The Sniffy Protection Fund covers buyers in the rare event of a confirmed fraudulent trade — when a seller can't be held accountable and escrow alone isn't enough.
What It Covers
- Confirmed counterfeit bottles where the seller account has been banned
- Non-delivery when the seller's account is unresponsive and banned
- Fraud by a banned seller where escrow recovery fails
What It Does Not Cover
- Buyer's remorse or changed preferences
- Disputes about subjective condition descriptions
- Trades conducted outside the Sniffy platform
- Swap trades where both bottles were shipped as described
How to Claim
If your trade is eligible, email support@sniffymarketplace.com with your trade ID, photos, and a description of the issue within 30 days of the estimated delivery date.
Claims are reviewed within 10 business days. Approved refunds are issued to the original payment method.
How It Is Funded
The Protection Fund is seeded by Sniffy and supplemented by forfeited Sniffy Bonds — deposits from sellers who lose a dispute. Payouts are discretionary and may be capped per claim and in aggregate to keep the fund sustainable.
Fund Status
The Protection Fund is maintained by Sniffy and funded by platform fees. It is not an insurance product. Sniffy reserves the right to determine eligibility at its sole discretion.