FAQ on Amin.ug | Buy & Sell New & Used Stuffs Online in Uganda | Jobs and Services | Free Classified Listing

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Register to be part of our Amin community?
It’s easy and free to register an Amin account. Just choose one of the three ways below:
Email, Facebook or Google Account

How to post an Advert?
Step 1: Click on "Post Ad" button after login.
Step 2: Fill out all necessary detailed information about your items and click on the "Post Ad"button.
Step 3: Your advert will be shown on Amin soon after the verification.
Step 4: An email will be sent to notify you when your Ad is online.
Step 5: Get ready to deal with calls from buyers and be careful to have a safe transaction.

How Amin handles your Ad and what to note?
Your Ad has to go through a verification process before it’s live.
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.
Simply tap on the Close catch set under the promotion or snap on the cross put on the upper right corner when you want to close your Ad.
Ads that are too similar will be regarded as copies by our arbitrators and won't go online.

What rules to follow as an Amin user?
Every advert must have an exact title and include pictures taken by the vendor directly.(contact data or watermarks are unacceptable).
Every automobile or car Ad is requested with pictures.
A proper classification is necessary for a successful Ad.
Overpriced items would not be welcomed.
Your posted items should be stored in Uganda 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 make your Ad more effective?
1)     Tips for your title: clearly show the name of your item and add some appealing words to introduce.
2)     A proper price is the key so please do your research before deciding your price.
3)     Keep your description informative and authentic.
4)     Unique and high-quality photos of your items taken by yourself.
5)     Never leave a wrong contact info. Get proactive to reply to the calls.
6)     The more info you fill out the more potential customers you will get.

How to buy what I like on Amin?
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 my advert is 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.

How to share Ads on social media?
Log in first then go to my adverts, click on the advert you want to share, scroll down until you see Facebook/Twitter icons, click on a particular icon to share the link.

What items are not allowed to be posted on Amin?
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
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.
What else to note:
Food and healthcare items should have a marked expiration or ‘use by’ date.
Ads can't contain pictures of nudity.

Tip to become a Pro:
Take a look at the number of favorites compared to views. If the favorites are low but the views are high, it's time to edit your Ad, add more photos, or lower your price. You want more favorites so that you get more attention and sell faster.

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 about getting people from different cities to follow your profile? That way, they will be notified when you post something new. This is because you only need one Ad to do that and it will be less of a hassle for you.

How do I see the location of an Ad?
All Ads now come with a Google Maps preview of where the Ad is exactly located. So if you want to figure out exactly where it is, simply tap on the Google map section of the Ad.

How to contact a Seller?
Firstly, you will not be able to reach a seller unless you're logged into Amin. Everyone must have a profile for security.
Once logged in, you can scroll through Ads to your heart's content. If there's anything that tickles your fancy, you can start a Chat right on the Ad or dial the sellers call line immediately.
Why I need to send messages through Amin?
Because it is the surest, recommended source of contact.
Remember! The Seller can always block your messages, so the lack of response to your request is the result of a decision of the Seller, not a system error.

How many photos can be uploaded?
A picture is worth a thousand words, so to make the most impact you must upload at least 1 photo. More photos may be needed depending on different categories.

How to realize an Ad is too old?
Ad posting detail is available on Ad details alongside location details
Good news, 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.
Search for an Ad based on location
How do I search in my current or another location?
The Amin site automatically picks up your current location as long as you have enabled location in your phone's settings. Otherwise, you can manually search for a location on the top left of the Amin website homepage.

Why is there a wrong location set?
No worries, it may happen from time to time due to a default setting on your phone or browser.

What happened to my older Ads?
To keep content fresh and relevant for buyers, we have moved only the Ads that were posted over the last 30 days. You can post a new Ad for the ones that are important to you.
We've made it super fast and easy.
Note: Any Ad which is 90 days old can't be republished. Please post a new Ad for the product.

