Merchant reserve review for Stripe, PayPal and Shopify Payments
A reserve on an active account holds part of every payout. We find out why the processor applied it and prepare the evidence it needs to reduce or lift the reserve.
- Independent: not affiliated with any platform
- Confidential from the first message
- Clear about evidence gaps and limits
Merchant reserve review for Stripe, PayPal and Shopify Payments in short
For merchants whose account is still open but whose payouts are held in a rolling, fixed or minimum reserve. Held balances after closure are handled by the separate held-funds service.
Who it is for
A good fit
- Active merchants with a new or increased reserve
- Businesses whose cash flow is squeezed by held payouts
- Merchants preparing for growth that may trigger a reserve
Not a fit
- Closed accounts with balances held after closure (see held funds)
- Merchants selling prohibited products
What is included
- Reserve classification and likely risk drivers
- Dispute, refund and fulfilment analysis
- Evidence pack and processor response drafts
- Risk reduction plan: descriptors, policies, delivery proof
Not included
- Force a processor to remove a reserve
- Change card network rules or thresholds
How it works
Three parties, three clear responsibilities.
Our part
Diagnose the notice, build the evidence index, draft every document and prepare follow-up replies.
Your part
Share genuine records, complete corrective actions, approve the drafts and submit from your own account.
The platform's decision
The platform reviews the submission and decides. We do not control its timing or outcome.
Price and timing
A fixed diagnostic first, then an optional project.
| Diagnostic | From $1,000 to $2,000 |
|---|---|
| Project | From $3,000 to $10,000, scoped after the diagnostic |
| Our delivery time | Diagnostic report within 5 business days |
| Revisions | Two rounds on response drafts |
| Follow-ups | Processor replies handled for 45 days in a project |
Test pricing in USD. Exact scope, fee and timing are confirmed in writing before any paid work starts. Paying for preparation never guarantees a platform decision.
Documents to prepare
Gather these before the first call. Genuine records only; never edit a document.
- Reserve notice and processor messages
- 12 months of payout, dispute and refund data
- Fulfilment and delivery records
- Terms, refund policy and website screenshots
Case example
Illustrative example
A subscription merchant's reserve followed a spike in 'unrecognized charge' disputes. A clearer billing descriptor and renewal reminders were the main evidence of reduced risk.
FAQs
What is a rolling reserve?
A share of each payout held for a period to cover future disputes and refunds, then released on a schedule.
Is this the same as held funds after closure?
No. This service covers active accounts. Balances held after closure use the held-funds service and its fee model.
Can a reserve be removed?
Sometimes reduced or lifted when the processor sees lower risk over time. The processor decides.
Which processors do you cover?
Stripe, PayPal, Shopify Payments, Square, Adyen and others listed on our payments pages.
How long does the diagnostic take?
Five business days from receiving the data.
How is the merchant reserve review fee set?
Scope and a fixed fee are confirmed in writing after a preliminary evidence review and before any paid work starts. No hidden fees and no open-ended hourly billing.
Which platforms does Merchant Reserve Review cover?
Every platform on our services page, from marketplaces and payment providers to social, advertising, content, gig and email accounts. If yours is not listed, send the notice and we will tell you whether we can help.
Is the information I share for Merchant Reserve Review kept confidential?
Yes. It is used only to prepare your case, stored encrypted, and never published without your written consent.
Do you submit anything without my approval?
No. You review and approve every document, and the submission goes through your own account.
What if Merchant Reserve Review shows my case is weak?
We tell you plainly, in writing, before you spend more. Sometimes the better route is fund release, a compliance fix, or legal advice rather than another appeal.
Related pages
Written and reviewed by the AccountSuspension.com case team. Last reviewed . Platform facts are checked against the official sources cited on the page. Editorial policy.
Verified reviews
What clients say
Start with the notice.
Send us what the platform sent you. We reply in writing with what we see, what we would do, and whether we think the case is worth pursuing.