Buyer Guides

How to Shop Safely: A Buyer's Complete Guide to OurBazaar

OurBazaar Team·Buyer Experience
7 min readMarch 8, 2026

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Shopping on a peer-to-peer marketplace is different from buying from a traditional retailer. You are transacting with real people — and while the vast majority of OurBazaar sellers are honest and reliable, knowing how to protect yourself makes every purchase safer and more enjoyable.

Step 1: Check the Seller's Profile

Before you even look at the item, look at the seller. Tap their profile to see their verification status, rating, number of completed sales, and any reviews from previous buyers.

  • KYC-verified badge — the seller has submitted a government-issued ID. This is the strongest trust signal on the platform.
  • Rating of 4.0 or above — indicates consistently positive transactions
  • 10+ completed sales — shows an established track record
  • Recent activity — a seller last active months ago may be less responsive

Tip

New sellers with zero sales are not necessarily untrustworthy — everyone starts somewhere. But extra scrutiny is sensible: ask questions, check their photo quality, and start with lower-value purchases.

Step 2: Read the Listing Carefully

Read the full item description, not just the title. Look for the stated condition (new / like-new / good / fair), any noted defects, and whether the price includes or excludes delivery.

Check all photos. A good listing will show the item from multiple angles, including any areas of wear. If photos are missing or too dark to see clearly, ask the seller for more before buying.

Step 3: Ask Questions in Chat Before Buying

Use the in-app chat to clarify anything you are unsure about — sizing, colour accuracy, original packaging, shipping timeline. A good seller will respond promptly and honestly.

Important

Never agree to transact outside the platform. If a seller asks you to pay via external bank transfer or WhatsApp, report them. Off-platform transactions are not covered by our escrow protection or dispute resolution.

Step 4: Pay Through the App

All payments on OurBazaar are held in escrow. This means your money is not released to the seller until you confirm receipt of the item. This protection only exists when you pay through the platform.

  • Card payment (Visa / Mastercard)
  • Bank transfer
  • JazzCash
  • Easypaisa

Step 5: Inspect on Arrival

When your item arrives, inspect it before confirming receipt in the app. Check that it matches the listing photos and description. Look for any damage that was not disclosed.

Only tap 'Confirm Receipt' once you are satisfied. Doing so releases the payment to the seller and closes the order. After confirmation, the dispute window closes.

Step 6: Raise a Dispute if Needed

If the item is significantly not as described, damaged, or simply wrong, do not confirm receipt — raise a dispute through the app within 48 hours of delivery. Our mediation team will review the evidence from both sides and make a fair decision within 3 business days.

Note

Document everything: take photos of the item exactly as it arrived, including packaging. This evidence is critical if you need to raise a dispute.


Safe shopping on OurBazaar comes down to one principle: use the platform as it is designed to be used. Verified sellers, in-app chat, escrow payments, and dispute resolution all exist to protect you — but only when transactions stay on-platform.