Refund policy

THE CAR EDIT

RETURNS, REFUNDS & EXCHANGES POLICY

Last updated: 22 September 2026

Business name: The Car Edit

Website: https://the-car-edit.co.za

Email: thecareditza@gmail.com

Location: Gauteng, South Africa

1. INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE

At The Car Edit, we are committed to providing quality automotive accessories and a reliable online shopping experience.

This Returns, Refunds & Exchanges Policy applies to all products purchased directly through our official online store, including all current and future automotive accessories, vehicle organisation products, electronic accessories, interior accessories and any other merchandise offered for sale by The Car Edit.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, this policy applies to every product sold through our website, regardless of its type, colour, size, material, price or intended use.

Certain products may be subject to additional product-specific instructions, warranty terms or statutory exceptions. Where applicable, these will be communicated to customers before purchase.

Any additional product-specific terms must be consistent with applicable South African law and may not remove or restrict statutory consumer rights.

This policy establishes our procedures for returns, refunds, exchanges, product inspections and warranty claims.

All provisions are subject to the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA), the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECTA), and other applicable South African laws.

Nothing in this policy excludes, restricts or overrides any consumer right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded.

2. CHANGE-OF-MIND RETURNS

Customers who purchase products through our online store may exercise their statutory cooling-off rights under section 44 of ECTA, where applicable.

A customer may cancel an eligible online purchase without providing a reason within 7 calendar days after receiving the goods.

To exercise this right, customers must notify The Car Edit by emailing thecareditza@gmail.com within the applicable cooling-off period.

The customer is responsible for the direct cost of returning the goods to The Car Edit, unless applicable law requires otherwise.

No cancellation penalty or administrative fee will be charged for exercising a valid statutory cooling-off right.

Customers are requested to return products in their original condition, together with all supplied accessories and packaging where reasonably possible.

Products should be packaged securely to prevent damage during return transportation.

The Car Edit reserves the right to inspect returned goods and assess their condition in accordance with applicable law.

A valid statutory cooling-off cancellation will not be refused solely because the customer has opened the packaging.

Where a refund is due under section 44 of ECTA, the customer will receive a full refund of the payment made for the cancelled transaction within 30 days of cancellation.

3. VOLUNTARY RETURNS OUTSIDE THE STATUTORY COOLING-OFF PERIOD

The Car Edit does not offer an additional general change-of-mind return period beyond the rights provided by applicable South African law.

Once the applicable statutory cooling-off period has expired, we are not obliged to accept a return solely because a customer:

  • No longer wants the product.

  • Has changed their mind about the purchase.

  • Prefers a different colour, size or design.

  • Purchased the wrong product or selected the wrong variation.

  • Has found a similar product at a lower price elsewhere.

  • No longer requires the product.

The Car Edit may, at its discretion, offer an additional voluntary return, exchange or store credit as a gesture of goodwill.

Any such offer will be subject to the conditions communicated to the customer in writing.

A voluntary return or exchange granted on one occasion does not create an obligation to offer the same arrangement in future.

This section does not affect statutory rights relating to defective, unsafe, unsuitable, incorrectly supplied or otherwise non-compliant goods.

4. DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS AND STATUTORY WARRANTY

30-day returns for damaged, faulty or incorrect items: If your order arrives damaged, is faulty, or is not what you ordered, let us know at thecareditza@gmail.com within 30 days of delivery. We will cover the return shipping and send you a replacement or a full refund, whichever you prefer. Defects that appear after 30 days remain covered by the six-month statutory warranty described below."

All products sold by The Car Edit are subject to the applicable statutory implied warranty of quality under sections 55 and 56 of the Consumer Protection Act.

Where a product fails to meet the applicable statutory quality requirements within six months after delivery, the customer may be entitled to return the product without penalty and at The Car Edit's risk and expense.

Where the statutory requirements are satisfied, the customer may choose a repair, replacement or refund as provided by section 56 of the CPA.

Examples of potentially qualifying defects include:

  • Manufacturing defects affecting a product's functionality.

  • Faulty components or mechanisms.

  • Defective stitching, materials or construction.

  • Electrical or mechanical faults arising from manufacturing defects.

