Terms of Service

Welcome to Shoplace. By creating an account or using our platform, you agree to these Terms of Service. Please read them carefully. If you do not agree, please do not use Shoplace.

1. About Shoplace

Shoplace is an online marketplace platform that connects buyers and sellers across Kenya. We provide the platform and tools for sellers to list their products and services, and for buyers to discover and contact them. Shoplace does not buy, sell, or take possession of any goods — all transactions happen directly between buyers and sellers.

2. Eligibility

To use Shoplace you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a resident of or operating a business in Kenya
• Provide accurate and truthful information when registering
• Have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement

3. Account Registration

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account password and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Keep your password secure and not share it with anyone
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
• Not create multiple accounts or impersonate another person

4. Seller Rules

As a seller on Shoplace, you agree to:

• Only list products and services that you own or have the right to sell
• Provide accurate descriptions, photos, and prices for all listings
• Honor prices and commitments made to buyers
• Respond to buyer inquiries in a timely and professional manner
• Not list counterfeit, stolen, or illegally obtained goods
• Comply with all applicable Kenyan laws regarding the sale of goods
• Not engage in price gouging or deceptive pricing practices

Shoplace reserves the right to remove any listing and suspend any seller account that violates these rules without prior notice.

5. Prohibited Items and Services

The following are strictly prohibited on Shoplace:

• Illegal drugs, narcotics, or controlled substances
• Weapons, firearms, or ammunition
• Counterfeit or stolen goods
• Adult content or sexually explicit material
• Endangered species or wildlife products
• Hate speech, discriminatory content, or harmful material
• Pyramid schemes or multi-level marketing recruitment
• Any item or service prohibited by Kenyan law

6. Buyer Rules

As a buyer on Shoplace, you agree to:

• Contact sellers only for genuine purchase inquiries
• Not harass, threaten, or abuse sellers or other users
• Conduct due diligence before making any payment to a seller
• Not attempt to defraud sellers or misrepresent your intentions

7. Transactions and Payments

Shoplace is a listing and discovery platform. We do not process payments between buyers and sellers. All payments, delivery arrangements, and transaction terms are agreed upon directly between the buyer and seller.

Shoplace is not responsible for any disputes, losses, or damages arising from transactions between buyers and sellers. We strongly advise users to:

• Verify seller identity before making payment
• Use secure payment methods like M-Pesa
• Meet in safe, public locations for in-person transactions
• Never send full payment before receiving goods

8. Shop Approval

All new shops on Shoplace are subject to review and approval by our team. We reserve the right to reject or remove any shop that does not meet our standards. Approval is typically completed within 24 hours. Shoplace may suspend or permanently close any shop that violates these terms.

9. Intellectual Property

You retain ownership of content you upload to Shoplace including photos and product descriptions. By uploading content, you grant Shoplace a non-exclusive license to display and use that content on our platform for the purpose of operating the marketplace.

The Shoplace name, logo, and platform design are our intellectual property and may not be copied or used without our written permission.

10. Disclaimers

Shoplace provides the platform "as is" without warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee:

• The accuracy of any seller listing or product description
• The quality, safety, or legality of items listed
• That the platform will be available at all times without interruption
• That all sellers are legitimate or trustworthy

11. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by Kenyan law, Shoplace shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the platform, including losses from transactions between buyers and sellers, loss of data, or platform downtime.

12. Reporting and Moderation

If you encounter a listing or user that violates these terms, please report it using the report button on the listing or contact us directly. We will review all reports and take appropriate action, which may include removing listings or suspending accounts.

13. Account Suspension and Termination

Shoplace may suspend or terminate your account at any time if you violate these Terms of Service. You may also delete your account at any time by contacting us. Upon termination, your listings will be removed from the platform.

14. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms of Service from time to time. We will notify registered users of significant changes via email or a notice on the platform. Continued use of Shoplace after changes means you accept the updated terms.

15. Governing Law

These Terms of Service are governed by the laws of Kenya. Any disputes arising from the use of Shoplace shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Kenya.

16. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: