Refund & Dispute Policy
Effective Date: September 18, 2026 • Last Reviewed: September 2026
Because MarketKo connects individual USM students directly for physical on-campus exchanges without holding escrow funds, our refund and return framework is based on mandatory face-to-face inspection prior to payment and honest peer-to-peer agreements.
1. The Golden Rule: Inspect Thoroughly Before You Pay
Unlike commercial shipping platforms, MarketKo gives you the unique advantage of physical in-person hand-offs right here on the USM campus.
Buyer Inspection Checklist:
- Textbooks & Reviewers: Flip through pages to ensure all chapters are intact and there is no severe water damage or illegible markings.
- Calculators & Electronics: Power on the device, test key buttons, check display contrast, and plug in chargers to verify battery charging.
- Uniforms & Apparel: Check sizes, zippers, buttons, and fabric condition against the seller’s listing description.
- Tech Services: Verify software activation (AutoCAD, Matlab) in person before concluding the transaction.
If the item does not match the seller’s description during the meetup, you have the absolute right to decline the purchase with zero obligation.
2. Finality of Sales & Personal Testing Warranties
Once an in-person exchange is completed and payment (cash or GCash) is handed over, transactions between students are generally considered final, subject to the following exceptions:
- Agreed Personal Warranty (Testing Period): For complex electronics (such as laptops, RAM, or graphing calculators), buyers and sellers are encouraged to agree in chat to a 24-hour to 48-hour testing period. If agreed, the seller is honor-bound to refund the buyer if a hidden defect emerges.
- Intentional Misrepresentation: If a seller intentionally concealed a major defect (e.g. selling a non-working calculator claimed as “fully functional”), the buyer may initiate a dispute.
3. Dispute Resolution & Student Moderation
If a transaction dispute arises that cannot be resolved amicably between both parties:
- Attempt Direct Resolution: Contact the peer via MarketKo chat. Most campus issues stem from honest misunderstandings.
- Submit a Report: Use our Report Listing or Seller portal to submit screenshots of the listing, chat logs, and photos of the defective item.
- Moderator Review: Student moderators will review the evidence. While MarketKo cannot forcibly retrieve cash, we enforce strict platform penalties.
4. Penalties for Fraudulent Sellers
MarketKo holds zero tolerance for bad actors who exploit fellow students:
- Immediate revocation of “Verified Student” badge.
- Permanent blacklisting of account and institutional email address.
- Public listing removal and notification sent to active chat partners.
- In cases of documented theft or large-scale scams, records may be forwarded to university student affairs or campus security.
For dispute mediation support: kzyubenapoles.ict@gmail.com