How domain escrow works

What escrow means in plain words

Escrow is a holding arrangement. A third party keeps the money safe while two people complete a deal. Neither side has to trust the other first.

This matters for domains because a domain is not a physical item. You cannot inspect it or hand it over in person. Control moves through account changes, and those can be slow or messy. If a buyer pays first, the seller can vanish. If the seller transfers first, the buyer can refuse to pay.

Escrow removes that standoff. The money sits with us, the domain moves, and only then does the payment go out. If you are still deciding whether a name is worth buying, read /domain-value/ first.

Why it helps both sides

Escrow works because each side gets something the other cannot take away alone.

• The buyer's money goes to the seller only after the domain arrives. A seller who disappears does not get paid.
• The seller can see the buyer's money is already held before the transfer begins. A buyer who changes their mind cannot simply walk away with a half-moved name.
• The agreed price and the domain are written down, so a dispute is not one person's word against another's.
• Neither side has to chase the other. We stay in the middle and keep the deal moving.

How our escrow works, step by step

Here is the flow on our marketplace. Browse listings at /#browse, or read /buy-domain/ for the buyer's side.

First, you pick a domain and message us on WhatsApp. We confirm it is still for sale and agree the price in rupees. Second, you pay us by bank transfer, Raast, JazzCash or Easypaisa. Third, we tell the seller the funds are held. Fourth, the seller starts the transfer to you. Fifth, you check that the domain is in your control. Finally, we release the payment to the seller.

Unpaid orders cancel after 48 hours. Every deal differs, so ask us on WhatsApp for the exact steps and timing for your domain.

Check the domain type before you pay

Not every extension moves the same way. For .pk and .com.pk names, PKNIC fixes the registrant name at registration. PKNIC's own pages say a registered .pk name cannot be modified afterwards. That rule affects how a sale can work, so do not assume a .pk name changes hands like a .com. Ask us how your specific name will be handled before any money moves.

Also check the basics. Is the name close to a famous brand? Could it cause a trademark problem for your business? The Intellectual Property Organisation of Pakistan is the place to learn about trademarks.

If you are moving a name you already own, read /pk-domain-transfer/. If you want to list a name of your own, see /sell-domain/.

Red flags to watch for

Most bad domain deals show warning signs early. Slow down if you see any of these.

• The seller asks you to pay a personal account instead of using escrow.
• Someone pushes you to hurry, saying another buyer is about to take the name.
• The seller cannot show they control the domain, or the details keep changing.
• The price is far below what similar names sell for, with no clear reason.
• You are asked to move the chat to an unknown app, or to send money first and sort out proof later.
• The seller refuses to use escrow at all.

If a deal feels wrong

Stop and message us on WhatsApp before paying anyone. It costs nothing to ask, and it is much harder to get money back once it has gone to the wrong person.

Common questions