Terms of Service

Effective Date: October 23, 2025

Welcome to Sellam! These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of Sellam's marketplace platform, including our website, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the "Platform"). By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account, accessing, or using Sellam, you confirm that:

You are at least 18 years old or have parental/guardian consent
You have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms
You will comply with all applicable laws and regulations
All information you provide is accurate and current

2. Account Registration

Creating an Account

You must provide accurate, complete, and current information
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized access or security breaches
You may not transfer your account to another person without our consent

Account Verification

We may require biometric verification or identity confirmation
We reserve the right to verify your identity at any time
Failure to provide verification may result in account suspension

3. User Conduct

Prohibited Activities

You agree not to:

Post false, misleading, or fraudulent listings
Engage in price manipulation or bid rigging
Harass, abuse, or harm other users
Upload content that infringes on intellectual property rights
Use automated systems (bots) to manipulate the Platform
Engage in money laundering or other illegal activities
Create multiple accounts to circumvent restrictions
Share or sell your account credentials

Content Standards

All listings, messages, and content must:

Be accurate and truthful
Not contain offensive, harmful, or illegal material
Comply with Nigerian laws and regulations
Respect the rights and dignity of others

4. Buying and Selling

Sellers

You must own or have authorization to sell listed items
You must accurately describe items, including defects or issues
You are responsible for fulfilling orders in a timely manner
You must honor agreed-upon prices and terms
You may not cancel orders without valid justification

Buyers

Bids and purchases are binding commitments
You must complete payment for won bids or purchases
You must confirm receipt of items upon delivery
You have the right to report items that don't match descriptions

Pricing and Fees

Sellers may set fixed prices or enable bidding
Platform fees may apply to transactions (detailed in our fee schedule)
All prices are in Nigerian Naira (₦)
We reserve the right to adjust fees with 30 days notice

5. Escrow Payment System

How It Works

Payments are held in escrow until buyers confirm receipt
Funds are released to sellers after successful delivery confirmation
Disputes may delay fund release pending resolution

Refunds and Disputes

Buyers may request refunds for items not received or significantly misrepresented
Sellers must respond to disputes within 48 hours
Sellam may mediate disputes but is not obligated to do so
Final decisions on disputes rest with Sellam's review team

6. Bidding System

Bid Rules

All bids are binding and cannot be retracted
The highest bidder at auction close wins the item
Winners must complete purchase within 24 hours
Repeated failure to honor bids may result in account suspension

Reserve Prices

Sellers may set minimum reserve prices
Items without bids meeting the reserve will not be sold
Reserve prices are not visible to buyers

7. Product Verification

Verification Process

Our admin team reviews all listings for authenticity
We may request additional information or photos
Verification does not guarantee product quality
Sellers remain responsible for accuracy of listings

Prohibited Items

The following may not be sold on Sellam:

Illegal drugs or controlled substances
Weapons, ammunition, or explosives
Stolen goods or counterfeit items
Human body parts or organs
Lottery tickets or gambling services
Adult content or services
Items that violate intellectual property rights

8. Ratings and Reviews

User Ratings

Users may rate and review completed transactions
Ratings must be honest and based on actual experiences
We prohibit fake reviews or rating manipulation
We may remove reviews that violate our policies

Impact on Account Standing

Poor ratings may affect account privileges
Consistently low-rated users may face restrictions or suspension
High-rated users may receive enhanced features

9. Wallet System

Wallet Features

Users can fund wallets for faster transactions
Wallet balances can be withdrawn to bank accounts
Minimum withdrawal amounts and fees may apply
We are not a bank and do not pay interest on balances

Security

You are responsible for securing your wallet PIN/password
Unauthorized transactions should be reported immediately
We may freeze wallets suspected of fraudulent activity

10. Intellectual Property

Platform Content

Sellam owns all rights to the Platform, including design, code, and trademarks
You may not copy, modify, or distribute our content without permission
The Sellam name and logo are protected trademarks

User Content

You retain ownership of content you post
You grant Sellam a license to use, display, and promote your content
You represent that you have rights to all content you post

11. Privacy and Data

Data Collection

We collect and process data as described in our Privacy Policy
You consent to data processing for Platform operations
We implement security measures to protect your data

Communications

You agree to receive transactional emails and notifications
You may opt out of marketing communications
Important account notices cannot be opted out

12. Disclaimers and Limitations

Platform "As Is"

The Platform is provided "as is" without warranties
We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service
We are not responsible for user-generated content
Technical issues may occasionally affect Platform availability

Limitation of Liability

Sellam is not liable for indirect, consequential, or punitive damages
Our total liability is limited to fees paid by you in the past 12 months
We are not liable for disputes between users
Users transact at their own risk

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold Sellam harmless from:

Claims arising from your use of the Platform
Your violation of these Terms
Your violation of any laws or third-party rights
Content you post or transactions you conduct

14. Termination

Account Suspension or Termination

We may suspend or terminate your account if:

You violate these Terms
You engage in fraudulent or illegal activity
Your account poses security risks
You repeatedly receive poor ratings

Effect of Termination

You lose access to the Platform and your account
Outstanding transactions must be completed
Wallet balances may be refunded (minus applicable fees)
We may retain data as required by law

15. Dispute Resolution

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Dispute Process

Informal Resolution: Contact our support team first
Mediation: We may offer mediation services
Arbitration: Disputes may be resolved through binding arbitration
Court Action: As a last resort, claims may be filed in Nigerian courts

16. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms at any time
Changes become effective upon posting
Continued use of the Platform constitutes acceptance
Material changes will be communicated via email or Platform notice

17. Miscellaneous

Entire Agreement

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Sellam.

Severability

If any provision is found invalid, the remaining provisions continue in effect.

No Waiver

Failure to enforce any right does not waive that right.

Assignment

You may not assign these Terms; we may assign them to affiliates or successors.

18. Contact Us

For questions about these Terms, contact us at:

Email: legal@sellam.ng
Address: Sellam Limited, Lagos, Nigeria
Support: support@sellam.ng

By using Sellam, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.