Seller Agreement for Owode Marketplace

Last Updated: March 1, 2025

Welcome to Owode Marketplace!

We’re so happy you’re here. Feel at home!

This Seller Agreement outlines the terms and conditions for vendors, individuals, and entities (hereafter referred to as “Sellers”) who use Owode Marketplace to sell goods and services. By registering as a Seller on Owode Marketplace (www.owodestore.com), you agree to comply with this agreement and all other applicable policies.

Table of Contents

1. Seller Registration and Account Obligations
2. Listing Products and Services
3. Compliance with Laws
4. Payment, Fees, and Taxes
5. Order Fulfillment and Seller Responsibilities
6. Prohibited Activities and Restricted Items
7. Intellectual Property & Brand Protection (Owode Brand Fort)
8. Shipping & Delivery (Owode Velo & Owode Courier)
9. Data Privacy and Security
10. Termination and Suspension of Seller Accounts
11. Limitation of Liability
12. Dispute Resolution
13. Communication and Updates

1. Seller Registration and Account Obligations

1.1 Eligibility

• To become a Seller, you must be at least 18 years old and able to enter into legally binding contracts.

1.2 Account Creation

• Sellers must provide accurate and complete information during registration, including legal name, business details (if applicable), valid contact details, and payment details.

1.3 Account Security

• Sellers are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their account credentials.
• Sellers must notify Owode Marketplace immediately if they suspect unauthorized access to their account.

2. Listing Products and Services

2.1 Accurate Listings

• All product or service listings must include accurate descriptions, prices, and terms. Misleading or deceptive listings are prohibited.

2.2 Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Sellers may not list items that are illegal, dangerous, or violate Owode Marketplace policies. Examples include counterfeit goods, banned substances, and items infringing on intellectual property rights.
• A detailed list of restricted items can be found in the Owode Prohibited Items Policy.

2.3 Product Categories and Standards

• Products and services must meet quality and safety standards applicable in Nigeria and internationally if serving global buyers.

3. Compliance with Laws

3.1 Adherence to Laws

• Sellers are responsible for complying with all applicable local, national, and international laws regarding product listing, sales, and distribution.

3.2 Licensing and Permits

• Sellers must obtain and maintain all required licenses, permits, and certifications to sell their products or services.

3.3 Tax Compliance

• Sellers are solely responsible for collecting, reporting, and remitting all applicable taxes on their sales unless otherwise handled by Owode Marketplace.

4. Payment, Fees, and Taxes

4.1 Fees

• Sellers agree to pay all platform fees, including subscription costs, transaction fees, and commissions as outlined in the Owode Fee Schedule.

4.2 Payment Process

• Owode Marketplace collects payments on behalf of Sellers and disburses them to the Seller’s registered account, subject to applicable fees and holding periods.

4.3 Tax Remittance

• Owode may collect and remit VAT or other applicable taxes on behalf of Sellers where legally required, but Sellers retain ultimate tax responsibility.

5. Order Fulfillment and Seller Responsibilities

5.1 Timely Order Processing

• Sellers must acknowledge orders within 24 hours and fulfill them promptly according to the delivery timeline specified in the listing.

5.2 Customer Communication

• Sellers are required to respond to buyer inquiries and disputes promptly and professionally.

5.3 Returns and Refunds

• Sellers must honor return and refund policies stated in their store listings and Owode Marketplace’s platform-wide policies.

6. Prohibited Activities and Restricted Items

6.1 Prohibited Activities

Sellers may not use the platform to engage in:

• Selling counterfeit or stolen items.
• Posting misleading or false information.
• Attempting to harm Owode systems (e.g., introducing viruses, scraping data).

6.2 Restricted Items

• Owode Marketplace maintains a strict Health & Wellness Guidelines policy, outlining allowed and prohibited product categories.

7. Intellectual Property & Brand Protection (Owode Brand Fort)

7.1 Brand Registration & Verification

• Sellers who own a brand can register it for protection under the Owode Brand Fort program.

7.2 Selling Branded Products

• Sellers must provide proof of authorization before listing branded products they do not own. Unauthorized sales may result in listing removal or account suspension.

7.3 Reporting Intellectual Property Violations

• Buyers and brand owners can report unauthorized sales through the Takedown Request Form.

8. Shipping & Delivery (Owode Velo & Owode Courier)

8.1 Owode Velo (Seller-Provided Shipping)

• Sellers can offer their own shipping solutions under Owode Velo, provided they maintain accurate tracking and delivery timelines.

8.2 Owode Courier (Integrated Logistics)

• Sellers can opt for Owode Courier, an integrated shipping network using multiple logistics partners for fast and reliable deliveries.

9. Data Privacy and Security

9.1 Compliance with Privacy Laws

• Sellers must adhere to NDPR and GDPR guidelines when collecting and processing customer data.

9.2 Buyer Data Usage

• Sellers may only use buyer information to fulfill orders and may not store or misuse it for other purposes.

10. Termination and Suspension of Seller Accounts

10.1 Termination by Seller

• Sellers may close their accounts at any time, provided all outstanding orders and fees are settled.

10.2 Suspension by Owode

• Owode may suspend or terminate Seller accounts for non-compliance with platform policies or legal obligations.

11. Limitation of Liability

• Owode Marketplace is not liable for disputes between buyers and sellers, loss of revenue, or damages arising from seller activities.

12. Dispute Resolution

12.1 Dispute Handling

• Disputes between Sellers and Buyers must first be resolved through the platform’s dispute resolution system.

12.2 Binding Arbitration

• Unresolved disputes will be subject to arbitration in accordance with Nigerian laws.

13. Communication and Updates

• By using Owode Marketplace, Sellers consent to receive electronic communications, including policy updates, via email or the platform dashboard.
• This Agreement may be amended by Owode Marketplace with reasonable notice to Sellers.