Community Guidelines

Makay was built to serve the people of Liberia — Buyers who want fair prices on quality goods, Sellers who want a reliable platform to reach customers, and a community that trusts one another to deal honestly. Our guidelines are built on four core values:

• Honesty: We expect every listing, every message, and every transaction to be conducted with honesty and transparency. Deception in any form undermines the trust that makes the marketplace work.
• Respect: Every user on Makay deserves to be treated with basic human dignity — regardless of their background, county, tribe, religion, or gender. Disrespect and discrimination have no place here.
• Safety: Transactions arranged on Makay should never put anyone at risk. Physical safety, financial safety, and personal security all matter. We publish guidance to help users stay safe and we take reports of unsafe situations seriously.
• Accountability: Users who violate these guidelines are held accountable. We do not look the other way when community standards are broken, and we cooperate with Liberian law enforcement when serious violations occur.

The foundation of the Makay marketplace is the trust that Buyers place in Sellers' listings. Every listing must represent the item accurately and completely.

What Makes a Good Listing

• A clear, accurate title that names the item without exaggeration.
• A description that covers the item's current condition, any faults, visible wear, missing parts, or repairs that have been made.
• Real photographs of the actual item you are selling, taken in good lighting. Not stock photos, not photos from the internet, not photos of a different item of the same type.
• A fair and honest price in either LD (Liberian Dollars) or USD.
• The correct condition label — Brand New, New, Fairly Used, Old, or Very Old.

Condition Definitions

Makay uses five condition labels. Use the one that honestly reflects your item:

• Brand New: Unused, in original manufacturer's packaging. Never opened.
• New: Unused but packaging has been opened or is no longer available. No signs of use.
• Fairly Used: Has been used but is in good working condition with minimal signs of wear.
• Old: Shows clear signs of use and wear. May have cosmetic damage. Still functions as intended.
• Very Old: Heavy wear. May have functional issues or require minor repair. Price should reflect condition.

How you communicate on Makay reflects on you as a person and as a trader. We expect all users to maintain a basic standard of courtesy and professionalism in all interactions.

Negotiation

Negotiating price is a normal part of trading in Liberia and is welcomed on Makay. However, negotiations must be conducted respectfully. Repeatedly pressing a seller after they have given their final price, or making derisive offers designed to insult rather than negotiate, violates these Guidelines.

Ghosting

Arranging a meeting, confirming a time and location, then going silent without cancelling is disrespectful and wastes other people's time and money. If you can no longer make it to an agreed transaction, notify the other party as early as possible so they can make other arrangements.

Off-Platform Contact

To protect both Buyers and Sellers, we encourage all initial communications to happen within Makay's messaging system. Sharing your personal phone number or social media handle is your choice, but be aware that once you leave the Platform's messaging system, Makay has no ability to assist in any dispute that arises.

Most Makay transactions go smoothly. But staying safe takes a little common sense. Follow these practices to protect yourself.

Where to Meet

• Meet in busy, public locations — popular market areas, supermarket car parks, shopping centres, bus terminals, or other well-trafficked spots in your city or town.
• In Monrovia, well-known meeting spots include areas around Waterside Market, Sekou Toure Avenue, Broad Street, Randall Street, and major supermarket locations.
• In other counties, meet in busy town centres during daylight hours.
• Avoid meeting at private homes — yours or theirs — for transactions with strangers, especially for high-value items.
• Consider bringing a trusted friend or family member for high-value exchanges.

When to Meet

• Conduct transactions during daylight hours whenever possible.
• Avoid evening or night-time meetings with people you do not know.

Inspecting Goods

• Always test electronic items before paying — switch them on, check the screen, test buttons, and verify that all promised features work.
• Inspect clothing, shoes, and accessories for the condition described in the listing before completing payment.
• For vehicles or large equipment, consider bringing someone with mechanical knowledge.
• Do not proceed with payment if the item does not match the listing description. It is acceptable to walk away.

Payment Safety

• For mobile money payments, complete the transfer only after you have inspected the item and are satisfied.
• Screenshot or print your mobile money transfer receipt immediately after payment.
• Do not pay in full in advance for items you have not yet inspected, especially from sellers you have not dealt with before.
• Be cautious of sellers who insist on advance deposit payments before you've had a chance to verify the item.

Certain items may not be listed on Makay under any circumstances. Attempting to list, sell, or trade any prohibited item is a serious violation that may result in immediate account termination and referral to Liberian authorities.

