Introduction & General Principles
At Spes.co.za, we are committed to providing you with high-quality products and excellent service, in full compliance with the South African Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA). Due to the unique nature of our diverse product range, our specific shipping, cancellation, and return terms vary by product category. Please read the relevant section below carefully.
Proof of Purchase: All cancellation and return requests require valid proof of purchase (e.g., your order number or invoice).
General Warranty of Quality (CPA Section 56): All products purchased from Spes.co.za come with an implied warranty of quality for a period of 6 months from the date of delivery. If a product is defective, unsafe, or not suitable for its intended purpose within this period, you may choose to have it repaired, replaced, or receive a full refund, at our expense and without penalty. This statutory warranty applies according to the reasonable expected lifespan and usability of each product type, considering its nature and proper storage as instructed.
Online Purchases & 7-Day Cooling-Off Period (ECTA Section 44): For products purchased online, you have a general right to cancel the transaction without reason or penalty within 7 days of receiving the goods. If you exercise this right, you must notify us in writing and bear the direct cost of returning the goods to us. We will then refund your payment within 15 days of your notification of cancellation. Please note, this 7-day cooling-off period does not apply to certain goods as defined by ECTA (e.g., perishable goods, goods made to your specifications).
1. Dropshipped Products
Nature of Products: These are typically larger, specialized, or high-value items (e.g., humidification units) that are shipped directly from our trusted international suppliers to you. We do not hold these items in our physical stock.
Order Placement & Shipping: Upon receipt of full payment for these items, your order is immediately processed with our international suppliers and commences its journey. Due to international logistics, customs clearance, and varied shipping routes, estimated delivery times can be significant. We will provide an estimated delivery timeframe at the time of purchase.
Cancellations (Pre-Delivery – CPA Section 17): You have the right to cancel an advance order for a dropshipped item. However, if the order has already been processed and dispatched by our international supplier, a reasonable cancellation penalty will apply. This penalty covers non-recoverable costs incurred by Spes.co.za due to your cancellation, which may include, but are not limited to:
- Payments already made to the international manufacturer/supplier for the item.
- International shipping costs (freight, insurance, etc.) for goods already en route.
- Customs duties, taxes, and a non-refundable import facilitation fee charged by our courier (e.g., R300).
- Non-refundable payment processing fees (e.g., 3% of the initial payment).
The exact penalty will be calculated based on the specific, verifiable costs incurred for your order. Any refund due will be the amount paid minus these applicable cancellation penalties. No cancellation fee will be imposed if the cancellation is due to the death or hospitalization of the consumer for whom the goods were ordered.
Returns (Post-Delivery, Non-Defective / Change of Mind – ECTA Section 44): For online purchases, you have a 7-day cooling-off period from the date of receipt to return a non-defective dropshipped item. You must notify us in writing within this period.
- The item must be returned in its original, unopened, unused, and re-sellable condition, with all packaging intact.
- You will be responsible for the direct costs and arrangement of returning the item to our designated return address in South Africa.
- Upon receipt and satisfactory inspection, your refund will be processed within 15 business days, minus:
- Non-refundable original payment processing fees (e.g., 3%).
- An administrative and re-handling fee of R150.
Returns for Defective/Incorrect Items: Please refer to the “General Warranty of Quality” section above. Note that processing replacements or refunds for defective dropshipped items may take longer due to the involvement of international suppliers and logistics.
2. Reseller Products
Nature of Products: These are standard retail items that we purchase from local manufacturers/distributors and hold in our own inventory.
Cancellations (Pre-Dispatch): You may cancel an order for a reseller product before it has been dispatched from our facility. A full refund will be provided, less any non-refundable payment processing fees (e.g., 3%).
Returns (Post-Delivery, Non-Defective / Change of Mind – ECTA Section 44): For online purchases, you have a 7-day cooling-off period from the date of receipt to return a non-defective reseller item. You must notify us in writing within this period.
