1. Free Services

The following services on AwkaConnect are completely free:

• Creating and maintaining an account
• Posting unlimited basic advertisements
• Browsing all listings
• Searching and filtering ads
• Contacting sellers and buyers
• Managing your ads (edit, renew, delete)
• Saving favorite ads
• Receiving inquiries about your listings

You can successfully buy and sell on AwkaConnect without spending any money.

2. Premium Services and Pricing

AwkaConnect offers optional premium advertising features to increase visibility and sales. All prices are in Nigerian Naira (NGN) and include applicable taxes.

2.1 Featured Ads

Featured ads are highlighted and appear at the top of category listings and search results.

• 7 Days: ₦1,500 – ₦3,000 (varies by category)
• 14 Days: ₦2,500 – ₦5,000
• 30 Days: ₦4,000 – ₦8,000

Benefits:

• Yellow highlighted background
• Appears at top of category pages
• Priority in search results
• Up to 10x more views

2.2 Top Ads

Top ads stay at the very top of their category listings.

• 7 Days: ₦1,000 – ₦2,000
• 14 Days: ₦1,800 – ₦3,500
• 30 Days: ₦3,000 – ₦6,000

2.3 Bump/Refresh Ad

Move your existing ad back to the top of listings instantly.

• Single Bump: ₦500
• 5 Bumps Package: ₦2,000 (₦400 each)
• 10 Bumps Package: ₦3,500 (₦350 each)

2.4 Verified Seller Badge

Get the blue verification checkmark to build trust with buyers.

• One-time fee: ₦3,000
• Validity: Lifetime (unless account violates terms)
• Requirements: Valid government-issued ID or business registration

2.5 Business Packages (Coming Soon)

Special rates for dealers and professional sellers with multiple listings.

2.6 Category-Specific Pricing

Premium services cost more in high-demand categories:

• Vehicles & Property: Higher tier pricing
• Electronics & Fashion: Mid tier pricing
• Other categories: Base tier pricing

3. Payment Methods

We accept the following payment methods through our secure payment processors:

3.1 Online Payments (via Paystack & Flutterwave)

• Debit/Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, Verve
• Bank Transfer: Direct bank transfer from any Nigerian bank
• USSD: Dial codes from your mobile phone
• Mobile Money: Available wallet integrations

3.2 Bank Transfer (Manual)

For users who prefer direct bank transfer:

1. Select the premium service you want
2. Choose “Bank Transfer” as payment method
3. You’ll receive our bank account details
4. Make payment and send proof to billing@awkaconnect.ng
5. Service activated within 2-4 hours during business hours

3.3 Payment Security

• All online payments are processed through PCI-DSS compliant payment gateways
• We do NOT store your card details on our servers
• All transactions are encrypted with SSL/TLS
• You’ll receive email confirmation for all payments

4. Billing Process

4.1 How to Purchase Premium Services

1. Log in to your AwkaConnect account
2. Go to “My Ads” and select the ad you want to promote
3. Click “Promote” or “Make Featured”
4. Choose your package (duration and service type)
5. Review pricing and terms
6. Select payment method
7. Complete payment
8. Service is activated immediately (or within 2-4 hours for manual transfers)

4.2 Service Activation

• Instant activation: Online card/transfer payments
• 2-4 hours: Manual bank transfers (during business hours)
• Next business day: Payments made after 6 PM or on weekends

4.3 Receipts and Invoices

After each purchase, you will receive:

• Email confirmation with transaction ID
• Digital receipt (downloadable from your account)
• Invoice for business/corporate accounts (on request)

Access all past receipts from your Account Settings → Billing History.

5. Auto-Renewal and Subscriptions

5.1 Current Policy

AwkaConnect currently does NOT offer auto-renewal or recurring subscriptions. All premium services are one-time purchases for a specified duration.

5.2 Future Subscriptions

If we introduce subscription services in the future:

• You will be clearly notified before any subscription begins
• You must explicitly opt-in to auto-renewal
• You can cancel anytime before the renewal date
• You’ll receive email reminders 7 days and 1 day before renewal
• Full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of auto-renewal charge

6. Refund Policy

6.1 Refundable Situations

You are eligible for a full refund in the following cases:

• Technical error: Service was not activated due to system malfunction
• Duplicate payment: You were charged twice for the same service
• Platform downtime: AwkaConnect was unavailable for 50% or more of your paid period
• Service not delivered: Premium features did not work as described
• Overcharge: You were charged more than the advertised price

6.2 Non-Refundable Situations

Refunds will NOT be issued for:

• Change of mind: You no longer want the service
• Poor sales performance: Your ad didn’t get the response you expected
• Policy violations: Your ad was removed for violating our Terms
• Partial use: You used the service for some days and want refund for remaining days
• User error: You selected wrong package or made incorrect choices
• External factors: Market conditions, competition, or timing issues

6.3 Partial Refunds

Partial refunds may be issued at our discretion for:

• Extended platform downtime (prorated based on downtime percentage)
• Service degradation or limited functionality
• Other exceptional circumstances reviewed case-by-case

6.4 How to Request a Refund

1. Email billing@awkaconnect.ng within 7 days of purchase
2. Include:
   • Your username and email
   • Transaction ID or receipt number
   • Date of purchase
   • Detailed reason for refund request
   • Screenshots or evidence (if applicable)
3. Wait for our response (within 2-3 business days)
4. If approved, refund processed within 5-7 business days

6.5 Refund Processing Time

• Card payments: 5-7 business days to reflect in your account
• Bank transfers: 3-5 business days
• Mobile money: 1-3 business days

Note: Processing time depends on your bank/payment provider.

