100% Buyer Protection
Every purchase on SiliconExchange is backed by escrow. Your money is never released to the seller until you confirm your item arrived exactly as described.
How escrow protection works
Your payment is held securely until every step of the transaction is complete.
You pay — we hold the funds
When you check out, your payment is captured by Stripe and held in escrow. The seller receives nothing yet. Your money is safe regardless of what happens next.
Seller ships with tracking
The seller must ship within 3 business days and provide a valid tracking number. You'll get an email with the tracking info so you can follow your package in real time.
You confirm — seller gets paid
Once your item arrives and you're satisfied, confirm delivery in your dashboard. The funds are then released to the seller, typically within 1–2 business days.
Problem? Open a dispute
If anything is wrong — item not arrived, not as described, or damaged — open a dispute from your order page within 3 days of the delivery date. We step in immediately.
What's covered
Our protection covers the most common problems buyers face when purchasing used hardware.
Covered by buyer protection
- Item never arrived (tracking shows no delivery)
- Item is significantly not as described (wrong model, wrong specs)
- Item arrived broken or with undisclosed damage
- Counterfeit or replica when the listing claimed authentic
- Missing major accessories listed in the description
- Seller becomes unresponsive after payment
Not covered
- Buyer's remorse / changed your mind
- Damage caused by the buyer after delivery
- Minor cosmetic differences clearly visible in listing photos
- Items that match the description but didn't meet personal expectations
- Transactions completed outside SiliconExchange (e.g. cash, Venmo)
How disputes work
If something goes wrong, opening a dispute is simple and we resolve it fast.
Open a dispute
Go to your order in the dashboard and click “Open Dispute.” You have 3 days from the confirmed delivery date, or up to 14 days if the package never arrived.
Provide evidence
Upload photos, describe the issue, and include any relevant tracking or communication history. The seller will have 48 hours to respond.
We review within 48 hours
Our team reviews all evidence from both parties. We may request additional information if needed.
Resolution
If the dispute is valid, we issue a full refund and the escrow is returned to you. If the dispute is found in the seller's favor, funds are released to the seller.
Accepted payment methods
All payments are processed securely by Stripe, a PCI-compliant payment processor trusted by millions of businesses. Your card details are never stored on our servers.
Apple Pay and Google Pay availability depends on your device and browser. We do not accept PayPal, Venmo, cryptocurrency, checks, or cash payments.
Common questions
How long does escrow hold my payment?
Your payment is held until you confirm delivery, or for up to 14 days if you don't confirm. After 14 days with no dispute opened, the funds are automatically released to the seller. We recommend confirming as soon as your item arrives.
What if the seller refuses to ship?
If the seller doesn't provide tracking within 3 business days, you can open a dispute immediately. We'll refund you in full — the seller never receives the funds if they can't prove they shipped.
How quickly do I get my refund?
Once a dispute is resolved in your favor, the refund is processed within 1–3 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Can I leave a review after a dispute?
Yes. All buyers can leave a seller review after an order is closed, regardless of whether a dispute was opened. Honest reviews help the community make informed decisions.
Is SiliconExchange itself insured?
Buyer protection is funded through our platform fees. We maintain reserve funds specifically to cover valid buyer claims, so there is no risk of a 'the funds ran out' scenario.
Shop with confidence
Every listing is backed by escrow protection. Browse thousands of PC components from verified sellers.
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