- The item must be returned in its original, unopened, unused, and re-sellable condition, with all packaging intact.
- You will be responsible for the direct costs and arrangement of returning the item to us.
- Upon receipt and satisfactory inspection, your refund will be processed within 15 business days, minus:
- Non-refundable original payment processing fees (e.g., 3%).
- An administrative and re-stocking fee of R150.
Returns for Defective/Incorrect Items: Please refer to the “General Warranty of Quality” section above.
3. Unique Products (Made by Spes.co.za)
Nature of Products: These items are handcrafted or specifically produced by our urban farm based on your order (e.g., custom-designed hydroponic setups, specific artisanal goods).
Cancellations (Pre-Production / During Production):
- Cancellations before production begins may receive a full refund, less any non-refundable payment processing fees.
- If cancellation occurs after production has commenced, a portion of your payment may be retained to cover materials purchased, labour expended, and any customisation that renders the item unsellable to another customer.
- The exact cancellation fee will be communicated to you based on the stage of production.
Returns (Post-Delivery, Non-Defective / Change of Mind): Due to the custom or unique nature of these products, we generally do not accept returns for ‘change of mind’ once the item has been delivered and conforms to the agreed specifications. Please review your order specifications carefully before confirming.
Returns for Defective/Incorrect Items: Please refer to the “General Warranty of Quality” section above. If the item does not conform to the agreed specifications or is defective, the CPA’s provisions for custom orders apply.
4. Produce (Mushroom Spawn, Cultures & Perishable Goods)
Nature of Products: This category includes living organisms, perishable agricultural products, and other time-sensitive items such as mushroom spawn and cultures. Due to their inherent nature, these products have a limited shelf life and specific handling requirements.
Cancellations (Pre-Dispatch): You may cancel an order for produce before it has been dispatched from our farm. A full refund will be provided, less any non-refundable payment processing fees (e.g., 3%). Once dispatched, cancellations are generally not possible due to the perishable nature of the goods.
Returns (Post-Delivery, Non-Defective / Change of Mind): Due to the perishable and sensitive nature of these products, and for reasons of public health and preventing contamination, we cannot accept returns for change of mind once produce has been dispatched or delivered. All sales are final upon dispatch. Please ensure you are ready to receive and store your produce according to provided instructions upon delivery.
Specific for Mushroom Cultures (Liquid Inoculants – LIN) – Quality Assurance & Replacements: We have diligently developed our Liquid Inoculants (LIN) to be a product capable of withstanding the rigours of courier handling and the ravages of time, with a typical viability period of over two years when stored correctly. We are committed to ensuring the quality of our cultures.
Should you encounter any quality issues with your Mushroom Cultures (LIN) that suggest the product was not viable or of the expected quality upon receipt, we are dedicated to rectifying the situation. Please ensure you contact us within 30 days of receiving your order to report the issue, providing any relevant details or evidence.
Upon review and verification of the reported quality issue, and assuming proper storage and handling as per our instructions, we will gladly dispatch a replacement culture to you at a nominal fee of R150 to cover the courier expenses for the replacement shipment.
Important Note on Warranty for Perishable Goods: All goods supplied by Spes.co.za are subject to the implied warranty of quality under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). For perishable items such as cultures and spawn, this warranty applies to the reasonable expected lifespan and usability of the product given its nature and proper storage as instructed. If a product is determined to have been defective or non-viable upon delivery, or fails prematurely due to an inherent flaw, you have rights to a repair, replacement, or refund without penalty as per the CPA. Our specific 30-day offer for LIN quality issues is designed to provide a swift resolution, but does not limit your statutory rights for items that were inherently defective at the time of purchase.
Need Assistance?
If you have any questions about our shipping, cancellation, or return policies, or need assistance with an order, please do not hesitate to contact us at [Contact Us Page] or [Use the WhatsApp Link Bottom Left of Page]. We are here to help!