1. PLATFORM OVERVIEW

BeConnected ("we," "us," "our," "the Platform") is a connection service only that allows customers to find and contact local vendors for delivery services. We are NOT a delivery service, employer, or payment processor.

What We Do:

• Provide a platform to connect customers with vendors
• Display vendor profiles and availability
• Facilitate initial contact via WhatsApp
• Allow users to rate completed services

What We DON'T Do:

• Employ vendors (they are independent contractors)
• Handle payments between users
• Guarantee service quality or completion
• Provide insurance coverage for services
• Mediate disputes between users

2. USER ACCEPTANCE

By using BeConnected, you agree to:

• These Terms of Service
• Our Privacy Policy
• Use the platform at your own risk
• Comply with all local laws and regulations

If you disagree with any terms, you may not use our platform.

3. CUSTOMER TERMS

Your Responsibilities:

• Provide accurate contact information
• Communicate respectfully with vendors
• Pay vendors directly as agreed
• Rate vendors honestly after service completion
• Resolve any disputes directly with vendors

Service Arrangement:

• All pricing, timing, and service details are negotiated directly between you and the vendor
• We display estimated pricing for reference only
• Final agreements are between you and the vendor via WhatsApp

Liability Disclaimer:

• You use vendors at your own risk
• We are not responsible for: theft, damage, injury, poor service, no-shows, or any losses
• Verify vendor identity and trustworthiness yourself
• We recommend meeting vendors in public places when possible

4. VENDOR TERMS

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be 18+ years old
• Must have valid South African contact details
• Must provide accurate profile information
• Subject to our approval process

Your Responsibilities:

• Maintain accurate profile information
• Update availability status truthfully
• Communicate professionally with customers
• Provide services as agreed with customers
• Handle all payments directly with customers
• Follow all local laws and regulations

Independent Contractor Status:

• You are NOT our employee
• You set your own schedule and accept jobs at your discretion
• You are responsible for your own taxes, insurance, and business licenses
• We do not provide benefits, insurance, or guarantees

Profile Photo Requirement:

For Vendors Only: Profile photo upload is mandatory for vendor registration. The purpose is for customer safety and vendor identification. Photos are displayed publicly to customers in vendor listings and must be a clear, recent photo of yourself. Photos are only visible to platform users, not publicly indexed.

Service Standards:

• Respond to customer inquiries promptly
• Provide services professionally and safely
• Handle customer property with care
• Resolve disputes directly with customers

Additional Verification:

We may request additional verification documents to ensure platform safety and user authenticity. Verification requirements may be introduced or modified as platform safety needs evolve.

5. PLATFORM RULES

Prohibited Activities (All Users):

• Harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior
• Fraudulent or misleading information
• Spam or excessive messaging
• Illegal activities or content
• Attempting to bypass our platform for initial connections

Prohibited Activities (Vendors):

• Creating multiple accounts
• Providing false availability status
• Requesting payment before service completion
• Inappropriate conduct toward customers

Prohibited Activities (Customers):

• Making false claims about vendors
• Refusing reasonable payment for completed services
• Harassment after service completion

Consequences:

Violation may result in a warning, temporary suspension, permanent account removal, or reporting to authorities (if illegal activity).

6. RATINGS & REVIEWS

Rating System:

Customers can rate vendors 1-5 stars after service completion. Ratings help other users make informed decisions. We may remove clearly fraudulent or abusive ratings.

Guidelines:

• Rate honestly based on actual service experience
• Keep reviews factual and respectful
• We reserve the right to moderate inappropriate content

7. PRIVACY & DATA

Information We Collect:

Registration: Name, phone number, profile photos. Usage: Platform interactions, ratings given/received. Communications: WhatsApp contacts are direct between users.

How We Use Your Data:

Display your profile to potential connections, improve platform functionality, send important platform updates, comply with legal requirements.

Data Sharing:

Customer info: Shared with vendors when you make job requests. Vendor info: Publicly displayed in vendor listings. Third parties: Only as required by law or with your consent.

WhatsApp Integration:

We facilitate WhatsApp contact initiation. All subsequent communications are private between users. We do not access or store your WhatsApp messages.

8. LIABILITY & DISCLAIMERS

Platform Disclaimer:

BeConnected is provided "AS IS" without warranties of any kind. We make no guarantees about vendor reliability or service quality, platform availability or functionality, accuracy of user-provided information, or resolution of user disputes.

Limitation of Liability:

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW: We are not liable for any damages arising from platform use. You agree to hold us harmless from any claims related to vendor services. Our total liability to you shall not exceed R100 (One Hundred Rand). We are not responsible for any indirect, consequential, or punitive damages.

Indemnification:

You agree to defend and hold us harmless from any claims, damages, or costs arising from your use of the platform, your interactions with other users, your violation of these terms, or any services provided or received through the platform.

9. ADVERTISING & FUTURE MONETIZATION

Current Policy:

Platform use is currently free for all users. No fees are charged to vendors or customers.

Future Changes:

We may introduce advertising on the platform, allow third-party business advertisements, or add premium features or fees (with advance notice). We may update these terms as our platform evolves. For changes affecting your core rights or introducing fees, we'll provide advance notice via email. Continued use after changes means acceptance.

10. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

User-to-User Disputes:

Handle all service disputes directly with the other party. We strongly encourage respectful communication and compromise. We do not mediate, arbitrate, or resolve user disputes.

Platform Disputes:

Contact us first to resolve any platform-related issues. Disputes subject to South African law and the jurisdiction of South African courts.

11. TERMINATION

Your Rights:

You may stop using the platform at any time and request account deletion by contacting us.

Our Rights:

We may suspend or terminate your account for violation of these terms, fraudulent or harmful activity, legal compliance requirements, or platform safety concerns.

Effect of Termination:

Access to platform services ends immediately. Your profile and ratings may be removed. These terms remain in effect for past activities.

12. LEGAL COMPLIANCE

Age Requirement:

All users must be 18+ years old. We do not knowingly collect information from minors.

Local Laws:

Users must comply with all applicable South African laws. Business licensing and tax obligations are the user's responsibility.

13. PLATFORM CHANGES

We reserve the right to modify platform features, update these terms (with reasonable notice for major changes), add or remove services, and change eligibility requirements for platform safety. Continued use after changes means acceptance.

14. CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions about these terms, email: beconnected194@gmail.com. For immediate platform issues, use the contact form on our website. Expected response time: 48 hours.

15. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

BY USING BECONNECTED, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT:

• You have read and understood these terms
• You agree to use the platform at your own risk
• You understand we are a connection service only
• You will handle all vendor/customer interactions directly
• You are responsible for your own safety and security
• You agree to resolve disputes without involving us

PRIVACY POLICY SUMMARY

This document serves as both Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. By using BeConnected, you agree to both policies.

Information Collection:

Required: Name, phone number for all users, Profile photos for vendors. Automatic: Usage statistics, ratings.

Information Use:

To connect users, display vendor profiles, improve the platform, and for legal compliance.

Information Sharing:

Vendor profiles are public. Customer details are shared with vendors upon request. We share with third parties only as legally required.

Your Rights:

You have the right to view, correct, or request deletion of your data.

Data Security:

We implement reasonable security measures, but no system is 100% secure.

Cookies & Tracking:

We use cookies for site functionality. There is currently no third-party ad tracking.