FAQ

 

Ready to be part of Shotumart community?

It’s easy, fast and free to register a Shotumart account. Just click 'Sign Up'.

You can manually fill the short forms or sign up using Google.

 

How to post an Advert?

Step 1: Click on "Sell" button after login.

Step 2: Fill out all necessary detailed information about your items and click on the "Save" button.

Step 3: Your advert will be shown on Shotumart soon after the verification.

Step 4: Get ready to receive calls from buyers (Ensure you enable ‘Phone number is visible’ on your Profile) and be careful to have a safe transaction.

 

How Shotumart handles your Ad and what to note?

Your Ad goes through a verification process before it’s live. We approve in few hours.

If there is something wrong, you will be informed to correct your post correspondingly.

After publishing your Ad, you can still edit it or repost. When altered, your advert will be verified again.

Ads that are too similar will be regarded as copies by our arbitrators and won't go online.

 

What rules to follow as an Shotumart user?

Every advert must have an exact title and include pictures taken by the vendor directly. (Contact data or watermarks are unacceptable).

Every Ad is requested with pictures.

A proper classification is necessary for a successful Ad.

Overpriced or underpriced items would not be welcomed.

Your posted items should be stored in Nigeria and legal items only.

You can't post a few items inside one or a similar advert.

Every advert should contain a brief and clear portrayal.

 

How to buy what I like on Shotumart?

After reading through all the item info, you will find contact info of the seller at the bottom.

Just dial the sellers contact if you find something that interests you.

 

How to have a chat with the seller via text message?

You can scroll down to the bottom of the advert and click on the start chat function to start a chat with a seller.

 

Why is my advert not allowed to be shown?

Several reasons may cause your Ad to be placed on hold by our arbitrators:

Possibility 1: You tried to post several items in one Ad. It is not allowed as each item for sale must be posted separately, one Ad for one product.

Possibility 2: Pictures you've uploaded contain contact numbers. Please upload pics that don't have any phone numbers.

Possibility 3: There are certain restrictions on prices. Make sure you understand the true value of your item before posting an Ad.

Possibility 4: For paid listings. Please post only the approved items of your subscription category. If you subscribe for a category e.g Babies & Kiddies and post vehicles Ad, it will not be approved.

 

What items are not allowed to be posted on Shotumart?

Narcotics, steroids, and any drugs or medications that require a prescription from a licensed medical specialist

Weapons

Restricted military/police items

Illegal/pirated copies

Stolen properties

Code grabbing and lock picking devices

Electronic equipment prohibited by the law

Sexually-oriented services e.g Hook-up

Spiritual/Religious services and items.

Human organs

Loans, money transactions, Bitcoin

Multi-level marketing, pyramid, and matrix programs

Network marketing and “Home Base Business” jobs

Any products (offers or services) prohibited to sell by the law.

Food and healthcare items should have a marked expiration or ‘use by’ date.

Ads can't contain pictures of nudity.

 

Can I duplicate Ad to different cities?

We want everyone to see high-quality content on our platform, so we don't allow duplicates.

 

How to realize an Ad is too old?

Ad posting detail is available on Ad details alongside location details.

If the item is no longer available, the seller should mark it as sold. We recommend getting in touch with the seller to check if it's still available.

 

What happened to my older Ads?

To keep content fresh and relevant for buyers, we close Ads that were posted over the last 6 months. You can post a new Ad for the ones that are important to you.

 

Where to find my Ads?

You can find your Ads by going to your profile page and scrolling down to my listings; enter to see the old adverts you previously posted

 

How can I delete or edit my Ad?

You can edit your Ads by going to your profile page and scrolling down to my listings; enter to see the old adverts you previously posted and edit; you can either delete listing or 'mark listing as sold'.

 

Why is my account banned?

If you received a notification that your account is banned, this means that you've either breached one of our Posting rules or there is a non-compliant activity as per our Trust and Safety rules relating to your account.

Business Users in case of Account banned are requested to contact our support desk.

 

How to edit your profile

Edit Your Profile

You can manage your personal information and privacy settings for your Profile.

To edit your Profile:

Go to your Profile page.

Select the relevant option in the drop-down menu.

To edit your personal information, select Edit Profile.

To edit your Phone number privacy settings, select ‘Phone number is visible’.

After making your changes, click Save.

How do I add a picture to my profile and can I change it later?

The profile picture can be edited by Users.

 

Tips to recognize it's a Fraud or not?

If it appears too good to be true, it probably is. Especially if it’s advertised at a suspiciously low price

The seller wants Advance payment or initial deposit before sending you the item. They’ll often insist that you can pay the balance when collecting the item, or refund your money should you be unhappy with the item

The seller can’t meet you in a public place but wants to deliver the item personally

The seller asks for personal information like your ID number, bank details, your email address, or your debit/credit card number.

