Terms of Service

Please read these Terms carefully before using Bid-A-Lot. These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User") and Bid-A-Lot ("we," "us," or "our") governing your access to and use of the Bid-A-Lot mobile application and related services (the "Platform").

By creating an account, accessing, or using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you must not use the Platform.

1. Definitions

• Auction: A listing created by a Seller offering one or more items for sale through competitive bidding for a specified duration.
• Bid: A binding offer to purchase an item at a specified price submitted by a Buyer during an active Auction.
• Buyer: A User who places a Bid on an Auction.
• Seller: A User who creates an Auction to offer items for sale.
• Winning Bid: The highest valid Bid placed on an Auction at the time of Auction expiry.
• Escrow: The secure holding of payment funds by the Platform pending successful completion of a transaction.
• Commission: The platform fee charged on successful Transactions.

2. Eligibility and Account Registration

2.1 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age and legally capable of entering into binding contracts under Ghanaian law to use the Platform.

2.2 Account Registration

Registration requires a valid Ghanaian mobile phone number verified through OTP authentication via SMS, and accurate information including your full legal name, display name, and optionally an email address.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities conducted through your account.

2.3 Single Account Policy

Each User may maintain only one account. Creating multiple accounts for any purpose, including manipulation of Auctions, is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate termination of all accounts.

2.4 Account Suspension and Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time for violation of these Terms, fraudulent activity, suspected illegal conduct, or any conduct we deem harmful to the Platform or its Users.

3. Seller Eligibility

3.1 Becoming a Seller

Any User who has completed account registration may create Auction listings and act as a Seller on the Platform. No additional identity verification is currently required to access Seller features.

3.2 Payout Account

To receive payouts for completed Transactions, Sellers must provide a valid Mobile Money (MoMo) account number and network. This information is used solely to process seller payouts through Paystack.

3.3 Seller Conduct

We reserve the right to restrict or suspend Seller access at any time where we have reasonable grounds to suspect fraudulent activity, prohibited listings, or any conduct harmful to Buyers or the Platform.

4. Auction Creation and Listing Rules

4.1 Listing Requirements

Sellers creating Auctions must provide accurate, truthful descriptions, upload clear photographs (up to 8 images), specify the correct item condition (New, Like New, Good, Fair, or Poor), select the appropriate category, provide the accurate item location, set a starting price and bid increment, and choose an Auction duration (1 hour, 4 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, or 24 hours).

4.2 Item Quantity

Sellers may list a single item or multiple units of the same item. In a multi-unit auction, each unit will be awarded to the highest bidders (standard multi-unit English auction format where each winner pays their own highest bid).

4.3 Prohibited Items

The following items may not be listed on the Platform:

• Illegal items under Ghanaian law
• Weapons, firearms, ammunition, or explosives
• Counterfeit or pirated goods
• Stolen property
• Human remains or body parts
• Live animals (except as permitted by law with proper documentation)
• Prescription medications or controlled substances
• Tobacco or alcohol (unless properly licensed)
• Adult content or services
• Items that infringe intellectual property rights
• Any other items we deem inappropriate at our sole discretion

4.4 Auction Modification and Cancellation

Once an Auction receives its first Bid, the Seller may not modify the listing or cancel the Auction except in cases of genuine emergency or with our prior written approval. Unauthorised cancellation after Bids have been placed may result in penalties, suspension, or account termination.

4.5 Auction Expiry

Auctions end at the specified hard end time with no extensions for last-minute bidding. The highest valid Bid at expiry becomes the Winning Bid. If an Auction receives no Bids, the Seller will receive one (1) free relist token valid for 30 days.

4.6 Reserve Price and Buy Now

Reserve prices and "Buy Now" options are not available in the current version of the Platform.

5. Bidding Rules

5.1 Binding Commitment

All Bids constitute binding offers to purchase. By placing a Bid, you commit to completing the Transaction if you become the Winning Buyer.

5.2 Bid Requirements

Each Bid must equal or exceed the current price plus the Seller-specified bid increment. You may not retract a Bid once placed except in cases of clear error, subject to our approval.

5.3 Prohibited Bidding Practices

• Shill Bidding: Bidding on your own Auctions, directly or through associates, is strictly prohibited
• Bid Manipulation: Coordinating with other Users to manipulate Auction outcomes is prohibited
• Non-Payment: Repeatedly winning Auctions without completing payment may result in account suspension or termination

5.4 Notifications

You will receive notifications when you are outbid, when an Auction you are watching is ending within 5 minutes, and when you win an Auction.

6. Payment, Escrow, and Transaction Process

6.1 Payment Obligation

The Winning Buyer must pay the total amount due, consisting of the Winning Bid amount and applicable shipping costs. Platform Commission (default 5% of Winning Bid) is deducted from the Seller's payout.

6.2 Payment Methods

All payments are processed through Paystack. Accepted payment methods: MTN Mobile Money, Vodafone Cash, AirtelTigo Money, and Credit/Debit Cards.

6.3 Escrow Process

All payments are held in secure Escrow to protect both parties:

1. Winning Buyer enters delivery address and views total amount due
2. Winning Buyer pays through Paystack
3. Funds are held in secure Escrow by the Platform
4. Seller is notified to prepare item
5. Platform arranges courier pickup and shipping
6. Item is delivered — 48-hour review window begins
7. If no dispute is raised within 48 hours, funds are automatically released to Seller minus Platform Commission
8. Seller receives payout via Paystack transfer to registered MoMo account or bank account

6.4 Payment Security

We do not store your payment card information or MoMo PINs. All payment processing is handled by Paystack in compliance with PCI-DSS standards. Never conduct transactions outside the Platform.

