Terms and Conditions for ZUTAONLINE Store/Marketplace

1. Introduction

Welcome to ZUTAONLINE Store/Marketplace, an online platform designed to connect vendors and buyers in Nigeria. By using our platform, you agree to comply with these Terms and Conditions (T&C). These T&C are intended to ensure a secure, transparent, and structured process for all transactions conducted on the platform.

2. General Guidelines

1. All users of the platform must be at least 18 years old or have parental/guardian consent if under 18.
2. Both vendors and buyers must register with accurate personal information, including valid contact details.
3. Users are prohibited from engaging in fraudulent activities or violating any applicable laws while using the platform.

3. Communication Policy

1. All communication between vendors and buyers must occur exclusively on the ZUTAONLINE platform. This ensures transparency and provides evidence in case of disputes.
2. Conversations between parties cannot be deleted or altered by either party to maintain accountability and traceability.

4. Payment Policy

1. All payments for products must be made through the ZUTAONLINE payment gateway. Direct payments outside the platform are strictly prohibited and will avoid any protections offered by ZUTAONLINE.
2. The payment gateway will securely hold funds until the transaction is completed successfully, ensuring the buyer receives the product before releasing funds to the vendor.
3. Failure to get feedback from the buyer within 24 hours of product delivery, the platform shall release the remaining funds to the vendor without delay.

5. Vendor Obligations

1. Provide accurate descriptions of products, including specifications, conditions (new or used), pricing, and availability. Misrepresentation of items is strictly prohibited.
2. Ship purchased items promptly after receiving confirmation of payment through the platform.
3. Respond to buyer inquiries within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., 24–48 hours).
4. Vendors are responsible for ensuring that their products comply with Nigerian laws (e.g., no counterfeit goods or illegal items).
5. Failure to meet these obligations may result in penalties such as account suspension or permanent banning from the marketplace.

6. Buyer Obligations

1. Ensure that all orders placed are genuine and not intended for fraudulent purposes.
2. Confirm receipt of goods promptly upon delivery if satisfied with the product.
3. Report any issues with purchased items within 48 hours of receiving them via the dispute resolution process outlined below.

7. Dispute Resolution Process

1. Either party can initiate a dispute by contacting ZUTAONLINE customer support through their account dashboard.
2. Evidence such as communication logs (available on-platform) and proof of payment/delivery will be reviewed by ZUTAONLINE’s dispute resolution team.
3. A decision will be made based on available evidence within seven business days.
4. The decision made by ZUTAONLINE regarding disputes is final and binding.

8. Prohibited Activities

1. Selling illegal or counterfeit goods.
2. Circumventing platform policies by conducting transactions outside ZUTAONLINE.
3. Harassment, abuse, or inappropriate behavior towards other users.
4. Attempting to manipulate reviews or ratings fraudulently.
5. Violations may result in immediate termination of accounts without notice.

9. Refunds & Returns Policy

1. Buyers should review vendor return policies before making purchases.
2. Refund requests must be initiated within 48 hours after receiving an item if it does not match its description or is defective.
3. Vendors must process approved refunds within five business days after receiving returned items.
4. ZUTAONLINE reserves the right to mediate refund requests when necessary.

10. Privacy Policy & Data Protection Compliance

1. Personal information collected during registration/payment processes will only be used for facilitating transactions on the platform.
2. User data will not be shared with third parties except as required by law enforcement agencies or regulatory authorities.
3. For more details about how we handle your data, please refer to our Privacy Policy document available on our website.

11. Liability Disclaimer & Limitation of Liability

ZUTAONLINE serves as an intermediary connecting buyers with vendors but does not guarantee product quality beyond what is described by vendors:

1. Buyers assume responsibility for verifying product descriptions before purchase.
2. Vendors assume responsibility for fulfilling orders accurately according to their listings.
3. In no event shall ZUTAONLINE be liable for indirect damages arising from user misconduct/fraudulent activities conducted outside its control mechanisms (e.g., offline communications).

12. Amendments & Updates

1. ZUTAONLINE reserves its right to periodically update/amend these terms based upon evolving operational needs/legal requirements—users notified accordingly via email notifications/platform announcements whenever changes occur!
2. By continuing usage post-notification implies acceptance of updated terms automatically applied retroactively where applicable!