What's protected — and what isn't
We don't overpromise. Eligible protection applies only to orders completed through Gideon checkout and the on-platform workflow.
Buyer protection (eligible orders)
Eligible protection applies only to orders completed through Gideon on-platform checkout. Keep payment and messaging on Gideon — off-platform deals and lead-only inquiries are not covered.
Seller protection (eligible orders)
Sellers are protected on eligible on-platform orders when they follow the workflow: accurate listings, on-time fulfillment, and tracked shipping or verified local-pickup completion.
What counts as eligible
An order is generally eligible when all of these are true:
- It was paid through Gideon on-platform checkout (not cash, app-to-app, or wire).
- Messaging and the transaction stayed on Gideon.
- Shipping was tracked, or local pickup was completed with the pickup code.
- The category supports checkout (not a lead-only or quote-only category).
What is NOT protected
Off-platform = no protection
If you pay off-platform — cash, gift cards, wires, or another app — Gideon cannot help recover funds, and neither buyer nor seller protection applies. Lead-only inquiries (vehicles, real estate) and quote-only services are explicitly not covered, because the transaction completes off-platform by design.
How to stay covered
Keep payment and messages on Gideon, use tracked shipping or the local-pickup code, and report problems through the order. We can only mediate what happened on-platform.
This page describes Gideon product guardrails and is not legal, tax, or brokerage advice. Sellers are responsible for compliance with applicable laws.