7. Shipping and Delivery

7.1 Platform-Managed Shipping Only

All items must be shipped through the Platform's managed shipping service. Local pickup and alternative shipping arrangements are not permitted.

7.2 Shipping Costs

Shipping costs are calculated based on flat-rate tables for region-to-region delivery within Ghana. Shipping estimates are displayed to Bidders before they Bid, based on their saved region. Final shipping cost is calculated when the Winning Buyer enters their delivery address.

7.3 Seller Obligations

Sellers must prepare items for pickup within the timeframe specified by the Platform and package items securely to prevent damage during transit.

7.4 Buyer Obligations

Buyers must provide accurate delivery addresses, be available to receive deliveries, and inspect items upon delivery and confirm receipt through the Platform within 48 hours. If no action is taken within 48 hours, delivery is automatically confirmed and funds are released to the Seller.

8. Disputes and Resolution

8.1 Dispute Window

Buyers may open a formal dispute within 48 hours of delivery notification.

8.2 Valid Dispute Reasons

• Item not as described
• Item damaged or defective
• Item not received
• Wrong item received

8.3 Dispute Process

1. Buyer submits dispute with reason and supporting evidence
2. Escrow funds are immediately frozen
3. Seller is notified and may respond with their own evidence
4. Our administrative team reviews all evidence and makes a determination
5. Possible outcomes: full refund to Buyer, full release to Seller, or partial resolution
6. Both parties are notified of the outcome via push notification and SMS

8.4 Dispute Timeline

We aim to resolve all disputes within 7 business days of submission. Complex cases may require additional time.

8.5 Final Determination

All dispute decisions made by our administrative team are final and binding. Fraudulent or bad-faith disputes may result in account suspension, termination, and potential legal action.

9. Platform Fees and Auction Slots

9.1 Commission

The Platform charges a Commission on all successful Transactions. The default rate is 5% of the Winning Bid amount, though this may vary by category.

9.2 Free Monthly Auction

All Users receive one (1) free Auction listing per calendar month.

9.3 Auction Slot Packages

Sellers may purchase additional auction slots:

Package pricing and slot quantities are subject to change with reasonable notice.

9.4 Package Billing

Auction slot packages are one-time purchases processed through Paystack. There is no automatic renewal. Purchased slots do not expire and remain available until used. No refunds are provided for unused slots.

9.5 Unused Slots

Purchased auction slots carry over indefinitely and are not forfeited upon account inactivity. Active Auctions are not affected by any changes to your slot balance.

9.6 Fee Changes

We reserve the right to modify Commission rates and package pricing with 30 days' notice.

10. Reviews and Ratings

After a Transaction is completed (dispute window closed or dispute resolved), both Buyer and Seller may rate and review each other. Reviews must be honest, based on actual experience, and must not contain offensive, defamatory, or abusive language. All reviews are publicly visible on User profiles. We reserve the right to remove reviews that violate these Terms.

11. Intellectual Property

The Platform, including all software, designs, text, graphics, and logos, is owned by Bid-A-Lot and protected by Ghanaian and international intellectual property laws.

By uploading content (photos, descriptions, reviews) to the Platform, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to use, display, and distribute such content in connection with operating the Platform.

12. Privacy and Data Protection

We collect and process personal data as described in our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the Platform, you consent to receive transactional communications via push notifications, SMS, and email.

13. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

The Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

We are a marketplace platform that facilitates transactions between Users. We are not a party to the underlying sale contract between Buyers and Sellers and do not guarantee the quality, safety, legality, or accuracy of items listed.

To the maximum extent permitted by law: (a) we shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of the Platform; and (b) our total liability for any claim shall not exceed the amount of fees paid by you to us in the 12 months preceding the claim.

13.1 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Bid-A-Lot, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses arising out of your use of the Platform, your violation of these Terms, or your conduct on the Platform.

14. Termination

14.1 Termination by User

You may terminate your account at any time through the Platform settings or by contacting support.

14.2 Termination by Platform

We may suspend or terminate your account immediately, without prior notice, for violation of these Terms, fraudulent activity, suspected illegal conduct, non-payment, or any conduct we deem harmful to the Platform or its community.

14.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination, your right to use the Platform immediately ceases. Active Auctions may be cancelled. Pending Transactions will be completed according to these Terms. Escrow funds for pending Transactions will be handled according to the dispute resolution process.

15. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Ghana. Any disputes arising out of or related to these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ghana.

Before initiating formal legal proceedings, parties agree to attempt to resolve disputes through good-faith negotiation and mediation.

16. General Provisions

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Bid-A-Lot regarding the Platform.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify Users of material changes via email or in-app notification. Continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Our failure to enforce any provision shall not constitute a waiver. You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your account without our prior written consent.

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including acts of God, war, fire, floods, pandemics, or shortages of transportation or materials.

17. Contact Information

Bid-A-Lot
Email: leslienarh@goharles.com
Phone: +233 26 804 9338

By creating an account and using Bid-A-Lot, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.

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