Our Policies

Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

1. Information We Collect

• Personal Information: Name, email address, phone number, physical address, and payment information.
• Account Data: Username, password, account preferences, and transaction history.
• Usage Data: Pages visited, products viewed, search queries, and time spent on the platform.
• Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, and cookies.

2. How We Use Your Information

• To provide and maintain our marketplace services.
• To process transactions and send order confirmations.
• To communicate with you about updates, promotions, and support.
• To improve our platform and user experience.
• To detect and prevent fraudulent activities.
• To comply with legal obligations.

3. Information Sharing

• Service Providers: We share information with trusted partners who help us operate the platform (payment processors, hosting providers).
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law or to protect rights and safety.
• Business Transfers: In case of merger or acquisition, your data may be transferred to the new entity.

4. Your Rights

• Access and update your personal information.
• Request deletion of your account and data.
• Opt-out of marketing communications.
• Object to data processing.
• Data portability.

5. Data Retention

• We retain your data as long as your account is active.
• Transaction data is kept for 7 years for tax and legal compliance.
• You can request data deletion at any time.

Terms of Service

By using MarketShaft, you agree to these terms. Please read them carefully.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using MarketShaft, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you disagree with any part, please do not use our platform.

2. User Accounts

• You must be at least 18 years old to create an account.
• You are responsible for maintaining your account security.
• You must provide accurate and complete information.
• You are solely responsible for all activities under your account.
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access.

3. Content and Conduct

• You are responsible for all content you post on the platform.
• Content must not be illegal, harmful, or infringe on others' rights.
• We reserve the right to remove any content at our discretion.
• You retain ownership of your content but grant us a license to use it.

4. Payments and Fees

• All fees are clearly displayed before purchase.
• We reserve the right to modify fees with prior notice.
• Refunds are handled according to our Refund Policy.
• You are responsible for all taxes applicable to your transactions.

5. Dispute Resolution

• We encourage users to resolve disputes directly with each other.
• We may mediate disputes at our discretion.
• All disputes shall be governed by South African law.
• Any legal action must be filed in South African courts.

6. Termination

• We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms.
• You may delete your account at any time.
• Upon termination, you lose access to platform features.

Refund Policy

We stand behind our platform and services. Here's our commitment to refunds.

1. Subscription Refunds

• Free Plan: No refunds apply as there are no charges.
• Paid Plans: We offer a 14-day money-back guarantee on all paid subscriptions.
• Refund requests must be made within 14 days of purchase.
• Refunds are processed to the original payment method.
• Refunds typically take 5-10 business days to appear on your statement.

2. Transaction Refunds

• Product/Service Purchases: Refunds are handled between buyer and seller.
• We may facilitate refunds in case of disputes.
• Refund requests must be made within 30 days of purchase.
• Platform fees are non-refundable on processed transactions.

3. How to Request a Refund

1. Log in to your account.
2. Go to "My Subscriptions" or "Order History".
3. Click "Request Refund" on the relevant item.
4. Provide reason for refund request.
5. Submit the request.

4. Non-Refundable Items

• Digital downloads (once delivered).
• Customized services (work already performed).
• Physical products (return shipping handled by seller).
• Transactions older than 30 days.

5. Chargebacks

• We encourage you to contact us before filing a chargeback.
• Unjustified chargebacks may result in account suspension.
• We will provide transaction evidence to payment processors.

Cookie Policy

This policy explains how we use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website. They help us remember your preferences and improve your experience.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

3. Third-Party Cookies

• Payment Processors: Stripe, PayPal, etc. for secure payments.
• Analytics: Google Analytics to understand user behavior.
• Social Media: For sharing and social login features.
• Advertising: For targeted ad delivery.

4. Your Cookie Choices

• Cookie Banner: You can accept or decline non-essential cookies.
• Browser Settings: Most browsers allow you to control cookie settings.
• Opt-out: You can opt-out of analytics and marketing cookies.

5. Contact Us

For questions about our cookie policy, please contact us at privacy@marketshaft.com

Security Policy

We take security seriously. Here's how we protect your data and what you can do to stay safe.

1. Security Measures

• Encryption: All data is encrypted in transit and at rest.
• Authentication: Secure password hashing (bcrypt) and optional 2FA.
• Monitoring: 24/7 monitoring for suspicious activities.
• Updates: Regular security patches and updates.
• Penetration Testing: Regular security audits and testing.

2. Best Practices for Users

3. Payment Security

• PCI DSS Compliance: We follow Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards.
• Secure Processing: All payments are processed through trusted gateways.
• Tokenization: Payment data is tokenized, not stored on our servers.
• Fraud Detection: Automated systems monitor for suspicious transactions.

4. Data Breach Response

• Immediate notification to affected users in case of a breach.
• Investigation and mitigation of security incidents.
• Cooperation with relevant authorities.
• Post-incident review and prevention measures.

5. Reporting Security Issues

6. Security Recommendations

• Use a password manager to generate and store strong passwords.
• Keep your browser and devices updated with latest security patches.
• Be wary of suspicious links or emails claiming to be from us.
• Enable login notifications for unusual login attempts.
• Review your account activity regularly.

Disclaimer

1. General Disclaimer

• The information provided on MarketShaft is for general informational purposes only.
• We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information.
• You use the platform at your own risk.

2. Third-Party Content

• We do not endorse or guarantee third-party products or services listed on our platform.
• Transactions are between buyers and sellers directly.
• We are not responsible for disputes between users.

3. No Warranty

• The platform is provided "as is" without any warranties.
• We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free operation.
• We are not liable for any damages arising from platform use.