Vendor Terms And Conditions

Last Updated: [21st October 2024]

Welcome to BuyNaijaMade! We are a premier marketplace specializing in Nigerian-made products. Our mission is to provide sellers like you with a platform to showcase and sell your unique goods to a wide audience. These Vendor Terms and Conditions outline your rights and obligations when selling on our platform. Please read this policy carefully to ensure a successful and compliant experience with BuyNaijaMade.

1. Introduction

By opening a BuyNaijaMade shop, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Vendor Terms and Conditions, our Terms of Use, and our Privacy Policy. These policies govern your use of our services and your relationship with BuyNaijaMade.

2. Understanding BuyNaijaMade’s Role

BuyNaijaMade serves as a marketplace platform that connects sellers with buyers in Nigeria and around the world. It is essential to understand the extent of our role to ensure a transparent and trustworthy selling environment.

Key Points:

  • Marketplace Platform: BuyNaijaMade facilitates the discovery and purchase of unique goods directly from independent sellers.
  • Not a Direct Buyer: We are not involved in the transactions between buyers and sellers. All sales are made directly with the buyers.
  • Item Screening: BuyNaijaMade does not pre-screen items sold on our platform and does not guarantee or endorse any products or content posted by sellers.
  • Seller Autonomy: Each seller manages their own processing times, delivery methods, and shop policies. It is the seller’s responsibility to review these before listing items.
  • Custom Orders: Sellers are responsible for providing accurate materials and specifications for any custom orders.

3. Selling Basics

Adhering to these basic requirements will set you up for success on BuyNaijaMade.

What Can Be Sold on BuyNaijaMade

BuyNaijaMade is a unique marketplace where buyers seek items they might not find elsewhere. Eligible items include, but are not limited to:

  • Handmade goods
  • Vintage items
  • Craft supplies
  • Cakes
  • Adult toys
  • Foods
  • Product designs
  • Shoes and bags
  • Hair products
  • Clothing (male and female)
  • Services (e.g., painting, make-up, hairdressing)
  • Crypto trading services

Handmade Items

If you sell handmade items, you agree that:

  • Creation and Design: All handmade items are made or designed by you. If you work with a production partner, you must disclose that production partner in your relevant listings.
  • Accurate Representation: Accurately describe every person involved in the making of an item in your shop’s About section.
  • Original Content: Use your own photographs or video content—no stock photos, artistic renderings, or photos used by other sellers or sites.
  • Personalized or Made-to-Order Items:
    • All listings must be available for purchase at a set price.
    • If using photographs of previous work with customization options (e.g., color choices), clearly state in your description that the photos shown are just examples.

What Can’t Be Sold on BuyNaijaMade

Even if they meet our marketplace criteria, the following items are prohibited or restricted:

  • Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, Drug Paraphernalia, and Medical Drugs
  • Animal Products and Human Remains
  • Dangerous Items: Hazardous materials, recalled items, and weapons
  • Hate Items: Items that promote, support, or glorify hatred
  • Illegal Items and Activities: Items promoting illegal activities and highly regulated items
  • Internationally Regulated Items
  • Pornography and Mature Content
  • Violent Items: Items that promote, support, or glorify violence

Note: Members may flag listings that appear to violate our policies for BuyNaijaMade’s review. BuyNaijaMade may remove any listings that violate our policies. Listing fees are non-refundable. BuyNaijaMade may also suspend or terminate your account for any violations. You remain responsible for paying any outstanding fees on your BuyNaijaMade statement.

4. Managing Your BuyNaijaMade Shop

Your shop represents you and your business to the BuyNaijaMade community. It’s crucial to ensure that you, your items, and your shop are honestly and accurately represented.

Seller Obligations:

  • Honest Information: Provide honest and accurate information to BuyNaijaMade and in your About section.
  • Honor Shop Policies: Adhere to the policies you set for your shop.
  • Compliance with Policies: Ensure all shop content, including text, photos, and videos, complies with BuyNaijaMade’s policies, including our Anti-Discrimination Policy.
  • Accurate Listings: Represent your items accurately in listings and listing photos.
  • Intellectual Property: Respect the intellectual property of others. Report any violations to BuyNaijaMade if you believe someone has infringed on your rights.
  • No Fee Avoidance: Do not engage in fee avoidance or create duplicate shops to manipulate clicks, baskets, or sales.
  • Pricing Integrity: Do not coordinate pricing with other sellers to maintain fair competition.

