Effective Date: 06 JUNE 2020 Version: 1.0
1. Introduction1.1 About BuyumaBuyuma ("we," "us," "our," or "the Platform") is a multi-vendor e-commerce marketplace operated under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Buyuma connects customers with independent vendors who list and sell products through our platform at buyuma.com.
Buyuma acts solely as an intermediary marketplace facilitator. We are not the seller of products listed by vendors, nor are we responsible for the quality, safety, legality, or accuracy of vendor listings unless otherwise stated.
1.2 Acceptance of TermsBy accessing, browsing, registering for an account, or using any services provided on Buyuma, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"), our Privacy Policy, and all applicable policies referenced herein.
If you do not agree to these Terms, you must immediately cease using the Platform.
1.3 Eligibility RequirementsTo use Buyuma, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age or the age of legal majority in your jurisdiction
- Have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements
- Not be a person barred from receiving services under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
- Provide accurate, current, and complete registration information
- Not have been previously suspended or banned from the Platform
Vendor accounts require additional eligibility criteria including valid business registration and completion of Know Your Customer (KYC) verification.
1.4 DefinitionsFor the purposes of these Terms:
- "Platform" means the Buyuma website (buyuma.com), mobile applications, APIs, and all related services
- "Customer" means any registered user who browses, purchases, or interacts with products on the Platform
- "Vendor" means any registered seller who has been approved to list and sell products through the Platform
- "Store" means a vendor's branded presence on the Platform, including their profile, product listings, and timeline
- "Order" means a confirmed purchase transaction between a Customer and one or more Vendors facilitated through the Platform
- "Wallet" means the digital balance held within the Platform (either Customer Refund Wallet or Vendor Earnings Wallet)
- "Campaign" means any paid promotional activity on the Platform including Sponsored Products, Sponsored Stores, Flash Sales, and Homepage Banners
- "Content" means any text, images, videos, reviews, posts, comments, or other materials uploaded or submitted to the Platform
- "OrbitConnect" means the real-time messaging and notification service integrated into the Platform
- "NGN" or "₦" means the Nigerian Naira, the official currency of all transactions on the Platform
2. User Accounts2.1 Registration RequirementsTo create an account on Buyuma, you must provide:
- First name and last name
- Valid email address
- Valid phone number
- A secure password meeting our minimum requirements (at least 8 characters, including uppercase, number, and special character)
You agree that all registration information provided is truthful, accurate, and complete. You must update your information promptly if it changes.
2.2 Account VerificationUpon registration, you are required to verify your email address and phone number through One-Time Password (OTP) codes sent to the respective channels. Email OTP codes expire after 10 minutes. Phone OTP codes expire after 5 minutes. OTP resend is rate-limited to 1 per 60 seconds for email and 3 per hour for phone.
Vendor accounts require additional verification as outlined in Section 4.
2.3 Account SecurityYou are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials. You must:
- Not share your account credentials with any third party
- Use a strong, unique password
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) where available (mandatory for Admin and Support accounts)
- Notify Buyuma immediately of any unauthorized access or security breach
Buyuma implements security measures including login attempt tracking, automatic account lockout after 5 failed attempts (15-minute lockout period), session management, and IP-based monitoring.
2.4 Account SuspensionBuyuma reserves the right to suspend your account, temporarily or indefinitely, if:
- You violate these Terms or any applicable Platform policy
- Your account is involved in suspicious or fraudulent activity
- You fail to comply with verification requirements
- A court order or regulatory authority requires such action
- Your account poses a risk to Platform integrity or other users
Upon suspension, you will be notified of the reason (where legally permissible) and you will lose access to Platform services. Funds held in your Wallet may be frozen pending investigation.
2.5 Account TerminationBuyuma may permanently terminate your account for repeated or severe violations of these Terms. You may also request voluntary account closure by contacting support. Upon termination:
- Outstanding orders will be processed to completion where possible
- Vendor earnings (if applicable) will be settled per the existing schedule, subject to any pending disputes
- Customer Wallet balances will be refunded to the original payment method where feasible
- Your personal data will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws
- Terminated accounts cannot be reactivated
3. Customer Terms3.1 Browsing and Purchasing ProductsCustomers may browse products, categories, brands, and vendor stores without creating an account. However, to make a purchase, add items to a cart or wishlist, submit reviews, or access personalized features, you must register and verify your account.
