How booking works
From finding a provider to paying for your service — here's the full flow.
Find a provider near you
Browse providers on the map or search by service type. Every profile shows their services, pricing, reviews, and availability — all set by the provider themselves.
Request a booking & pay a deposit
Pick a date and time, then pay a small deposit to hold your spot. It's processed securely through Stripe and held by Cerca until the service is complete — the provider does not receive it until then.
Provider confirms your booking
The provider reviews and accepts your request. You'll get a notification when confirmed. You can message them directly through the app to coordinate details.
Get the service
Show up, enjoy your service. If anything seems off before the appointment, you can cancel in advance and get your deposit back.
Pay the remaining balance
After the service, the provider sends you a final payment request for the remaining balance. You review it and pay in-app. Only then does Cerca release the deposit and final payment to the provider. You can also leave a tip.
Leave a review
Only customers who completed a paid booking can leave a review. This means every rating reflects a real experience — still, read reviews carefully and look at multiple signals before booking.
What Cerca & Stripe protect you from
Cerca is built on top of Stripe — the same payment platform used by Amazon, Shopify, and millions of small businesses worldwide.
| Scenario | Protection |
|---|---|
| Provider cancels or no-shows before service | ProtectedYour deposit is refunded automatically. Cerca processes the refund; you don't need to do anything. |
| Provider deletes their account with your deposit pending | ProtectedCerca automatically refunds your deposit when a provider deletes their account with an active booking. The refund appears on your original card within a few business days. |
| Fraud or suspicious card activity | ProtectedStripe Radar runs ML fraud detection on every transaction, automatically flagging suspicious cards and patterns before a charge goes through. |
| You paid but didn't receive the service | ProtectedFile a dispute with your bank or card issuer. This is a chargeback — your bank reverses the charge and Stripe facilitates the reversal. Works regardless of what the provider does. |
| Provider's identity — are they a real person? | ProtectedEvery provider must verify their real identity with Stripe to receive payouts: legal name, date of birth, SSN, and a real bank account. They cannot collect money anonymously. Law enforcement can subpoena this information. |
| Service quality or outcome | Not coveredCerca does not guarantee the quality of services. Providers are independent contractors. Read reviews, look at their portfolio, and message them before booking if you have questions. |
| Background checks or licenses | Not coveredCerca does not conduct background checks or verify professional licenses. You are responsible for vetting providers before booking. Ask questions through the in-app chat. |
| Cash bookings | LimitedProviders who accept cash skip Stripe entirely. Cerca cannot refund cash payments or assist with disputes. Use in-app payment for the strongest protection. |
What Cerca protects providers from
Cerca is designed to be fair to providers too — here's how the platform has their back.
| Scenario | Protection |
|---|---|
| Customer no-show without cancelling | PartialThe deposit you collected covers your held time. Customers who cancel well in advance get their deposit back; customers who no-show forfeit it to you. |
| Customer never pays the final balance | ProtectedThe deposit is collected upfront before the booking is confirmed. You set how much — it's a guaranteed minimum payment if the customer doesn't follow through. |
| Fraudulent card used to pay deposit | ProtectedStripe Radar screens all transactions for fraud before they go through. Deposits are held by Cerca before reaching you, so your payout comes from verified funds. |
| Customer files a fraudulent chargeback | PartialStripe submits evidence of the completed booking on your behalf when a dispute is filed. A clear record of completed work improves your chances — document with photos. |
| Being asked to pay off-platform | Not coveredIf a customer pays you outside the app, Cerca has no record and cannot intervene in any dispute. All payments should go through the platform for protection to apply. |
The identity barrier that deters scammers
A provider can create a Cerca profile for free — but they cannot receive a single dollar without completing Stripe Connect onboarding. Stripe requires their legal name, date of birth, last 4 digits of their SSN (for US tax compliance), and a real bank account. This is the same verification used by any business that accepts card payments.
This means: if someone scams you on Cerca, they had to hand Stripe their real identity to collect the money. That information is held encrypted by Stripe and can be subpoenaed by law enforcement. It's a serious deterrent.
What to do in different situations
Most bookings go smoothly. Here's what to do if something unexpected comes up.
Tips for booking safely
Message before you book
Use the in-app chat to ask questions about the service, what to expect, and any specific needs. How a provider responds tells you a lot.
Read the reviews
Reviews are from customers who completed a paid booking — look for patterns across multiple reviews, not just the star rating. A provider with a few negatives and good responses can still be trustworthy.
Confirm the location
Make sure you know where the service will take place. For in-home or on-location services, verify the address in advance through the chat.
Pay in-app, not outside it
In-app payments through Stripe are protected and create a clear record. If someone asks you to pay via Venmo, Zelle, or any method outside the app before a booking exists — that's a red flag.
Trust your gut
Cash is a legitimate option on Cerca — some providers offer it. The red flag is being asked to skip the platform entirely: no booking created, no record, no protection. If that's what's being suggested, walk away.
Check their portfolio
Most providers upload photos of their actual work — before and after shots, portfolio photos. These tell you what you're actually getting before you commit.
Ready to find your next local favorite?
Download Cerca and browse providers in your neighborhood — for free.
Download on the App Store