5. Seller Standards

By listing a product for sale on BuyNaijaMade, you agree to comply with all applicable laws and regulations for the products you list, including required labels and warnings. BuyNaijaMade assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, labeling, or content of your listings.

Service Level Standards:

To maintain trust and provide excellent customer service, you must:

  1. Honour Dispatch and Processing Times:
    • Dispatch items promptly within 3-7 days of purchase unless exceptional circumstances arise.
    • Legal requirements for dispatch times may vary by location.
  2. Respond to Messages Promptly:
    • Address buyer inquiries and messages in a timely manner.
  3. Honor Shop Commitments:
    • Fulfill all promises made in your shop policies.
  4. Resolve Disagreements Directly:
    • Attempt to resolve any disputes or order issues directly with the buyer.
    • If unable to reach a resolution, BuyNaijaMade can assist through our case system.
  5. Notify Buyers of Inability to Complete Orders:
    • If you cannot complete an order, inform the buyer immediately and cancel the order if necessary.

6. Delivery and Tracking Process

Effective delivery and tracking are crucial for maintaining buyer trust and ensuring smooth transactions.

Order Shipment Steps:

  1. Log into Your Account:
    • Immediately after an order is placed and you have shipped the item, log into your BuyNaijaMade account.
  2. Navigate to Orders:
    • Click on the Orders menu and select the specific order.
  3. Enter Order Information:
    • Scroll down and click the Delivery Bus icon in front of the ordered item info.
  4. Provide Tracking Information:
  5. Submit Tracking Details:
    • Confirm and submit the tracking information to update the order status.

Delivery Code System:

  1. Order Code Generation:
    • When an item is ordered, a unique Delivery Code is emailed to the buyer.
  2. Code Retrieval:
    • Upon delivery, the seller retrieves the Delivery Code from buyer.
  3. Marking Sale as Completed:
  4. Withdrawal Restrictions:
    • You cannot withdraw any sales until the Delivery Code is entered and the sale is marked as completed.

Failed Delivery Attempts:

  • Rescheduling:
    • If the buyer is unavailable during the delivery attempt, you must contact them to reschedule.
  • Return to Seller:
    • After three unsuccessful delivery attempts, the item may be returned to you.
    • Additional delivery fees may apply for returned items.

Auto Cancellations and Proof of Dispatch:

In the unlikely event an order does not arrive, you must provide valid proof of dispatch, showing that the item was sent to the buyer’s provided address. Valid proof includes:

  • Tracking Number: A verifiable tracking number from a recognized delivery service.
  • Delivery Confirmation: Proof that the item was delivered to the correct address.

Buyers may file a case against your shop if they do not receive their order and you cannot provide proof of dispatch.

All undelivered orders within 14 days will be automatically cancelled and full refund will be issued to buyer.

7. Selling Fees

Sellers may incur fees for using certain BuyNaijaMade services. These include fees associated with listing, selling, advertising, and other BuyNaijaMade products and features.

Transaction Fees:

  • Fee Structure: A transaction fee of 3% of the displayed price for each listing plus the amount charged for delivery and gift wrapping. Transaction fee are not charged at this time.
  • Example: If you list an item for ₦10,000 and charge ₦500 for delivery, the transaction fee will be ₦300 (3% of ₦10,000) + ₦500 = ₦800.

Non-Refundable Fees:

  • Listing Fees: Fees paid for listing items are non-refundable.
  • Violation Fees: Any fees incurred due to policy violations remain payable.

8. Payment and Remittance

BuyNaijaMade manages the collection and distribution of payments from buyers to sellers.

Payment Collection and Deduction:

  • Commission and Fees: BuyNaijaMade collects payments from buyers and deducts commissions, fees, charges, taxes, penalties, refunds, and any other amounts owed to us. Our current commission fee is 5% across sellers and stores respectively (With possibility of individual sellers exemptions or otherwise)
  • Remittance to Sellers: The remaining funds are remitted to you in Nigerian Naira (NGN) using the payment mechanism specified by BuyNaijaMade.

