Direct Negotiation is a process that involves ONLY the two parties involved in a SquareTrade Case. After the parties have agreed to participate in ODR, they discuss their issues through a password-protected Case Page on the SquareTrade website. Many parties find that having a neutral secure place to communicate on the SquareTrade website helps them work out disagreements and misunderstandings they may be having about an online transaction.

Why use Direct Negotiation and Mediation?
When disputing parties have the opportunity to craft their own solutions to a problem, they are more likely to comply with the agreement. Mediated settlements typically provide more durable and satisfactory resolution than do decisions rendered by the court system. It is also a less expensive and faster process than litigation.

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Mediation is a voluntary, confidential and flexible process in which a neutral, third-party mediator facilitates communication and negotiation between parties who have a problem. Throughout the process, the parties retain control over how to resolve the case. A SquareTrade Mediator will not act like a judge, but can offer a recommendation for a settlement IF the parties request it.

Please note that a mediator is not automatically assigned to SquareTrade cases. A mediator cannot be assigned until the other party has responded to a filed case. After the party has responded, the case filer can request the assistance of a mediator directly through the Case Page.

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Arbitration is a binding, non-confidential process in which the parties agree to have a neutral third party who, acting in much the same way as a judge would in court, reviews the facts and evidence about their dispute and makes an award based on any applicable rules and principles of law. For more information contact us. SquareTrade currently offers arbitration services ONLY to users from certain online marketplaces, namely BridgePath and Guru. Online Arbitration Services are not available to eBay users.

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