What Steam Trade Protection is
Steam protects players from scams by holding some traded items for up to 7 days. During that window the trade can be reversed and the items go back to the person who sent them. Once the window closes, the trade is final.
Why it matters for your shop
If you deliver the moment a protected trade arrives, a customer could keep the goods and have the items returned. That is the skins version of a chargeback, and it is exactly what a good payment flow should prevent.
How SkinsFlow handles the hold
SkinsFlow tracks every protected payment for you:
- The payment shows as on hold, with the date the hold ends
- It is credited automatically when the hold ends
- Your site is told at every step, so orders wait and then complete on their own
- Nothing is credited while the trade can still be reversed
Releasing a payment early
For customers you know and trust, you can release a protected payment before the hold ends, and the value is credited right away. If Steam then returns the items, the amount comes off your balance and your site is told. An early release is always your choice.
Tips for a smooth checkout
- Tell customers that some payments complete after a few days
- Show the order as on hold, not as failed
- Deliver once the payment is credited
- Try the on-hold flow in test mode before going live