FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

BUYER FAQs

How do I log in?

You can login securely by clicking the 'Sign In' link on the top right of your screen or click here.

Can I still make a purchase without logging or registering?

Yes. Simply add items to the cart and checkout. You are still required to enter your info to processing your order.

What are the benefits of logging in?

We sometimes send small gifts, samples to our clients, fun Zambia memorabilia etc. You can also get important  info on specials, new fun things happening and become part of the shopzed family. We're not just about a shopping mall. We're about empowerment for Zambians!

How can I get info on weekly specials?

Sign up. Send an email to shopzed@shopzed.com, call us, sign up for our newsletter.

What is the shipping schedule for Zambian/African products in America?

We use UPS, Fedex and USPS to ship. Most deliveries do not exceed 14 business days from shipping date.

What is the delivery schedule for Groceries and other products in Zambia?

Most items shipped to Zambia such as electronic take about 2 weeks. Custom wedding dresses take about 30 days from the order date. 2 weeks to make the dress and 2 weeks for shipping.

Is the site secure?

Yes. Our site is secured with a SSL (Secure Locket) that encrypts your information …even your name and address.

During the checkout process, at the point where you enter your credit card or bank info, your transaction is encrypted by PayPal , Amazon or Google depending on which checkout method you choose.

Who maintains the website?

Green & Beyond Commerce (Z) a Zambian web solutions and community company that started shopzed.coms

SELLER FAQs

How/where do I Login?

To login, sign up or register, click seller "Sign In/Register" on the top panel of your screen

Who is a provider?

A seller is the same as a provider.

What are seller requirements?

1. You are required to have some knowledge of computers so you can edit your own products. 
2. You are required to have a PayPal Account in order for you to get paid when your product sells.

How do I get a PayPal Account?

Zambian Sellers

1. Go to PayPal.com and click sign up at the top of the screen.
2. PayPal will verify by depositing/withdrawing a very small amount to your card (amount may be $1.95 or so)
3. Go to the bank/check your account online for a 4 digit verification code next to the deposit/withdrawal amount or go to the bank and have your banker print out a statement.
4. Go back to PayPal.com and enter the verification code

Note: PayPal instructions and verification methods may change. Please check PayPal.com for accuracy.

Other International Sellers

1. PayPal usually deposit/withdraw a small amount into your bank account or to your credit/debit card.
2. Follow instructions to verify.

How do I add a product

When you login, your first option is add a product. You can add a product image, generate a thumbnail (what people see before they click on your product for more info), specify several options for your product. Add meta tags so that your product can be found under search engines, specify shipping etc.

Once you have saved "apply changes" to your product you can add product options such as different colors, different sizes such as 25kg, 50kg and specify different prices, you can add coupons, weights for shipping calculation, or add a delivery option and specify different prices for different places. You can also add an option  text box so customers can input info for deliveries, a message for their receiver, or a custom order for dresses, gowns etc. It a whole lot of fun in there.

What items are prohibited to sell?

Guns & Ammunition

Drugs

Pornographic/Adult Material

Animals

Human Trafficking of any sort

What can I sell?

Sell something you are passionate about.  You will sell it well and be able to offer the customer the best info on the item you are most passionate about. These are just examples of what you can sell. 

Clothes – todays fashions, traditional attires, uniforms, business attires, weddings etc

Shoes

Movies

Books

Music – CDs, downloadable MP3s etc

Audio Books (Your customers can download audio on shopzed.com)

Machinery – mining, farming, factory equipment

Cars, Motorcycles, Vans, Trucks etc

Companies

Groceries – (We need partners for Northern, Southern, Western, N.Western, Eastern, Central Provinces)

Electronics – Computers, Laptops, TVs, VCRs, DVD Players,

Travel – Suit Cases, Adpater accessories

Remember to let your friends and clients know where to find your products. Each product has its own URL so when you put a link on MySpace, FaceBook, Twitter remember to add that link

How do I get Paid?