3.2 Order PlacementWhen you place an order on Buyuma:
- You are making an offer to purchase from the respective vendor(s)
- Order acceptance is subject to product availability, price accuracy, and inventory confirmation
- Orders are assigned a unique reference number (format: BYM-YYYYMMDD-XXXXX)
- Orders involving products from multiple vendors may be split into separate vendor shipments
- Inventory is temporarily reserved for 15 minutes during checkout; uncompleted checkouts release the reservation
- A confirmed order constitutes a binding agreement between you and the vendor
3.3 Pricing and Product Availability- All prices are displayed in Nigerian Naira (₦) unless otherwise stated
- Prices are set by vendors and may change without notice until an order is confirmed
- Promotional or flash deal prices are valid only during the stated promotional period and subject to stock limits
- Buyuma does not guarantee the continued availability of any product
- In the event of a pricing error, Buyuma or the vendor reserves the right to cancel the order and issue a full refund
3.4 Customer ResponsibilitiesAs a Customer, you agree to:
- Provide accurate shipping and billing address information
- Be available to receive deliveries at the specified address
- Inspect products upon delivery and report any defects or discrepancies within the applicable return window
- Use the Platform solely for lawful personal purchases
- Not engage in bulk buying for the purpose of resale without vendor or Platform authorization
- Deal fairly and honestly with vendors and other Platform users
3.5 Prohibited ConductCustomers must not:
- Create multiple accounts to circumvent restrictions or abuse promotions
- Use bots, scrapers, or automated tools to interact with the Platform
- Submit false or misleading information in orders, reviews, or support requests
- Engage in chargeback fraud or payment abuse
- Harass, threaten, or abuse vendors, support agents, or other users
- Attempt to purchase prohibited products or circumvent Platform restrictions
- Manipulate reviews, ratings, or other engagement metrics
4. Vendor Terms4.1 Vendor RegistrationTo sell on Buyuma, you must complete the vendor registration process, which includes:
- Creating a user account with valid personal details
- Submitting store information (store name, description, logo)
- Completing Know Your Customer (KYC) verification
- Adding at least one verified bank account for payouts
- Accepting the Vendor Agreement
Vendor registration is subject to Buyuma's approval. Pending vendors cannot list products or access vendor features until approved.
4.2 Business Verification (KYC)Vendors are required to provide:
- Business Information: Business name, business type (individual or company), registration number, tax identification number
- Address: Full business address including country, state, city, and street address
- Documents: Valid government-issued identification, business license or registration certificate, tax certificate, and recent bank statement
- Bank Account: NUBAN-compliant bank account details (bank name, account name, account number)
All submitted documents are reviewed by Buyuma's verification team. Documents may be approved, rejected (with reason), or require resubmission. Providing falsified documents will result in immediate and permanent account termination.
4.3 Product Listing RequirementsVendors must ensure that all product listings:
- Contain accurate and complete product descriptions
- Display genuine product images that accurately represent the item
- Include correct pricing, stock quantities, and variant details (size, color, weight, material)
- Comply with all applicable laws, including consumer protection and product safety regulations
- Do not infringe on any third-party intellectual property rights
- Meet Buyuma's content guidelines and quality standards
Product listings are subject to moderation. Buyuma reserves the right to reject, flag, or remove listings that violate these requirements.
4.4 Inventory AccuracyVendors are responsible for maintaining accurate inventory levels. You must:
- Keep stock quantities up to date in real time
- Not accept orders for out-of-stock products
- Honor confirmed orders at the listed price
- Notify Buyuma promptly of any inventory discrepancies
Failure to maintain accurate inventory may result in order cancellations, customer complaints, and potential account penalties.
4.5 Vendor ObligationsAs a Vendor on Buyuma, you agree to:
- Process orders promptly upon confirmation
- Ship products within the timeframe specified in your store settings
- Provide valid tracking information for shipped orders
- Respond to customer inquiries and support messages in a timely manner
- Maintain a standard of customer service consistent with Platform expectations
- Comply with all applicable Nigerian laws, including tax obligations and consumer protection laws
- Accept returns and process refunds in accordance with Platform policy
4.6 Vendor Conduct StandardsVendors must:
- Operate honestly and transparently
- Not engage in price manipulation, fake reviews, or deceptive practices
- Not contact customers outside the Platform to circumvent Buyuma's transaction system
- Not create duplicate product listings or use misleading keywords
- Maintain a professional demeanor in all communications
- Respond to all customer communications within 48 hours via OrbitConnect messaging
4.7 Vendor Suspension and TerminationBuyuma may suspend or terminate vendor accounts for:
- Failure to fulfill orders consistently
- Repeated customer complaints or negative reviews
- KYC verification failure or document expiry
- Violation of product listing requirements or prohibited products policy
- Fraudulent activity or attempt to circumvent Platform systems
- Violation of any provision in these Terms
Upon suspension, active product listings are deactivated, pending orders may be cancelled, and wallet withdrawals are frozen. Vendors may appeal through the process described in Section 19.
5. Product Listings5.1 Product AccuracyVendors are solely responsible for the accuracy of their product information, including descriptions, specifications, pricing, and availability. Buyuma does not verify product claims made by vendors and is not liable for inaccurate product information.
5.2 Product Images- All product images must accurately represent the actual product being sold
- Stock photos must be clearly identified as such
- Images must not contain watermarks from other platforms
- Vendors may upload multiple images per product (maximum 10 images per product)
- Images must meet minimum quality standards and be free from offensive content
- Videos are permitted (maximum 30 seconds, 50MB)
5.3 Product VariationsProducts may have multiple variants (e.g., color, size, weight, material). Each variant:
- Must have its own SKU, price, and stock level
- Must be accurately described and represented
- Is treated as a distinct inventory item
- May have a unique barcode, weight, and discount
5.4 Prohibited ProductsThe following products are strictly prohibited on Buyuma:
- Counterfeit, replica, or knock-off goods
- Stolen property
- Weapons, ammunition, or explosives
- Controlled or illegal drugs and substances
- Products that violate Nigerian law or international trade regulations
- Hazardous materials not approved for consumer sale
- Products that infringe intellectual property rights
- Adult/sexually explicit content
- Live animals or protected wildlife products
- Products subject to government recall
- Unauthorized pharmaceutical products
- Any product that could cause harm to consumers
Buyuma reserves the right to remove prohibited products without notice and to suspend or terminate the vendor responsible.
