Escrow FAQ
What is the safest payment for luxury goods online?
For private luxury sales over £500, Cop 'Em escrow with optional authentication is the safest payment method in the UK. Bank transfer and PayPal Friends and Family offer no buyer protection. Platform checkout helps on lower value items but has limits on expensive designer.
Payment methods ranked for luxury
Least safe: bank transfer and PayPal Friends and Family off platform.
Moderate: on platform checkout for eligible items under your comfort threshold.
Strongest for private high value sales: escrow with held funds and authentication before release.
When to upgrade to escrow
If the seller asks to leave Vinted, Depop, or eBay checkout, that is your signal to use escrow instead of transfer.
See /stories/escrow/secure-payment-pre-owned-watch-uk for a worked example.