How Dispute Resolution Works
After you report a problem, the dispute enters a structured resolution process. Here's exactly what happens at each step.
Last updated About 11 hours ago
The Resolution Process
Step 1: You Report the Problem
You describe the issue, select categories, and upload evidence. The order moves to Dispute Open and the seller is notified.
Step 2: Seller Proposes a Resolution
The seller reviews your complaint and evidence, then proposes one of these outcomes:
The seller has 2 business days to make their first proposal.
Step 3: You Accept or Decline
When the seller proposes a resolution, you can:
Accept โ the dispute is resolved and the agreed outcome is applied
Decline โ the seller is notified and can make a new proposal
Step 4: Negotiation
Multiple rounds of proposals are allowed. The seller can adjust their offer based on your feedback, and you can accept or decline each time.
Step 5: Escalation (If Needed)
If you and the seller can't reach an agreement, the dispute escalates to the CardNexus team. This happens in two ways:
Automatic escalation โ if the seller doesn't respond with any proposal within 2 business days, the dispute auto-escalates
Manual escalation โ either you or the seller can choose to escalate at any point during the negotiation
Step 6: CardNexus Reviews
When a dispute is escalated, our team:
Reviews all evidence from both sides
Examines the order details, listing information, and communication history
Makes a final, binding decision
The CardNexus team's decision is final. We aim to be fair to both parties, which is why strong evidence (photos, screenshots, tracking data) makes such a difference.
How to Escalate to CardNexus Support
If you want to manually escalate a dispute, here's how:
Go to your Purchases or Sales to find the order in question. The order must already be in Dispute Open status.
Click Contact CardNexus Support
Select an issue to describe what went wrong in detail
Upload evidence โ videos and photos are strongly recommended
Submit your request
The dispute status will change to Dispute Under Review and our team takes it from here.
Possible Outcomes
How Long Does It Take?
Business days means weekends are excluded. If you open a dispute on Friday, the seller's 2-business-day window runs through Tuesday.
When Will I Get My Refund?
Once a dispute is resolved in your favor (full or partial refund):
The refund is processed back to your original payment method
Depending on your bank or card provider, it typically takes 5โ10 business days to appear in your account
You'll receive a notification when the refund is initiated
Tips for a Smooth Resolution
Respond promptly to seller proposals โ the faster you engage, the faster the dispute resolves
Be clear about what you want โ let the seller know what outcome would work for you
Keep communication on the platform โ this ensures the CardNexus team has full context if the dispute escalates
Upload additional evidence if you have it โ the more documentation, the better
Related Articles
Reporting a Problem โ how to open a dispute
Returns โ how returns work when there's no built-in system yet
How CardNexus Protects Buyers โ all the protections built into the platform