This policy sets out exactly how returns, refunds, and cost responsibility work at Advanced 4x4 — for goods that arrive correctly and as ordered, goods that arrive damaged or incorrect, and goods that develop a genuine defect.
It works alongside — and never overrides — your statutory rights under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA) and, for online purchases, the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECTA). Where this policy is more generous than the law requires, the policy applies. Where the law gives you more than this policy does, the law applies.
Every return falls into one of four categories, and the category determines who's responsible for what.
A. Change of mind — The goods are correctly supplied, undamaged, and match your order — you simply no longer want them within 7 days of Purchase.
B. Incorrectly supplied — The item you received doesn't match what your order actually recorded — for example, a picking or packing error, or a part selected incorrectly by our sales team when you ordered by phone or email. This does not include self-service online orders where you selected a product that turns out not to be the correct fit for your vehicle — product listings include the vehicle fitment they're designed for, and it's your responsibility to confirm fitment before ordering online. A fitment mismatch on a self-selected online order falls under Category A (change of mind), not this category — unless the wrong fitment resulted from inaccurate fitment information published on our website or given to you directly by our sales team, in which case it remains our responsibility under this category.
C. Damaged in transit — The goods were damaged between leaving our facility and reaching you considering you choose Insured Shipping.
D. Defective — The goods match your order and arrived intact, but have a genuine fault in materials, workmanship, or manufacture.
A. Change of mind — Return shipping: your cost. Remedy: refund less any applicable handling fee (Section 3). Not available on excluded items (Section 6).
B. Incorrectly supplied — Responsible party: Advanced 4x4, where the item shipped doesn't match your order, or where our own fitment information was inaccurate. Not applicable where you selected an incorrect product yourself on a self-service online order. Return shipping: our cost. Outbound shipping: our cost. Remedy: full refund, or correct item sent at no extra cost — your choice.
C. Damaged in transit — Return shipping: your cost. Outbound shipping (replacement): your cost. Remedy: repair, replacement your choice. We handle any claim against the courier directly — this is never something you need to pursue yourself. To help us resolve transit damage claims as quickly as possible, we recommend selecting insured shipping at checkout; if standard shipping was selected, we'll still try to resolve your claim as above, though recovering the cost through our courier's claims process may take a little longer or be declined.
D. Defective — Return shipping: our cost. Outbound shipping: our cost. Remedy: within 6 months of delivery, your choice of repair, replacement, or refund per Section 56 of the CPA. Beyond 6 months and within the applicable warranty period: repair or replacement at our discretion or the manufacturer's.
If you're not sure which category applies, contact us at sales@advanced4x4.co.za with your order number and photos where relevant, and we'll confirm.
Statutory cooling-off right — online orders, first 7 days
If you purchased through our website, Section 44 of ECTA gives you the right to cancel the order without reason and without penalty within 7 days of ordering the goods. During this period:
This right doesn't apply to custom or made-to-order products, or to in-person purchases (in-store or at a fitment centre).
Extended voluntary return window — day 8 to 15
Beyond the statutory 7-day period, and up to 15 days from ordering, we offer an extended return option as a goodwill gesture, on these conditions:
This category applies where the fault is ours: an order placed through our sales team where the wrong part was selected on your behalf, a picking or packing error on our side, or where our published fitment information was incorrect. If you self-selected the wrong product for your vehicle when ordering online, this is treated as a change-of-mind return under Section 3, not an incorrect-supply issue under this section.
For genuine Category B and C issues:
Electrical and electronic components — including winches, lighting, dual-battery systems, DC-DC chargers, inverters, and similar items — are not eligible for a change-of-mind refund once the packaging has been opened, the unit has been wired or installed, or any part of the product has been used.
This exclusion applies to Category A (change of mind) only. It does not apply to Category D (defective goods). If an electrical component is genuinely defective, it remains covered by the relevant manufacturer's warranty or our own warranty terms, regardless of whether it has been installed. Nothing in this section limits your rights under Section 56 of the CPA to a repair, replacement, or refund for a genuinely defective electrical product within 6 months of delivery.
Unopened, uninstalled, unused electrical items remain returnable under the ordinary change-of-mind terms in Section 3.
The following are not eligible for change-of-mind return under Section 3, beyond the statutory 7-day cooling-off period where applicable:
None of these exclusions apply to genuinely defective goods (Category D) or incorrectly supplied goods (Category B).
Correct fitment matters both for your safety and for keeping your warranty valid. We strongly recommend using an Advanced 4x4 approved fitment centre, or a fitment centre or workshop accredited by the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), including its constituent associations such as MIWA. DIY installation is undertaken at your own risk and is not covered under our voluntary manufactured-product warranty — though it doesn't affect your separate statutory rights described in Section 2 above, provided the defect wasn't caused by the installation itself.
