Disputes

When work goes wrong, the money is safe

Funds paid through Bildfie sit in escrow until the work is accepted. If the client and the professional cannot agree, either side can open a dispute and a person at Bildfie decides, using the evidence on the case.

FreeTo open a case

3 daysBusiness days to a decision

EscrowFrozen while it is open

A personReads every case

What happens, step by step

From opening a case to the money moving.

1
You open the case Day 0
From the wallet page, choose "Open dispute" on the escrow row. Pick a reason, say what happened and attach evidence such as chat screenshots, photos or the contract.
2
The escrow freezes At once
The money moves to a Disputed state. The client cannot release it and the professional cannot claim it until the case is decided.
3
The other side replies Days 1 to 2
They see the case in their own dashboard and add their side and their evidence to the case thread.
4
A Bildfie admin reviews Within 3 business days
The admin reads both sides and may ask either of you a question on the thread.
5
The decision Final
One of four outcomes: release the full amount to the professional, refund the full amount to the client, split the funds by an agreed percentage, or close the case with no movement.
6
The escrow settles Same day
The wallets are updated and both of you are notified.

You can open a dispute when

A bid was accepted and the money is held in escrow.
Something went wrong: no-show, work not delivered, quality not matching the brief, scope changed without agreement, or you cannot agree on the amount owed.
The funds have not been released yet. After release there is nothing left to dispute.

Cost

Opening a dispute is free and there is no mediation fee. If your case is upheld you receive exactly what was decided. A pattern of bad-faith cases can lead to account action.

What we look at

Your description and the other side's description.
Every file attached to the case.
The chat between you on Bildfie.
The accepted bid: what was promised, for what price and in what time.
The escrow history: when it was funded and which milestones were agreed.

Chats on WhatsApp, by phone or by email are not evidence unless both sides agree to share them.

What Bildfie will not do

Decide a subjective complaint without evidence. "I do not like it" is not a dispute; "it does not match the accepted bid" is.
Mediate work paid outside Bildfie escrow. We can suspend abusive accounts but cannot recover those funds.
Give legal advice. For claims that need a lawyer or court, we can share the case record on request.
Close a case with a template. A human reads every one; if you hear nothing in 3 business days, reply on the thread and it is flagged again.

Not sure it is a dispute?

Ask first. Support can tell you whether to open a case or try to agree a change with the other side.

Ask Support