The short version
There are two separate protections here, and it is worth knowing which one applies to you.
- Changed your mind? You have 30 days from delivery to send the item back for a refund.
- Something faulty? You have 6 months, and you choose whether you want it repaired, replaced or refunded. It costs you nothing.
The second one is the stronger protection, and it is the one that matters most when you are buying electronics.
What unused and untampered means
- The product has not been used beyond checking that it works
- Original box, inserts, manuals and every included cable or adapter are present
- Seals, security stickers and serial number labels are intact
- No scratches, scuffs or signs of wear
- Nobody has tried to open, modify or repair it
Please return items in the condition you would want to receive them. If you are unsure whether opening something will affect your return, email us before you do. We would rather answer a question than argue about a box.
Changing your mind
You have 30 days from delivery to send something back simply because you changed your mind. Two different things are happening inside that window, and we would rather spell them out than blur them together.
The first 7 days. South African law gives you a cooling-off right on anything bought online. Within 7 days of receiving the goods you may cancel without giving any reason at all. You pay only the direct cost of returning the item. Nothing on this page limits that right.
Days 8 to 30. This part is our own offer rather than something the law requires, and the conditions above apply to it. The item needs to come back unused, untampered with and in its original packaging. We are glad to give you the extra time; we just need to be able to sell the item to the next person.
The law allows us up to 30 days to refund you from the date you cancel. In practice we process refunds within 2 business days of the item reaching us.
A change-of-mind return is refunded rather than exchanged. If you would rather swap for something else, say so when you email us and we will arrange it where we can.
If something is faulty
A fault is treated very differently from changing your mind, and you are better protected.
Under the Consumer Protection Act, if goods turn out to be defective within 6 months of delivery, the choice of a repair, a replacement or a refund is yours to make, not ours, and it must not cost you anything. We arrange and pay for collection in that case.
[[ADD: your warranty period and what it covers, for example “Every powerbank and charger carries a two-year warranty against manufacturing defects.” Make sure this matches the warranty stated on your product pages.]]
What is not covered
- Damage from misuse, drops, or using an unsuitable charger or cable
- Liquid damage
- Gradual battery capacity loss, which is normal ageing rather than a defect
- Items opened, modified or repaired by anyone other than us or a repairer we approved
- Ordinary wear such as fraying on a cable that has had heavy daily use
- For hygiene reasons, in-ear audio products can only be returned once opened if they are faulty
Who pays to send it back
If you changed your mind, the return trip is yours to cover. If the item is faulty, arrived damaged, or is not what you ordered, we cover it and arrange the collection ourselves. You should never be out of pocket for our mistake.
How to start a return
- Email hello@boltage.co.za within 30 days of delivery if you are cancelling, or any time within 6 months if the item is faulty.
- Include your order number, which item you are returning, and whether you would like a replacement or a refund.
- If something is faulty or damaged, attach photographs. It usually saves a round of questions.
- We will reply with return instructions. Please wait for those before sending anything, so your parcel does not arrive unlabelled and untraceable.
Refunds
We inspect returns within 2 business days of receiving them and let you know the outcome the same day. Approved refunds go back to the payment method you used. Card refunds usually reflect within 3 to 10 business days depending on your bank, which is their timeline rather than ours.
If you asked for a replacement and the item is out of stock, we will offer you the choice of waiting or taking a refund.
Cancelling before dispatch
If your order has not gone out yet, email us and we will cancel it and refund you in full. Once a parcel is with the courier it has to run its course, and the return process above takes over.