Online Transaction Lifecycle

This page details the lifecycle of online transactions in terms of their different states and how they transition from one state to the next. The lifecycle is presented as a state machine.

Lifecycle Diagram

Here we present a diagrammatic overview of the online transaction lifecycle. The colours of the edges indicate the actors that initiate those state transitions.

States

Created

Online transactions start off in the created state, and will have either a "seller" or a "buyer" user (the user who created the transaction) linked to it. Online transactions have a "join code" while in this state.

Transitions: A Trustap user other than the creator can join or reject a created transaction using its join code.

The creator of the transaction can cancel a created transaction using its id.

Rejected

A rejected transaction is considered to be completed.

Cancelled

A cancelled transaction is considered to be completed.

Joined

A joined transaction is one that has both a seller and a buyer user linked to it, and requires payment before moving on to the next state.

Note that if the transaction was created from a listing then the listing creator must accept the transaction before it can be paid for. An online transaction created from a listing will have a listing_id and listing_type property set.

Transitions:

• The buyer can pay for a joined transaction.
• The listing creator can accept the transaction.
• The listing creator can reject the transaction.

Paid

A paid transaction requires a real tracking number for registered post before moving on to the next state.

Transitions: The seller can track a paid transaction by submitting a tracking number for registered post.

Tracked

A tracked transaction is pending delivery of the registered post that was tracked.

Transitions: The Trustap platform updates the state of a tracked transaction to delivered once delivery of the registered post has been confirmed.

Delivered

A delivered transaction gives the buyer an opportunity to verify the item they have received. Once the item has been delivered, the Trustap platform begins a "complaints period".

Transitions:

• The buyer can complain about a delivered transaction before the complaints period ends.
• If no such complaint occurs before the complaints period ends then the Trustap platform will release the funds for the transaction to the seller and will update the state to funds_released.
• The buyer may optionally end the complaint period early for a delivered transaction, which will prompt the Trustap platform to release the funds and update the state to funds_released.

Complained

A complained transaction is registered with Trustap for conflict resolution.

Transitions: After arbitration, Trustap will release the funds to the buyer and/or seller in a certain ratio and will update the state to funds_released.

Complaint period ended

A complaint_period_ended transaction is flagged for releasing funds immediately.

Transitions: Trustap will release the funds to the seller and will update the state to funds_released as soon as possible.

Funds released

A funds_released transaction is considered to be completed.