Stage 1 — Buyer places order
A buyer finds your listing on the marketplace and places an order. No money moves at this stage. The order sits at Pending confirmation.
Stage 2 — Seller confirms
You review the order and confirm you can fulfil it. The buyer is notified and prompted to pay. The order moves to Awaiting payment.
Stage 3 — Buyer pays into escrow
The buyer completes payment via Flutterwave. The funds go into a secure escrow account — not to you yet. The order moves to Paid — ready to dispatch. This is the moment payment is secured.
Stage 4 — Seller dispatches
You prepare and dispatch the goods. If using AADOPS logistics, you create a delivery request. If arranging your own delivery, you mark the order as dispatched and provide tracking details. The order moves to Dispatched.
Stage 5 — Delivery confirmed
One of two things triggers the next stage:
- The buyer clicks Confirm delivery after receiving and inspecting the goods, or
- The AADOPS logistics provider marks the delivery as completed
The order moves to Delivered.
Stage 6 — Escrow releases
AADOPS releases the escrow funds. The AADOPS commission is deducted, and the balance is transferred to your registered bank account. The transfer typically arrives within 24 hours. The order moves to Completed.
If something goes wrong
At any stage after payment, either party can raise a dispute. Escrow is frozen until the dispute is resolved. See the articles on disputes and auto-release for how those situations are handled.