Where to find my Ads?
You can find your Ads by going to your profile page and scrolling down to my adverts; 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 adverts; enter to see the old adverts you previously posted and edit; you can either delete or edit your old Ads

Why did my Ad get rejected?
To ensure good user experience for both buyers and sellers, the following could be some reasons why your Ad did not go live. For more information, please click on the links provided below to understand better our posting rules.
Ban Reason: Forbidden Products
Amin does not allow Items or Service which violates the Law and Amin policies. Sellers needs to comply with items considered legal or valid for sale in Uganda.
Ban Reason: Invalid price
To ensure a great experience for both Buyers & Sellers on Amin, we only allow Ads that have a realistic/reasonable price for the item being sold. Putting a good price for your item helps the buyer to discover your item and contact you to make a deal.
For any kind of assistance please Contact Amin Customer Service Team

Why does my Ad not go live?
Once you post an Ad on Amin you’ll receive an intimation right away to let you know the status of your Ad. You can also have the option of checking the status of your Ads in My Ads, which is located in the upper right-hand corner.
Your Ad will always be on moderation before it goes live or in some cases gets rejected. If it remains rejected, it's possibly because our filters have detected something which is against Amin rules.
These filters help keep the Amin platform safe and duplicate free, by removing Ads that have the same or similar Ad titles and images - how cool is that? So, make sure that the title and images of your Ads are not the same, and you should have no problems!
For other reasons, it would be a good idea to have another look at our Amin Rules, and the list of the Prohibited Items on Amin and edit your Ad or where required post a new one.

I can't search out my Ad in the results
So you’ve tried everything and you still can’t find it. No sweat:
Double-check your spelling: Remember to add specific words or the exact title of your Ad.
Results always show all active Ads. If your Ad doesn’t appear, check your account and the status of your Ad. If the Ad has expired, by all means, post it again!
If your Ad was rejected, please review our Amin Rules, and the list of the Prohibited items on Amin before you edit it. You’ll receive an intimation via email/message with the reason for the rejection, and its details.
If you still have questions, please feel free to Contact Us. We’ll reply you as soon as possible.

Why should my profile be linked to Facebook?
Having your profile linked to Facebook will help you, as a Seller, be more visible and trustworthy. We won't post on Facebook on your behalf, so you can carry on posting Ads on Amin.

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 their designated Account Manager
For any support feel free to contact the Amin Customer Service Team via the Contact Us section.

Why should I sell on Amin site?
There are many reasons to sell on Amin —from the hundreds of millions of Amin customers who can see your products to the ability to start selling fast without the need to create a new standalone website.

Can I list my products in all Amin categories?
Prior approval may be required to list certain products in certain categories

What type of products cannot be listed on the Amin site?
Some products may not be listed as a matter of compliance with legal or regulatory restrictions (for example, prescription drugs) or Amin policy (for example, crime scene photos). For detailed information, please see our Restricted Products Help section.
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 privacy settings (what is visible to visitors on your profile page), select Edit privacy settings.
After making your changes, click Save.

How long can my bio be?
Keep your bio short and sweet. It should be a maximum of 200 characters.

How often can I edit my profile?
You can edit your bio or About Me section as often as you like. Simply click on profile Icon next to sell button → My Profile → Edit Profile.

How do I add a picture to my profile and can I change it later?
The profile picture cannot be edited by Users. However, you can use your Facebook & Google Login and display their profile picture on Amin. Simply click on the camera symbol on your page to upload a new avatar.

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 Amin 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
Be part of the Amin fraternity and where you find any content issue in an advert, please report this to us.
To report an Ad, no problem. Amin has made it snappy & easy for you.
You’ll find under Seller profile “Report this Ad”
Don't forget that you need to be logged in, to report an Ad.
A pop-up will appear asking you for a little extra information. 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.

How to sell my items safely?
Try to take the full payment at the time of the delivery. Remember to use a safe location to meet.
Watch out for fake currency and money orders. Be aware that banks will not honor fake currency/money order and will hold you responsible for it.
Verify the buyer’s credentials if there is a request for bulk order. Ask the buyer to provide a photo ID and proof of address.
Ensure that your product meets the features you list in your Ad to avoid any misunderstanding with the buyer.
Do not share your financial information except the one required for payment.