Payment Timing:

  • All payments are made 8 days after the order has been been delivered.

Account Accuracy and Security:

  • Account Details: Ensure that your account details uploaded to the Vendor Profile are accurate and up-to-date.
  • Account Security: Maintain the security of your account. BuyNaijaMade is not liable for any loss or damage resulting from fraud or error in your account.

Set-Off Rights:

  • Outstanding Amounts: BuyNaijaMade may set off any amounts you owe against amounts owed to you.
  • Notification: Written notice of set-off will be provided through your account statement.
  • Multiple Accounts: Set-off may apply across all your accounts if you operate more than one.

Insufficient Funds:

If BuyNaijaMade holds insufficient funds on your behalf:

  1. Payment of Owed Amounts:
    • You must pay the amounts owed using the requested payment method.
  2. Delayed or Suspended Payments:
    • BuyNaijaMade may delay or suspend payments during investigations of potential fraud or breaches.
  3. Disputed Transactions:
    • Report any disputes within two (2) months of the transaction date. Unreported disputes are deemed waived.

9. Delivering Your Items

Sellers are responsible for packaging and dispatching sold items to buyers. If using a delivery or fulfillment service, you remain ultimately responsible for ensuring buyers receive their orders.

Seller Responsibilities:

  1. Accurate Dispatch Address:
    • Provide a correct “dispatches from” address in your shop settings.
  2. Postage Costs and Processing Times:
    • Clearly specify postage costs and processing times in your listings.
  3. Prompt Dispatch:
    • Dispatch items within 3-7 days of purchase unless exceptional circumstances arise.
    • Obtain buyer consent before updating processing times for specific orders.
  4. Compliance with Customs:
    • Comply with all local customs regulations when shipping items.
  5. Shipping to Correct Address:
    • Dispatch items to the address listed on the BuyNaijaMade receipt.
  6. Marking Orders as Dispatched:
    • Mark orders as dispatched/Shipped only after the item has been sent.
    • Enter tracking information or delivery confirmation to share with the buyer.
    • When marked as dispatched, the buyer receives a notification.
  7. Appropriate Postage Charges:
    • Charge a reasonable and appropriate amount for postage based on the item’s size, weight, and destination.
  8. Tracking Information:
    • Provide accurate tracking information to enable buyers to monitor their shipments.
  9. Proof of Dispatch:
    • Maintain valid proof of dispatch, such as tracking numbers or delivery confirmation, to substantiate that items were sent to the buyer’s provided address.

Handling Undelivered Items:

  • Buyer-Initiated Cases: If a buyer does not receive their order, they may file a case against your shop. Be prepared to provide proof of dispatch.
  • Resolution: Collaborate with BuyNaijaMade to resolve any delivery issues promptly.

10. Return and Refund Policy

As a seller on BuyNaijaMade, you must adhere to our comprehensive Return and Refund Policy to ensure customer satisfaction and maintain trust within the marketplace. Please read BuyNaijaMade return and refund policy.

11. Feedback, Cases, and Your Success

Maintaining a positive reputation is essential for success on BuyNaijaMade. We provide systems to help manage feedback and resolve disputes effectively.

Reviews:

Reviews help build your reputation and inform other buyers about their purchase experience.

Guidelines for Reviews:

  • Honest and Constructive: Encourage buyers to leave truthful and constructive feedback based on their experience.
  • Respectful Language: Avoid using obscene language, hate speech, or personal attacks in your responses to reviews.
  • Relevant Content: Focus on the product and your interaction with the buyer.
  • Privacy: Do not share personal information or promote other businesses.

Prohibited Content in Reviews:

  • Mature or Obscene Content: Language or imagery that violates our mature content policy.
  • External Issues: Comments about third parties like delivery companies, BuyNaijaMade, or unrelated services.
  • Shilling: Inflating your shop’s review score dishonestly.
  • Integrity Undermining: Any content that undermines the integrity of the review system.

Note: BuyNaijaMade reserves the right to remove reviews that violate our policies or Terms of Use.

Responding to Reviews:

  • Positive Reviews: Thank the buyer and acknowledge their feedback.
  • Unfavorable Reviews: Reach out to the buyer to understand their concerns and attempt to resolve the issue amicably.

