How it works
Funded before the event. Released on a fixed trigger, not on trust.
The organization funds the booking when it's confirmed. Standby holds it, neither side can touch it, until the event wraps. Here's exactly how that works.
Org funds the booking
Payment is captured via Stripe the moment a booking is confirmed, for the full agreed amount. No second charge later, no invoice to chase.
Standby holds it in escrow
The money sits with Standby, not the org and not the talent, for the length of the booking. If something goes wrong before the booking is marked complete, for example a no-show mid-event, contact Standby directly, a formal dispute can't be opened until the booking is complete.
Funds release when the event wraps
Once the booking is marked complete, a 7-day dispute window runs. Either side can open a dispute during that window, which freezes the funds until Standby resolves it. If nobody does, the payout releases automatically to the talent's Stripe account at the end of the window.
Questions
- When does the org actually pay?
- The moment a booking is confirmed. Standby captures the full amount via Stripe and holds it in escrow. The organization's card isn't charged again later, and the talent isn't paid before the event happens.
- Who holds the money while the event is happening?
- Standby, via Stripe. Not the organization, and not the talent. Neither side can access the funds until the release trigger fires.
- What releases the funds to talent?
- The event finishing. Once the booking is marked complete, a 7-day dispute window opens; if nobody opens a dispute, funds release automatically to the talent's connected Stripe account at the end of that window.
- What if the organization or talent has a problem?
- Once the booking is marked complete, either side has 7 days to open a dispute. That freezes the escrowed funds until Standby resolves it, nothing is released or refunded while a dispute is open. There's currently no way to open a dispute before the booking is marked complete; if something goes wrong mid-event, contact Standby directly and we'll look into it. Full terms are on the Dispute Policy page.
- What if the event is cancelled or postponed?
- Standby doesn't currently offer automatic cancellation refunds or a refund schedule based on notice given. Contact Standby about the affected booking and we review it, then either refund the organization in full (including the 8% fee) or release the payment to the talent in full. Partial refunds aren't currently offered. Full terms are on the Refund & Cancellation Policy page.
- What does Standby charge?
- A flat 8% platform fee on the booking amount. No subscription, no listing fee, no separate payout fee.