Can my money be held?

The honest answer is yes, so no one here will promise you otherwise. It helps to know who can do what.

Dockstall

We never hold your sales. They go straight into your own Stripe account, and there is no Dockstall balance.

Our Terms of Service do allow us to restrict payouts through Stripe if content is illegal or breaks our rules. In that case we tell you what we did and why, unless the law or an investigation prevents it, and you can contest it by replying to us. See why a store gets reviewed or suspended.

Stripe

Stripe runs your account under its own terms and makes its own decisions. We can't release funds Stripe is holding, shorten a hold, or get more of an explanation than Stripe gives.

Stripe explains in its reserves FAQ that:

• A reserve is a temporary hold on part of your funds, to cover possible refunds and disputes
• Its size depends on your account's risk, such as dispute and refund rates or a sharp rise in sales
• It emails you the amount and the period, and you can see the status on your Balance page
• A reserve doesn't stop you taking payments
• It can be changed or extended, and in rare cases it can last indefinitely

Holds can also come from an unfinished verification, or from disputes, which Stripe takes out of your balance.

If it happens

1. Read Stripe's email and check your Stripe dashboard. Click Open Stripe dashboard on Payouts.
2. Answer any request from Stripe quickly and completely.
3. If you see an appeal option on your Balance page, Stripe says you can use it. If not, contact Stripe's support.
4. Keep your records, such as order pages, delivery events and messages with buyers.
5. Write to us if your Dockstall account also shows a suspension notice.

Lowering the risk

Nothing can rule a hold out. Stripe suggests responding to disputes quickly, stating your refund terms clearly and making it easy for customers to reach you. See lower your risk of disputes.

Who bears the cost

You do. Held funds are yours, but you can't pay them out until they're released, and any refunds or disputes are covered from them.