Frequently Asked
Questions

Techaven is a Malawi-based marketplace for electronics and general goods. Customers browse products from verified suppliers, place orders, and pay through a protected checkout. We handle delivery, packaging, and customer support from order placement through to handover.

No. Delivery is part of what we do, but it's not the whole picture. Techaven also handles verified supplier listings, escrow-protected payments, packaging, and customer support. The courier work exists to support the marketplace, not the other way around.

Your payment is held until you receive the product and confirm it's working. That means the supplier gets paid only when you're satisfied. We also verify the suppliers listed on the platform, so you're not buying blind from a stranger.

Techaven operates digitally across Malawi through the app and website. For physical locations, pickup points, or in-person assistance, contact customer care for current details — these change as we expand.

Instead of chasing different sellers across WhatsApp, Facebook, and physical shops, you find verified products in one place, pay through a protected gateway, and we coordinate the rest. Suppliers get a structured channel to reach customers without managing logistics alone.

Most marketplaces connect buyers and sellers, then step back. We stay involved through payment protection, delivery, and dispute handling. If something goes wrong, there's a system to fix it — not just a number to call that nobody answers.

Techaven is primarily digital. Customers use the app or website to shop, track orders, and contact support. Where physical pickup or partner service points exist, customer care will provide the location.

Reach us through the official hotline, app support, website, or social media channels listed on the platform. Only use contact details sourced from official Techaven channels — not numbers shared by third parties.

No. We aim to cover customers across Malawi. Delivery availability depends on your location, the supplier's location, and the delivery route. You can confirm coverage when placing an order.

The app is free to download and use. Product prices, delivery fees, and any applicable service charges are shown at checkout before you pay.

We run our own delivery network rather than outsourcing to third-party couriers. That gives us more control over handling, timing, and what happens when something goes wrong.

Electronics need careful handling. When delivery is outsourced, accountability gets murky fast. Keeping it in-house means we own the problem if something breaks or gets delayed, and we can actually fix it.

Yes, where routes and agent availability allow. Rural delivery depends on distance, road access, and product type. Check delivery availability when placing your order — don't assume either way.

It means the product goes from the supplier directly to your address. You don't need to travel to pick it up or coordinate with the seller yourself.

It depends on where you are and where the supplier is. Same-city orders are typically faster. You'll get delivery updates once the order is confirmed and the supplier has prepared it.

Yes. The app shows key stages: payment confirmed, supplier preparing, dispatched, in transit, and delivered. Tracking detail may vary by order type and route.

Foot Agents are on-ground staff who assist suppliers with product listing, verification, and delivery coordination. They also handle product handover to customers on delivery. Think of them as the physical layer of the platform.

No. Pay through official Techaven payment channels only. Don't hand cash to an agent unless Techaven has explicitly instructed you to — and that instruction should come from the app or verified customer care, not from the agent themselves.

Yes. We package orders in-house, especially for electronics and accessories that need protection during transit.

Phones, chargers, and accessories don't survive rough handling well. Packaging them ourselves means we control how they're wrapped, padded, and sealed before they leave the supplier.

Report it immediately through the app or customer care. We'll review the delivery record, packaging condition, and any photos you provide. Depending on the case, we'll arrange a replacement, return, or refund.

You can request a preferred time through customer care or the app. We'll try to accommodate it, but final timing depends on route planning and agent availability. Keep your phone reachable on the day of delivery.

Weekend delivery depends on your location and the delivery schedule for that area. Confirm availability before paying if weekend delivery matters to you.

Yes. Delivery staff and Foot Agents are expected to handle products carefully, particularly during packaging, transit, and handover. It's part of the job, not optional.

Possibly, if the order hasn't been dispatched yet. Once it's in transit, address changes may cause delays or extra charges. Contact customer care as soon as you need to make the change.

Escrow means your payment is held by Techaven — not sent to the supplier — until the order is delivered and you confirm you're satisfied. The supplier only gets paid when you say the product arrived and works.

You pay at checkout, but the money doesn't reach the supplier yet. It stays in escrow while the supplier prepares the order and we deliver it. Once you confirm receipt and the product checks out, the supplier gets paid.

Yes, provided you use the official payment channels shown in the app or on the website. Don't pay through external links, personal numbers, or unofficial channels — even if someone claims to be from Techaven.

No. Payment is held until delivery is confirmed. This is the core of how Techaven protects buyers.

After the product is delivered and you confirm it matches your order and works properly.