5.5 Intellectual Property ComplianceVendors warrant that all products listed do not infringe any third-party patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights. Vendors must have proper authorization to sell branded products and must be able to provide proof of authenticity or distribution rights upon request.
5.6 Counterfeit Goods PolicyBuyuma has a zero-tolerance policy for counterfeit goods. Any vendor found selling counterfeit products will face:
- Immediate removal of all offending listings
- Account suspension pending investigation
- Permanent ban for confirmed violations
- Cooperation with law enforcement authorities where applicable
- Reporting to relevant intellectual property owners
6. Orders and Transactions6.1 Order AcceptanceAn order is considered accepted when:
- Payment has been successfully processed and verified
- Inventory has been confirmed available
- The vendor has not rejected the order within the applicable timeframe
Buyuma and/or the vendor reserve the right to reject or cancel any order that cannot be fulfilled, is suspected of fraud, or violates these Terms.
6.2 Order ProcessingOnce an order is accepted, it proceeds through the following lifecycle:
- Confirmed — Payment received, order confirmed to vendor
- Processing — Vendor is preparing the order
- Shipped — Order has been dispatched with tracking information
- In Transit — Order is en route to the delivery address
- Delivered — Order has been delivered to the customer
- Completed — Order finalized (after delivery confirmation period)
6.3 Order Cancellation- Customers may cancel orders with status "Pending Payment" or "Confirmed" only
- Once an order enters "Processing" status or beyond, cancellation is no longer guaranteed
- Vendors may cancel or reject orders with a valid reason (e.g., out of stock, pricing error)
- Cancelled orders are refunded to the original payment method or Customer Wallet
- Excessive cancellations by vendors may result in account penalties
6.4 Split OrdersOrders containing products from multiple vendors are automatically split into separate sub-orders. Each vendor sub-order:
- Is processed independently by the respective vendor
- May have different shipping timelines
- Generates separate tracking information
- Is subject to individual vendor commission calculations
6.5 Failed TransactionsIn the event of a failed payment transaction:
- The order will not be created or will be marked as failed
- No inventory will be deducted
- You will be notified of the failure and may retry payment
- Repeated failed transactions may trigger fraud detection measures
Buyuma employs idempotent payment processing to prevent duplicate charges.
6.6 Force Majeure EventsNeither Buyuma, vendors, nor delivery partners shall be liable for delays or failures in order fulfillment resulting from circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, civil unrest, government action, pandemics, or nationwide infrastructure failures.
7. Pricing and Taxes7.1 Product Pricing- All product prices on Buyuma are set exclusively by vendors
- Buyuma does not control or set product prices
- Prices are displayed in Nigerian Naira (₦)
- Prices shown are inclusive of the product cost but may exclude shipping and applicable taxes
7.2 Promotional Pricing- Vendors may offer discounts, flash deals, or promotional prices at their discretion
- Promotional prices are valid only during the stated promotion period and subject to available stock
- Flash deal prices are enforced server-side and are only valid within the deal window
- Stock limits on promotional items are strictly enforced (first-come, first-served)
- Once a promotion ends or stock is depleted, the regular price applies
7.3 CurrencyAll transactions on Buyuma are conducted in Nigerian Naira (₦). Where applicable, currency conversion is handled by the payment provider at their prevailing exchange rate.
7.4 Tax Responsibilities- Vendors are responsible for determining and fulfilling their own tax obligations under Nigerian law
- Customers may be charged applicable taxes (e.g., VAT) as calculated based on the shipping address
- Buyuma may collect and remit taxes on behalf of vendors where required by law
- Tax invoices or receipts are generated automatically for completed orders
7.5 Pricing ErrorsIn the event of a manifest pricing error (e.g., a product listed at ₦10 instead of ₦10,000):
- Buyuma or the vendor may cancel the order and issue a full refund
- We will notify you of the error and provide an opportunity to repurchase at the correct price
- There is no obligation to fulfill orders placed at an erroneous price
- Repeated exploitation of pricing errors may result in account suspension
8. Payments8.1 Paystack PaymentsBuyuma uses Paystack as its primary payment processor for card payments and bank transfers within Nigeria. When paying via Paystack:
- You will be redirected to Paystack's secure payment page or use inline checkout
- Amounts are processed in Nigerian Naira
- Supported methods include debit cards, bank transfers, and USSD
- Payment is subject to Paystack's terms of service and security protocols
- Buyuma does not store your full card details
8.2 Wallet PaymentsCustomers may use their Buyuma Wallet balance to pay for purchases (see Section 9). Wallet payments may be combined with a payment gateway to cover the full order amount (partial wallet payment).
