Cookies Policy

When you use a website, it can store a small amount of data on your browser. That data may be a cookie (sent with requests to our servers) or browser storage that stays on your device for preferences and session state.

We use these tools so Cheapstores can:

• Keep you signed in securely across pages.
• Remember settings such as shop drafts and onboarding progress.
• Protect accounts and prevent abuse.
• Measure basic product usage so we can improve the marketplace.

Essential / strictly necessary. Required for core features such as authentication, security, cart and checkout continuity, and load balancing. The Service cannot work properly without these.

Functional. Remember choices you make (for example vendor onboarding skip state, draft shop details, or highlight watched state) so you do not have to repeat them every visit.

Analytics (limited). Help us understand which pages and features are used so we can fix issues and improve the product. We do not sell this data.

We do not currently use third-party advertising cookies to track you across other websites for targeted ads. If that changes, we will update this Policy and, where required, ask for consent.

Depending on how you use the Service, we may store:

• Session / auth tokens so you stay signed in while browsing buyer and vendor pages.
• Preference keys in local or session storage (for example onboarding completion, shop draft content, wishlist hydration helpers, or checkout cart cache for a payment reference).
• Security-related signals used to detect suspicious activity and protect payments and messaging.

Payments and identity checks are handled by providers such as Paystack, Moolre, and our identity-verification partner. When you complete checkout or verification, those providers may set their own cookies or similar technologies on their domains. Their use of data is governed by their privacy and cookie policies.

We also load fonts and map tiles from third-party CDNs. Those providers may receive standard request metadata (such as IP address) when assets are fetched.

Most browsers let you block or delete cookies and clear site data. You can usually find these controls under Settings → Privacy / Security. If you block essential cookies, parts of Cheapstores (sign-in, checkout, messaging) may stop working.

Clearing local storage will reset in-browser preferences such as drafts and onboarding flags, but it will not delete your account or order history on our servers.

Session cookies typically expire when you close your browser or after a short idle period. Persistent cookies and local storage entries last until they expire, you clear them, or we rotate them as part of a security update. We keep server-side session data only as long as needed for security and account continuity, as described in our Privacy Policy.

We may update this Cookies Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last Updated" date on this page. Continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.