Preloved Uniforms

Menu
Sell Item
Menu
Sell Item

Buyer Protection Policy

Preloved Uniforms (Pty) Ltd Last updated: June 2026

1. Introduction

At Preloved Uniforms, we want every buyer to shop with complete confidence. Our Buyer Protection Policy is designed to ensure that your money is safe, your purchase is fairly represented, and that you have recourse if something goes wrong.

This Policy works alongside our Refund & Returns Policy and is underpinned by the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA) and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECTA).

2. The R30 Buyer Protection Fee

Every purchase on Preloved Uniforms includes a R30 Buyer Protection Fee. This fee is charged at checkout and is non-refundable once a transaction has been initiated.

This fee covers:

  • Secure payment escrow — your funds are held safely until you confirm receipt
  • Access to our dispute resolution process
  • Protection against items significantly not as described
  • Platform support throughout your transaction

3. How Your Payment Is Protected (Escrow)

Preloved Uniforms uses a secure escrow system for all transactions:

  1. You pay — your full payment (including the R30 Buyer Protection Fee) is captured securely at checkout
  2. We hold your funds — your money is held safely by Preloved Uniforms and is not released to the seller immediately
  3. Your item is delivered — the seller makes the item available and BobGo courier collects and delivers it to you
  4. You confirm receipt — once you receive the item and are satisfied, you confirm receipt on the Platform
  5. Seller is paid — only after your confirmation (or after 48 hours with no dispute raised) are funds released to the seller

This means the seller is only paid once you have received your item, protecting you from fraud and non-delivery.

4. What Buyer Protection Covers

You are protected in the following situations:

4.1 Item Not Received

If your item is not delivered and cannot be traced through BobGo tracking, you are entitled to a full refund of the item purchase price. You must report non-delivery within 7 business days of the expected delivery date.

4.2 Item Significantly Not as Described

If the item you receive is materially different from what was described or shown in the listing, you may request a return and refund. Examples include:

  • Wrong school, size, gender, or item type
  • Significant undisclosed damage, stains, or defects
  • A completely different item from what was listed

You must report the issue within 48 hours of delivery with clear photographic evidence.

4.3 Defective or Unsafe Item

If an item is defective or poses a safety risk in a way not disclosed in the listing, you may return it within 6 months of delivery in accordance with Section 56 of the CPA.

5. What Buyer Protection Does Not Cover

Buyer Protection does not apply in the following situations:

  • Change of mind — if you simply decide you no longer want the item after purchase
  • Accurately described items — if the item matches the listing description and photos
  • Buyer-caused damage — damage that occurs after the item has been delivered to you
  • Late reports — disputes raised outside the applicable timeframes
  • Off-platform transactions — any transaction conducted outside the Preloved Uniforms Platform will not be covered

6. How to Raise a Dispute

If you have a problem with your purchase:

  1. Do not confirm receipt if you are unhappy with the item
  2. Contact us within 48 hours of delivery at:
  3. Provide your order number, a clear description of the issue, and photographs as evidence
  4. We will acknowledge your dispute within 1 business day
  5. We will review and resolve the dispute within 5 business days

While a dispute is active, funds will not be released to the seller.

7. Dispute Resolution Process

When a dispute is raised, Preloved Uniforms will:

  1. Notify the seller of the dispute
  2. Give the seller 2 business days to respond with their side of the matter
  3. Review all evidence including listing photos, descriptions, delivery records, and buyer-submitted photos
  4. Make a fair and final decision based on the evidence and applicable law

Possible outcomes include:

  • Full refund to the buyer (if the dispute is found in the buyer’s favour)
  • Partial refund where appropriate
  • Funds released to seller (if the dispute is found in the seller’s favour)

Our decision is final within the Platform process. Either party may escalate unresolved disputes to the National Consumer Commission (NCC) at www.thencc.org.za.

8. Refund Processing

Approved refunds are processed as follows:

  • Refunds are returned to your original payment method
  • Processing takes 5–7 business days after approval
  • The R30 Buyer Protection Fee is non-refundable
  • Courier fees for approved returns due to seller misrepresentation will be covered by Preloved Uniforms
  • Courier fees for returns not due to seller fault will be borne by the buyer

9. Safe Shopping Tips

To protect yourself further, we recommend:

  • Review all photos carefully before purchasing — zoom in on condition details
  • Read the full description — check school name, size, gender, and condition rating
  • Check the seller’s rating — buyers can see seller ratings and past reviews
  • Never transact outside the Platform — off-platform deals are not covered by Buyer Protection
  • Report issues promptly — always raise concerns within the 48-hour window after delivery
  • Do not confirm receipt until you are fully satisfied with your item

10. Verified Sellers

Preloved Uniforms verifies seller accounts before they can list items. Verified sellers have:

  • Confirmed their identity
  • Agreed to our Seller Policy and Terms & Conditions
  • A track record of completed sales and buyer ratings

Look for the Verified Seller badge on listings for added peace of mind.

11. Fraud Prevention

We take fraud seriously. If you suspect fraudulent activity, contact us immediately at info@preloveduniforms.co.za. We work with South African law enforcement where necessary and reserve the right to suspend or ban accounts engaged in fraudulent conduct.

12. Your Statutory Rights

This Buyer Protection Policy does not limit your statutory rights under South African law. You retain all rights afforded to you under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002.

13. Contact Us

Preloved Uniforms is committed to making every transaction safe, fair, and transparent for buyers and sellers alike.

0