Who can open a dispute?
Either buyer or seller on an order. Only one active dispute per order.
curl -X POST $API_BASE/api/disputes -b cookies.txt \
-H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-d '{"orderId":"ord_123","reason":"non_delivery","details":"No deliverables by due date."}'
What evidence is allowed?
Images, PDFs, DOC/DOCX, text logs, ZIP/RAR/7z.
Tips
Provide objective evidence (timestamps, acceptance tests).
Redact sensitive data before uploading.
Use descriptive filenames (
ord123-m1-proof.pdf).
Can I add more evidence after opening?
Yes, until the dispute is resolved.
curl -X POST $API_BASE/api/disputes/dsp_123/evidence -b cookies.txt \
-F '[email protected]' -F '[email protected]'
Who resolves disputes?
Admins. In multi‑org engagements, you can appoint a neutral admin. Decisions are recorded with notes and applied automatically to funds and reputation.
What resolutions exist?
refund_full — entire deposit back to buyer.
refund_partial — specific amount back to buyer.
release_to_seller — remaining funds paid out.
other — custom outcome (e.g., redo milestone).
Do disputes affect reputation?
Yes. After resolution:
Refunds generally reduce seller reputation.
Baseless disputes can reduce buyer reputation.
Weighting can be tuned by admins.
Can I appeal a resolution?
Optional (if enabled). Appeals go to a neutral admin. Provide new evidence or point to a procedural error.
How often are reputation scores updated?
Immediately after relevant events (on‑time delivery, dispute resolution, refunds). Dashboards show trend lines for each partner.
Are disputes public?
No. Dispute details are private to the parties and admins, though reputation effects are visible as scores.
How long does a dispute take?
Depends on response times and evidence complexity. Aim to provide full evidence within 3–5 business days to avoid delays.