Terms of Service

Guidelines and rules for using AMU Marketplace responsibly

Table of Contents

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using AMU Marketplace, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you must not use our platform.

Important: These terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and AMU Marketplace. Your continued use of the platform indicates your acceptance of any updates to these terms.

2. Eligibility and Account Requirements

Who Can Use AMU Marketplace

  • Current AMU Students: Active students of AMU with valid enrollment
  • AMU Alumni: Former students who wish to support current students (with restrictions on certain categories)
  • AMU Faculty/Staff: University employees who interact with the student community
  • Age Requirement: Users must be at least 18 years old or have parental consent

Account Registration Requirements

  • Provide accurate and truthful information during registration
  • Use a valid email address for account verification
  • Select appropriate gender identification for privacy features
  • Maintain the security of your account credentials
  • One account per person - multiple accounts are prohibited

Verification: AMU Marketplace reserves the right to verify your AMU affiliation at any time. Failure to provide verification when requested may result in account suspension.

3. Platform Purpose and Scope

AMU Marketplace is designed exclusively for the AMU community to facilitate:

  • Student-to-Student Commerce: Buying and selling of items between AMU community members
  • Resource Sharing: Donating or giving away items to help fellow students
  • Campus-Specific Needs: Addressing the unique requirements of university life
  • Sustainable Practices: Promoting reuse and recycling within the campus community

The platform is NOT intended for:

  • Commercial businesses or professional selling
  • General public marketplace activities
  • Non-AMU community transactions
  • Profit-driven commercial enterprises

4. Item Categories and Guidelines

AMU Marketplace supports the following categories with specific guidelines:

📚 Books & Academic Materials

Textbooks, reference books, notes, study materials, and academic resources. All items should be relevant to AMU courses or general academic use.

💻 Electronics

Laptops, phones, tablets, calculators, and other electronic devices. All electronics must be in working condition with honest descriptions of any defects.

👕 Clothing & Accessories

Clothing, shoes, bags, and personal accessories. Items should be clean and in good condition. Cultural and modest clothing preferred.

🚲 Bikes & Scooters

Bicycles, scooters, and related accessories for campus transportation. All vehicles must have proper documentation if required. Safety equipment (helmets, locks) highly encouraged.

  • Include clear photos of the vehicle's condition
  • Mention any mechanical issues honestly
  • Provide maintenance history if available
  • Include accessories (helmet, lock, etc.) if selling together

🏠 PG/Hostel Accommodations

Special Category Guidelines: This category is exclusively for accommodations that benefit AMU students or those living near the campus.

  • Allowed: PG accommodations, hostel room sharing, student-friendly rentals near AMU campus
  • Target Audience: Must be specifically intended for AMU students or campus residents
  • Location Requirement: Properties should be within reasonable distance of AMU campus
  • Safety First: Include safety features, security measures, and contact information

Strict Prohibition: Posting accommodations for the general public or outside community is strictly prohibited. Violations will result in permanent account ban to maintain platform integrity.

🎯 Other Items

Any other items that don't fit the above categories but are useful for the AMU community. Must still comply with all platform rules.

5. Allowed Uses

You are permitted to use AMU Marketplace for the following purposes:

Selling Items

  • List personal items you no longer need
  • Set fair and reasonable prices
  • Provide honest and accurate descriptions
  • Upload clear, authentic photos
  • Respond promptly to interested buyers

Buying Items

  • Browse and search for items you need
  • Contact sellers through provided methods
  • Negotiate prices respectfully
  • Complete transactions in good faith

Donating/Free Items

  • Give away items to help fellow students
  • Mark items as "Free" appropriately
  • Prioritize students in genuine need
  • Promote sustainability and community support

Community Interaction

  • Add items to favorites for later reference
  • Report inappropriate content or behavior
  • Provide feedback to improve the platform
  • Help maintain a positive community environment

6. Prohibited Uses

The following activities are strictly forbidden on AMU Marketplace:

Commercial Violations

  • Business Operations: Running commercial businesses or professional selling operations
  • Bulk Selling: Listing large quantities of new items for profit
  • Reselling: Buying items from the platform to resell at higher prices
  • External Commerce: Directing users to external commercial websites

Content Violations

  • Inappropriate Content: Posting offensive, explicit, or inappropriate material
  • False Information: Providing misleading descriptions or fake photos
  • Spam: Posting duplicate listings or irrelevant content
  • Hate Speech: Any form of discriminatory or hateful language

Prohibited Items

  • Illegal Items: Anything illegal under Indian law
  • Weapons: Any form of weapons or dangerous items
  • Drugs/Alcohol: Controlled substances or alcoholic beverages
  • Counterfeit Goods: Fake or pirated items
  • Adult Content: Sexually explicit or adult-oriented materials
  • Stolen Items: Items obtained illegally or without proper ownership

