Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to It's Thrifty ("we," "our," or "us"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our online marketplace platform at itsthrifty.com (the "Site"). By accessing or using our Site, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our Site.

2. Description of Service

It's Thrifty is an online marketplace that connects buyers and sellers. Our platform allows:

• Sellers to create stores and list products for sale
• Buyers to browse, search, and purchase products from various sellers
• Secure payment processing and order management
• Communication between buyers and sellers
• Analytics and performance tracking for sellers

We act as an intermediary platform and are not directly involved in transactions between buyers and sellers, except for facilitating payments and providing dispute resolution services.

3. User Accounts and Registration

3.1 Account Creation

To use certain features of our Site, you must create an account using Google OAuth. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and update your account information
• Keep your login credentials secure
• Accept responsibility for all activities under your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use

3.2 Account Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account and use our services. By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

4. Seller Terms and Store Creation

4.1 Store Creation

Sellers may create stores on our platform by providing:

• Store name, description, and branding
• Contact information and support email
• Payment details (bank transfer or mobile money)
• Location information
• Team member information (up to 8 members)

4.2 Product Listings

Sellers are responsible for:

• Accurate product descriptions and pricing
• High-quality product images
• Proper product categorization and tagging
• Inventory management and availability
• Compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Intellectual property rights for listed products

4.3 Prohibited Products

The following products are prohibited on our platform:

• Illegal or regulated substances
• Counterfeit or replica items
• Weapons, ammunition, or explosives
• Adult content or services
• Hazardous materials
• Items that infringe on intellectual property rights
• Stolen goods or items obtained illegally

5. Buyer Terms and Purchases

5.1 Purchase Process

When making purchases on our platform:

• You agree to pay the listed price plus applicable taxes and shipping
• Payment is processed through manual verification system
• You must provide accurate shipping information
• Orders are subject to seller acceptance and inventory availability
• You are responsible for reviewing order details before confirmation

5.2 Payment and Shipping

Our platform supports:

• Bank transfer payments
• Mobile money (MOMO) payments
• Standard and express shipping options
• Payment proof upload for verification

6. Fees and Payments

6.1 Platform Fees

We may charge fees for certain services, including:

• Transaction fees on sales
• Listing fees for premium product placement
• Subscription fees for advanced store features
• Payment processing fees

All fees will be clearly disclosed before you incur them. You are responsible for all applicable taxes related to your use of our services.

6.2 Payment Processing

Payments are processed through our manual verification system. We reserve the right to hold funds for verification purposes and may require additional documentation for high-value transactions.

7. User Conduct and Prohibited Activities

7.1 Acceptable Use

You agree to use our platform only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You may not:

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Infringe on intellectual property rights
• Transmit harmful or malicious code
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Interfere with the proper functioning of the platform
• Create fake accounts or impersonate others
• Engage in fraudulent or deceptive practices
• Spam or send unsolicited communications
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users

7.2 Content Standards

All content you post on our platform must be accurate, lawful, and not infringe on the rights of others. We reserve the right to remove content that violates these standards or our policies.

8. Intellectual Property Rights

8.1 Platform Content

The It's Thrifty platform, including its design, functionality, and content, is owned by us and protected by intellectual property laws. You may not:

• Copy, modify, or distribute our platform content
• Reverse engineer or attempt to extract source code
• Use our trademarks or branding without permission
• Create derivative works based on our platform

8.2 User Content

You retain ownership of content you post on our platform, but grant us a license to use, display, and distribute such content in connection with our services. You are responsible for ensuring you have the right to post any content you share.

9. Dispute Resolution

9.1 Buyer-Seller Disputes

We provide dispute resolution services for transactions on our platform. If you have a dispute with another user:

• Contact the other party directly first
• Use our dispute resolution system if direct contact fails
• Provide relevant documentation and evidence
• Cooperate with our investigation process

9.2 Our Role

We act as a neutral intermediary in disputes and will make reasonable efforts to facilitate resolution. However, we are not responsible for the actions or inactions of users on our platform.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• We provide our services "as is" without warranties
• We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• Our total liability is limited to the amount you paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim
• We are not responsible for user-generated content or third-party actions
• We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless It's Thrifty and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of our platform, violation of these Terms, or infringement of any rights of another party.

12. Account Termination

12.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us. Upon termination:

• Your access to the platform will be suspended
• Outstanding transactions must be completed
• Your data will be handled according to our Privacy Policy
• Certain provisions of these Terms will survive termination

12.2 Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your account if you violate these Terms, engage in fraudulent activity, or for other reasons at our discretion. We will provide reasonable notice when possible, except in cases of serious violations.

13. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using our platform, you consent to the collection and use of information as described in our Privacy Policy.

14. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of material changes through email or by posting a notice on our platform. Your continued use of our services after such modifications constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of Zambia. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of our platform will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Zambia.

16. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining provisions will continue to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

17. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and It's Thrifty regarding your use of our platform and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

18. Contact Information

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