1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using the ChikakuMarket platform ("Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you disagree with any part of the terms, you may not access the Service.
Key Points:
- You must be at least 18 years old to use our platform
- You must be a currently enrolled university student in Ghana
- You agree to comply with all applicable laws and regulations
- We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time
2. Eligibility Requirements
To use ChikakuMarket, you must meet the following requirements:
Required
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a currently enrolled university student in Ghana
- Have a valid student email address (.edu.gh)
- Complete identity verification
- Agree to campus meetup guidelines
Not Allowed
- Non-student individuals
- Commercial businesses/shops
- Students from non-Ghanaian institutions
- Individuals under 18 years old
- Unverified accounts
3. User Accounts and Verification
Account Creation
To access certain features, you must register for an account. You agree to:
- Provide accurate, current, and complete information
- Maintain and promptly update your account information
- Keep your password secure and confidential
- Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use
- Accept responsibility for all activities under your account
Identity Verification
All users must complete our verification process:
Verification Process:
- Student ID Verification: Upload a clear photo of your valid student ID
- Ghana Card Verification: Provide Ghana Card details for identity confirmation
- University Email: Verify your .edu.gh email address
- Profile Completion: Complete your user profile with accurate information
Important Notice
Providing false information or using someone else's identity is strictly prohibited and may result in immediate account suspension and legal action.
4. Buying and Selling Transactions
For Sellers
When listing items for sale, you agree to:
- Provide accurate descriptions and clear photos
- Disclose any defects or issues with the item
- Set fair and reasonable prices
- Respond promptly to buyer inquiries
- Meet at agreed campus locations for item exchange
- Honor the listed price and description
For Buyers
When purchasing items, you agree to:
- Inspect items thoroughly before purchasing
- Ask questions if unsure about item condition
- Make payments through our secure escrow system
- Meet at agreed campus locations for item pickup
- Release escrow funds only after satisfactory receipt
- Leave honest reviews and ratings
Campus Meetups
All transactions must be completed through campus meetups at agreed public locations:
Safety Guidelines:
- Meet during daylight hours in public campus areas
- Bring a friend if meeting someone for the first time
- Inform someone about your meetup location and time
- Verify the other person's identity through the app
- Never share personal contact information until verified
- Report any suspicious behavior immediately
5. Prohibited Items and Activities
Prohibited Items
The following items are strictly prohibited from being listed or sold on ChikakuMarket:
Illegal Items
- Alcohol, tobacco, or vaping products
- Drugs or drug paraphernalia
- Weapons or firearms
- Stolen property
- Counterfeit goods
Restricted Items
- Academic assignments or papers
- Exam papers or answer keys
- Live animals
- Perishable food items
- Hazardous materials
Services
- Academic cheating services
- Essay writing services
- Exam taking services
- Illegal tutoring services
- Adult services
Prohibited Activities
The following activities are strictly prohibited:
- Harassment, bullying, or hate speech
- Fraudulent or misleading listings
- Price gouging or unfair pricing
- Circumventing the escrow system
- Creating multiple accounts
- Unauthorized commercial activity
6. Escrow Payment System
ChikakuMarket uses an escrow system to protect both buyers and sellers:
How Escrow Works:
- Payment Made: Buyer makes payment to escrow account
- Funds Held: Payment is held securely by ChikakuMarket
- Item Exchange: Buyer and seller meet for item inspection
- Buyer Approval: Buyer approves item receipt in app
- Funds Released: Escrow releases funds to seller (minus 2% service fee)
- Dispute Resolution: If issues arise, our team mediates
Service Fees
ChikakuMarket charges the following fees:
- Transaction Fee: 2% of transaction value (charged to seller)
- Payment Processing: Varies by payment method (charged to buyer)
- No Listing Fees: Listing items is completely free
- No Subscription Fees: No monthly or annual fees
Payment Warning
Never make payments outside the ChikakuMarket escrow system. Payments made directly to sellers are not protected and violate our terms.
7. Limitation of Liability
Our Role
ChikakuMarket is a platform that connects buyers and sellers. We are not:
- A party to any transaction between users
- A guarantor of item quality or condition
- Responsible for user actions during meetups
- An insurer of items being sold
- Responsible for tax obligations of users
User Responsibility
Users are solely responsible for:
- Verifying item condition before purchase
- Ensuring safe meetup arrangements
- Complying with all applicable laws
- Paying any applicable taxes
- Resolving disputes amicably
Maximum Liability:
To the maximum extent permitted by law, ChikakuMarket's total liability to you for any claims shall not exceed the greater of:
- The amount you have paid us in the last 6 months, or
- GH₵ 1,000
8. Account Termination
User Termination
You may terminate your account at any time by:
- Going to Account Settings
- Selecting "Delete Account"
- Confirming your decision
Account termination will:
- Remove your profile from public view
- Cancel any pending transactions
- Allow completion of active escrow transactions
- Delete your personal data per our Privacy Policy
Platform Termination
We may terminate or suspend your account immediately, without prior notice, for:
Immediate Termination
- Violation of prohibited items policy
- Fraudulent activity
- Harassment or abuse
- Identity fraud
- Multiple violations
Warning First
- Poor quality listings
- Late responses
- Minor policy violations
- Low ratings
- Incomplete profiles
9. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Ghana, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
Dispute Resolution
Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be resolved as follows:
- Direct Negotiation: Parties attempt to resolve directly
- Mediation: If unresolved, parties enter mediation
- Arbitration: If mediation fails, binding arbitration in Accra
- Court: As a last resort, courts in Accra, Ghana
10. Changes to Terms
We reserve the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material, we will provide at least 30 days' notice prior to any new terms taking effect. What constitutes a material change will be determined at our sole discretion.
How We Notify You:
- Email notification to registered users
- In-app notification banner
- Updated date on this page
- Social media announcements
By continuing to access or use our Service after those revisions become effective, you agree to be bound by the revised terms.
11. Contact Information
If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us:
Email: legal@chikakumarket.com
Address: ChikakuMarket Legal Department, Accra, Ghana
Phone: +233 123 456 789 (Mon-Fri, 9AM-5PM GMT)
Hours: Response within 48 hours on business days