Terms of Service for Amusika

Last Updated: December 25, 2024

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using Amusika ("the App"), you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the App.

2. Description of Service

Amusika is a digital marketplace platform that connects farmers, buyers, transporters, and agents for the buying and selling of agricultural products. The App provides:

• Product listing and discovery
• Direct communication between parties
• Escrow payment protection
• Reputation and rating system
• Community features (Village Square)
• Transportation coordination

3. User Accounts

3.1 Registration

• You must provide accurate and complete information
• You must be at least 18 years old to use the App
• You are responsible for maintaining account security
• One person may have multiple roles (Farmer, Buyer, Transporter, Agent)

3.2 Account Security

• Keep your phone number and OTP codes confidential
• Notify us immediately of unauthorized access
• You are responsible for all activities under your account

3.3 Account Termination

• You may delete your account at any time
• We may suspend or terminate accounts for violations of these Terms
• Termination does not affect completed transactions

4. User Roles and Responsibilities

4.1 Farmers

• Must accurately describe products (type, quantity, quality, price)
• Must provide truthful photos and information
• Must honor committed sales
• Must maintain product quality as advertised
• Responsible for product availability and delivery

4.2 Buyers

• Must complete purchases in good faith
• Must provide accurate payment information
• Must confirm delivery upon receipt
• Must rate transactions honestly

4.3 Transporters

• Must have valid transportation means
• Must provide accurate pricing
• Must deliver products safely and on time
• Must maintain vehicle and cargo insurance

4.4 Vehicle and Equipment Verification

This applies to all vehicles and equipment listed for transport, hire, or sale (including tractors, tillers, harvesters and other machinery).

• Owners must upload accurate, current photos of the vehicle or equipment, including a clear photo of the number plate and a side view of the whole vehicle or equipment.
• The vehicle or equipment that arrives must match the photos and number plate shown in the listing.
• Before loading goods, making payment, or handing over equipment, the hirer or buyer should verify the number plate and appearance against the listing.
• You have the right to refuse any vehicle or equipment that does not match the listing, at no penalty to you, and to report it in the app.
• Listing a vehicle or piece of equipment you do not own or control, or sending a different vehicle than advertised, is misrepresentation and may result in suspension or removal from Amusika.
• Amusika is a marketplace that connects farmers, buyers and transporters. Transport, hire and sale agreements are between the users involved; always verify the party and the vehicle before transacting.

4.5 Agents

• Must verify payments accurately
• Must act impartially in disputes
• Must maintain confidentiality
• Must follow escrow procedures

5. Transactions and Payments

5.1 Escrow System

• Payments are held in escrow until delivery confirmation
• Buyers must provide payment code to agent
• Agents verify payment before goods are shipped
• Funds released upon buyer confirmation with delivery PIN

5.2 Transaction Process

1. Buyer commits to purchase
2. Buyer submits payment code
3. Agent verifies payment
4. Farmer ships goods
5. Buyer confirms delivery with PIN
6. Funds released to farmer

5.3 Pricing

• All prices are in the currency selected by the user
• Prices include product cost only (transportation separate)
• Farmers set their own prices
• No hidden fees from Amusika

5.4 Payment Methods

• Mobile money (EcoCash, OneMoney, etc.)
• Bank transfers
• Cash (verified by agents)

6. Listings and Content

6.1 Product Listings

• Must be accurate and not misleading
• Must include clear photos of actual products
• Must specify quantity, quality grade, and price
• Must indicate location

6.2 Prohibited Items

You may not list:

• Illegal or stolen goods
• Counterfeit products
• Dangerous or hazardous materials
• Items that violate intellectual property rights

6.3 Content Ownership

• You retain ownership of content you post
• You grant Amusika license to display and distribute your content
• You are responsible for content you post

7. Community Guidelines (Village Square)

7.1 Acceptable Use

• Share helpful tips and agricultural advice
• Post legitimate alerts and warnings
• Engage respectfully with other users
• Contribute to community knowledge

7.2 Prohibited Conduct

• Harassment, bullying, or threats
• Spam or misleading information
• Hate speech or discrimination
• Impersonation of others
• Sharing false or dangerous advice

8. Ratings and Reviews

8.1 Rating System

• Both parties can rate each transaction
• Ratings are based on 1-5 stars
• Comments should be honest and constructive
• Ratings affect reputation scores

8.2 Reputation Score

• Calculated from ratings, transaction count, and completion rate
• Visible to all users
• Cannot be manipulated or purchased
• Low scores may result in account restrictions

9. Disputes and Resolution

9.1 Dispute Process

1. Contact the other party directly
2. If unresolved, escalate to agent
3. Agent reviews evidence and makes decision
4. Decision is binding on both parties

9.2 Evidence

• Keep all communications and receipts
• Take photos of products and delivery
• Document any issues immediately

9.3 Refunds

• Issued for non-delivery or significant misrepresentation
• Processed through original payment method
• May take 5-10 business days

10. Intellectual Property

10.1 Amusika Property

• The App, logo, and branding are owned by Amusika
• You may not copy, modify, or distribute our intellectual property
• "Amusika" name and logo are trademarks

10.2 User Content

• You retain rights to your content
• You grant us license to use content for App operation
• You must have rights to content you post

11. Disclaimers and Limitations

11.1 Service Availability

• We strive for 99% uptime but cannot guarantee uninterrupted service
• Maintenance may cause temporary unavailability
• We are not liable for service interruptions

11.2 User Transactions

• Amusika is a platform, not a party to transactions
• We do not guarantee product quality or delivery
• Users transact at their own risk
• We are not liable for user disputes

11.3 Third-Party Services

• We use Firebase, Supabase, and other third-party services
• We are not responsible for third-party service failures
• Third-party terms apply to their services

12. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

• Amusika is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• Our total liability is limited to fees paid in the last 12 months
• We are not liable for user actions or content
• We are not liable for loss of profits, data, or business

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold Amusika harmless from:

• Your violations of these Terms
• Your content and listings
• Your transactions with other users
• Your violation of any laws or third-party rights

14. Privacy

Your use of the App is subject to our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

15. Changes to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of significant changes through:

• In-app notifications
• Email (if provided)
• Updated "Last Updated" date

Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

16. Termination

16.1 By You

• You may delete your account at any time
• Completed transactions remain binding

16.2 By Us

We may terminate accounts for:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent activity
• Repeated disputes or low ratings
• Illegal activity

17. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of [Your Jurisdiction]. Disputes will be resolved in the courts of [Your Jurisdiction].

18. Dispute Resolution

18.1 Informal Resolution

• Contact us first to resolve disputes informally
• Most issues can be resolved through discussion

18.2 Arbitration

• If informal resolution fails, disputes go to binding arbitration
• Arbitration is conducted in [Your Jurisdiction]
• Each party bears their own costs

18.3 Class Action Waiver

• You agree to resolve disputes individually
• No class actions or representative proceedings

19. Miscellaneous

19.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Amusika.

19.2 Severability

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

19.3 No Waiver

Failure to enforce any provision does not waive our right to enforce it later.

19.4 Assignment

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

20. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms:

Email: legal@amusika.com

Address: [Your Company Address]

Phone: [Your Contact Number]

21. Acknowledgment

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

Amusika - Bringing the African Market to Your Phone