Payments and Purchase Funds Policy

Last updated: September 24, 2026

This page explains how and when shoppers are paid, how reimbursements work, and how purchase funds checks are handled. It forms part of our Terms of Service and Shopper Agreement.

1. Three different kinds of money

• Your fee is what you earn for completing a shop. It is shown on the shop before you apply.
• Reimbursement covers a purchase you made yourself, when the shop says it is reimbursed. It is paid back to you after your report is approved.
• Purchase funds are money we send you in advance, by check, when a shop requires a purchase. They are separate from your fee.

The currency for each shop is the one shown on that shop.

2. How and when you are paid

• Payment is sent to the PayPal email address in your profile, so please make sure it is correct and belongs to you.
• Your report must first be reviewed and approved by our team. If it needs changes, we will tell you what to fix and you can resubmit it.
• After approval, payment is usually sent within 1 to 3 business days. Bank and PayPal processing can add a little more time.
• You will get an email when a payment is added to your account and another when it is sent. You can see your payments any time under Payments after you log in.
• Any transaction fees charged by PayPal to receive money, and any currency conversion, are the responsibility of the recipient unless the shop says otherwise.

3. Reimbursements

• Only purchases named in the shop instructions are reimbursed, and only up to the amount stated.
• You must upload a clear, complete photo of the receipt with your report. The date, location, items and total must be readable.
• We may reduce or refuse a reimbursement if the receipt is missing, unreadable or does not match the shop.
• If a purchase was covered by purchase funds, it will not also be reimbursed.

4. Purchase funds by check

Some shops require you to buy something in the store. When that is the case and you have been approved for the shop, our team prepares a check for the purchase and emails you a notification.

• You see the check in your account. For your security, the check is not attached to the email. Log in, open your work and select "View check" to see and download the front and back.
• The check shows your name. It is made out to the first and last name in your profile, so please enter your name exactly as it appears on your identification.
• Use it only for the shop. Spend the funds only on the purchase described in your instructions, and keep the receipt.
• Report the spending. Upload your receipt with your report so we can match what was spent to the amount of the check.
• Check before you deposit. If any detail looks wrong, such as the amount, the name or the number, contact us before you deposit or use it.
• Follow your bank's rules. You are responsible for the way you deposit or cash the check with your own bank.
• If the shop does not go ahead. If a shop is cancelled, or you cannot complete it, tell us immediately and do not use the check until we have explained what to do.
• Misuse. Using purchase funds for anything other than the shop, or failing to submit the report and receipt, may lead to withheld payments, removal from METAPAD and, where appropriate, recovery of the funds.

Purchase funds are never a payment for you to keep. The payment you earn for the shop is your fee.

5. When payment can be delayed, reduced or refused

We may delay, reduce or refuse payment when:

• the report is late, incomplete or not supported by the required photos and receipt;
• the visit did not follow the instructions, or took place outside the required time or place;
• we have good reason to believe the report is inaccurate or fabricated;
• the PayPal email is invalid or the payment is returned; or
• we are required to hold payment by law, or while we look into a suspected breach.

We will tell you why, and you can reply to ask us to review our decision.

6. Payment problems and questions

If a payment has not arrived a few business days after we told you it was sent, or if you think an amount is wrong, please contact us within 30 days of the payment date so we can investigate. Include the shop name and the PayPal email you use. You can reach us through the contact page or at support@metapad.xyz.

7. Taxes

You are responsible for any taxes owed on your earnings. Where the law requires, we may ask for tax information and report payments to the relevant authorities.

8. Changes

We may update this policy. If a change affects how you are paid, we will let you know before it applies to your next shop.