For buyers
Escrow & disputes
On Mianos, you don't pay the seller — you pay Stripe, who holds the money for you. The seller only gets paid after the ad goes up and you've had a chance to check. If something's wrong, you can stop the release.
How the money moves
Three checkpoints between your card and the seller's bank account:
- You pay → funds captured into escrow at Stripe (status: paid · held).
- Seller publishes the ad → submits proof (photo, screenshot, or analytics export).
- You approve, OR the 7-day auto-release timer expires → funds release to the seller, less platform fees.
Why escrow matters
Sellers on Mianos are often individuals or small businesses you've never met. Escrow flips the trust problem: the buyer's money is safe (we hold it) and the seller's effort is recognised (we release it once the ad is verifiably live). Neither side has to take a leap of faith.
When you should open a dispute
Open a dispute from the order page if any of these apply:
- The seller never submitted proof and the deadline passed.
- The proof shows a different surface or location than the listing described.
- The ad went up but came down before the agreed end date.
- The campaign start was missed by more than 2 days without notice.
- The seller refuses to communicate.
How disputes get resolved
You have 7 days from the proof being submitted to open a dispute. Funds stay frozen while we review. We read both sides' evidence, ask follow-up questions if needed, and decide one of three things: release to the seller, partial refund, or full refund. We aim to respond within 3 business days. Most disputes resolve via a partial refund both parties accept.
What's NOT a dispute
Some things are between you and the seller, not Mianos:
- The campaign performed worse than you hoped (we don't guarantee outcomes).
- The seller's vibe wasn't your style (vet listings before paying).
- A third party complained about your creative (your responsibility — see Terms §8).
- You changed your mind after approving the proof.