Terms & Conditions

1. Who we are & where these terms apply

MarketWaveStores is an online marketplace operated from the United Republic of Tanzania. It is available to users in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa and elsewhere. Wherever you access the Platform from, you agree that these Terms govern your use of it.

2. Eligibility & your account

You must be at least 18 years old, or the age of majority in your country, and legally able to enter into contracts. If you use the Platform on behalf of a business, you confirm you are authorised to bind it. You must give accurate information, keep your login credentials secure, and you are responsible for all activity under your account.

3. Selling & buying

The Platform connects independent sellers and buyers; we are a venue, not the seller of sellers' goods. Sellers are solely responsible for their listings, prices, stock, fulfilment, after-sales service, and for complying with all applicable laws, licensing, consumer-protection and tax obligations in their country. Buyers agree to pay for confirmed orders. Cash-on-delivery and manual payments are confirmed using per-item delivery codes or QR scans; you are responsible for verifying payment and receipt at handover. We are not a party to, and are not responsible for, transactions or disputes between users, though we may assist at our discretion.

4. Acceptable use & prohibited content

The following are strictly prohibited anywhere on the Platform (listings, descriptions, reviews, blog posts, comments, messages, uploads):

• Abusive, hateful, harassing or defamatory language or content.
• Sexually explicit or immoral material.
• Fraudulent, corrupt or illegal activity — fraud, money laundering, counterfeit, stolen, or restricted goods.
• Illegal drugs or controlled substances — their sale, promotion or facilitation.
• Malware or abuse — uploading scripts, executables or files intended to harm the Platform or other users.
• Anything else unlawful, deceptive, or that infringes another person's rights (including intellectual-property rights).

We screen submissions automatically and review reports. Content that violates this policy may be removed without notice. If you believe content infringes your rights, contact us with details and we will review and, where appropriate, remove it.

5. Enforcement — suspension & bans

We may, at our sole discretion and without liability, warn, restrict, suspend, or permanently ban any account, and remove any content, that violates these Terms or that we reasonably believe poses a risk. Serious or repeated violations may be reported to the relevant authorities. You may stop using the Platform at any time; certain records are retained as described in the Privacy Policy.

6. Subscriptions & payments

Paid plans unlock additional features (advanced analytics, reports, and data insights). Fees are shown before you subscribe and are quoted in the stated currency. Where the Platform displays a mobile-money (e.g. M-Pesa) number for payment, you are responsible for paying the correct amount and providing accurate confirmation details. Plans run for their stated duration and may renew unless cancelled. Except where required by law, fees are non-refundable. We may change plans and prices on reasonable notice.

7. Data & analytics consent

By creating an account and using the Platform, you acknowledge and expressly consent that we collect and process data about your activity, listings, transactions and engagement, and that we may use this data — including in aggregated, combined and de-identified form — to operate, secure and improve the Platform and to provide analytics, benchmarking, market-insight, and AI/machine-learning services to ourselves and to other users. You confirm you understand this at sign-up. Full details, and your choices, are in our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms.

8. Intellectual property

The Platform, its software, design and brand are owned by us or our licensors. You keep ownership of content you upload, but grant us a worldwide, royalty-free licence to host, display, reproduce and adapt it for operating, promoting and improving the Platform. You are responsible for ensuring you have the rights to everything you upload.

9. Disclaimers & limitation of liability

The Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis, without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, to the fullest extent permitted by law. We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that listings, prices or analytics are accurate. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, we are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss, or for loss of profit, revenue, data or goodwill, arising from your use of the Platform or from dealings between users. Where liability cannot lawfully be excluded, our total aggregate liability to you is limited to the greater of the subscription fees you paid us in the three (3) months before the claim, or USD 50. You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless against claims arising from your content, listings, or breach of these Terms.

10. Governing law & disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania, without regard to conflict-of-law rules. If a dispute arises, you agree to first try to resolve it with us in good faith by contacting us. If it cannot be resolved within 30 days, it shall be submitted to arbitration or the competent courts in Tanzania, which shall have exclusive jurisdiction, save that we may seek urgent injunctive relief in any competent court. Nothing here removes any mandatory consumer rights you have under the laws of your own country.

11. Changes

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be notified via the Platform or email. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance. Questions? Contact us.