Payments, Fees, and Payouts

All payments on 3rd Bay Outpost are processed securely through the platform. This page explains how money moves through a rental transaction — from the moment a booking request is submitted to the moment an owner receives their payout — and what both renters and owners can expect at each stage.

Transaction and Payment Lifecycle

Every rental on 3rd Bay Outpost follows the same payment lifecycle. Here's what happens at each stage for both parties:

1. Renter provides payment information at checkout. Before submitting a booking request, the renter enters their payment method. Payment is not collected at this stage — it is held securely until the owner confirms the reservation. Owners are not affected at this stage.

2. Booking request is submitted. The renter submits their booking request. The owner receives a notification and can review the request, message the renter for more details, or accept or decline the booking. No payment is collected until the owner confirms.

3. Owner accepts the booking — payment is collected. When the owner accepts a booking request, payment is collected from the renter. The reservation becomes active, the dates are blocked on the owner's calendar, and the Rental Agreement is generated and sent to both parties for signature. The owner's payout is held until the rental period is complete.

4. The rental period begins and ends. The renter picks up the gear, completes the rental, and returns the equipment at the agreed-upon time and location. Both parties are responsible for communicating directly about pickup, drop-off, and any issues that arise during the rental.

5. The rental closes — owner receives their payout. Once the rental period ends, the transaction closes. The owner's earnings — minus the platform service fee — are processed and deposited to their connected bank account. Deposit timing may vary depending on the owner's bank.

For Renters

Providing Payment Information

A valid payment method is required to submit a booking request. You'll enter your payment details during the checkout process before your request is sent to the owner. Your payment information is encrypted and handled securely — 3rd Bay Outpost does not store full payment card details.

When You're Charged

You are not charged when you submit a booking request. Payment is collected only when the owner accepts and confirms the reservation. If the owner declines your request or if the request expires without a response, no payment is collected.

The total amount charged at confirmation includes:

  • Rental charges for the full booking duration
  • Platform service fee
  • Damage Protection Plan fee, if purchased

All charges are displayed transparently at checkout before you submit your booking request. There are no hidden fees.

Early Returns

The rental rate is based on the full booking duration confirmed at checkout. Early returns do not qualify for a partial refund of rental charges. If your plans change, refer to the Cancellation Policy for information on cancellation eligibility and refund options.

For Owners

Setting Up Your Payout Account

Before you can receive payouts, you'll need to connect your bank account through the 3rd Bay Outpost platform. This is done from your Account Settings at any time. Payout account setup is handled securely through our integrated payment system.

Payouts cannot be processed until your bank account information has been provided and verified. We recommend completing this step before creating your first listing.

When You Get Paid

Payouts are processed per rental at the completion of the booking period. Once the rental period ends and the transaction closes, your earnings are released and processed for deposit to your connected bank account. Deposit timing may vary depending on your bank and account type.

You will receive a payout for each completed rental. There is no minimum threshold or batch processing schedule — every completed booking triggers its own payout.

What You're Paid

Your payout is calculated as:

Payout = Booking total − Platform service fee

The platform service fee is deducted from your earnings before the payout is processed. The exact fee will be included in your payout breakdown at the time of each transaction.

The Damage Protection Plan premium, if purchased by the renter, is collected and managed separately by 3rd Bay Outpost and is not included in your rental payout.

Service Fees

3rd Bay Outpost charges a platform service fee on each completed rental. This fee helps us maintain and improve the platform, provide customer support, and keep the marketplace running for the community.

How Fees Are Calculated

Fees are calculated as a percentage of the booking total and apply to both the renter and the owner:

  • The renter-side fee is added on top of the listing price and is included in the total booking breakdown at checkout
  • The owner-side fee is deducted from the owner's payout after the rental is complete

The exact fee percentages are displayed at checkout for renters and in payout notifications for owners. Fees are subject to change — current rates are always reflected in the platform at the time of booking.

When Fees Are Charged

No fees are collected until a booking is confirmed by the owner. If a booking request is declined or expires without confirmation, no fees are charged to either party.

Non-Refundable Fees

Platform service fees are non-refundable except in cases where a full refund is issued under the Cancellation Policy. If a booking is cancelled and a full refund is issued to the renter, the service fee is also refunded. In all other cancellation scenarios, service fees are retained.

Refunds and Dispute Resolution

Cancellation Refunds

Refund eligibility for cancellations is governed by the Cancellation Policy. In summary:

  • 24-hour grace period: Full refund — including rental charges, service fees, and Damage Protection Plan fees — if cancelled within 24 hours of submitting the booking request, provided the rental period has not yet begun
  • More than 7 days before rental start: Full refund of all amounts paid
  • 7 days or less before rental start: No refund, except at 3rd Bay Outpost's sole discretion in cases of extraordinary circumstances

For complete cancellation terms and instructions on how to submit a cancellation request, see the Cancellation Policy.

Damage-Related Refunds

The Damage Protection Plan covers accidental physical damage to rented equipment — it does not provide refunds to renters. If damage occurs during a rental, the owner may be eligible to submit a damage claim. See our Damage Claims and Dispute Resolution Guide for the full process.

Renters who did not purchase a Damage Protection Plan are directly responsible for the cost of any damage, loss, or theft and are expected to work with the owner in good faith to reach a resolution.

Billing Disputes

If you have a question about a specific charge or payout — including an unexpected fee, a payout discrepancy, or a missing payment — contact us at support@3rdbayoutpost.com with your booking ID and a description of the issue. We'll review the transaction and respond within one business day.

For disputes between owners and renters related to damage, condition, or rental terms, see our Damage Claims and Dispute Resolution Guide and the Platform Policies dispute resolution section.

3rd Bay Outpost is a marketplace facilitator. We are not a party to the rental agreement between owners and renters and cannot guarantee specific outcomes in billing disputes between users. What we can do is review available documentation and do our best to help facilitate a fair resolution.