Absolutely Prohibited (Zero Tolerance)

• Firearms, ammunition, explosives, grenades, or any other weapon or weapon component regulated under Liberian law.
• Illegal drugs, narcotics, or any controlled substance not legally dispensed under a valid prescription.
• Human beings — any listing facilitating trafficking, exploitation, or the sale of persons.
• Child sexual abuse material or any content sexualising minors.
• Stolen property of any kind.

Also Prohibited

• Counterfeit, fake, or replica branded goods (e.g. fake Nike, Gucci, Samsung, etc.).
• Protected wildlife, bushmeat of protected species, ivory, and other products derived from protected animals under the Liberian Wildlife Act.
• Government-issued identity documents, passports, official seals, or stamps.
• Prescription medicines without accompanying valid prescription information.
• Pirated software, DVDs, or music.
• Hazardous chemicals, industrial solvents, or substances classified as dangerous goods.
• Mobile money PINs, SIM cards registered in another person's name, or financial instruments.
• Any item whose sale is prohibited under Liberian law or international treaty obligations binding on Liberia.

Restricted Items (Require Extra Care)

The following items are permitted on Makay but may require particular care and honesty in their listing:

• Used electronics: Must disclose battery health, screen condition, lock status, and whether the item is factory reset.
• Food and perishables: Must clearly state production date, expiry date, and storage requirements. Do not list food items that are past their use-by date.
• Traditional medicine and herbal products: May be listed but must not make false health claims or be mislabelled as certified pharmaceutical products.
• Used clothing and footwear: Must disclose all stains, tears, alterations, or damage.

The Makay community runs on trust. To maintain that trust, every account must represent a real, honest identity.

Business Accounts

If you operate a registered Liberian business and use Makay to sell goods commercially, your listings should reflect your business identity. Using a personal-sounding account name to disguise commercial selling activity (in order to appear as a peer-to-peer individual seller when you are actually a trader) is misleading to Buyers and is discouraged.

Brand Profile Requirements

Registering a Brand Profile through our Brand Partner Program is a separate, optional step from having a personal account, and every application is reviewed manually before it goes live. To be approved, a brand application must meet all of the following:

• A real logo: A clear image that actually represents the business — not a personal photo, a blank or placeholder image, a screenshot, or another company's logo you don't have the rights to use.
• An honest business name: Must not impersonate an existing real business, public figure, government body, or another brand already on Makay.
• An accurate category and at least one subcategory that genuinely reflects what the business sells.
• A real description — a few honest sentences about what the business actually offers, not a single word, filler text, or a promotional link.
• A valid, reachable Liberian phone number and an accurate business location or area.
• Nothing from the Prohibited Items list (Section 5) implied by the business's category, name, or description.
• One brand per person or business. A second application while you already have an approved brand will be rejected.

Impersonation

Creating an account designed to look like Makay itself, like a well-known Liberian business, or like another real person — with the intent to deceive — is a serious violation. Impersonation of government officials, NGOs, or financial institutions is especially serious and will be reported to the relevant Liberian authorities.

Unfortunately, wherever people trade, some will attempt to defraud others. Makay takes fraud very seriously. Below are the most common scams to watch out for on peer-to-peer marketplaces in Liberia:

Being a smart Buyer protects your money and makes the experience better for Sellers too. Here are the habits of a good Makay Buyer:

Before You Contact a Seller

• Read the full listing description — including condition, any noted faults, and price — before sending a message.
• Check how long the Seller has been on Makay and how active their account is.
• If the price seems unusually low for a premium item, ask questions before assuming it is genuine.

During Negotiation

• Make reasonable offers. An offer so low it is clearly disrespectful wastes everyone's time.
• If the Seller has a firm price, respect it. You can choose to buy or not to buy — you do not need to argue.
• Confirm the final price, currency (LD or USD), meeting location, and time in writing before you agree to show up.

At the Meetup

• Be punctual. If you are running late, notify the Seller in advance.
• Inspect thoroughly. Test every function that matters to you before paying.
• Do not bring only the exact change if the price might be negotiated lower — bring enough flexibility.
• Verify mobile money receipts in your own app before the Seller leaves.

After the Transaction

• If an issue arises after the sale that you believe was not disclosed, contact the Seller via Makay's messaging system before escalating to a formal dispute.
• Treat every Seller with the same fairness and honesty you would want if you were in their position.

