The full journey
How ChatCart works, from the feed to the payout
One path, both sides of it. Below is exactly what happens to an order — including the waiting periods, who can stop it, and when the money actually moves.
Last updated 29 September 2026
For buyers
- 1
Swipe the feed
Products open as full-screen video or photo stories, with the price and the seller's location on the post. You can also switch to following the sellers you care about.
- 2
Open the item, or open a conversation
Buy it directly if the price works for you. If you have questions, message the seller — the item, its photos and its price are attached to the message for you.
- 3
Agree the price if you are negotiating
Send an offer, accept a counter, or take the listed price. Once an offer is accepted, that becomes the amount you pay.
- 4
Pay into escrow
Checkout collects your delivery details and takes payment in full. The money is held — the seller is not paid yet.
- 5
Receive, inspect, then release
When the order arrives, confirm it and the funds release to the seller. If something is wrong, open a dispute and the payment freezes instead.
For sellers
- 1
Post the product
Upload a video or photos, set a price if you want to, and tag the details buyers ask about. A price is a starting point — buyers can still make you an offer.
- 2
Get discovered
Posts appear in the feed for buyers browsing your category and location. Buyers who follow you see your posts in their Following feed.
- 3
Answer with the item already on screen
Incoming conversations arrive with the exact post attached, so you know what is being asked about before you read the message.
- 4
Accept the order
Orders are yours to accept or decline. If an order is not accepted within 24 hours it is cancelled and the buyer is refunded automatically.
- 5
Ship and mark it sent
Dispatch the item and record it in the app. This is what starts the release clock, so it is in your interest to mark it promptly.
- 6
Get paid, then withdraw
Funds release on buyer confirmation, or automatically 48 hours after you mark the order sent. Commission is deducted from the released amount, and the rest becomes your withdrawable balance — minimum ₦5,000 per payout, expected within about 3 business days.
What each order state means
| State | What it means | Who moves it next |
|---|---|---|
| Awaiting acceptance | The buyer has paid into escrow and the seller has been notified | Seller |
| Availability check | The seller needs time, or the item is not available | Seller |
| Preparing | The order is accepted and being packed | Seller |
| Shipped | Dispatched and marked as sent; the release clock is running | Buyer |
| Completed | Received and released; the seller has been paid | Nobody — finished |
| Disputed | The payment is frozen pending resolution | ChatCart support |
| Cancelled | The order ended and the buyer is refunded | Nobody — finished |
One status line, both sides
Buyer and seller read the same status on the same order. Nobody has to assert what stage things are at, which removes the most common argument in informal selling.
After the order
Once an order is complete, the buyer can leave a review of the seller. Reviews are attached to completed orders rather than to anyone who feels like posting, which is what makes them worth reading.
Delivery is handled through dispatch details captured at checkout, so the address is not something either side has to retype into chat.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the whole process take?
Acceptance is expected within 24 hours. After the seller marks the order as sent, the funds release 48 hours later unless the buyer confirms or disputes sooner. Delivery time itself depends on the seller and the courier.
Can I cancel an order?
If a seller does not accept within the acceptance window, the order is cancelled and refunded automatically. Once a seller has accepted and shipped, a problem is handled through a dispute rather than a plain cancellation.
What if the seller does not ship?
The buyer opens a dispute and the funds freeze. The seller is not paid for an order they did not fulfil.
Do I need a bank account to sell?
Yes — payouts go to a bank account in your name, which is also how payouts stay traceable and how you get paid.
Is there a minimum order value?
There is no enforced minimum order value. Commission is a percentage of the item price, so very small orders are simply less valuable for everyone involved.