  • Products that are unsafe or fail to meet applicable statutory quality standards.

  • Products that are not reasonably suitable for their ordinarily intended purpose.

The Car Edit reserves the right to conduct a reasonable product inspection to determine the nature and cause of the reported issue.

We may request photographs, videos, purchase details or other relevant information to assist with the assessment.

Where reasonably necessary, we may arrange for the product to be physically inspected.

An inspection does not remove or restrict the customer's statutory right to an applicable remedy.

If a product is repaired and the same defect remains or another qualifying defect is discovered within three months after the repair, the customer will be entitled to the applicable replacement or refund remedy under section 56(3) of the CPA.

Nothing in this policy limits any additional warranty or remedy available under applicable law.

5. DAMAGE, MISUSE AND WARRANTY EXCLUSIONS

The statutory warranty does not automatically cover every instance of product damage or deterioration.

Where the relevant problem is caused solely by circumstances for which The Car Edit is not legally responsible, a warranty claim may be declined.

Such circumstances may include:

  • Damage resulting from improper installation or incorrect use.

  • Damage caused by excessive force, deliberate misuse or negligence.

  • Damage caused by unauthorised modifications or alterations.

  • Accidental damage occurring after delivery.

  • Damage caused by exposure to unsuitable chemicals, liquids, excessive heat or other conditions outside the product's intended use.

  • Electrical damage resulting from incompatible power sources, improper connections or misuse.

  • Ordinary wear and tear that does not constitute a defect under applicable law.

  • Damage resulting from using a product in a manner inconsistent with reasonable product instructions.

Each claim will be assessed on its individual circumstances, taking into account the product's intended use, applicable instructions, the nature of the reported problem and the customer's statutory rights.

The Car Edit will not reject a valid statutory claim merely because a product has been used, its packaging has been opened or the customer cannot provide photographs.

6. PRODUCT COMPATIBILITY AND INTENDED USE

Customers are encouraged to review the specifications, dimensions, compatibility information and usage instructions provided on each product page before purchasing.

Some products may be designed for universal use, while others may be compatible only with particular vehicles, devices, charging systems or configurations.

The Car Edit does not guarantee compatibility with every vehicle, device or configuration unless expressly stated in the relevant product description.

Customers are responsible for ensuring that products are installed and used safely and in accordance with any applicable instructions.

Products must not be installed or used in a manner that obstructs the driver's view, interferes with vehicle controls or creates an unsafe driving condition.

Where a customer has informed The Car Edit of a particular intended purpose and relied on our advice or recommendation, their rights under applicable South African law remain unaffected.

7. INCORRECT PRODUCTS AND ORDER VARIATIONS

Customers are responsible for reviewing their order details before completing their purchase.

This includes checking the selected product, colour, quantity, specifications and delivery information.

If a customer receives the product and variation that they selected but subsequently decides that they would prefer another variation, the request will be treated as a change-of-mind return, subject to the applicable statutory rights and this policy.

If The Car Edit supplies an incorrect product, incorrect colour, incorrect quantity or an item that does not correspond with the customer's order, we will investigate and arrange an appropriate remedy in accordance with applicable law.

Where the error is attributable to The Car Edit, the customer will not be required to bear return costs that the law requires us to cover.

8. RETURN AUTHORISATION AND PROCEDURE

To request a return, customers should contact:

Email: thecareditza@gmail.com

Subject: Return Request — Order Number

Please provide the following information:

  1. Full name and order number.

  2. Date of purchase and date of delivery.

  3. Product and variation purchased.

  4. Reason for requesting a return.

  5. A description of any reported defect or damage.

  6. Photographs or videos of the product, where reasonably available and relevant.

The Car Edit may request additional information where reasonably necessary to assess the claim.

Customers should contact us before sending a product back so that we can provide the appropriate return address and shipping instructions.

Customers are requested not to send products to an unconfirmed address.

We are not responsible for additional costs caused by a customer sending goods to an incorrect address contrary to reasonable return instructions, except where applicable law provides otherwise.

Failure to obtain prior authorisation will not invalidate a statutory return right.