Your reputation on Makay is built listing by listing. Here is how to be a Seller that Buyers trust and return to:

Setting Up Your Listing

• Take clear, honest photos in good natural light. Show any flaws clearly.
• Price your item fairly. Research what similar items sell for on Makay and in the market.
• Write a description you would want to receive if you were the Buyer. What would matter to you?
• Choose the right category so the right Buyers can find your listing.

Managing Enquiries

• Reply to messages promptly — ideally within a few hours during the day.
• If you cannot respond for a period (travel, illness, no network), update your listing or pause it.
• If you receive multiple interested Buyers at the same time, be honest about it. "I have two people interested; first to pay gets it" is acceptable. Accepting multiple deposits and then backing out is not.
• Do not pressure Buyers. If they need time to decide, give them reasonable time.

Completing the Sale

• Arrive on time for agreed meetings. If you are delayed, contact the Buyer immediately.
• Do not change the agreed price at the meetup. A price confirmed in writing via Makay chat is a commitment.
• Once you accept payment, mark the item as sold promptly. A sold item should be off the Platform within 24 hours.

All content posted to Makay — in listings, profile bios, or messages — must meet the following standards:

Permitted Content

• Honest product descriptions and genuine photographs of items for sale.
• Professional, courteous communication between users.
• Accurate pricing and condition information.
• Contact information shared through the Makay messaging system.

Prohibited Content

• Hate speech: Content that attacks, demeans, or incites violence against any person or group based on tribe, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.
• Graphic or violent content: Photos or descriptions of violence, gore, or content intended to shock or disturb.
• Spam: Repeated, unsolicited messages, especially those containing links to external websites.
• False information: Listings or profile information that is deliberately misleading.
• Defamatory content: False statements of fact about another person or business designed to damage their reputation.
• Copyright infringement: Using copyrighted images, text, or brand materials without authorisation.

Every user of Makay has a right to privacy. These guidelines apply to how you handle information about other users:

• Do not publish personal information about another Makay user — including their full name, phone number, home address, workplace, or photographs — without their explicit consent.
• Do not screenshot and share private messages from the Makay chat without the other party's consent, except when necessary to report a violation to Makay or to a law enforcement authority.
• Do not use information gathered from Makay to harass, stalk, or contact someone outside of the Platform without their consent.
• Do not create content designed to identify or expose another user's identity or location against their wishes.
• If you inadvertently receive personal information about another user as part of a transaction, treat it with discretion and do not share it with third parties.

Makay enforces these Guidelines consistently and fairly. When a violation is reported or detected, we evaluate the severity, the user's history, and the impact on other users before deciding on an action.

Makay reserves the right to skip earlier steps and apply severe consequences immediately in cases of serious violations.

Reporting is one of the most important tools in keeping the Makay community safe. If you see something that violates these Guidelines — a suspicious listing, an abusive message, or a fraudulent user — please report it.

Reporting a Listing

• Open the listing you want to report.
• Tap the report button (flag icon) on the listing.
• Select the reason that best fits and add any relevant details.
• Submit the report. Our team will review it as soon as possible.

Reporting a Brand

• Open the Brand Profile you want to report.
• Tap the report button on the brand page.
• Select the reason that best fits and add any relevant details.
• Submit the report. Our team will review it as soon as possible.

Reporting a User

• Open the user's profile.
• Tap the report button on their profile page.
• Select the reason and provide any relevant context, including screenshots if you have them.

Reporting a Message

• Within a chat, long-press on the specific message you want to report.
• Select "Report" and choose the appropriate reason.

Email Reporting

For complex situations — such as coordinated fraud involving multiple accounts, or safety concerns that require more context — please email us at makayapp@gmail.com with as much detail as possible, including usernames, listing URLs, and screenshots.

If your account has been suspended, your listing has been removed, or you believe a moderation decision was made in error, you have the right to appeal.

How to Appeal

• Send an email to makayapp@gmail.com with the subject line "Appeal — [your username]".
• Include a clear explanation of why you believe the action was taken in error.
• Provide any supporting evidence — screenshots, listing details, or context — that would help us review the decision.

Appeals Process

Appeals are reviewed by a different member of the Makay team than the person who made the original decision. We aim to respond to all appeals within 5 business days.

We will consider your appeal fairly, but we will not reverse a decision simply because you disagree with it — you must provide a substantive reason why the original decision was incorrect.

What We Cannot Do

We cannot reverse enforcement actions taken in response to confirmed violations of Liberian law. We also cannot provide detailed information about reports made against you, as we protect the confidentiality of all reporters.