8.3 Payment VerificationAll payments are verified through our payment gateway's verification API before an order is confirmed. Webhook notifications from payment providers are used to confirm transaction status in real time. Buyuma implements signature verification on all webhooks to prevent fraudulent notifications.
8.4 Failed PaymentsIf a payment fails:
- You will be notified immediately with the reason for failure
- The order will not be processed
- You may retry payment or choose a different payment method
- Reserved inventory will be released after 15 minutes of inactivity
8.5 ChargebacksIf a chargeback is initiated through your bank or card issuer:
- Buyuma will investigate the transaction
- If the chargeback is deemed fraudulent (i.e., the product was delivered and the service was rendered), your account may be suspended
- Vendors affected by chargebacks may have amounts deducted from their earnings
- Repeated chargebacks will result in permanent account termination
8.6 Fraudulent TransactionsBuyuma actively monitors for fraudulent transactions. If a transaction is flagged as potentially fraudulent:
- The order may be placed on hold pending verification
- You may be contacted to verify your identity
- Confirmed fraudulent transactions will result in order cancellation, account suspension, and potential reporting to law enforcement
9. Buyuma Wallet9.1 Wallet FundingThe Customer Refund Wallet is funded exclusively through:
- Refund credits issued for returned or cancelled orders
- Manual adjustments by Buyuma administrators (in exceptional cases)
The Vendor Earnings Wallet is funded through:
- Earnings from delivered orders (after the settlement period of 7 days post-delivery)
- Earnings are credited net of Buyuma's platform commission
Customers cannot directly fund their wallet through deposits. The wallet is strictly for refund credits and purchase use.
9.2 Wallet Usage- Customer wallets can be used to pay for purchases on the Platform (fully or partially combined with a payment gateway)
- Wallet balances cannot exceed the amount refunded or credited
- Wallet payments are processed instantly at checkout
9.3 Refund CreditsWhen a refund is issued:
- The refund amount is credited to your Customer Wallet by default
- Alternatively, Buyuma may process a refund directly to your original payment method (processing time: 5-10 business days)
- Wallet credits are available for immediate use on future purchases
9.4 Wallet Restrictions- Wallet balances are non-transferable between users
- Wallet balances do not earn interest
- Wallet balances cannot be withdrawn to a bank account (Customer Wallet only)
- Maximum wallet balance may be limited as determined by Platform settings
- Wallet use is subject to these Terms and may be suspended if your account is under investigation
9.5 Wallet ClosureUpon account termination:
- Customer wallet balances will be refunded where possible through the original payment method
- Vendor wallet balances will be settled according to the existing payout schedule, subject to any deductions for pending disputes or violations
- Frozen wallets remain inaccessible until the underlying issue is resolved
9.6 Transaction RecordsAll wallet transactions are recorded and available in your account dashboard. Transaction records include:
- Transaction type (credit/debit)
- Category (refund, purchase, withdrawal, commission, earning, adjustment)
- Amount and resulting balance
- Reference to the associated order or action
- Date and time of transaction
10. Shipping and Delivery10.1 Shipping ProvidersShipping is arranged by individual vendors. Vendors may use their preferred logistics providers or any platform-integrated delivery service. Buyuma does not directly provide shipping services but may facilitate logistics partnerships in the future.
10.2 Delivery Estimates- Delivery timelines are estimated and provided by vendors based on the shipping method selected
- Estimated delivery dates are not guaranteed
- Actual delivery times depend on the vendor's processing speed, logistics provider performance, and destination
- Buyuma is not responsible for delays caused by third-party logistics providers
10.3 Delivery DelaysIf your order is significantly delayed beyond the estimated delivery date:
- You may contact the vendor via OrbitConnect messaging for updates
- You may escalate to Buyuma support if the vendor is unresponsive
- Orders not delivered within a reasonable time may be eligible for cancellation and refund at Buyuma's discretion
10.4 Delivery Confirmation- Delivery is considered complete when the package reaches the shipping address provided
- Proof of delivery (e.g., signature, photo) may be required by some logistics providers
- Order status is updated to "Delivered" upon confirmation from the logistics provider or vendor
10.5 Failed DeliveriesIf delivery fails due to:
- Customer's fault (wrong address, unavailability, refusal): The customer is responsible for any reshipment fees
- Vendor or logistics fault (wrong item shipped, damaged in transit): The vendor bears responsibility for resolution
- Force majeure: Resolution handled on a case-by-case basis
10.6 Lost PackagesIf a package is confirmed lost during transit:
- You must report the issue within 7 days of the expected delivery date
- Buyuma will investigate with the vendor and logistics provider
- If confirmed lost, a full refund or replacement will be issued
- Resolution timeframe depends on the logistics provider's investigation process
11. Returns and Refunds11.1 Return EligibilityProducts may be returned within the applicable return window (as specified by the vendor or Platform policy) if:
- The product is defective, damaged, or materially different from the listing
- The wrong product or variant was delivered
- The product does not function as described
The following conditions must be met:
- The product is in its original packaging (where applicable)
- The product has not been used, altered, or damaged by the customer
- Return is initiated within the stated return window
11.2 Return ProcessTo initiate a return:
- Contact the vendor or Buyuma support through the Platform
- Provide a reason for the return with supporting evidence (photos, description)
- Await return authorization from the vendor or Buyuma
- Ship the product back to the vendor's return address using the specified method
- Refund is processed upon vendor's confirmation of receipt and inspection
11.3 Refund ConditionsRefunds are issued when:
- A return is accepted and the product is received by the vendor in acceptable condition
- An order is cancelled before fulfillment
- A product was never delivered and confirmed lost
- An administrative decision is made in the customer's favor following a dispute
Refunds are processed to the Customer Wallet by default. Gateway refunds (to original payment method) are available at Buyuma's discretion and may take 5-10 business days.