9. PRODUCT INSPECTION AND VERIFICATION

The Car Edit may inspect returned products to verify their identity, condition and the nature of any reported defect.

Inspections may include:

  • Confirming that the returned item corresponds with the original order.

  • Checking the product's condition and supplied components.

  • Examining the reported defect or damage.

  • Determining whether the issue appears to result from a manufacturing defect, misuse, accidental damage or another cause.

  • Reviewing relevant purchase and delivery records.

Where necessary, we may request additional information or obtain an independent technical assessment.

If an inspection establishes that a product does not qualify for a statutory remedy or an agreed voluntary return, The Car Edit may decline the claim and provide the customer with an explanation.

Where a customer disputes our findings, they may exercise their rights through the applicable consumer protection or dispute-resolution processes.

The Car Edit will not impose an inspection fee, restocking fee or other penalty where prohibited by law.

10. RETURN SHIPPING AND COURIER COSTS

10.1 Change-of-mind returns

For a valid cooling-off cancellation under section 44 of ECTA, the customer is responsible for the direct cost of returning the goods.

Customers may use a suitable courier service of their choice, subject to reasonable return instructions.

We recommend using a tracked courier service and retaining proof of dispatch.

10.2 Defective or non-compliant goods

Where goods qualify for a statutory return under section 56 of the CPA, The Car Edit will bear the applicable return costs and risks as required by law.

Customers should contact us so that we can arrange an appropriate return method.

10.3 Voluntary returns

For returns accepted voluntarily outside the statutory return period, the customer may be required to cover reasonable return or redelivery costs, provided these conditions are communicated and agreed upon in advance.

10.4 Unauthorised or unnecessary courier costs

The Car Edit is not responsible for unnecessary additional courier charges incurred contrary to reasonable return instructions, except where such responsibility is imposed by applicable law.

11. REFUND PROCESSING

Refunds will be issued where required by applicable law or where The Car Edit has expressly agreed to a voluntary refund.

For a valid ECTA cooling-off cancellation, the full payment made for the cancelled transaction will be refunded within 30 days after cancellation.

For qualifying defective goods, refunds will be processed in accordance with the applicable CPA requirements.

Refunds will ordinarily be made using the original payment method.

Where the original payment method is unavailable, an alternative secure refund method may be arranged with the customer.

Customers may be required to provide reasonable information necessary to verify their identity and process the refund securely.

The Car Edit will not request a customer's banking password, PIN or one-time password.

Any processing time imposed by the customer's bank or payment service provider is outside our direct control.

The Car Edit will not deduct payment processing fees, administrative charges or restocking fees from statutory refunds where such deductions are prohibited by law.

12. EXCHANGES AND REPLACEMENTS

The Car Edit may offer voluntary exchanges for customers who wish to change the colour, size or variation of a product.

Such exchanges are subject to stock availability and our written approval.

Where an exchange is offered voluntarily outside the statutory return period, the customer may be responsible for reasonable return and redelivery costs communicated in advance.

The Car Edit is not obliged to offer a voluntary exchange where the requested product or variation is unavailable.

Customers remain entitled to any repair, replacement or refund remedy required by applicable law.

13. PRODUCTS DAMAGED DURING DELIVERY

Customers are encouraged to inspect their orders as soon as reasonably possible after delivery.

If a parcel arrives visibly damaged or the product appears damaged, customers should contact The Car Edit promptly.

Where reasonably available, customers should provide photographs of the damaged product and packaging.

Please retain the packaging until the matter has been assessed.

The Car Edit may investigate the matter with its delivery partner, Aramex, or any other courier service used to fulfil the order.

Customers are not required to pursue a claim directly against the courier where The Car Edit remains legally responsible for the delivery or condition of the goods.

A failure to report damage immediately does not automatically remove any statutory right or remedy.

14. INCORRECT DELIVERY DETAILS AND FAILED DELIVERIES

Customers are responsible for providing accurate delivery information at checkout.

If an order is returned because the customer supplied an incorrect or incomplete address, or because delivery could not be completed for reasons attributable to the customer, The Car Edit may request payment of reasonable additional delivery costs before arranging redelivery.

Any such charges will be communicated to the customer in advance.

