Return Policy

The ECT Act and returns

The ECT Act has its own consumer protection provisions, some of which will trump the CPA

If you sell or buy goods online, there are some extra things to consider. Most importantly the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECT Act) will apply to the transaction. The ECT Act has its own consumer protection provisions, some of which will trump the CPA. Specifically, the reasons (1)-(3) for returns listed below do not apply if the ECT Act’s provisions apply to the transaction. Instead of these rights of return, consumers have;

• a general right to return (a “cooling off period”);

• for seven days after delivery;

• for any reason;

• without penalty; but

• the consumer must pay the costs to return the goods.

Since the ECT Act has been around since 2002,  if you have an online store, your returns policies should already be in line with these provisions.

​

• 1)  The direct marketing “cooling-off” period

• In terms of s16 of the CPA, if a consumer has bought goods as a result of direct marketing, then for a period of 5 days after receiving the goods, the consumer can:

• return the goods,

• cancel the entire contract without penalty, and

• receive a full refund.

• The consumer will have to pay the costs to return the goods.

• ​

• 2) Goods which have not been seen before purchase

• In terms of s20 (read with s19) of the CPA, if a consumer has not had the opportunity to examine or inspect the actual goods received before purchase, they are entitled to inspect the goods on delivery. If on this initial inspection they find that:

• the goods do not meet the ‘type’ or ‘quality’ they could reasonably expect from the agreement; or

• if the goods were made in terms of a special or ‘custom’ order, and the goods do not reasonably conform to the specifications of the order,

• then:

• the consumer can refuse delivery,

• receive a full refund, and

• the consumer can cancel without penalty.

• The supplier will have to pay the costs to return the goods.

• ​

• 3) Goods do not meet a particular purpose

• In terms of s55(3) (read with s20) of the CPA, if a consumer informs a supplier that the goods are being bought to fulfill a particular purpose, and the supplier advises that the goods will meet this particular purpose then:

• 10 days after receiving the goods,

• the consumer can return the goods if it is not suitable for the particular purpose, and

• the consumer can cancel without penalty.

• The supplier will have to pay the costs to return the goods.

• It is important to note that despite the above, the consumer is not entitled to return goods for any of the above reasons (1)-(3)  if:

• regulation prohibits the return of those goods to a supplier once they have been supplied to a consumer (for reasons of public health or public), or

• after having been supplied to a consumer, the goods have been partially or entirely disassembled, altered, added or combined with other goods or property.

• ​

• 4) Implied warranty of quality

• In terms of s56 (read with s55) of the CPA, all goods sold to a consumer are sold with an implied warranty of quality, that cannot be contracted out of or revoked. The warranty gives the consumer the right to receive goods that:

• are reasonably suitable for the purpose that they are intended to be used for,

• are of good quality, free of defects, and in good working order, and

• will be durable and usable for a reasonable period of time.

• If goods are found not to comply with these requirements then, for up to 6 months after receiving the goods, the consumer can:

• return the goods, or

• get the goods replaced, or

• get the goods repaired.

• The consumer can do any of these things without penalty and at the suppliers’ cost. A general ‘voetstoots‘ clause will be insufficient.

• However, a consumer will not be able to return the goods because it was defective or not suitable for the purpose if:

• the consumer was made aware of the specific defects, and

• the consumer agreed to receive the goods in that condition.

• A general ‘voetstoots’ clause will be insufficient to get out of the s56 warranty because you have to mention the specific defects.

​

Also in terms of s56, the consumer (not the supplier) can decide whether to choose the refund, replacement or repair.

 Repair Policy; when a product is still under guarantee, we undertake to repair the product within 30 days.  However, if the Supplier or the Repair Agent cannot find the necessary parts within 30 working days, the Supplier will exchange your product with a similar item.

​

This guarantee shall be calculated from the delivery date of the goods.   This guarantee does not apply to any ‘demo’ or ‘scratch and dent’ product purchased in-store where the customer was given the opportunity to inspect the product prior to purchase.

​

​

​

Orders collected by the customer must be returned by the customer at their own cost to GFP warehouse.

Products returned for refund shall be inspected thoroughly for damages or other discrepancies. GFP reserves the right to levy reasonable and appropriate surcharges or handling fees to compensate for missing   components or items returned not in good condition.  

​

Refunds may take up to 14 (fourteen) days from date of receipt of returned goods, subject to the return meeting the criteria for refund. Where GFP has determined deductions or surcharges to be deducted from the refund, such amounts shall be communicated to the customer and only after agreement on the final refund amount has been reached will refunds be processed for payment.

​

Refund will be processed via EFT

​

​

Information and Disclaimer on Our Colour and Fabric Finishes

Actual colours may vary due to products being made to order. It’s important to note that swatches may look different on a real product than what you see on your computer monitor. This is due to the fact that every computer monitor has a different capability to display colours and that everyone sees these colours differently.

​

Please note that should you choose to collect your items or choose your own shipping company to transport items, we are no longer responsible for any damages.

​

Please note that any custom made items i.e custom sizes or colours are non refundable.  

​