11.4 Partial RefundsPartial refunds may be issued when:
- Only some items in a multi-item order are returned
- A product has minor defects but is still usable and the customer agrees to keep it at a reduced price
- The return is approved but the product shows signs of customer use
11.5 Non-Refundable ProductsThe following are generally non-refundable unless defective:
- Perishable goods
- Personal hygiene products
- Custom-made or personalized items
- Digital products or downloadable content
- Products explicitly marked as non-refundable in the listing
- Products where the seal/packaging has been broken (where stated)
Vendors must clearly indicate non-refundable status in their product listings.
11.6 Refund Timelines- Wallet refund: Credited within 24 hours of refund approval
- Gateway refund (Paystack): 5-10 business days depending on the bank
- Gateway refund (Stripe): 5-10 business days depending on the card issuer
Buyuma is not responsible for delays in bank processing of gateway refunds.
12. Reviews and Ratings12.1 Verified Purchase ReviewsOnly customers who have purchased and received delivery of a product ("Verified Purchasers") may submit a review for that product. This ensures review authenticity and trustworthiness.
Requirements for review eligibility:
- The customer must have a confirmed, delivered order for the specific product
- The order must not be cancelled or refunded
- Only one review per product per customer is permitted (editable)
12.2 Review GuidelinesReviews must:
- Be honest, fair, and based on genuine experience with the product
- Not contain profanity, hate speech, threats, or discriminatory language
- Not include personal information (yours or others')
- Not contain spam, advertising, or links to external websites
- Not include irrelevant content unrelated to the product
- Be a minimum of 20 characters in the review body
- Include a star rating (1-5 stars)
Reviews may include:
- Text descriptions, pros, and cons
- Images (maximum 5 per review) and videos (maximum 1, up to 30 seconds)
12.3 Review RemovalBuyuma reserves the right to remove reviews that:
- Violate the review guidelines
- Are determined to be fake or incentivized
- Contain inappropriate or harmful content
- Are submitted by users with a pattern of review abuse
- Are related to shipping/delivery issues rather than the product itself
Reviews removed will be communicated to the reviewer with the reason for removal.
12.4 Fake ReviewsBuyuma actively monitors for fake or manipulated reviews. The following are prohibited:
- Purchasing from yourself (via another account) to leave positive reviews
- Offering incentives (discounts, free products) in exchange for positive reviews
- Coordinating with others to leave fake positive or negative reviews
- Using automated tools to generate reviews
- Vendors reviewing their own products
Violations will result in review removal, account warnings, and potential account termination.
12.5 Vendor ResponsesVendors may respond to reviews left on their products. Vendor responses:
- Must be professional and constructive
- Must not contain threats, harassment, or personal attacks
- Are limited to one response per review
- Are visible to all users and subject to the same content guidelines
- May be removed by Buyuma if they violate these Terms
13. Messaging and Communications13.1 Customer-Vendor MessagingBuyuma provides real-time messaging through OrbitConnect to facilitate communication between customers and vendors regarding:
- Product inquiries and pre-purchase questions
- Order status updates and shipping information
- Post-purchase support and return coordination
- General store inquiries
All messaging occurs within the Platform. Attempting to take transactions or communications off-platform is prohibited.
13.2 Customer-Support MessagingBuyuma support agents are available via OrbitConnect chat for:
- Account and verification issues
- Order disputes and escalations
- Payment and wallet inquiries
- General platform assistance
- Reporting violations or concerns
Support response times may vary based on volume and complexity.
13.3 Prohibited CommunicationsThe following are prohibited in all Platform communications:
- Sharing personal contact information to conduct transactions outside the Platform
- Harassment, threats, bullying, or abusive language
- Spam, unsolicited advertising, or phishing
- Sharing malicious links or attempting to compromise another user's security
- Impersonating Buyuma staff, vendors, or other users
- Discriminatory or hateful content
13.4 Spam PreventionBuyuma employs automated and manual systems to detect and prevent spam. Users who engage in spamming behavior (mass unsolicited messages, repetitive promotional content) will face restrictions on messaging capabilities and potential account suspension.
