How buying works: payments, held funds, and protection

For an animal marketplace purchase, paying and releasing the seller's proceeds are separate steps. Check the total before payment, then follow the purchase's handoff instructions.


Before you pay


Checkout itemizes the animal price, the 5% buyer fee, any services or discounts, and the remaining amount due. Eligible checkouts also show Credit and Wallet funds. A seller may cover the animal's buyer fee, but a service fee can still apply. Review the actual total before continuing.


After payment without boarding


  1. Your payment is completed or, for an eligible bank transfer, waits to clear.
  2. Creatures holds the sale funds instead of sending them straight to the seller.
  3. Open Dashboard > Buying to find the purchase and arrange pickup or delivery with the seller.
  4. Once the animal is in your care and matches the agreement, follow the confirmation action shown. For Creatures transport, use its delivery-confirmation flow.
  5. A completed handoff releases the seller's proceeds to their Wallet. Eligible seller-documented handoffs can instead release after the displayed objection deadline.


Handoff panel showing the payment amount and Confirm handoff action


Keep important pickup or delivery arrangements in your Creatures messages with the seller so you can refer to the agreement later.


Buying with boarding is different: the animal seller's proceeds are released when that checkout completes, before later pickup. Boarding charges and cancellation terms are separate. Do not choose boarding expecting the animal price to remain held until collection.


If something is wrong


Do not confirm the handoff or share your pickup code. Use Report an issue while the purchase offers it. If something is wrong with Creatures transport, do not mark the trip Completed. After the transporter marks it Delivered, open the purchased animal's listing and choose Report an issue. Before then, message Creatures or the seller. An eligible report pauses seller payout while the case is reviewed. If a deadline is shown, report before it expires.


The held-funds flow is not a promise that every disagreement has one automatic outcome. Seller terms, the listing, evidence, payment state, and applicable rules all matter. It does mean Creatures can keep unreleased funds from moving while an eligible issue is reviewed.


Reservation deposits and ongoing services have their own payment terms. See Reserving from a breeder for deposit release timing. Paying outside Creatures also falls outside this held-funds flow.



Updated on: 03/09/2026

Was this article helpful?

Share your feedback

Cancel

Thank you!