SOP #43 — "Escrow protects me" is half-wrong

SOP #43 — "Escrow protects me" is half-wrong

Myth: escrow makes the deal safe. Correction: escrow protects the money transfer, not the asset quality. It releases funds when assets move — even if those assets are garbage. Add these gates before funding:

1. Define inspection period in the escrow terms (7–14 days), with funds held until you confirm — no fixed auto-release.
2. List every transferable asset by name: domain, hosting, accounts, mailing list, content rights, social handles.
3. Require the seller to push, you to confirm receipt, then release — never release on "seller says sent."
4. Confirm domain auth code works and registrar lock is off before release.
5. Verify analytics/GSC access survives the transfer — re-test after handover.

Escrow is plumbing, not diligence. Your checklist is the protection.

Save this — run it every deal.