Returns & Refunds Policy

Ocean Rig Gear is committed to providing quality products and fair, transparent customer service.

This Returns & Refunds Policy is intended to operate in accordance with applicable South African law, including the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (“CPA”) and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (“ECTA”).

Nothing in this policy is intended to exclude, restrict or waive any consumer right that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.

1. Online Purchase Cooling-Off Period

For online transactions to which section 44 of ECTA applies, a consumer may cancel the transaction without reason and without penalty within 7 days after receiving the goods.

Where this statutory cooling-off right applies:

• You do not need to provide a reason for cancelling.
• The only charge that may be imposed on you is the direct cost of returning the goods.
• Where payment has already been made, the applicable payment must be refunded within 30 days of cancellation.

Certain transactions and products are excluded from the ECTA cooling-off right, including certain goods made to the customer’s specifications or clearly personalised, goods that by their nature cannot be returned, and other exclusions provided by law. (SAFLII)

To exercise this right, contact Ocean Rig Gear at info@oceanriggear.co.za within the applicable period.

2. Change of Mind Outside a Statutory Right

South African law does not generally require a retailer to accept every return merely because a customer has changed their mind.

Where no statutory right of return applies, Ocean Rig Gear may consider a change-of-mind return at its discretion, subject to the condition of the product and any agreed return conditions.

This section does not affect a customer’s rights relating to defective, unsafe, incorrectly supplied or otherwise legally returnable goods. South African government guidance similarly distinguishes defective-product rights from simply no longer wanting an otherwise compliant product. (Government of South Africa)

3. Defective, Unsafe or Poor-Quality Goods

Under sections 55 and 56 of the CPA, consumers have the right to receive goods that are reasonably suitable for their intended purpose, of good quality, in good working order, free of defects and reasonably durable.

If goods fail to meet the applicable standards, the consumer may, within 6 months after delivery, return the goods without penalty and at the supplier’s risk and expense.

Subject to the CPA, the consumer may direct that the defective goods be:

• Repaired;
• Replaced; or
• Refunded.

The choice between these remedies within the statutory six-month period belongs to the consumer where section 56 applies; the retailer cannot simply force a repair instead of a refund or replacement. (SAFLII)

4. Repairs Under the CPA

If Ocean Rig Gear or an applicable supplier repairs goods and, within 3 months after that repair, the defect has not been remedied or another failure, defect or unsafe feature appears, the CPA provides that the supplier must:

• Replace the goods; or
• Refund the consumer the price paid.

This statutory protection operates in addition to any applicable manufacturer warranty. (SAFLII)

5. Incorrect Products

If we deliver a product that is different from what you ordered, please contact us promptly.

Where Ocean Rig Gear has supplied an incorrect product, we will arrange an appropriate remedy in accordance with applicable law.

You will not be required to bear return costs where applicable law places those costs on Ocean Rig Gear.

6. Products Damaged During Delivery

Please inspect your order as soon as reasonably possible after delivery.

If your product appears to have been damaged during transportation, contact us promptly and provide:

• Your order number
• A description of the damage
• Photographs of the product
• Photographs of the packaging
• Any other information reasonably required to investigate the damage

Where possible, retain the original packaging while the matter is being investigated.

Your statutory rights regarding defective or damaged goods are not affected by this request.

7. Products Purchased for a Particular Purpose

If, before purchasing, you specifically inform Ocean Rig Gear of the particular purpose for which you require a product and reasonably rely on our expertise in selecting suitable goods, additional CPA protections may apply.

Under applicable circumstances, goods found unsuitable for that communicated purpose may be returned within 10 business days after delivery, subject to the CPA’s requirements and exclusions. (SAFLII)

This is particularly relevant to products such as:

• Fish finders and transducers
• Trolling motors
• Marine batteries and chargers
• Marine electronics
• Boat and kayak mounting equipment
• Electrical and rigging components

We therefore encourage customers to confirm compatibility before ordering technical equipment.

8. Installed, Altered or Modified Products

Customers should carefully confirm specifications, dimensions and compatibility before permanently installing or modifying equipment.

Certain CPA return rights under section 20 do not apply where, after delivery, goods have been partially or completely disassembled, physically altered, permanently installed, affixed, attached, combined or incorporated into other property. (SAFLII)

However, this does not automatically eliminate statutory rights relating to defective goods under other applicable provisions of the CPA.

Accordingly, Ocean Rig Gear will assess each case according to the circumstances and applicable law.

9. Manufacturer Warranties

Some products may include additional manufacturer or distributor warranties.

These may apply to products such as:

• Fish finders
• Chartplotters
• Sonar equipment
• Trolling motors
• Marine electronics
• Batteries and chargers
• Electric outboards
• Other specialist equipment

Manufacturer warranties operate in addition to applicable statutory consumer rights and do not replace the CPA’s implied warranty of quality. (SAFLII)

Specific warranty information may be displayed on the relevant product page or supplied with the product.

10. Return Shipping Costs

Who pays the return cost depends on why the product is being returned.

For a qualifying 7-day ECTA cooling-off return, the customer may be responsible for the direct cost of returning the goods. (SAFLII)

For goods validly returned as defective under the CPA’s six-month implied warranty, the return is at the supplier’s risk and expense. (SAFLII)

For incorrect products or other circumstances, costs will be allocated according to the applicable statutory rights and circumstances.

Because some Ocean Rig Gear products may be large, heavy or high-value, please contact us before arranging return transportation.

11. Large and Heavy Products

Products such as kayaks, inflatable boats, motors and other oversized marine equipment may require specialised transportation.

Please contact Ocean Rig Gear before returning these products so that appropriate transportation arrangements can be determined.

Any transportation costs will be allocated according to the reason for the return and applicable South African law.

12. Refunds

Once returned goods have been received, Ocean Rig Gear will assess and process the return in accordance with the applicable statutory requirements.

Where a refund is legally due, it will be processed using an appropriate payment method, generally the original payment method where reasonably possible.

For cancellations under the ECTA seven-day cooling-off provision, ECTA requires the applicable refund to be made within 30 days of cancellation. (SAFLII)

13. Order Cancellations Before Dispatch

If you wish to cancel an order that has not yet been dispatched, please contact us as soon as possible.

Where applicable, cancellation will be handled in accordance with the CPA, ECTA and the circumstances of the transaction.

Special-order or customised products may be subject to different statutory rules.

14. How to Request a Return

Before returning a product, please contact:

Business: Ocean Rig Gear
Address: 296 Durban Rd, Korsten
Port Elizabeth, 6020
South Africa

Email: info@oceanriggear.co.za
Phone: 073 219 8657

Operating Hours:
Monday–Friday: 8:00am–5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am–12:00pm
Sunday & Public Holidays: Closed

Please provide your:

Order number • Name • Product • Reason for return • Photographs/videos where relevant

We will then provide the appropriate return instructions.

15. Consumer Rights

Nothing contained in this policy is intended to deprive a consumer of rights granted under applicable South African legislation.

Where any provision of this policy conflicts with a mandatory provision of applicable consumer law, the applicable law will prevail.