Questions people ask
What exactly am I buying?
The seller's full written description of the idea: how it works, why it wins, and whatever else they promised in "what the buyer receives" (launch plan, numbers, research, prototype). You also get the seller's commitment not to sell the same idea again here. You do not get a patent or exclusivity; ideas as such are not protected by law.
How do I know the sealed part is worth it?
Before bidding you see the problem, who has it, the kind of solution, the business snapshot, what the buyer receives, the seller's rating from earlier buyers, and public questions with the seller's answers. Ask anything you need; the seller answers in public without revealing the mechanism.
Can the seller change the sealed text after I win?
No. The full description is written before the auction starts and cannot be edited once there is a bid.
How do auctions end?
At the listed time. A bid in the last 5 minutes extends the auction by 5 minutes so nobody wins by sniping. Highest bid wins; ties go to the earlier bid.
What happens after I win?
You have 48 hours to pay by card through Stripe. The full description unlocks the moment the payment goes through. If you do not pay in time, the idea is offered to the next bidder.
Can I get a refund?
Not for changing your mind: the description cannot be un-read, and before paying you confirm immediate delivery. If the listing was misleading, copied, or not what it promised, file a complaint within 7 days of unlocking; we decide within 14 days and can refund in full or in part. Details are in the Terms.
What does it cost to sell?
Listing is free. When your idea sells, Sealed Ideas keeps 10% of the final price and pays you the rest.
When do sellers get paid?
After the buyer's payment clears. Payouts are currently made manually; you will be contacted at your account email.
How is my idea protected before the sale?
Only the public part is visible. The sealed part is stored on our servers and disclosed to the winning buyer after payment. A small number of staff and service providers can access it for security, moderation of reported listings, support and legal compliance; nobody else.
Why was my listing rejected?
An automated review rejects gibberish, placeholder text, off-topic or abusive content and empty full descriptions. It never judges whether an idea is good. The message tells you what to fix.