If the seller wants to take you off the Shotumart chat by saying “email me” or “call me on this number”

The buyer insists on using a cheque,

The buyer demands you send the item before they pay for it

The buyer asks for personal information like your ID, bank details, your email address, your debit/credit card number

The buyer is from a foreign country or wants to buy the item for a relative who is abroad.

The buyer will ask to send a driver to collect an item without viewing it. They often immediately reverse the online payment or send a fake proof of payment.

We take your safety very seriously, and so there are several ways you can report fraud.

If you suspect an Ad, please tap on the Report this Ad at the bottom of the Ad

 

How to report an Ad

To report an Ad, no problem. Shotumart has made it easy for you.

You’ll find under Seller listing “Report as Inappropriate”

Don't forget that you need to be logged in, to report an Ad.

Our support team will take your report seriously and follow up accordingly.

 

Tips for Safe Transactions

There is no definite way to identify a fraudulent seller or buyer. We urge you to practice good judgment and keep the following tips in mind.

Never give out your Financial/ID information via chat, email or over the phone.

Conduct due diligence: Do background checks on companies before going for an interview. Look up their address on Google map. Also validate their websites. Check the company's history, legality status and possible risks.

Meet Sellers/buyers in a well-lit open public space: If you're going to someone's home, make sure you bring a friend along. Conversely, if you're going to be letting a buyer into your abode, make sure you're not home alone.

Do not pay for goods upfront: Check the quality of the item(s) and make sure it meets your expectations before making payment.

Buyers - no upfront payment should be made for either the delivery or the products. You can discuss the delivery cost, but payment should be made only AFTER the product is delivered successfully.

Sellers - don't ask for upfront payments before delivery!

Avoid scam: Goods that appears too good to be true, extremely low prices compared to the prevailing market value or promises of quick money is most definitely a scam or even stolen. Always trust your guts.

 

Security Tips - Mobile phone

Watch out for:

Physical Appearance: Check out for any breakage, keypad damage, touch screen condition, resolution Examine the ports & battery. Do check for any liquid damage as it can cause a formation of rust.

Price Estimate: Compare with similar brands and models. Accordingly, negotiate a price with the seller. Double-check cheap offers for fake or stolen items.

Accessories: Are you being provided with all the accessories. If not, find out what it would cost you and accordingly negotiate your price. Examine all the included accessories that are working fine.

Replicas/Clones: Be careful of replicas/clones. Insist on phone warranty & necessary documents. Replicas unmistakably look the same, so inspect very carefully.

Important: Ensure to switch-on and if required, use your sim card to test if the phone is functioning.

For sellers: remove all personal data from the mobile set before selling to a buyer.

 

Security Tips - Vehicles

At Shotumart, we love to help our users make that "Perfect Buy" for themselves.

To benefit our users, we have certain tips that can be kept in mind while looking to buy a vehicle:

Asking the right questions:

Sounds basic? However, it's important to find certain details, i.e. purchase year, number of owners, owner's details, vehicle body type, or even reason for selling, to ascertain if you should buy the vehicle in the first place. Double-check any cheap bargains!

Check the latest car news to see if a new model is coming -- which can reduce the price of previous models when it arrives.

 

Car Inspection:

Conduct important checks to ensure that the car is in good shape:

Inspect for dents, breakage, scratches, if any.

Look out for all corners, to find any signs of an accident.

Question for any difference in the shade of color on different body parts.

Examine the bonnet & boot to ensure things are intact such as tool kits etc.

Survey inside the vehicle to test steering wheel, pedals, interiors, and other features.

If you're unsure, specific tests such as Multi-Point Check, Technical Inspection or Safety Check can be performed by the help of an expert.

Note: you may request for a test drive (strictly at seller's discretion) to test the brakes, shock absorbers, tyre condition, etc. It's highly advisable to inspect during the daytime!

 

Car’s history:

Always check the history of the car to ensure it's not stolen, or has an outstanding loan, etc. Get the car's Registration Copy and other important documents verified. (As they say: a stitch in time saves nine).

Did you know that people interested in buying vehicles (or hiring drivers) have an option to verify details via govt. initiated service?

The road transport ministry has developed an SMS & website service through which one can know the following details about vehicles and drivers.

 

Documentation:

Ensure proper formalities are done before the purchase of vehicles. Remember to get the Registration Certificate (RC) transferred in your name. Look out for PUC (Pollution under control certificate), Prior servicing papers, Insurance papers, and NOC (No Objection Certificate) is required.