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How it works

How ProxyPals works

A serious, escrow-protected workflow built for high-value collectibles, jewelry, and estate inventory — with photo proof at every step and a 48-hour inspection window before any Pal gets paid.

Step 1
Find a sale

Browse the nationwide estate-sale calendar or post a wanted item and let Pals find it.

Step 2
Hire a Pal

Pick a verified, specialty-matched local Pal. Concierge will match one for you if none nearby.

Step 3
Approve live

Real-time photos, AI estimates, and chat as the Pal walks the sale. You approve before money is captured.

Step 4
Receive items

Insured shipping with tracking, 48-hour inspection window, then the Pal gets paid.

The full job lifecycle

Every job moves through these 12 events. Funds release only after delivery and the inspection window closes without a dispute.

1. Request
Brief created

You describe what you want, your max budget, and any condition rules. Add reference photos.

Hold authorized

We authorize budget + Pal fee + estimated shipping + service fee + tax on your card. Nothing is captured yet.

Pal accepts

A specialty-matched local Pal accepts (or Concierge matches one). You see their profile, rates, and trust score.

2. Sale day
Pal arrives

Pal checks in at the sale and starts a live session in the app. You get a notification.

Live approvals

Pal sends candidate photos with prices and condition notes. You approve / reject / counter in real time.

Pal pays at register

Pal pays the estate-sale company directly using their ProxyPals issuing card, uploads the itemized receipt.

3. Capture & ship
Funds captured

Authorization is captured down to the actual receipt total — unused budget is voided automatically.

Packing photos

Pal photographs items being packed, generates a shipping label (or arranges local meetup), and ships insured.

In transit

Tracking flows back into your dashboard. We monitor stalls and damaged-in-transit signals automatically.

4. Inspection & release
Delivery confirmed

Carrier marks delivered (or you confirm at handoff). The 48-hour inspection window starts.

Inspect & approve

Check items, raise a dispute in the Resolution Center if anything's wrong. Otherwise, do nothing.

Payout released

After 48 hours with no dispute, the Pal's payout (item refunded portion if any, plus fees) is released to their Stripe account.

Escrow timeline at a glance

Every job passes through eleven escrow-protected states. Funds release only after delivery and inspection.

  1. Request submitted
  2. Pal accepted
  3. Escrow funded
  4. Sale day
  5. Live approvals
  6. 6Purchased
  7. 7Packed
  8. 8Shipped
  9. 9Delivered
  10. 10Inspection
  11. 11Funds released

What each side does

Buyer
  • Post brief & set budget
  • Approve items live
  • Inspect within 48h
  • Rate the Pal
Pal
  • Attend the sale on time
  • Stream live photos
  • Pay & upload receipt
  • Pack and ship insured
ProxyPals
  • Hold funds in escrow
  • Run trust & dispute systems
  • Provide issuing cards & insurance
  • Mediate the Resolution Center
What can go wrong
  • Item is gone when the Pal arrives: we void the item portion and offer a concierge re-match.
  • Estate company refuses proxy purchases: Pal fee is waived; budget authorization is voided.
  • Pal no-show: 30-minute grace, then full authorization voided + service credit for re-match.
  • Item arrives not as described: open a case in the Resolution Center within 48h for refund.
  • Lost/damaged in transit: we file the carrier claim and make you whole regardless of outcome.

Ready to start?