Primary path
Dispute-first
Start here when the pain is immediate: one live dispute, one painful chargeback, one messy evidence handoff.
Guided buying
Start the live problem. Keep the store layer second.
This route keeps the buying path premium and calm before the checkout surface takes over. The first decision stays dispute-first because the pain is easier to understand, easier to diagnose, and easier to buy.
Strategic ladder
Vendor Review
Move here when the same review language starts repeating across partner onboarding, questionnaires, or vendor evidence exchange.
Need heavier self-serve volume? Move there only after the dispute or vendor-review motion is already clear.
Why this layer exists
It keeps the case type, outputs, and trust boundaries clear before any store UI appears.
What to inspect first
Use the sample pack, readiness check, and trust boundaries if the buyer still needs confidence before paying.
What not to do
Do not drop the buyer onto a generic catalog first if the live pain is already clear.