We’ve all seen the horror stories on social media. You find a talented shoe or bag maker on Instagram, their work looks impeccable. You pay a 70% deposit of ₦50,000 for a custom piece for an upcoming owambe, only for the delivery date to come and go. Suddenly, the artisan’s phone number stops connecting, and your DMs are left on “seen.” This “what I ordered vs. what I got” (or in this case, “what I never got”) scenario is painfully common in Nigeria, leaving you out of pocket and without the item you desperately needed.
This guide breaks down the massive risks of paying artisans directly and provides a step-by-step tutorial on using an escrow service like TrustAm. You'll learn how escrow protects your money, guarantees quality, and creates a safer, more professional transaction for both you and your shoe or bag maker.
Paying your shoe and bag maker directly via bank transfer or cash is a massive gamble. It leaves you completely exposed to several risks, including losing your deposit, receiving a poor-quality item, and having zero power to get your money back if things go wrong. The excitement of a custom piece can quickly turn into a financial headache.
Here are the most common issues you face when you don't use a secure payment method:
Escrow is a financial arrangement where a trusted third party holds and regulates payment of the funds required for two parties involved in a transaction until all conditions are met. In Nigeria, fintech platforms like TrustAm have digitized this process, making it simple and accessible for everyday service transactions. It’s the ultimate safety net for both the customer and the service provider.
Think of TrustAm as the trusted middleman holding the money in a safe. The shoe maker can see the money is in the safe, so they are confident to do the work. You know the money won't be given to them until you've received your item and confirmed it's exactly what you wanted.
Here’s how it works in five simple steps:
Looking for trusted shoe and bag makers or fashion designers near you? Browse verified providers with payment-backed reviews and escrow protection.
Create a Free Account →To use TrustAm's escrow, you simply find your preferred shoe and bag maker on the marketplace, agree on the job details and price, and fund the escrow wallet. The platform automates the entire process, providing transparency and security from start to finish. Let's walk through a real-life scenario.
Imagine you need a custom pair of mules and a matching clutch for your friend's traditional wedding in Abuja. You find a maker on TrustAm who quotes you ₦45,000.
Using escrow creates a win-win situation by providing financial security for the client and payment assurance for the artisan. This system replaces distrust and anxiety with professionalism and confidence, fundamentally improving the way services are transacted in Nigeria.
Whether you're ordering a one-of-a-kind bag or you're the artisan creating it, TrustAm is your safety net. Use our marketplace to find verified makers and pay with escrow protection, or list your services to attract serious clients and get paid on time, every time.
Create Your Free Account →Join 50,000+ Nigerians already using TrustAm to manage their money smarter.
No, using escrow on platforms like TrustAm is very affordable. The small transaction fee is a minimal cost for complete financial security and peace of mind, protecting you from potentially losing your entire payment to fraud or poor service.
With TrustAm's escrow, you should not approve the payment release if you are unsatisfied. Instead, you can raise a dispute directly within the app. TrustAm's support team will then mediate between you and the artisan to find a fair resolution, which could be a revision of the work, a partial refund, or a full refund if the item doesn't match the agreed-upon specifications.
Yes, absolutely. TrustAm's escrow service is designed for all 57+ service categories on the marketplace. You can use it to securely pay for everything from tailors and event planners to plumbers, electricians, and graphic designers across 13 Nigerian cities.
You can easily invite them to join TrustAm. It’s free for them to sign up and create a professional profile. By introducing them to a secure payment system, you're not only protecting yourself but also helping them build a more trustworthy business that can attract more clients.
No, using escrow on platforms like TrustAm is very affordable. The small transaction fee is a minimal cost for complete financial security and peace of mind, protecting you from potentially losing your entire payment to fraud or poor service.
With TrustAm's escrow, you should not approve the payment release if you are unsatisfied. Instead, you can raise a dispute directly within the app. TrustAm's support team will then mediate between you and the artisan to find a fair resolution, which could be a revision of the work, a partial refund, or a full refund if the item doesn't match the agreed-upon specifications.
Yes, absolutely. TrustAm's escrow service is designed for all 57+ service categories on the marketplace. You can use it to securely pay for everything from tailors and event planners to plumbers, electricians, and graphic designers across 13 Nigerian cities.
You can easily invite them to join TrustAm. It’s free for them to sign up and create a professional profile. By introducing them to a secure payment system, you're not only protecting yourself but also helping them build a more trustworthy business that can attract more clients.
Founder & CEO of TrustAm. Building Nigeria's smartest money app — AI-powered budgeting, instant P2P transfers, and financial advice in one place.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial professional before making major financial decisions.
Disclosure: This article is published by TrustAm, a financial services company. Some links in this article may direct to our own products.
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