On Drip, buyers can obtain items in two different ways: through a normal checkout or by using the offer system. Both options result in ownership of the item, but the processes, requirements, and outcomes are very different.
A normal checkout is direct and immediate. You add an item to your cart, pay the listed price, and complete the order. If the item is non-vaulted, the seller fulfills the order by shipping it to your address. If the item is vaulted, ownership transfers instantly to your Vault as soon as the transaction is completed. There is no negotiation involved, and you pay exactly the amount shown at checkout. This method is designed for buyers who prefer a straightforward purchase with no back-and-forth.
The offer system, on the other hand, is a built-in negotiation tool. Instead of paying the listed price right away, you can send the seller a proposal for a different arrangement. Offers can take several forms:
Cash-only offers: You propose paying a different amount than the listed price. For example, if the item is $25, you might send an offer for $20. The seller can accept, decline, or counter.
Item-for-item offers: You can use vaulted inventory that you already own as part of the trade. Since these items are stored securely in the Drip Vault, they can transfer instantly to another user if the trade goes through.
Cash plus vaulted item offers: If a vaulted item alone isn’t enough, you can combine it with cash to balance out the value. For example, a card worth $10 plus $5 cash toward an item listed at $15.
The seller has complete control over the outcome of your offer. They can accept it, in which case the exchange happens immediately; they can decline, which ends the offer; or they can counter, which sends you a modified version of the deal to consider.
It is important to understand the vaulted requirement when it comes to offers. Items you are offering in trade must be vaulted in your account. Non-vaulted items that are in your cart, being shipped to you, or not yet redeemed cannot be included in an offer. Vaulted inventory is the foundation of this system because it ensures that all items used in trades are verified, secure, and transferable without delays. For items you are receiving, the situation is flexible: if the listing is vaulted, it will transfer to your Vault instantly upon acceptance; if it is non-vaulted, the seller will ship it to you just like a normal purchase.
In practice, the difference is simple:
Normal checkout means you are buying the item outright at the seller’s set price, with no negotiation.
Offers mean you are opening a negotiation, which may involve cash, vaulted items, or a mix of both. The outcome depends on the seller’s response.
This combination of checkout and offers gives buyers flexibility in how they engage on Drip. You can make fast, no-hassle purchases when you want certainty, or use the offer system to negotiate and trade using your vaulted inventory.
If you ever run into problems — such as offers not appearing correctly, items missing from your Vault, or confusion about whether an item is vaulted or non-vaulted — you can always reach out to Drip Support for assistance.