14. Campaigns and Advertising14.1 Sponsored ProductsVendors may promote their products through the Sponsored Products program:
- Sponsored products appear in search results and category listings with a "Sponsored" label
- Billing is based on Cost Per Click (CPC) model
- Vendors set daily budgets and maximum bid amounts
- Sponsored listings are clearly distinguished from organic listings
14.2 Sponsored StoresVendors may promote their stores through the Sponsored Stores program:
- Sponsored stores appear in designated positions with an "Ad" label
- Billing is based on Cost Per Mille (CPM) model
- All campaigns require admin approval before activation
14.3 Campaign Payments- Campaign costs are deducted from the vendor's Wallet or charged via payment gateway
- Campaigns are automatically paused when the allocated budget is exhausted
- Vendors receive detailed billing reports per campaign period (impressions, clicks, conversions, spend)
14.4 Campaign SuspensionBuyuma may suspend or terminate a campaign if:
- The campaign violates advertising guidelines or these Terms
- The promoted product or store violates Platform policies
- The vendor's account is suspended or under investigation
- The campaign content is misleading or deceptive
- Budget or payment issues arise
14.5 Advertising RestrictionsCampaigns must not:
- Promote prohibited products or services
- Contain misleading claims or false pricing
- Use clickbait or deceptive imagery
- Target or discriminate against protected groups
- Interfere with other vendors' organic listings
- Violate any applicable advertising laws in Nigeria
15. Marketplace Rules15.1 Fair CompetitionBuyuma is committed to maintaining a fair and competitive marketplace. The following practices are prohibited:
- Price fixing or coordination with other vendors to manipulate prices
- Artificially inflating product views, clicks, or sales metrics
- Sabotaging competitor vendors' listings or reputations
- Using multiple vendor accounts to dominate product categories
- Monopolizing search results through keyword manipulation
15.2 Fraud PreventionBuyuma employs comprehensive fraud prevention measures including:
- Payment verification and monitoring
- Account activity analysis
- Machine learning-based anomaly detection
- Manual review of suspicious transactions
- IP-based monitoring and device fingerprinting
- Rate limiting on sensitive operations
Users found engaging in fraudulent activities will face immediate account suspension, forfeiture of funds, and potential legal action.
15.3 Abuse PreventionThe Platform implements safeguards against abuse including:
- Rate limiting on login attempts (5 per minute), review submissions (3 per hour), and API requests
- CAPTCHA challenges on registration and sensitive actions
- Inventory reservation system to prevent overselling
- Duplicate account detection
- Coupon usage tracking by user and device
15.4 Platform IntegrityAll users agree to:
- Not attempt to access, tamper with, or exploit Platform systems, databases, or infrastructure
- Not reverse-engineer, decompile, or attempt to extract source code from the Platform
- Not use vulnerabilities or exploits for personal gain
- Report security vulnerabilities responsibly to Buyuma
- Not interfere with other users' access to or enjoyment of the Platform
16. Intellectual Property16.1 Buyuma TrademarksThe Buyuma name, logo, brand elements, and all associated trademarks are the exclusive property of Buyuma. You may not:
- Use Buyuma's trademarks without prior written authorization
- Register domain names or social media accounts that incorporate Buyuma's trademarks
- Create confusion about affiliation with Buyuma
- Modify, adapt, or create derivative works of Buyuma's branding
16.2 User ContentBy uploading or submitting content to the Platform (including product listings, reviews, timeline posts, images, and comments), you:
- Retain ownership of your original content
- Grant Buyuma a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, display, reproduce, and distribute your content in connection with the Platform's services
- Warrant that your content does not infringe any third-party rights
- Acknowledge that Buyuma may remove content that violates these Terms
16.3 Copyright ClaimsIf you believe your copyright has been infringed on the Platform:
- Submit a written notice to Buyuma's legal team identifying the copyrighted work, the infringing material, and your contact information
- Include a statement of good faith belief that the use is unauthorized
- Include a statement under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate
- Sign the notice (physically or electronically)
16.4 Takedown ProceduresUpon receiving a valid intellectual property complaint:
- Buyuma will review the claim within 5 business days
- If the claim is substantiated, the infringing content will be removed
- The alleged infringer will be notified and given an opportunity to respond (counter-notice)
- Repeat infringers will have their accounts terminated
- Buyuma cooperates with rights holders and law enforcement as required
17. Privacy and Data Protection17.1 Collection of DataBuyuma collects and processes personal data necessary for the provision of our services, including:
- Account information (name, email, phone, password hash)
- Profile data (date of birth, gender, avatar, bio)
- Address information (shipping and billing addresses with geolocation data)
- Transaction data (orders, payments, wallet transactions)
- Communication data (messages sent through OrbitConnect)
- Device and usage data (IP address, user agent, session information, login attempts)
- Behavioral data (browsing history, search queries, notification preferences)
17.2 Use of DataWe use your data for:
- Account creation, verification, and management
- Order processing, payment, and delivery
- Customer support and dispute resolution
- Platform security and fraud prevention
- Personalization of your shopping experience
- Marketing communications (subject to your preferences)
- Analytics and platform improvement
- Compliance with legal obligations
17.3 Data SharingWe may share your data with:
- Vendors: Necessary order and delivery information to fulfill your purchases
- Payment processors (Paystack, Stripe): Payment details for transaction processing
- Logistics providers: Shipping address and contact information for delivery
- Service providers: Third-party services operating on our behalf (hosting, analytics, communication)
- Law enforcement: When required by law, court order, or to protect rights and safety
- Audit and compliance: As required for regulatory compliance
We do not sell your personal data to third parties for marketing purposes.
