Terms of service

Last updated: 3 August 2026
Welcome to Cape Utility ("we", "us", "our"). Cape Utility operates this store to provide you with practical products for everyday South African life. This store is powered by Shopify.
By visiting, interacting with, or using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our Services.

1. Eligibility & Account

You must be at least 18 years old to use this store. You are responsible for the accuracy of information you provide and for keeping your account credentials secure. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that provide false information or violate these terms.

2. Our Products

We make every effort to accurately represent our products, including images and descriptions.
  • Colours may appear differently depending on your screen.
  • Dimensions may vary by up to 3–5 cm due to manufacturing processes.
  • Product descriptions are subject to change without notice.
  • We reserve the right to limit quantities or discontinue any product.
All products are subject to limited availability through our wholesale suppliers.

3. Orders & Acceptance

Placing an order is an offer to purchase; it is not accepted until we confirm it via email or order status update.
We reserve the right to decline or cancel any order at our discretion, including due to:
  • Stock unavailability
  • Pricing or description errors
  • Suspected fraudulent activity
  • Inability to verify payment
If we cancel an order after payment, you will receive a full refund.

4. Pricing & Payment

  • All prices are shown in South African Rand (ZAR) and are subject to change without notice.
  • Posted prices do not include shipping unless explicitly stated.
  • Payment confirms your order. No items will be packed or shipped without confirmed payment.
  • We accept payment via [your payment methods — e.g., card payments through Shopify Payments / PayFast, and Instant EFT].
  • You agree to provide accurate payment information. Orders will be processed on receipt of payment.

5. Order Consolidation & Finality

We work with third-party wholesale suppliers who consolidate orders on a weekly basis.
  • Once your order is submitted to our supplier for fulfilment (typically within 24 hours of placement), it cannot be cancelled or modified.
  • If you wish to cancel, you must contact us within 24 hours of placement.
  • A 5% administration fee applies to cancellations requested after the 24-hour window but before supplier consolidation.
  • Once consolidated, the order is final. Products ordered remain your responsibility even if you no longer need them.

6. Back Orders

If an item is out of stock at the time of ordering, we will notify you immediately and offer one of the following:
  • An alternative product suggestion
  • An estimated restock date (most items restock within 3–6 weeks)
  • A full refund
Back-ordered items remain open until fulfilled or cancelled. You do not need to reorder. If you no longer need a back-ordered item, contact us immediately to cancel.

7. Shipping & Delivery

Please refer to our Shipping Policy for full details on methods, costs, and timeframes.
Key points:
  • Delivery timeframes provided at checkout are estimates only and are not guaranteed.
  • We are not liable for delays caused by our suppliers, couriers, customs, or other circumstances outside our reasonable control.
  • Risk of loss and title for items pass to you upon delivery to the courier or to your designated delivery address.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure the delivery address is correct and that someone is available to receive the parcel during working hours.

8. Quality Checks

We perform basic quality checks on electronic products before dispatch, including verifying that the item powers on, charges correctly, performs its core functions, and shows no visible damage.
However, it remains our shared responsibility to ensure items are correct and functional. Please inspect your order upon delivery and report any issues within 1 working day.

9. Returns & Refunds

Our Returns & Refund Policy governs all returns, refunds, and warranty claims. By placing an order, you agree to the terms outlined in that policy, including:
  • No change-of-mind returns
  • 1-working-day reporting window for faults
  • Customer responsibility for return shipping
  • 30-day warranty on qualifying electronics (R699+)

10. Intellectual Property

All content on this store — including text, images, logos, and branding — is owned by Cape Utility or its licensors and is protected under South African and international copyright and trademark law. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or use this content without our written permission.

11. Third-Party Links & Tools

Our Services may link to or use third-party tools and websites (including Shopify, payment gateways, and courier services). We do not control and are not responsible for third-party content, products, or services. Your use of third-party services is governed by their respective terms.

12. Prohibited Use

You agree not to use our Services for any unlawful purpose, to infringe on our or others' rights, to transmit false information, malware, or spam, or to interfere with the security or functioning of our Services.

13. Errors & Corrections

We reserve the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions (including in pricing or product descriptions) and to cancel affected orders, even after an order has been submitted. If we correct an error that affects your order, we will notify you promptly.

14. Disclaimer of Warranties

Our Services and products are provided "as is" and "as available." While we take reasonable care to ensure accuracy, we do not guarantee that our Services will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free from harmful components.
To the extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

15. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted under South African law, Cape Utility is not liable for:
  • Indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages
  • Loss of profits, revenue, data, or goodwill
  • Damages arising from your use of our Services or products purchased through them
  • Damages caused by third-party couriers, suppliers, or service providers
Our total liability to you for any claim arising from these Terms or your use of our Services shall not exceed the amount you paid for the specific order giving rise to the claim.

16. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes will be subject to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.

17. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of our Services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. We encourage you to review this page regularly.

18. Contact

Questions about these Terms should be sent to:
Cape Utility
Cape Town, South Africa
Email: cape.utility@gmail.com