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.
1. The Four Categories of Return
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 delivery.
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. How this is handled depends on whether you chose insured or standard (uninsured) shipping at checkout.
D. Defective — The goods match your order and arrived intact, but have a genuine fault in materials, workmanship, or manufacture.
2. Who Is Responsible for What
A. Change of mind — Return shipping: your cost. Remedy: refund of the product price only, less a 15% handling and restocking fee (Section 3). Original delivery and return shipping fees are not refunded. 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 — Insured shipping: you must notify us on the same day the parcel is delivered, with photos of the damage and packaging, and return the item at your cost within 7 days of delivery. We then handle the claim with the courier on your behalf and, once the claim is approved, repair or replace the item. Standard (uninsured) shipping: there is no courier insurance claim, so the cost of returning, repairing or replacing a transit-damaged item is yours. We'll still assist where we can.
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.
3. Change-of-Mind Returns (Category A)
Cooling-off period — 7 days from delivery
You may return goods for a change of mind, without giving a reason, within 7 days of delivery. Change-of-mind returns are not accepted after this 7-day period. On a change-of-mind return:
- No reason is required.
- The product and its original box or packaging must be returned in the same condition you received them — unused, with no damage to the box or the product. Returns that don't meet this condition won't be accepted.
- A 15% handling and restocking fee is deducted from the refund.
- Refunds cover the product price only. The original delivery or shipping fee is not refunded.
- Return shipping is your responsibility and is not refunded.
This right doesn't apply to custom or made-to-order products, or to in-person purchases (in-store or at a fitment centre).
4. Incorrectly Supplied or Damaged-in-Transit Returns (Categories B & C)
Category B 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:
- Incorrectly supplied (Category B): contact us at sales@advanced4x4.co.za within 7 days of delivery with your order number, proof of purchase, and clear photographs of the issue.
- Damaged in transit (Category C): contact us on the same day the parcel is delivered, with your order number and clear photographs of the damage and packaging, so we can start the courier claim. Claims reported later, or items returned more than 7 days after delivery, may not be accepted by the courier.
- Incorrectly supplied items (Category B): we'll arrange collection at no cost to you.
- Damaged in transit (Category C): return shipping is your cost. For insured shipping, we handle the courier claim for you, as set out in Section 2.
- You may choose a full refund, or the correct/undamaged item sent to you at no additional cost.
- Refunds under this category are always processed to your original payment method — not store credit — unless you request otherwise.
5. Electrical Components — Change-of-Mind Exclusion
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 within 7 days of delivery under the change-of-mind terms in Section 3.
6. Non-Returnable Items
The following are not eligible for change-of-mind return under Section 3:
- Custom or made-to-order products
- Hazardous materials, including certain coatings and chemicals
- Sale or clearance items
- Gift cards
- Opened, installed, or used electrical components (see Section 5)
None of these exclusions apply to genuinely defective goods (Category D) or incorrectly supplied goods (Category B).
7. Fitment & Installation
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.
8. How to Initiate a Return or Refund
- Email sales@advanced4x4.co.za with your order number, a description of the issue, and photographs where relevant. Please don't send anything back before contacting us — unauthorised returns won't be processed.
- We'll confirm which category applies (Section 1) and the next steps.
- Once the returned item is received and assessed, we'll confirm the outcome in writing.
- Approved refunds are processed to your original payment method within 10 business days of assessment. If you haven't received your refund after 15 business days, contact us.
Contact Us:
Advanced 4x4
Email: sales@advanced4x4.co.za
Phone: 021 569 7238
WhatsApp: 061 403 7277
Address: 36 De Kock St, Strand 7130