You get paid through your PayPal affiliated email address.

Why do you use PayPal to pay us?

We use several payment processing companies such as Google Checkout, Amazon and PayPal to process orders depending on the buyers choice but we use PayPal to pay our sellers because among other reasons:

1. PayPal makes it easier for us to pay you by sending the money to your paypal affiliated email address.
2. The buyers money is safe because PayPal verifies your bank or credit card and thereby gurantees the buyer a refund should you default on a purchase.

When do I get paid?

You get paid the same day that the buyers transaction is complete and the money has been charged from their account. Remember some buyers maybe international, so the transaction may take a few days.

When do I actually get the money into my account?

1. You personally have to log in to your PayPal account to transfer money from PayPal to your bank account or credit/debit card. This usually takes 3-4 business days. International time frames may vary.
2. You can apply for a PayPal Mastercard and you get funds as soon as they are in your PayPal account. To withdraw at an ATM may cost you $1. More fees may apply if you use the card internationally.

 Please see PayPal.com for more information as specifications may have changed. The PayPal MasterCard may not be available to some international locations.

How do I price my items?

Remember to make provision for:

PayPal fees 

Shopzed Fee

How much it costs for you to make that item available to the buyer

How much profit you would like to make

Finally, make the price affordable after all these calculations. Every one is looking for a good deal.

At shopzed.com, we look to empower both you and the buyer.  Please do not exploit the buyer. If you offer the buyer a good price with good service, they will keep coming back. That’s business!

What information do I put about the product?

Be as clear as possible. For example, if you are selling:

Computers – Most buyers want to know Hard drive size, Memory size, graphics card, screen size etc. Does the computer/laptop come with operationg software?What kind of software is included (Zambezi Office Suite etc.  Is it the product new/used? Where do you ship? Does the price include customs clearance for intl?

Shoes & Clothes – color, size (UK or US or Zambia size if applicable)…use a good camera and do not Photoshop so much that the picture stops looking like the actual product. Less is more here!

Electronics – MP3 players, projectors, TVs etc Include the brand (such as Sony, ViewSonic, Toshiba) , Edition/class/generation(Apple Iphone 7, Blackberry storm 8, Nokia T3920 etc) , screen size (17 inch laptop), manufacturer year if applicable etc

Arts & Crafts – Where the items are made, what they are made from (reeds, rosewood, recycled material, thorns etc)

Building materials, Paints – ingredients (people supporting their families don’t want to fill the parents & children’s homes with chemical mishaps) How much lead is contained? Whats the govt acceptable limits? What kind of roofing sheets are they? Where are they made etc

Chemical Cleaners, Soaps – Which ones are hypoallergenic, which ones are for bleaching? Be as clear as possible.

How much does shopzed charge me to list an item?

We have some of the lowest prices in the industry because our primary purpose is to empower you.

You can list an item for just 

• $0.30 for 2 weeks
• $0.50 for 1 month
• $1.30 for 3 months

If you would like to register as a Partner, you can sell as many items as you wish for an unbeatable $10 a month.

How much does shopzed charge after I sell an item?

Shopzed fee per sale is just 1% 

How much does PayPal charge per sale?

PayPal fee is 2.9% + 0.30 per sale (Fees may change. Please see website for details)

Should I encourage a shopzed buyer to pay me outside shopzed to save a buck?

Very Important:

We discourage both you and the buyer not to for several good reasons

1. The transaction would be out of the safe and secure zone. The buyers money is not guaranteed safe because we are not monitoring the transaction and should they have a problem with the product, we are unable to help them.
2. You are putting your self at risk if the buyer decides to sue you, we cannot vouch for you because we have no record of the transaction.
3. The shopzed and paypal fee together is very minimal and is not worth the risk

If you are selling an item worth thousands of dollars (car, or other very pricey items) and would like to reduce the fees on the buyer, please contact shopzed and we will help you conclude the transaction with minimal risk.

Hopefully this helps. Please contact us if you have further questions!