Where the customer requests cancellation, any applicable refund or deduction will be determined in accordance with the customer's statutory rights and the circumstances of the order.

The Car Edit will not impose additional charges where the delivery failure is attributable to us or where the law requires us to bear the relevant costs.

15. FRAUDULENT CLAIMS AND RETURN ABUSE

The Car Edit reserves the right to investigate suspected fraudulent, misleading or abusive return requests.

Examples include:

  • Submitting a product that was not purchased from The Car Edit.

  • Deliberately damaging a product and falsely claiming that it arrived defective.

  • Providing falsified purchase information.

  • Returning a different product from the one originally supplied.

  • Making materially false statements regarding delivery, product condition or order contents.

Where there are reasonable grounds to suspect fraud, The Car Edit may request further verification, preserve relevant transaction records and investigate the circumstances before determining the appropriate response.

We may decline claims that are established to be fraudulent or otherwise invalid.

Where appropriate, we may refer suspected unlawful conduct to the relevant authorities or pursue remedies available under South African law.

A customer's exercise of a genuine statutory consumer right will not be treated as return abuse.

16. PRODUCT-SPECIFIC RETURN CONDITIONS

Certain products may require additional handling, inspection or return procedures because of their technical characteristics, safety requirements or intended use.

Where applicable, The Car Edit may communicate reasonable product-specific return instructions to customers.

Such instructions may address matters including:

  • Safe handling and packaging of electronic accessories.

  • Returning products with all supplied components.

  • Disconnecting products safely before return.

  • Protecting products against damage during transportation.

  • Providing relevant information about a reported technical fault.

Product-specific conditions will not override statutory cooling-off rights, implied warranties or other mandatory consumer protections.

17. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable South African law, The Car Edit is not responsible for losses or damage caused solely by:

  • Improper installation or misuse of a product.

  • Unauthorised modifications or alterations.

  • Customer negligence or deliberate misconduct.

  • Use of a product outside its intended purpose.

  • Circumstances beyond our reasonable control, where the law permits such limitation.

Customers are responsible for using products safely and in accordance with any applicable instructions.

Nothing in this policy excludes or limits liability for defective or unsafe goods, personal injury, property damage or any other loss where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by law.

Nothing in this section requires a customer to waive statutory consumer rights or indemnify The Car Edit against liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

18. CHARGEBACKS AND PAYMENT DISPUTES

If a customer believes that a payment was unauthorised or that an order was not fulfilled correctly, we encourage them to contact The Car Edit so that we can investigate and attempt to resolve the issue.

The Car Edit may provide relevant transaction records, proof of dispatch, delivery confirmation, customer correspondence and return records to its payment service provider when responding to a payment dispute.

Such information will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy and data protection laws.

Nothing in this policy restricts a customer's lawful right to dispute a payment, request a chargeback or pursue another available remedy.

19. COMPLAINTS AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Customers who are dissatisfied with the outcome of a return, refund or warranty claim may contact The Car Edit at:

thecareditza@gmail.com

We will make reasonable efforts to investigate and resolve complaints fairly.

Where a complaint cannot be resolved directly, customers may approach the National Consumer Commission, a competent consumer protection authority, an applicable ombud or another legally available dispute-resolution forum.

Nothing in this policy prevents a customer from exercising any right to approach a competent court or consumer protection authority.

20. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

The Car Edit may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in business operations, products or applicable law.

The version applicable to a particular purchase will be determined by the terms in force at the time of that transaction, subject to applicable law and any subsequent agreement with the customer.

Policy updates will not retrospectively remove or reduce rights that a customer has already acquired.

21. GOVERNING LAW

This policy is governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

Any dispute arising from a purchase will be subject to the applicable South African legal framework and the jurisdiction of the competent courts or other authorised dispute-resolution bodies.

22. CONTACT INFORMATION

The Car Edit

Website: https://the-car-edit.co.za

Email: thecareditza@gmail.com

Telephone: coming soon

Physical business address: Gauteng, South Africa

Return address: Provided upon request.

For all returns, refunds, exchanges and warranty enquiries, please contact our customer support email.

The Car Edit

Always Within Reach. Always in Style.

Driven by South Africa.