How to buy safely?
Always meet the seller at a safe location and inspect the item before purchasing it. Following this one rule will help you avoid most scams. This is also true for house rentals as well.
Watch out for unrealistic offers. If it appears too good to be true, it probably isn't. Unrealistic offers are used to motivate purchasers to make hasty decisions.
The best way to transact is to collect the item and pay at the same time. Never transfer funds or use a debit card to pay someone you do not know before collecting an item.
Always insist on clear and correct information on the condition of the item, price, payment, and delivery method.
Use only those payment methods that you trust and are familiar with. Never give out your financial information.
It is recommended to purchase items directly from the seller.
In the case of electronic goods, cars, and bikes you should test the functioning of the item before purchase. Verify vehicle chassis number. 3rd party services are available that can provide the history of a vehicle for theft, damage, and for identification purposes.
Do your research on comparative prices for the product.

How to take care of the safety of your account on Amin?
Never reveal your login and password of your account. Think of a difficult password, consisting of a minimum of 6 characters, including at least one digit.
For safety reasons, we do not recommend storing the password in the browser. If you feel that someone knows your password - immediately change to a new one.

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 Amin, 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 post the purchase of the vehicle. 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.
Apart from the above tips, there are few other aspects that you can look into:
Car Clocking:
Simply stating, it is winding back the odometer of a car to make it look less used & fetch a higher resale value. If you suspect this:
Check the car’s documented history and have it looked at by a competent mechanic to be on the safe side.
Reputable garages also provide you with the mileage records when they service the car.
You can conduct checks like tyre wear to try and estimate the mileage.
Car Cloning:
In rare cases, a car can be given the identity of another by replacing the number of plates with those from an almost identical vehicle - same make, model and color. It is always advisable to do proper verification before buying any vehicle.
Cut–and–shut:
What this means is that the remains of two or more cars, usually been accident–damaged are welded together, and given the identity of one of the wrecks.
Few elementary things that you can do are:
Take a sideways view of the car.
Is the reflection in the bodywork wavy?
Does the paint have a cloudy-looking finish? Then it’s possible that it’s a re-spray.

How do I buy items safely?
A safe sale is a happy sale.
Safety is everything to us. And here’s how to experience a safe transaction…
If you’re buying;
This might seem simple, but it can’t be said enough - always meet the seller in person in a public place, like at a mall or a coffee shop
Only hand over the money once you’re happy with what you’re buying
Whatever you do, don’t buy before you try - always examine the item, then pay for it and please, be careful.
Even if the deal seems too good to say no to, and the seller isn’t in your city – you still need to say no. It’s better and quicker to rather find a seller in your city. There are loads out there, you just need to find them.
We are all about connecting buyers and sellers. We aren't in any position to handle or facilitate any exchange of money. So, please, be careful when handling overpayment.
If the seller doesn’t live in your city, try finding another seller close by. It’s safer and easier.
If you still have questions, please contact us

Be cautious when buying Apple products
We've heard that there has been a rise in dodgy deals relating to stolen items from the Apple stores in Africa. So, if you're thinking about spoiling yourself or a loved one with that latest Apple product, we seriously urge you to be extra careful!
Here are a few pointers on how to make sure that you don't fall victim to buying fake or stolen Apple items:
Before you even arrange a meetup, ask the seller to send you the serial number of the item and contact your local iStore to check if the item is stolen.
When you meet the seller, make sure you meet up at an iStore so that their staff can check the item.
This is a good way to find out if you're buying legitimate Apple products and if they are still under warranty.

Amin does not offer payment service or deliveries
We have noticed that some users are requested to make a payment under the so-called 'Amin Buyer Protection' to handle a secure online transaction. The person tries to convince you to transfer the amount, often the full total, via MoneyGram to their account.
Amin Buyer Protection' is not a service that Amin offers, so do not transfer any money. Instead, stick to cash wherever possible, follow our safety tips and please report these cases immediately to us.
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