Happens if the Buyer Rejects the Goods?
Once the Buyer rejects the item, DepositGuardian.com notifies the Seller.
- The Seller receives a 5-day Inspection Period to review the returned item to ensure it’s in the same condition as originally sent.
- Sellers should document the item’s condition upon return and confirm receipt with DepositGuardian.com.
Refund Process
- Once DepositGuardian.com confirms that the item or service has been returned in acceptable condition, the Buyer’s payment is refunded minus Holding fees.
- Because the Trustee process was fully engaged, Holding fees are non-refundable — they cover the cost of the service provided to both parties.
Protecting Both Buyers and Sellers
The Inspection Period ensures that Buyers receive exactly what they paid for, while also protecting Sellers by requiring clear documentation of returns. This balanced system allows both parties to complete high-value transactions with confidence.