Buyer protection

Buyer protection

99WAVES Buyer Protection

Buy with confidence.
Paid securely.

With every protected purchase, 99WAVES holds your money in escrow via Stripe. The seller is only paid once you confirm receipt of your goods or the return period expires without any issues after delivery. If something isn't right, simply open a case.

Held in trust

Your money is safe in the 99WAVES platform account – not with the seller.

Only free when it fits

Payment will only be made after your confirmation or after the deadline has expired.

Fair & transparent

Clear deadlines, clear rules – and a team that reviews cases in the event of a dispute.

Sequence

This is how it works
buyer protection

Every step, from purchase to payout, is insured.
1

You buy & pay

The purchase price is collected via Stripe and held in escrow in the 99WAVES platform account. The seller does not yet receive the money.

2

Seller confirmed & shipped

The seller accepts the order and ships the item.

3

delivery

Your inspection and complaint period begins as soon as the goods arrive.

4

You confirm receipt

Is everything okay? You confirm – or the deadline expires without a complaint.

5

Payment to the seller

The purchase price will only be paid out now; the platform share remains with 99WAVES.

Scope

For which purchases
Does the protection apply?

You can tell if a purchase is protected by the buyer protection symbol directly next to the price.

Verified Dealers & Launch Partners

Verified, reputable companies are exempt from buyer protection.

  • No buyer protection fee
  • Your legal rights remain unaffected.
Services

What is covered
– and what not

Covered

  • Wrong model or wrong size
  • Undisclosed significant defects
  • Missing essential components
  • Lack of authenticity (forgery)
  • The goods never arrive.

Not covered

  • Signs of wear described in the advertisement
  • Damage that occurs after delivery
  • Off-platform payments
  • Incorrectly entered delivery address

If the buyer protection claim is justified, 99WAVES will refund you. Purchase price including shipping costs. The return label is provided by 99WAVES; the return shipping costs are borne by the party responsible for the defect.

Deadlines

Overview of deadlines

Short and clear – so you know when what happens.

Report case

Within 48 hours after delivery via the complaint form – with photos and a brief description.

Payment to the seller

Once you confirm receipt, the seller will be paid immediately. If you do not confirm, payment will be made automatically 48 hours after delivery – the same applies to both private and business sellers.

Extend deadline

Do you need more time to review? You can extend the deadline once by 48 hours.

In case of dispute

Report a problem

If something is wrong, report the issue within 48 hours of delivery. Payment to the seller will be stopped while the issue is being investigated.

This is how a buyer protection case works

1

Open a case via "My Orders", describe the problem and upload photos.

2

Our team is investigating – payment to the seller will remain suspended until further notice.

3

If the complaint is justified, you will receive your purchase price including shipping costs back.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does buyer protection cost?
The buyer protection fee is 10% of the purchase price and will be clearly displayed in your shopping cart and at checkout. No buyer protection fee applies to purchases from verified merchants and launch partners.
How is my money protected?
Your payment will be held in escrow by Stripe (our payment provider) until the item has been delivered to you in the described condition. The seller will only receive the money once successful delivery has been confirmed.
When will the seller be paid?
As soon as you confirm receipt – or automatically if the deadline after delivery expires without a complaint. This automatic payment occurs 48 hours after delivery and applies equally to private and commercial sellers.
When will I get my money back?
If your buyer protection claim is justified – for example, because the goods differ significantly from the description or do not arrive at all – we will refund the purchase price including shipping costs.
Does buyer protection apply to all sellers?
Buyer protection is automatically included for private sales and purchases from unverified sellers. Only our verified sellers and launch partners – vetted, reputable companies – are excluded.
What happens if the goods don't arrive?
Even non-delivery is covered. Open a case through your account; since the money is held in escrow until confirmed delivery, it remains protected throughout the entire process.

You can find the full regulations in our Terms and Conditions (Section 10 Buyer Protection, Section 11 Confirmation of Delivery and Payment). Buyer Protection is a protection program offered by 99WAVES and is not insurance; your statutory rights against the seller remain fully intact.