Behavioral Violations

  • Harassment: Bothering, threatening, or intimidating other users
  • Fraud: Attempting to deceive or scam other users
  • Privacy Violations: Sharing personal information without consent
  • Platform Abuse: Attempting to hack, spam, or disrupt the platform

Account Violations

  • Multiple Accounts: Creating multiple accounts to circumvent rules
  • False Identity: Impersonating others or providing false information
  • Account Sharing: Allowing others to use your account

7. User Responsibilities

As a Seller

  • Provide accurate descriptions and genuine photos
  • Set fair prices and honor agreed-upon terms
  • Respond to inquiries in a timely manner
  • Ensure items are available and as described
  • Handle transactions professionally and courteously
  • Update listings when items are sold

As a Buyer

  • Communicate respectfully with sellers
  • Honor commitments to purchase
  • Inspect items before completing transactions
  • Report any issues or concerns promptly
  • Respect sellers' time and preferences

General Responsibilities

  • Maintain the security of your account
  • Report violations or inappropriate behavior
  • Respect other users' privacy and safety
  • Follow all applicable laws and regulations
  • Contribute to a positive community environment

8. Privacy and Safety Features

Gender-Based Privacy

AMU Marketplace offers special privacy features for female users:

  • Girls-Only Listings: Female users can restrict their listings to be visible only to other female users
  • Contact Protection: Contact information is automatically masked for unauthorized viewers
  • Safe Communication: Enhanced privacy controls for sensitive interactions

Safety Guidelines

  • Meet in Public: Always meet in safe, public locations for transactions
  • Bring a Friend: Consider bringing someone with you for high-value transactions
  • Trust Your Instincts: If something feels wrong, don't proceed with the transaction
  • Verify Identity: Confirm the identity of the person you're dealing with
  • Keep Records: Save important communications and transaction details

9. Content Moderation

AMU Marketplace employs multiple layers of content moderation:

Automated Systems

  • Bad word filtering for inappropriate language
  • Duplicate content detection
  • Spam prevention mechanisms

Community Reporting

  • Users can report inappropriate listings or behavior
  • Multiple reporting options for different violation types
  • Anonymous reporting to protect user privacy
  • Quick response system for urgent issues

Administrative Review

  • Manual review of reported content
  • Regular platform monitoring
  • Investigation of user complaints
  • Enforcement of community guidelines

10. Violations and Consequences

AMU Marketplace takes violations seriously and enforces consequences based on the severity and frequency of violations:

Warning System

  • First Offense (Minor): Written warning and guidance
  • Second Offense: Temporary restriction of posting privileges
  • Repeated Violations: Extended suspension periods

Immediate Suspension

The following violations result in immediate account suspension:

  • Posting illegal or dangerous items
  • Harassment or threatening behavior
  • Fraudulent activities or scamming
  • Sharing inappropriate or explicit content
  • Attempting to hack or disrupt the platform

Permanent Ban

Permanent account bans are issued for:

  • Repeated Serious Violations: Multiple suspensions for serious offenses
  • Criminal Activity: Any illegal activities conducted through the platform
  • Platform Abuse: Systematic attempts to circumvent rules or disrupt operations
  • Commercial Exploitation: Using the platform for unauthorized business purposes

Appeal Process

  • Users may appeal suspensions within 7 days
  • Provide evidence and explanation for the appeal
  • Administrative review of appeal within 48-72 hours
  • Final decisions are binding and conclusive

Zero Tolerance: Certain violations, particularly those involving safety, legality, or platform integrity, may result in immediate permanent bans without prior warnings.

11. Liability and Disclaimers

Platform Liability

AMU Marketplace serves as a platform connecting users and:

  • Does not guarantee the quality, safety, or legality of items listed
  • Is not responsible for transactions between users
  • Cannot verify the accuracy of all user-provided information
  • Does not mediate disputes between buyers and sellers

User Liability

Users are fully responsible for:

  • The accuracy of their listings and information
  • Compliance with all applicable laws
  • Their interactions with other users
  • The safety and security of their transactions
  • Any consequences of their platform usage

Disclaimers

  • The platform is provided "as is" without warranties
  • We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service
  • Users assume all risks associated with platform usage
  • We are not liable for any direct or indirect damages

12. Changes to Terms

AMU Marketplace reserves the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time:

  • Notification: Users will be notified of significant changes via social media account (instagram) and platform announcements
  • Effective Date: Changes become effective immediately upon posting unless otherwise specified
  • Continued Use: Your continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of updated terms
  • Disagreement: If you disagree with changes, you must discontinue using the platform

Reasons for term modifications may include:

  • Legal or regulatory requirements
  • Platform feature updates
  • Community feedback and improvements
  • Security and safety enhancements

13. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service or to report violations:

Email: amumarketplace1@gmail.com

Instagram: @amumarketplace1

Website: www.amumarketplace.store

We typically respond to inquiries within 24-48 hours during business days. For urgent safety concerns, please contact us immediately.

Last updated: July 2025

These terms are effective immediately and apply to all users of AMU Marketplace.