Customers trust the platform more when they know their money is protected. That trust translates to more sales. Sellers also get a structured process for orders, delivery, and payment — cleaner than managing everything through direct messages.

You're not paying a stranger and hoping for the best. If the product doesn't arrive, arrives damaged, or isn't what was listed, the escrow record supports your refund claim.

Yes. Airtel Money and TNM Mpamba are supported where available. Confirm payment options at checkout.

Bank transfers may be available for selected orders. If so, the official bank details will be provided on the platform or by verified customer care. Don't send money to personal accounts.

Supplier verification, escrow, order records, and customer confirmation are all part of it. Transactions leave a traceable record, which makes it much harder for bad actors to disappear after taking payment.

Techaven uses secure payment systems. You can also protect yourself by using a strong password, not sharing login details, and only paying through the official app or website.

There may be service fees, delivery charges, or escrow fees depending on the order. These are shown clearly before you confirm payment — there are no hidden charges added after the fact.

Report it through the app or customer care. Because the payment is still in escrow, Techaven can review the case and process a refund. This is exactly why escrow exists.

No. Funds are locked until you confirm receipt and satisfaction. Suppliers can't access the money early.

We review shop details, product information, and seller credibility before listings go live. Foot Agents also assist with on-ground verification for some suppliers, particularly those who need help getting products listed accurately.

The gateway is built for Techaven transactions. Partner integrations may be considered as the platform grows. Contact us for partnership enquiries.

Payment limits depend on the method used — Mobile Money providers have their own limits, and higher-value orders may require additional verification. Check at checkout or contact customer care if you're unsure.

Trust is the main barrier to online shopping in Malawi. Most people have either been scammed or know someone who has. Escrow addresses this directly: the seller doesn't get paid until the buyer receives what they paid for. It's a simple mechanism, but it changes the whole dynamic.

You'll receive a confirmation notification, order status update, or digital receipt after payment. Keep it — you'll need it if you ever need to reference the transaction.

Yes. Every payment generates a record linked to your order. Use it for delivery tracking, refund requests, or warranty support.

If your product isn't delivered, arrives damaged, or doesn't match what was listed, you can request a refund. Approval depends on the evidence you provide, the product condition, and the return terms for that product category.

Contact customer care or use the support feature in the app. Have your order number, photos or video of the issue, and delivery details ready. We'll review the case and guide you through the next steps.

Yes. Wrong model, wrong colour, wrong storage size, missing parts, or a fake listing all qualify. Report the issue as soon as you receive the product — don't wait.

It depends on the complexity of the case. Simple issues resolve faster. Disputes involving supplier responses or product returns take longer. Customer care will keep you updated throughout.

Usually yes. If that's not possible, customer care will advise on an approved alternative. Only accept refund instructions from official Techaven channels.

Wrong product, damaged item, non-working electronics, missing parts, or a product that doesn't match the listing. Returns due to customer misuse, physical damage after acceptance, or repairs done without authorisation generally won't qualify.

Yes, depending on the issue, timing, and evidence. That said, the safest approach is to check the product carefully during handover — while the agent is still there — before confirming satisfaction. Once you confirm, the bar for returns gets higher.

We assist with return logistics for valid cases. The process depends on your location, the supplier's location, and the product type. You won't be left to figure out the return on your own.

Yes, though the window varies by product type and supplier policy. Check the return terms shown before you complete an order. Return items with original packaging and proof of purchase.

Returned goods are assessed by Techaven support staff, Foot Agents, or the supplier depending on the case. The check confirms whether the item is complete, damaged, tampered with, or different from what was originally delivered.

We review everything: order details, payment record, delivery status, photos, your complaint, and the supplier's response. Because payment is still in escrow during a dispute, we can investigate without the supplier already having the money. That's what makes the process work.

Yes. Product verification, packaging checks, and delivery handover confirmation are all part of the process. The goal is to catch problems before they reach you, not after.

Yes. Report it quickly and include photos or video of the damage and packaging condition. We'll review the delivery record and decide accordingly.

Some items can't be returned — particularly products damaged after acceptance, items with missing or tampered parts, sealed accessories that have been opened, or orders returned outside the allowed window. Check the return terms for your specific product before paying.

Paying for something online in Malawi still carries real risk for most people. The guarantee exists to change that calculation: your money is protected until you're satisfied, you have a channel to raise problems, and there's a process to resolve them. That's what makes repeat customers — not a tagline.