Buying FAQ

Questions buyers ask before placing their first cross-border B2B order on Haubot. For the step-by-step workflow, see First steps as a buyer.

Do I have to be a verified business to buy?

To browse listings, no — you can search the marketplace, view photos and read public documents without an account. To transact (message sellers, request document access, bid in auctions, open SecureTrade, post inquiries in TradeHub), yes — you need an account with a verified business profile. Verification confirms the legal entity exists; see What the verified badge means.

What if the seller misrepresents the asset?

This is exactly the scenario the Haubot stack is designed for. Before money moves:

• Documents in UnitVault establish what the seller claims, recorded with timestamps and hashes.
• An independent inspection via Haubot Inspect verifies condition against those claims, with a documented report filed into the listing.
• SecureTrade holds payment until the milestones (inspection passed, documents transferred, asset delivered) are met.

If misrepresentation is discovered, the SecureTrade dispute process handles it. The seller's representations on the platform (description, documents, inspection participation) form the evidentiary record. Standalone wire transfers without SecureTrade have no such protection — which is why we strongly recommend escrow on every cross-border deal.

Can I inspect the asset before I pay?

Yes, and you should. There are three options:

• Haubot Inspect — independent on-site inspection arranged through the platform. Inspector is selected from Haubot's network, report is filed into the listing for both you and the seller to see.
• Your own inspector. Fully supported. Coordinate access with the seller through Messenger, and ask the inspector to file the report into UnitVault if both parties agree.
• Travel and inspect yourself. For high-value assets this is sometimes worth it.

In SecureTrade, "inspection passed" is a normal milestone that gates the next payment release.

Can I return equipment after purchase?

It depends on the deal. Cross-border B2B sales are generally final unless the deal contract or SecureTrade milestones specify otherwise (e.g., "asset to be returned if not delivered in stated condition"). This is one of the reasons inspection-before-payment is so important.

If the asset is materially different from what was disclosed and SecureTrade is being used, raise it as a dispute — the dispute process can result in a partial or full refund depending on what's found. Outside of SecureTrade, your options are limited to whatever your contract with the seller provides for and what your jurisdiction allows.

Is the price negotiable?

Often, yes — for fixed-price listings. The listing page indicates whether the seller has marked the price as "negotiable" or "fixed." Even "fixed" listings sometimes have room; the worst the seller can do is say no.

Auctions are different — once you place a bid, it's binding. There's no negotiating an auction price down. See Bidding rules.

What happens if the asset doesn't arrive?

Under SecureTrade, "delivered" is the final milestone before full release of funds. If the asset doesn't arrive, the funds don't release. The seller is incentivised to deliver because they don't get paid otherwise. If the shipment is delayed (common with cross-border freight), both parties typically agree to extend the timeline; if the asset is genuinely undelivered, this becomes a dispute case — see the Disputes & safety FAQ.

Outside SecureTrade, recovery is much harder. Always use escrow for assets you haven't physically taken delivery of.

Can I buy on credit?

Haubot itself doesn't extend credit. For qualified deals, Financing partners through the platform can structure asset-based lending. This is independent third-party financing — the platform coordinates so all parties (buyer, seller, financier) see the same picture, but the loan agreement is between you and the financier.

Eligibility, terms and approval depend on the financier; Haubot doesn't influence credit decisions.

Are the reviews on Haubot trustworthy?

Reviews on Haubot can only be left by counterparties to completed transactions — not random visitors. That alone removes most fake-review noise. Beyond that:

• Read what people wrote, not just the star rating.
• Look for specific details — generic "great seller" reviews are less useful than "documents arrived as promised, inspection matched description, shipped on time."
• A handful of negative reviews with reasonable responses from the business is often a better signal than a perfect track record.

Can I bid in auctions if I'm new?

Yes. New verified business profiles can bid like established ones. Some auctions may require a deposit (set by the seller or by Haubot for Managed auctions) before bidding is enabled — this filters out non-serious bidders and ensures the winner has skin in the game. See Deposits and fees.

Can I buy in bulk or syndicate purchases?

Yes. Two patterns:

• Single listing, single buyer. A business profile can be linked to multiple users (your team), so multiple people can collaborate on a single purchase.
• TradeCircle syndication. Multiple businesses can use a private TradeCircle to coordinate purchases of related assets. See What are TradeCircles.

For very large or recurring purchase relationships, contact the Partner program — bulk/strategic buyers sometimes set up dedicated supply arrangements with vetted sellers.

Can I buy from a country I don't normally trade with?

Probably, but it depends on sanctions, export controls and the nature of the asset. The Cross-border FAQ covers this in detail. Short version: most country pairs are fine; some specific origin/destination/asset combinations are restricted or require export licences. Haubot screens for these but the responsibility for compliance rests with both transacting parties.

How long does a typical deal take?

Wide range, depending on asset and complexity:

• Parts and components, in-region. Days. Sometimes hours for verified counterparties.
• Used equipment, cross-border, inspection-required. 2-6 weeks from first contact to delivery. Inspection scheduling is usually the longest single step.
• Auctions. Hard end date — typically 3-14 days from listing to hammer, plus settlement and logistics.
• High-value cross-continental assets (aircraft, vessels, large industrial machinery). 1-4 months. Documentation and financing usually drive the timeline.

Plan for the long end of the range on first deals with a new counterparty; subsequent deals with the same seller close faster.