BuyNaijaMade’s Case System:

The Case System is how buyers notify BuyNaijaMade of order issues or disputes they cannot resolve with sellers. As a seller, it is crucial to respond promptly to any cases opened against your shop.

Case Handling Process:

  1. Initial Contact:
    • When a buyer reports an issue, you will be notified and given 48 hours to resolve the problem.
  2. Resolution Attempt:
    • Attempt to address the buyer’s concerns directly through the BuyNaijaMade messaging system.
  3. Escalation:
    • If the issue remains unresolved after 48 hours, the buyer can escalate the case to BuyNaijaMade’s case system.
  4. BuyNaijaMade’s Intervention:
    • BuyNaijaMade will review the case, evaluate the evidence provided by both parties, and mediate a resolution.
    • Possible outcomes include issuing a refund to the buyer or requesting further information from you.

BuyNaijaMade’s Purchase Protection Programme:

BuyNaijaMade ensures that buyers either receive the item they ordered or get their money back through our Purchase Protection Programme.

Coverage Includes:
  • Non-Delivery: Items that are not received by the buyer.
  • Damaged Items: Items that arrive damaged.
  • Item Not as Described: Significant differences between the item received and the listing description.
Refund Details:
  • Full Refund: Includes all taxes and postage costs.
  • Refund Method: Credited to the buyer’s original payment method or as a BuyNaijaMade credit if the original method is unavailable.
  • Processing Time: 5-10 business days for the refund to reflect in the buyer’s account.

Ineligible Transactions:

Certain disputes do not qualify for BuyNaijaMade’s case system, including:

  • Items Altered or Used: Items that have been modified, used, or discarded after receipt.
  • Delivery Delays: Items received after the agreed-upon delivery date due to delays.
  • Without Return Agreement: Items returned without an agreed-upon return process.
  • Expectations: Items that meet the description but do not meet personal expectations.
  • Postage Disputes: Disputes over shipping costs.
  • In-Person Purchases: Transactions made outside the BuyNaijaMade platform.
  • Non-Processed Payments: Transactions where payment was not processed through BuyNaijaMade Payments.
  • Local Warranty Issues: Disputes covered by local warranty or return laws applicable to the seller or their product.

Dispute Evaluation:

  • Documentation: Be prepared to supply additional documentation if requested by BuyNaijaMade.
  • BuyNaijaMade’s Discretion: BuyNaijaMade will evaluate the claim based on the provided evidence and determine eligibility under the Purchase Protection Programme.

Legal Rights:

Your legal rights remain intact regardless of BuyNaijaMade’s decisions. If BuyNaijaMade does not refund the buyer, this does not affect the buyer’s claims against you.

12. Cancellations

Only sellers have the authority to cancel transactions under specific conditions.

Cancellation Guidelines:

  • Seller-Initiated Cancellations:
    • Reasons for Cancellation: Stock unavailability, errors in listing, or other valid reasons.
    • Prompt Notification: Inform the buyer immediately if you need to cancel an order.
    • Full Refund: If the buyer has already submitted payment, issue a full refund promptly.
  • Buyer-Initiated Cancellations:
    • Requests: Buyers can request cancellations by contacting you directly through the BuyNaijaMade platform.
  • Compliance with Anti-Discrimination Policy:
    • All cancellations must adhere to BuyNaijaMade’s Anti-Discrimination Policy. Discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics is strictly prohibited.

Note: Always communicate cancellations through the BuyNaijaMade platform to ensure proper documentation and processing.

13. Creating and Uploading Product

As a seller on BuyNaijaMade, you have the opportunity to create and upload various content types, such as listings, text, photos, and products. To maintain a safe and respectful community, you agree to the following:

Content Guidelines:

  • Originality: Ensure all content is your original work and does not infringe on the intellectual property rights of others.
  • Compliance: Content must comply with BuyNaijaMade’s Terms of Use and must not be illegal, offensive, or inappropriate.
  • Relevance: Content should be relevant to the product or your selling experience on BuyNaijaMade.