17.4 Data SecurityBuyuma implements industry-standard security measures to protect your data:
- Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest
- Secure password hashing
- Access controls and role-based permissions
- Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
- Webhook signature verification for payment integrations
- Row-level database locking for financial transactions
17.5 NDPA Compliance (Nigeria Data Protection Act)Buyuma complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR). Under these laws, you have the right to:
- Access your personal data held by Buyuma
- Request correction of inaccurate data
- Request deletion of your data (subject to legal retention requirements)
- Object to processing of your data for marketing purposes
- Data portability (receive your data in a structured format)
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
To exercise these rights, contact our Data Protection Officer at the contact information provided in Section 26.
18. Prohibited ActivitiesThe following activities are strictly prohibited on Buyuma and will result in immediate enforcement action:
18.1 FraudAny attempt to defraud Buyuma, vendors, customers, or payment providers, including identity fraud, payment fraud, and order fraud.
18.2 Money LaunderingUsing the Platform to launder money, finance terrorism, or facilitate any form of illicit financial activity. Buyuma reports suspicious transactions in compliance with Nigerian anti-money laundering laws.
18.3 Counterfeit ProductsSelling, advertising, or facilitating the sale of counterfeit, replica, or unauthorized goods as described in Section 5.6.
18.4 Illegal ProductsListing, selling, or attempting to purchase products that are illegal under Nigerian law or the laws of the buyer's jurisdiction.
18.5 Fake AccountsCreating multiple accounts to circumvent suspensions, abuse promotions, manipulate reviews, or conduct fraudulent activities. Each individual or business entity is limited to one customer account and one vendor account.
18.6 Review ManipulationAny attempt to artificially inflate or deflate product ratings through fake reviews, incentivized reviews, review exchanges, or coordinated review attacks.
18.7 Payment Abuse- Filing false chargebacks or disputes
- Using stolen payment credentials
- Exploiting pricing errors intentionally
- Conducting unauthorized refund schemes
- Using the Platform for payment processing unrelated to legitimate purchases
18.8 System Abuse- Attempting to hack, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to Platform systems
- Deploying denial-of-service attacks
- Exploiting bugs or vulnerabilities for personal gain without disclosure
- Scraping data or using bots in violation of our robots.txt or API limits
- Circumventing rate limits, security measures, or access controls
19. Suspension and Enforcement19.1 Account RestrictionsDepending on the severity and nature of the violation, Buyuma may:
- Issue a formal warning
- Temporarily restrict specific account features
- Remove offending content or listings
- Freeze wallet balances pending investigation
- Reduce account visibility or search ranking
19.2 Product RemovalBuyuma may remove product listings without notice if they:
- Violate these Terms or our prohibited products policy
- Are subject to an intellectual property complaint
- Pose a safety risk to consumers
- Are flagged by regulatory authorities
19.3 Vendor SuspensionSuspended vendors:
- Cannot access their vendor dashboard
- Have all product listings deactivated
- Cannot receive new orders
- Have wallet withdrawals frozen
- Retain responsibility for fulfilling orders accepted before suspension
19.4 Permanent BansPermanent bans are issued for severe violations including:
- Confirmed fraud or financial crime
- Selling counterfeit goods (confirmed)
- Repeated violations after prior warnings
- Illegal activity
- Actions that cause significant harm to other users or the Platform
Permanently banned users may not create new accounts.
19.5 Appeals ProcessIf you believe enforcement action against your account is unjust:
- Submit an appeal via email to our legal team within 14 days of the enforcement action
- Include your account details, a description of the issue, and any supporting evidence
- Buyuma will review the appeal within 10 business days
- You will be notified of the outcome in writing
- Appeals decisions are final, except where further review is mandated by law
20. Disputes and Resolution20.1 Customer-Vendor DisputesBuyuma encourages customers and vendors to resolve disputes directly through OrbitConnect messaging. If direct resolution fails:
- Either party may escalate the dispute to Buyuma support
- Buyuma will review the evidence provided by both parties
- Buyuma will issue a decision based on Platform policies, transaction records, and applicable evidence
- Buyuma's decision is binding on both parties within the Platform context
20.2 Refund DisputesIf you disagree with a refund decision:
- Contact Buyuma support with your order details and reason for disagreement
- Provide any additional evidence supporting your claim
- Buyuma will conduct a further review and issue a final decision within 10 business days
- Refund disputes do not prevent you from pursuing legal remedies
20.3 Delivery DisputesFor disputes relating to delivery (non-delivery, wrong address, damaged in transit):
- Report the issue within 7 days of expected delivery
- Provide tracking information, photos of damage, or other relevant evidence
- Buyuma will mediate between the customer, vendor, and logistics provider
- Resolution may include reshipment, refund, or partial credit
20.4 Mediation ProceduresFor disputes that cannot be resolved through Buyuma's internal process:
- Both parties agree to attempt good-faith mediation before pursuing litigation
- Mediation shall be conducted by a neutral mediator agreed upon by both parties
- Mediation costs shall be shared equally unless otherwise agreed
- Mediation does not preclude either party from seeking urgent interim relief from a court of competent jurisdiction
21. Limitation of Liability21.1 Marketplace RoleBuyuma operates as a marketplace facilitator and NOT as a party to transactions between customers and vendors. To the maximum extent permitted by Nigerian law:
