Master terms, conditions and policies

1. General terms & conditions of use

1.1 Platform intermediary status & scope

• The service: BizKonnector is a digital intermediary marketplace and directory platform connecting Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Customer (B2C) entities to facilitate networking, procurement and commercial trade.
• No agency: we provide a platform for independent buyers and sellers to transact. We are an intermediary and are not a party to the independent sales contracts executed between users, except where explicitly stated in writing. We do not produce, store or ship listed catalog items.

1.2 Account registration, security and eligibility

• Eligibility: to register an account, business listing or catalog you must be a legally recognised entity or a sole proprietor aged 18 or older with the capacity to contract.
• Accuracy: users must provide true, current and accurate registration details during onboarding.
• Account responsibility: you are solely responsible for safeguarding your login credentials. Any activity occurring under your account is deemed your authorised, legally binding action.

1.3 User classifications & sensitive information gating

• Account tiers: the platform accommodates Foundation, Momentum, Apex, Corporate and individual consumer accounts.
• Information gating: business contact details (emails, phone numbers, physical addresses) are strictly hidden from public visitors and unlocked exclusively for registered users across the Foundation, Momentum, Apex, Corporate and individual tiers.
• Data scraping prohibitions: scraping, harvesting or reverse-engineering contact data for external spam or third-party database building is strictly prohibited and results in instant account banishment and legal action.

1.4 Disclaimer of warranties and limitation of liability

• “As-is” provision: the platform is provided on an “as-is” and “as-available” basis. We do not guarantee uninterrupted uptime or error-free operation.
• Trade risk: while BizKonnector aims to connect opportunities and enable safe trade, we do not vet the financial stability, product quality or legal compliance of independent suppliers or buyers.
• Limitation: BizKonnector shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages, loss of profits or trading disputes arising from transactions conducted between users on the platform.

2. Subscription fees, billing and cancellations

2.1 Subscription models and automated billing

• Access fees: access to premium areas of the platform is granted subject to a recurring monthly subscription fee.
• Billing cycles: subscriptions are billed automatically in advance on the same calendar day each month (the “Billing Date”).
• Payment failures: if a monthly payment fails we reserve the right to suspend your marketplace access immediately until the outstanding balance is cleared.

2.2 Cancellations, refunds and cooling-off period

• Cooling-off period: in accordance with Section 44 of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA) you have a 7-day cooling-off period from the date of subscription to cancel without penalty, provided services have not been utilised.
• Cancellation procedure: you may cancel at any time from your account dashboard. Cancellations take effect at the end of the current billing cycle. No pro-rata refunds are issued for partial months.

3. Rating, review and product catalog terms

3.1 Review integrity and authenticity

• Community trust: ratings and reviews establish transparency, accountability and safe trade dynamics within the B2B and B2C ecosystems.
• Authenticity: you may only review a business listing or catalog item where you have had a genuine, verifiable commercial interaction with that entity.

3.2 Content restrictions

• Defamation: libellous, malicious, profane or intentionally misleading statements.
• Conflicts of interest: businesses reviewing themselves, bribing users for positive reviews, or posting negative reviews on direct competitors.
• Private data: public posting of Personal Identifiable Information (PII) such as personal home addresses or private cell phone numbers.

3.3 Moderation and platform rights

• Right to remove: BizKonnector reserves the absolute right, without assuming the obligation, to monitor, edit, hide or delete reviews or catalog items that violate these terms.
• Catalog editing: the edit button on a catalog listing enables a user to edit only their own listing, provided their authenticated session matches the ownership records of that listing.

4. Advertising terms & responsible advertising code

4.1 Ad placement and compliance standards

• Scope: these terms apply to all sponsored product listings, banner ads, directory boosts and featured supplier portals displayed on BizKonnector.
• Compliance: advertisers must hold all necessary licences, permits and trademarks for what they promote.
• Legal & honest: all advertising must comply with the laws of the Republic of South Africa, must not promote illegal substances, unauthorised materials or unlicensed financial schemes, and must not contain offensive or discriminatory material based on race, gender, religion or orientation.

4.2 Claim verification & pricing deception

• Substantiation: advertisers must hold documented proof for comparative claims, performance metrics, certificates or competitive advantages (for example claiming to be the “No. 1 Supplier”). We may request proof and remove non-compliant ads immediately.
• Deceptive practices: bait-and-switch tactics and false pricing structures are forbidden. Tier prerequisites or volume caps attached to a promotional offer must be stated explicitly in the visual copy.
• Clear ad identification: sponsored listings are labelled “Sponsored”, “Ad” or “Featured Partner” so they are immediately identifiable as commercial promotions.

