How payments work on Off-Grid Market

Different listings are paid for different ways. Here's exactly how each vertical handles payment — so there are no surprises.

The principle

Off-Grid Market never takes a cut of your transactions. We charge sellers one flat $29/month Pro membership, and we run an ad network. That's it. Buyers and sellers complete transactions directly — either through our on-site checkout (where Stripe processes the payment to the seller) or offline (escrow, cashier's check, title company).

🏡 Real Estate

Offline — closes with title company / escrow

Buyer contacts seller through OGM. They negotiate. The actual closing happens through a title company, real-estate attorney, or escrow service — same as any FSBO sale. OGM is a listing platform, not a brokerage. We never touch the money.

🛒 Marketplace (physical / digital products)

On-platform via Stripe

Sellers connect a Stripe account (free, 5-min setup). Buyer pays via Stripe Checkout — the money goes directly into the seller's Stripe balance. OGM takes 0%. Stripe handles fraud protection, chargebacks, and payouts to the seller's bank. Shipping is arranged by the seller.

🏕️ Bookings (cabins, retreats, stays)

On-platform via Stripe

Same as Marketplace — host connects Stripe, guest pays through OGM checkout, money goes straight to the host. OGM takes 0% platform fee. Hosts handle cleaning fees, security deposits, and refunds per their listing policy.

🔧 Services (well drilling, solar, contractors)

Offline — provider invoices the customer

Buyer contacts service provider through OGM. Provider quotes, schedules, performs work, and invoices directly. We recommend a written quote before work, deposit upon scheduling, and milestone payments for multi-day jobs.

💼 Jobs

Offline — standard employment

Applicant applies through OGM. Employer hires them through normal channels — payroll, contract, 1099, however that employment relationship works. OGM doesn't process job-related payments.

📋 Classifieds

Offline — meet up, cash / Venmo / check

Community board listings — like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Buyer and seller meet up, exchange goods, pay however they agree (cash, Venmo, PayPal, etc.). OGM is just the bulletin board.

Why we don't take a cut

Most marketplaces charge commission because they ARE the merchant of record — they collect the buyer's payment, hold it, then pay out to the seller, taking a fee. That creates massive liability (chargebacks, fraud, refund disputes) and forces them to charge sellers.

We chose the opposite: be a listing platform, let buyers and sellers transact directly, charge a flat membership instead. Lower liability for OGM, more money for sellers, simpler for everyone.

What this means for chargebacks & disputes

On Marketplace + Bookings (where Stripe processes payment), Stripe handles disputes and chargebacks per their standard fraud protection. We don't intervene — the buyer/seller and Stripe work it out, like any merchant-of-record transaction.

On Real Estate / Services / Jobs / Classifieds (where money changes hands offline), OGM has no visibility into the transaction. Disputes are between the parties. See Buyer Safety and Seller Safety for advice on protecting yourself.

OGM membership billing (the only thing we charge for)

The Pro Seller membership ($29/month) is billed by Stripe. You're charged $29 on signup and every month thereafter until you cancel. Cancel anytime from your billing portal — no contract, no cancellation fees. Your listings stay live until your current period ends, then they become hidden (not deleted) until you re-subscribe.