Prohibited Content:

  • Hateful or Derogatory Language: Content that violates our Anti-Discrimination and Hate Speech Policy.
  • Threats and Harassment: Content containing threats, harassment, extortion, or violating our interference rules.
  • Intellectual Property Violations: Content that infringes on someone else’s intellectual property rights.
  • Deceptive or Misleading Content: False, deceptive, or misleading information.
  • Unsolicited Advertising: Spam, promotions, or requests for donations.
  • Private Information: Sharing personal information without consent.
  • Evading Checkout Process: Encouraging or facilitating transactions that bypass the BuyNaijaMade checkout system.
  • Medical Drug Claims: Prohibited medical drug claims.
  • Prohibited Items: Content that violates our Prohibited Items Policy.

Note: Some content on BuyNaijaMade is subject to additional requirements. Please refer to specific sections for more details.

14. Privacy and Protecting Personal Information

As a seller, you are responsible for protecting the personal information of buyers and must comply with all relevant legal requirements, including data protection and privacy laws.

Data Protection Responsibilities:

  • Data Controller: You are an independent controller of data relating to other users obtained through BuyNaijaMade.
  • Compliance: Comply with applicable data protection and privacy laws governing the use of BuyNaijaMade user information.
  • Privacy Policy:
    • Post and comply with your own privacy policy, accessible to BuyNaijaMade users with whom you interact.
    • Your privacy policy must align with BuyNaijaMade’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
  • Use of Personal Information:
    • Use buyer information (e.g., name, email address, delivery address) solely for BuyNaijaMade-related communications or transactions.
    • Do not use buyer information for unsolicited commercial messages or unauthorized transactions.
  • Consent and Data Requests:
    • Honor requests from users for data access, portability, correction, deletion, and objections to processing as required by law.
  • Indemnification:
    • Indemnify BuyNaijaMade for any expenses incurred due to your processing of buyer personal information if found to be in violation of data protection laws.

Privacy Policy Compliance:

Ensure your privacy practices are transparent and compliant with both Nigerian law and BuyNaijaMade’s policies. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

15. Interference

Interference occurs when a seller intentionally disrupts another member’s shop to drive away their business. This behavior is strictly prohibited on BuyNaijaMade.

Examples of Interference:

  • Warn Away Members: Contacting another member to discourage them from purchasing from a particular seller, shop, or item.
  • Public Disputes: Posting in public areas to discuss or demonstrate a dispute with another member.
  • Negative Review Manipulation: Purchasing items solely to leave negative reviews.
  • Independent Buyer Accounts: Creating or using separate buyer accounts to maliciously up-vote negative reviews of another shop.

Consequences: BuyNaijaMade may suspend or terminate your account for engaging in interference activities.

16. Harassment and Discrimination

Any use of the platform to harass other members is strictly prohibited. Similarly, BuyNaijaMade may not be used to support or glorify hatred or otherwise violate our Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Prohibited Behaviors:

  • Harassment: Threatening, intimidating, or using offensive language towards other members.
  • Discrimination: Engaging in discriminatory behavior based on race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics.
  • Reporting Violations: If you receive a message that violates this policy, report it to BuyNaijaMade immediately.

17. Dispute Resolution

BuyNaijaMade is committed to ensuring fair and efficient resolution of disputes between buyers and sellers.

Resolution Process:

  1. Direct Communication:
    • Attempt to resolve the issue directly with the buyer through the BuyNaijaMade messaging system.
  2. Open a Case:
    • If direct communication fails, the buyer can escalate the issue by opening a case through BuyNaijaMade’s case system.
  3. BuyNaijaMade Review:
    • Our team will investigate the dispute, review the provided documentation, and mediate a resolution.

Governing Laws:

All disputes arising from these terms will be subject to Nigerian consumer protection laws and handled accordingly.

Final Authority:

BuyNaijaMade reserves the right to make the final decision on dispute resolutions based on the evidence provided.

18. Contact Us

For any questions, concerns, or assistance regarding these Vendor Terms and Conditions, please reach out to us through the following channels:

Our customer service team is available to help you with any issues you may encounter while selling on BuyNaijaMade.

19. Changes to This Policy

BuyNaijaMade reserves the right to modify these Vendor Terms and Conditions at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to our website. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about any updates or changes.