Terms of Service

1. Description of Service

Microcart is a lightweight, cloud-hosted software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that enables independent merchants, creators, and businesses to:

• Create and customize mobile-first digital storefronts hosted under subdomains (e.g., yourshop.microcart.app).
• Upload and manage product catalogs, variants, bundles, inventory statuses, and promotional discounts ("Drops").
• Facilitate customer order inquiries by generating pre-formatted order summaries that route directly to the Merchant's designated WhatsApp contact number.
• Manage order leads, track store metrics, and administer subscription plans via the Merchant Dashboard.

2. Independent Platform & Role of Microcart

2.1 Not a Party to Customer Transactions

Microcart provides software and technical hosting only. We are not an online retailer, marketplace intermediary, payment custodian, broker, or delivery courier.

• The legal contract of sale is made solely and directly between you (the Merchant) and the Customer.
• You are solely responsible for all aspects of order fulfillment, shipping, delivery, pricing accuracy, product quality, safety, warranties, returns, refunds, customer service, and chargebacks.
• Microcart has no control over, and assumes no liability for, transactions, payments, or communications conducted directly between you and your Customers, whether via WhatsApp, cash-on-delivery, bank transfer, or other channels.

2.2 WhatsApp and Meta Disclaimer

3. Account Registration & Eligibility

To use Microcart, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old (or the legal age of majority in your jurisdiction).
• Possess legal capacity to enter into binding agreements on behalf of yourself or the business entity you represent.
• Provide accurate, current, and complete registration details and maintain login confidentiality.
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized account activity at support@microcart.app.

4. Storefront Subdomains and URLs

• Subdomain slugs (yourshop.microcart.app) are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
• You may not select a subdomain that infringes third-party trademarks, trade names, or copyright, or that is intentionally misleading, defamatory, or vulgar.
• Subdomain squatting or reserving subdomains for speculative resale is strictly prohibited.
• Microcart reserves the right to modify, reclaim, or reassign subdomains that violate these Terms or have remained inactive for over six (6) months on a free tier.

5. Acceptable Use Policy & Prohibited Items

You agree not to use the Platform to list, advertise, promote, sell, or distribute:

We reserve the right to remove non-compliant listings, suspend stores, or terminate accounts in violation of this Section without notice.

6. Merchant Responsibilities & Compliance

• Listing Accuracy: Ensure product descriptions, specifications, pricing, stock statuses, and photos are truthful and not misleading.
• Taxes & Duties: You are solely responsible for determining, calculating, collecting, and remitting applicable sales tax, VAT, GST, or customs duties.
• Consumer Protection: Honor all applicable consumer protection regulations, including clear delivery timelines and return/refund policies.

7. Subscriptions, Fees, and Payments

• Subscription Tiers: Microcart offers free and paid subscription plans (such as Microcart Pro). Features and product limits are detailed on our site and dashboard.
• Billing: Paid plans are billed in advance on a recurring monthly or annual basis via certified payment gateways (e.g. Flutterwave).
• Cancellation: You may cancel anytime from Settings > Billing in your Merchant Dashboard. Your access continues until the end of your current paid billing period.
• Refund Policy: Except where required by applicable law, subscription fees are non-refundable. We do not provide prorated refunds for partial billing cycles.
• Price Adjustments: We will provide at least thirty (30) days notice prior to any subscription price increase taking effect.

8. Referral Program and Promotional Badges

Merchants may share referral links and earn platform rewards or display promotional badges (such as Founding Seller for early adopters). Referral rewards may not be obtained through fraud, spam, or deceptive means. Badges carry no equity, legal partnership, or cash value and may be revoked upon violation of these Terms.

9. Intellectual Property Rights & DMCA

• Microcart IP: The platform software, logos, trademarks, design elements, and source code are the exclusive property of Microcart.
• Merchant Content: You retain ownership of images, text, and trademarks you upload. You grant Microcart a non-exclusive license to host, cache, display, and format your content to provide the Services.
• Copyright Complaints (DMCA): If you believe content hosted on a storefront infringes your copyright or trademark, please email an infringement notice with URL details to legal@microcart.app.

10. Disclaimers of Warranties

11. Limitation of Liability

12. Indemnification & Termination

You agree to defend and indemnify Microcart against any claims, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising out of your storefront listings, products, customer disputes, or violation of these Terms.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that breach these Terms or engage in fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful activity, with or without notice.

13. Governing Law & General Provisions

Before initiating legal proceedings, parties agree to attempt good-faith informal dispute resolution by contacting legal@microcart.app. These Terms shall be governed by the applicable laws of the jurisdiction of operation, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG).

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Microcart. If any provision is deemed unenforceable, remaining provisions remain in full force.