Terms & Conditions

1. Platform Role

WhaBid is a listing and auction platform that connects buyers and sellers. WhaBid itself:

• Does NOT participate in transactions
• Does NOT handle payments or escrow
• Is NOT a broker, agent, or intermediary
• Does NOT verify buyer or seller credentials beyond mobile number verification
• Does NOT guarantee sales or successful transactions

Eligibility — 18+. WhaBid is for persons aged 18 years or older. By registering a WhaBid account and using the marketplace to list items, place bids, complete identity verification, or apply as a WhaMakulu seller, you confirm that you are 18 years of age or older. Persons under 18 may not create or use a transactional WhaBid account, and WhaBid does not offer parental-consent access for minors.

2. User Responsibility

Users are solely responsible for all transactions conducted via WhaBid. This includes:

• Conducting due diligence on items before bidding or buying
• Verifying seller or buyer identity and legitimacy
• Arranging payment outside the platform (WhaBid does not process payments)
• Safe collection or delivery of items
• Resolving all disputes directly with the other party

3. Seller Verification

A "Verified Seller" badge means ONLY that:

• The seller's mobile number has been verified via OTP
• A basic identity check has passed (does NOT guarantee honesty or business legitimacy)
• It does NOT guarantee the quality, authenticity, or legality of items listed
• It does NOT protect buyers from fraud or misrepresentation

4. Listings & Auctions

• Sellers are responsible for accurate and legal listings
• WhaBid may remove listings that violate community rules
• No guarantee that items will sell or meet reserve prices
• Bids are binding offers to purchase at the winning amount
• Winners are responsible for collection or arrangement of delivery

5. Free Marketplace

Under WhaBid’s launch model, WhaBid’s normal marketplace is free to list, sell, bid and buy. There is:

• no listing fee;
• no bidder participation fee;
• no buyer commission;
• no seller success fee or commission on a completed sale;
• no compulsory transaction fee;
• no compulsory contact-unlock fee;
• no recurring subscription required to list, sell, bid or buy; and
• no requirement to purchase any pass or access product to participate.

Optional paid products or commercial services offered separately by WhaBid — such as Featured listing visibility (a once-off seller-paid promotion) or WhaMakulu services for commercial sellers — are separate from ordinary marketplace participation. They are not required to list, sell, bid or buy, and are subject to their applicable displayed terms and pricing. WhaMakulu is currently onboarded through enquiry and human follow-up; no self-service WhaMakulu subscription checkout is offered at this time.

Historical Verified Buyer Pass purchases made before the launch model remain valid for the access period that was purchased. The paid BuyerPass product is no longer sold; complimentary access may still be granted through promotional voucher codes.

6. Marketplace Payments and Item Prices

WhaBid does not receive the purchase price for a marketplace item under the launch model. The buyer and seller remain responsible for settling their underlying transaction.

• WhaBid does not collect or hold the purchase price of marketplace items on behalf of buyers and sellers.
• WhaBid is not an escrow service.
• Payment for any item is arranged directly between the buyer and seller, outside WhaBid, unless WhaBid expressly advises otherwise in writing.
• WhaBid’s role is to provide the listing and auction platform, not to guarantee, insure or settle the item transaction.

7. Contact Information

Contact details between buyers and sellers are only shared:

• AFTER an auction ends or purchase is made
• To facilitate safe collection/delivery only
• Not during the bidding period (platform-only messaging applies)

8. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, WhaBid is NOT liable for:

• Fraud, theft, or scams by other users
• Loss of funds or items during transactions
• Damage or loss during collection/delivery
• Disputes between buyers and sellers
• Misrepresentation of items
• Any indirect or consequential damages

9. Prohibited Activities

Users may NOT:

• Post fraudulent or counterfeit items
• Manipulate bids or use automated bidding tools
• Post spam, duplicate listings, or off-platform contact info
• Bypass the platform to avoid fees or rules
• Harass, threaten, or abuse other users
• List, advertise, sell, auction, offer for adoption or re-homing, or otherwise transfer live animals through WhaBid (animal products and accessories remain welcome)
• Violate any applicable South African laws

10. Changes to Terms

WhaBid reserves the right to modify these terms at any time. Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of updated terms.

11. Operator, Support & Governing Law

WhaBid is operated by K2025 (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, registration number 2025/074295/07, trading as WhaBid. K2025 (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd is not registered for VAT; no VAT is charged on WhaBid services.

For support, contact support@whabid.co.zaor WhatsApp 071 322 5981. For privacy questions, contact privacy@whabid.co.za.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.