MarketHub
Safety Tips
How to buy and sell safely on MarketHub. Most transactions go smoothly — these habits keep yours among them, and tell you what to do when something feels off.
For Buyers — Before You Pay
- Look for the verified-seller badge (blue checkmark) — it appears on the listing card, product page, and profile.
- Check the seller's join date, followers count, and previous reviews. New sellers can be legit, but verified sellers carry less risk.
- Read the listing carefully — does the price match similar items? Are photos clear, recent, and showing the actual item?
- Message the seller with specific questions (battery health, year of purchase, included accessories, defects).
- Negotiate price, delivery, and inspection terms BEFORE sending any payment.
For Buyers — Meeting in Person
- Meet in busy public places (mall food courts, café entrances, bank lobbies, police-station forecourts) — never an isolated address.
- Bring a friend if the item is high-value (phones, laptops, vehicles, jewellery).
- Inspect the item thoroughly — test electronics, verify serial numbers match the listing, check all accessories.
- Pay only AFTER physical inspection — never wire money in advance to "hold" an item you haven't seen.
- For vehicles: test drive, mechanic inspection, verify original papers (logbook / vehicle registration) match the seller's ID.
For Buyers — Online & Delivery
- Use mobile money or bank transfer with proof-of-payment — not gift cards, vouchers, or cryptocurrency (irreversible if scammed).
- Ask for a short video of the item before delivery so you know it matches the listing.
- Refuse delivery if the item is wrong, damaged, missing accessories, or different from the agreed item.
- Save all message threads and payment receipts — these are evidence if you need to file a dispute or police report.
For Sellers — Vetting Buyers
- Be cautious of buyers who refuse to message in-app and push immediately to WhatsApp/SMS/email.
- "I'll send a shipper / courier to collect for me" is a common scam — verify by voice call first, and never release goods without confirmed payment.
- Overpayment scams: "I'll pay extra, please send the difference to my shipper" — always a scam, regardless of how convincing the story.
- Don't hand over goods until payment fully clears. Mobile money reversals are rare but possible; cheques bounce; bank transfers can be recalled within hours.
Red Flags — Stop and Report
- Pressure to move off-platform within the first two messages.
- Asking for your full bank details, PIN, account login, or one-time-password (OTP).
- "I can't talk now, just send the item to this address" — no question, no inspection, no negotiation.
- Price way below market (50% off is suspicious; 90% off is fraud).
- Spelling/grammar errors that look like automated translation, especially in expensive-item buyer messages.
- Emotional pressure: "I'm overseas / on military duty / in hospital — please trust me and send first."
If Something Goes Wrong
- File a report from the listing page or seller profile — the moderation team reviews within 24 hours.
- Save all evidence: screenshots of the messages, payment receipts, photos of the item as it arrived.
- For criminal activity (fraud, theft, threats), file a police report in your country — MarketHub will cooperate with legitimate law-enforcement requests.
- Email support@markethubafrica.com with your account email, the listing or user ID, and a summary of what happened.