4.3 Payments, billing and cancellations for ads

• Fees: advertising slots are billed on the active selection (pay-per-click, monthly campaigns or tier upgrades).
• No refunds: payments for running campaigns or directory boosts are non-refundable, even if a listing is deleted early.
• Termination: we may suspend or remove any advertisement immediately where it generates high-volume user complaints, without liability or refund.

5. Privacy policy & POPIA compliance

5.1 Information we collect

• Account information: name, email address, physical address, phone numbers and account passwords.
• Financial information: card details, bank account numbers and billing addresses. Payment data is processed through secure, PCI-DSS compliant third-party gateways (for example Yoco, PayFast, Peach Payments). We do not store raw card numbers on our servers.
• Technical information: IP address, browser type, device identifiers and usage behaviour on the platform.

5.2 Purpose of processing

• Verify your identity and manage your subscription account.
• Process monthly subscription billing and facilitate marketplace transactions.
• Provide customer support and troubleshoot technical issues.
• Comply with statutory obligations under South African law (for example FICA and the VAT Act).

5.3 Direct marketing and consent

• Opt-in consent: promotional material is sent only if you opt in, via our monthly newsletter, in-app notifications and platform banners.
• Opt-out utility: you may opt out at any time using the “Unsubscribe” link in any email or by updating your account settings.

6. Data retention, de-identification and access rights

6.1 Explicit consent framework

By checking the “I accept” box during registration you provide express, informed consent for us to collect, process and cross-border transfer (where cloud hosting requires it) your personal and financial information.

6.2 Data retention periods

• Active accounts: data is retained for the entire duration your subscription account remains active.
• Financial and transaction records: retained for a minimum of 5 years from the transaction date to comply with Section 29 of the Tax Administration Act.
• Deactivated accounts: general profile data is permanently deleted or anonymised 180 days after cancellation, unless legal disputes require extended retention.
• De-identification: data used for statistical or analytical purposes is strictly anonymised so that it can never be linked back to an individual user.

6.3 Procedures to access, amend or delete personal information

• Step 1 — self-service corrections: update your name, contact details, addresses or payment cards under Account Settings in My Profile.
• Step 2 — formal requests: for data extraction or complete account deletion, submit a written request to our Information Officer at compliance@bizkonnector.co.za with the subject line “POPIA Data Request – [Your Account Number/Email]”.
• Step 3 — identity verification: we verify your identity before processing any request. Provide proof of identity (a certified copy of your SA ID or passport) and confirm the mobile number linked to the account via a One-Time PIN (OTP).
• Step 4 — timeline: access, corrections or deletions are processed within 21 business days, excluding records we are legally mandated to retain. You receive a formal Certificate of Destruction upon data deletion.

7. Cookie policy & consent framework

7.1 What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your computer or mobile device when you visit our marketplace. They help us recognise your device, remember your subscription login and improve your browsing experience.

7.2 Cookie categorisation

• Strictly necessary (always active): user authentication and secure payment processing.
• Performance & functional (opt-in): preferences such as currency, language or items left in your marketplace cart.
• Analytics (opt-in): anonymous data on how visitors interact with the platform.
• Marketing & targeting (opt-in): relevant advertisements and product recommendations.

Open cookie settings ⚙️ to change or withdraw your consent at any time. Your choice is stored for 12 months.

8. Dispute resolution and governing law

• User disputes: transaction or contract disputes are handled directly between buyer and supplier. BizKonnector may assist with mediation but is not obligated to arbitrate.
• Governing law: these terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa, and users consent to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.

9. Auction terms and conditions

When participating in commercial or B2B digital auctions the platform acts as an independent intermediary. Contracts are formed directly between the highest bidder and the asset owner.

• Binding bids: every submitted bid is an irrevocable, legally binding offer to purchase the listed asset.
• Buyer’s premium: a non-refundable service fee (typically 5%–15% of the final hammer price) is added to the winning bid.
• FICA compliance: verified proof of identification and company registration documents must be submitted before bidding credentials are granted.
• “As-is” status: all assets, inventory or digital entities are sold without warranties regarding commercial profitability or structural fitness.
• Default penalties: failure to settle the final balance within the specified window results in asset forfeiture and immediate blacklisting.

10. Instant offer & off-platform trade

• Circumvention ban: communicating outside marketplace channels to finalise a deal initiated on the platform violates these terms.
• Instant offer finality: accepting an automated “Instant Offer” triggers an immediate, locked contract of sale that cannot be renegotiated.
• Fee evasion penalties: bypassing the system to avoid platform commission results in permanent suspension and legal recovery action.
• Indemnity waiver: we disclaim all liability, fraud protection and dispute resolution services for transactions completed off-platform.
• Reporting mandate: notify platform administrators immediately if a buyer or seller proposes an off-platform payment method.