You Will Get Paid
Every payment made on Shoal is real and secured through Stripe before you ship anything. No bounced payments. No fake transfers. No payment reversals after delivery.
You worked hard for your items. We work hard to make sure you get paid fairly safely and on time. Every honest seller on Shoal is protected from start to finish.
Every payment made on Shoal is real and secured through Stripe before you ship anything. No bounced payments. No fake transfers. No payment reversals after delivery.
We investigate fraudulent buyer claims immediately. If a buyer opens a false dispute we review all evidence and protect honest sellers from bad faith claims.
Your funds are released quickly after the buyer confirms delivery. The better your seller rating the faster your payouts. Elite sellers get next business day payouts.
Every sale builds your public reputation on Shoal. A strong rating means more visibility more buyers and more sales. Your hard work compounds over time.
Never worry about getting paid again.
Buyer pays the full amount including shipping through Shoal secure checkout. Payment is immediately captured and secured by Stripe.
Your money sits in secure escrow. It is already yours — the buyer cannot take it back simply by asking. It is held until the delivery process is complete.
Ship the order within your stated handling time. Upload your tracking number to the order in your dashboard. The buyer is notified automatically.
After receiving the item the buyer confirms delivery in their dashboard. This triggers your payout immediately.
Funds are released to your connected Stripe account. Arrives in your bank within 1 to 5 business days depending on your seller tier.
The more you sell and the better your rating the faster you get paid.
How do I level up?
Your tier is calculated automatically based on your completed sales count and your average seller rating. Keep selling. Keep delivering great service. Your tier updates automatically. No application needed.
Not every buyer acts in good faith. We know that. Here is how we protect you.
Honest sellers who follow these guidelines win disputes. Here is exactly what to do.
Always photograph the actual item you are selling from multiple angles. Show any defects clearly. These photos are your first line of defense if a buyer claims item not as described.
Be specific about condition age features and any flaws. An accurate description that matches your photos is extremely hard to dispute successfully.
Never ship without tracking. A tracking number showing delivered to the correct address wins a not received dispute almost every time.
Take photos of the item packaged and ready to ship. This proves the item was in good condition when it left your hands and protects against false damage claims.
Keep all conversations inside Shoal messages. This creates a timestamped record of everything discussed. Never move conversations to WhatsApp or phone calls for deal related discussions.
Use proper packaging appropriate for the item. Fragile items need bubble wrap and sturdy boxes. Poorly packaged items that arrive damaged are the sellers responsibility regardless of how the shipping was handled.
We believe in being completely transparent. Here is where seller protection has limits.
If your listing photos or description do not accurately represent the item and the buyer receives something different you are not protected from a refund claim.
Lesson: Always be 100% honest in your listings.
If you do not ship within your stated handling time and the buyer opens a dispute you have limited protection.
Lesson: Only set handling times you can reliably meet.
If you ship without tracking and a buyer claims non-delivery we cannot verify you shipped the item at all.
Lesson: Always use tracked shipping for every order no exceptions.
If you sell a prohibited item you have no protection at all. The listing will be removed your account may be suspended and any dispute will be resolved in the buyer's favour.
Lesson: Only sell allowed items.
If you agree to conduct a transaction outside of Shoal to avoid fees you receive zero protection from Shoal for anything that goes wrong.
Lesson: All transactions must happen through Shoal.
If you engage in any fraudulent activity on the platform you lose all protections and face permanent account termination and potential legal action.
Lesson: Be honest. Always.
The most successful sellers on Shoal do these things consistently.
No hidden costs. No surprises. Ever.
Shoal only makes money when YOU make money. Our success is directly tied to yours. That is why we work so hard to connect you with buyers across the Bahamas.
We are on your side as long as you are selling honestly.
Message the buyer through Shoal messages. Most issues are misunderstandings that resolve quickly with good communication.
If a buyer opens a dispute respond within 3 business days. Upload all your evidence — photos messages tracking information. The more evidence you provide the stronger your case.
If you feel a buyer is acting in bad faith or attempting to scam you contact us directly: support@shoalmarketplace.com
Subject line: SELLER PROTECTION ISSUE
Include your order ID and a clear description of the situation.
If a buyer threatens you uses abusive language or attempts review extortion report them immediately through our Trust and Safety page. We take seller harassment extremely seriously.