- Buyuma is not liable for the quality, safety, legality, or fitness of products sold by vendors
- Buyuma does not guarantee the accuracy of product descriptions, pricing, or availability
- Buyuma is not responsible for vendor performance, delays, or failures to fulfill orders
- Buyuma's total liability to any user for any claim arising from or relating to Platform services shall not exceed the total fees paid by that user to Buyuma in the 12 months preceding the claim
21.2 Third-Party ServicesBuyuma integrates with third-party services including payment processors, messaging platforms, and analytics providers. Buyuma is not liable for:
- Service interruptions or failures of third-party providers
- Data breaches or security incidents at third-party providers
- Changes to third-party terms of service or pricing
- Accuracy of third-party-provided data
21.3 Delivery ProvidersBuyuma is not liable for:
- Loss, damage, or delay of packages during transit
- Actions or omissions of logistics providers
- Delivery to incorrect addresses provided by customers
- Theft of delivered packages after successful delivery confirmation
21.4 Payment ProvidersBuyuma is not liable for:
- Payment processing failures, delays, or errors caused by Paystack, Stripe, or banking institutions
- Unauthorized transactions resulting from compromised payment credentials not stored by Buyuma
- Currency conversion rate fluctuations
- Bank processing timelines for refunds
22. Indemnification22.1 User LiabilityYou agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Buyuma, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:
- Your violation of these Terms
- Your use of the Platform
- Any content you submit to the Platform
- Your violation of any applicable law or third-party rights
22.2 Vendor LiabilityIn addition to general user indemnification, Vendors specifically indemnify Buyuma against claims arising from:
- Products sold through the Platform (including product liability claims)
- Intellectual property infringement in product listings
- Failure to fulfill orders or honor stated return policies
- Tax obligations and regulatory non-compliance
- Misrepresentation of product quality, origin, or specifications
22.3 Customer LiabilityCustomers specifically indemnify Buyuma against claims arising from:
- Fraudulent orders or payment abuse
- False or malicious reviews
- Misuse of vendor or personal information obtained through the Platform
- Chargeback fraud
23. Service Availability23.1 DowntimeBuyuma strives to maintain continuous availability but does not guarantee uninterrupted service. The Platform may experience downtime due to:
- Scheduled maintenance (with advance notice where feasible)
- Emergency maintenance
- Infrastructure or hosting failures
- Cyberattacks or security incidents
- Third-party service outages
23.2 MaintenanceScheduled maintenance is typically performed during low-traffic hours. Buyuma will attempt to provide reasonable advance notice of planned maintenance through:
- In-app notifications
- Email communications
- Status page updates
During maintenance, some or all Platform features may be temporarily unavailable.
23.3 Technical FailuresBuyuma is not liable for losses or damages resulting from technical failures beyond our reasonable control, including server outages, data corruption, or connectivity issues. We maintain backup systems and disaster recovery procedures to minimize data loss and restore services promptly.
24. Changes to Terms24.1 UpdatesBuyuma reserves the right to modify, update, or replace these Terms at any time. Changes will take effect:
- Immediately for new users registering after the change
- After a 30-day notice period for existing users (for material changes)
- Immediately for minor or clarifying changes that do not materially affect user rights
24.2 Notification of ChangesWhen material changes are made, we will notify users through:
- Email notification to registered email addresses
- In-app notification banner
- OrbitConnect push notification
- Updated "Effective Date" and version number at the top of these Terms
Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree with the changes, you must stop using the Platform and may request account closure.
25. Governing Law and Jurisdiction25.1 Federal Republic of NigeriaThese Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, without regard to conflict of law principles.
25.2 Applicable Nigerian LawsThese Terms are subject to all applicable Nigerian legislation, including but not limited to:
- The Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023
- The Consumer Protection Council Act
- The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act 2015
- The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018
- The Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020
- The Electronic Transactions Bill (as applicable)
- The Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act
- Relevant CBN regulations on electronic payments
25.3 Dispute JurisdictionAny dispute arising from or relating to these Terms that cannot be resolved through the dispute resolution procedures in Section 20 shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
26. Contact Information26.1 Support ContactFor general inquiries and customer support:
- Email: support@buyuma.com
- In-App Chat: Available via OrbitConnect on all Platform pages
- Response Time: Within 24-48 business hours
26.2 Legal ContactFor legal matters, intellectual property claims, or formal notices:
- Email: legal@buyuma.com
- Address: Lagos, Nigeria.
26.3 Complaints ProcessIf you wish to file a formal complaint:
- Contact support via OrbitConnect chat or email with details of your complaint
- Include relevant order numbers, dates, and supporting documentation
- A support agent will acknowledge your complaint within 48 hours
- You will receive a resolution or status update within 10 business days
- If unsatisfied with the resolution, you may escalate to our legal team
- You retain the right to contact the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) or other relevant regulatory bodies
By using Buyuma, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
Last Updated: 06 JUNE 2020 Document Version: 1.0