7. Pricing Changes

7.1 Right to Change Prices

AwkaConnect reserves the right to change premium service pricing at any time. Changes may be due to:

• Market conditions and demand
• Operational costs
• New features or improvements
• Seasonal promotions

7.2 Notice of Price Changes

• Price changes will be announced at least 7 days in advance
• Notification via email and website banner
• Changes will be updated on the Pricing page

7.3 Grandfathering

If you have already purchased a service before a price increase, you will:

• Receive the service for the full paid duration at the old price
• New prices apply only to future purchases

8. Promotions and Discounts

8.1 Promotional Offers

AwkaConnect may offer special promotions including:

• First-time user discounts
• Seasonal sales (New Year, Black Friday, etc.)
• Bulk purchase discounts
• Loyalty rewards for frequent users
• Referral bonuses

8.2 Promo Code Terms

• Promo codes are case-sensitive
• One promo code per transaction (unless stated otherwise)
• Cannot be combined with other offers
• Valid only during the specified period
• Non-transferable and no cash value
• AwkaConnect reserves the right to cancel fraudulent or misused codes

8.3 How to Use Promo Codes

1. Select your premium service
2. Proceed to payment
3. Enter promo code in the “Promo Code” field
4. Click “Apply”
5. Discount will be reflected in the total
6. Complete payment

9. Billing Disputes

9.1 If You Were Charged Incorrectly

Contact us immediately at billing@awkaconnect.ng if:

• You see an unauthorized charge
• The amount charged is different from what was displayed
• You were charged but service was not activated
• You received duplicate charges

9.2 Dispute Resolution Process

1. Email billing@awkaconnect.ng with details and evidence
2. Include transaction ID, date, amount, and issue description
3. We will investigate within 2-3 business days
4. You’ll receive a response with our findings
5. If error confirmed, refund or correction issued within 5-7 days

9.3 Chargebacks

Please contact us before initiating a chargeback.

• We resolve most billing issues quickly and fairly
• Chargebacks can result in account suspension
• If you initiate a chargeback without contacting us:
  • Your account may be suspended pending investigation
  • All active premium services may be canceled
  • Access may be restricted until matter is resolved

10. Taxes and Fees

10.1 Value Added Tax (VAT)

All prices displayed on AwkaConnect include applicable VAT as required by Nigerian law. Currently, digital services are subject to VAT.

10.2 Transaction Fees

For most payment methods, there are no additional transaction fees beyond the displayed price. However:

• Some banks may charge their own transfer fees for manual bank transfers
• International cards may incur additional charges from your card issuer
• These external fees are beyond our control and non-refundable

10.3 Business/Corporate Billing

For registered businesses requiring proper tax invoices:

• Email billing@awkaconnect.ng with your company details
• Provide: Company name, RC number, VAT/TIN (if applicable), billing address
• We will issue proper tax invoices for your purchases

11. Account Credits and Wallet

11.1 Current Status

AwkaConnect does not currently offer an account credit or wallet system. All payments are made per transaction.

11.2 Refund Credits

If you qualify for a refund, you may choose:

• Bank refund: Money returned to your original payment method
• Account credit (optional): Credit applied to your account for future premium purchases (10% bonus credit as goodwill)

11.3 Future Wallet Feature

We’re considering introducing a wallet feature that would allow:

• Pre-loading funds for faster checkout
• Receiving promotional bonuses
• Earning rewards for activity

This will be announced if/when launched.

12. Business and Dealer Accounts

12.1 Volume Discounts

If you regularly post multiple ads (dealers, agents, businesses), contact us at business@awkaconnect.ng for:

• Custom pricing packages
• Volume discounts
• Dedicated account manager
• Priority support
• Flexible payment terms

12.2 Requirements

• Valid business registration documents
• Minimum commitment (typically 10+ ads per month)
• Agreement to our Business Terms

13. Failed Payments

13.1 Common Reasons for Payment Failure

• Insufficient funds in account
• Card declined by issuing bank
• Incorrect card details
• Network or connectivity issues
• Card limit exceeded
• International card restrictions

13.2 What to Do

1. Check your payment details are correct
2. Ensure sufficient funds in your account
3. Try a different payment method
4. Contact your bank if card is being declined
5. If issue persists, contact billing@awkaconnect.ng

13.3 No Charge for Failed Payments

You are NOT charged if payment fails. Only successful payments are processed.

14. Billing Data and Records

14.1 What We Store

For billing and accounting purposes, we store:

• Transaction history and receipts
• Payment method types (not full card numbers)
• Purchase dates and amounts
• Services purchased
• Invoices and tax information

14.2 Data Retention Period

• Active accounts: All billing history retained
• Deleted accounts: Billing data retained for 7 years (legal requirement)
• Tax invoices: Retained permanently for compliance

14.3 Accessing Your Billing History

View all past transactions from: Account Settings → Billing History

Download receipts and invoices anytime for your records.

15. Changes to This Billing Policy

We may update this Billing Policy to reflect:

• New payment methods or features
• Changes in pricing structure
• Legal or regulatory requirements
• Improvements to our services

15.1 Notification of Changes

• Material changes: Email notification to registered users
• “Last Updated” date at top of this page will change
• Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance

16. Billing Support

For all billing inquiries, contact us: