Shipping & Delivery

MIDRAND HINDU DHARMA SABHA (MHDS)

SHIPPING & DELIVERY POLICY

MHDS Online Store (South Africa)

We’ve written this policy in clear, practical language. It forms part of the MHDS Online Store Terms and Conditions and applies to orders sold by MHDS and/or Marketplace Sellers.

1. Definitions

1.1 “Buyer” means a person or business purchasing Goods through the Website.

1.2 “Business Days” means Monday to Friday, excluding South African public holidays.

1.3 “Courier” means a third-party delivery and logistics provider (including, without limitation, The Courier Guy and any alternative courier selected by a seller).

1.4 “Delivery Address” means the physical address supplied by the Buyer at checkout.

1.5 “Goods” means goods and/or products offered for sale on the MHDS Online Store.

1.6 “MHDS” means the Midrand Hindu Dharma Sabha, a spiritual, religious and charitable non-profit organisation.

1.7 “Marketplace Seller” means a third-party seller approved to sell Goods on the MHDS Online Store (also referred to as “Seller” in this policy where appropriate).

1.8 “Seller” means the party shown as the seller on the product page and/or at checkout, being either MHDS or a Marketplace Seller.

1.9 “Website” means https://www.mhdssashop.co.za/ and related mobi-sites and apps.

2. Scope and Seller Responsibility

2.1 This Shipping & Delivery Policy applies to all deliveries (and, where offered, collections) of Goods purchased through the Website.

2.2 The Seller is responsible for fulfilment and delivery of the Goods it sells. This includes packaging, booking the courier, dispatch, tracking, and delivery support.

2.3 MHDS may sell Goods directly. Where MHDS is shown as the Seller, MHDS is responsible for delivery in terms of this policy.

2.4 Where a Marketplace Seller is shown as the Seller, that Marketplace Seller is responsible for delivery. MHDS operates the marketplace platform and does not deliver Marketplace Seller Goods, unless expressly stated otherwise.

2.5 Marketplace Sellers must sign up with and contract directly with their chosen courier(s). MHDS may publish recommended courier options and indicative rate structures for convenience, but the Seller remains responsible for selecting and managing its courier relationships.

3. Delivery Methods and Options

3.1 Standard Courier Delivery: Door-to-door courier delivery to the Delivery Address.

3.2 Collection (if offered): Some Sellers may offer collection from a specified collection point. Where offered, collection details will be displayed at checkout.

3.3 Multi-seller orders: If your cart contains Goods from multiple Sellers, deliveries may occur in multiple parcels and/or on different dates, and may carry separate delivery charges per Seller (as shown at checkout).

4. Delivery Fees and Courier Rates

4.1 Delivery fees (if any) are shown at checkout before you pay. Delivery fees may vary based on: the Seller, parcel weight/size, delivery area, service level, and the courier used.

4.2 The Marketplace currently uses BobGo rate structure as an indicative baseline for packages within stipulated weight categories. These rates may change from time to time and may differ per Seller depending on their courier account, discounts, service levels, and add-ons.

4.3 A Seller may charge a handling/packaging fee where clearly disclosed at checkout (for example, for bulky items, fragile goods, or specialised packing).

4.4 If the actual parcel weight/volumetric weight differs materially from the estimate used at checkout, the Seller may contact the Buyer to confirm any lawful additional delivery charge before dispatch. If the Buyer does not accept the charge, the order may be cancelled and refunded in line with the Returns/Cancellations Policy (less any lawful costs already incurred, if disclosed and permitted by law).

5. Dispatch, Lead Times and Delivery Estimates

5.1 Dispatch time means the time it takes the Seller to prepare and hand the parcel to the Courier after payment confirmation (or after order acceptance where applicable).

5.2 Delivery estimates are shown at checkout or communicated by the Seller. Estimates are not guaranteed delivery times, but Sellers must act reasonably to meet them.

5.3 Factors that may affect delivery time include: stock availability, payment verification, remote delivery areas, weather, peak periods, courier capacity constraints, and public holidays.

5.4 If a Seller cannot dispatch within the communicated timeframe, the Seller must notify the Buyer and provide an updated estimate or offer cancellation (subject to the Returns/Cancellations Policy and applicable law).

6. Tracking, Notifications and Proof of Delivery

6.1 Once dispatched, the Seller must provide tracking information (where available) via the Website or email or SMS or WhatsApp, or another reasonable method.

6.2 Delivery notifications may be sent by the Seller and/or the Courier. Buyers are responsible for monitoring tracking and ensuring availability to receive the parcel.

6.3 Proof of Delivery (POD) may include a signature, name, ID number, PIN/OTP, photo, GPS stamp, or other courier-standard proof.

6.4 A delivery may be deemed completed when the Courier’s system records delivery to the Delivery Address with POD.

7. Delivery Address, Access and Receiving Goods

7.1 Buyers must provide an accurate, complete Delivery Address and valid contact details at checkout.

7.2 If the Buyer provides an incorrect or incomplete Delivery Address, delivery delays, re-delivery charges, or cancellation costs may apply.

7.3 The Buyer (or an authorised representative) must be available to receive the parcel during normal delivery hours, unless the Courier offers alternative arrangements.

7.4 For secure complexes, estates or businesses, the Buyer must ensure the Courier has access and instructions (gate codes, reception details, etc.).

7.5 Buyers should inspect packaging on arrival where reasonably possible. If the parcel appears tampered with or damaged, the Buyer should note it with the Courier/driver (where possible) and report it to the Seller as soon as possible.

8. Failed Delivery Attempts, Re-delivery and Return to Sender

8.1 If delivery cannot be completed due to Buyer unavailability, incorrect address, or access issues, the Courier may attempt re-delivery according to its rules.

8.2 Re-delivery or address correction fees may be charged by the Seller to the Buyer where the failure is attributable to the Buyer.

8.3 If the parcel is returned to the Seller (“Return to Sender”), the Seller may (a) arrange re-delivery at the Buyer’s cost, or (b) cancel the order and refund the Buyer less lawful courier/handling costs already incurred, where disclosed and permitted by law.

8.4 Where a Buyer refuses delivery without a lawful reason, the Seller may treat the refusal as a cancellation/return request and apply the Returns/Cancellations Policy (including any lawful costs).

9. Risk, Ownership and Consumer Rights

9.1 For consumer (B2C) purchases where the Consumer Protection Act, 68 of 2008 (“CPA”) applies, risk in the Goods generally passes to the consumer only upon delivery to the consumer (or their authorised representative), unless the CPA permits otherwise.

9.2 For business-to-business (B2B) purchases, risk and title may pass as agreed between the Buyer and the Seller, subject to these Terms, any applicable invoice terms, and applicable law.

9.3 Where a Courier provides POD confirming delivery, the Seller may rely on that POD as evidence of delivery, subject to the Buyer’s right to dispute where reasonably supported.

9.4 Nothing in this policy limits any non-excludable rights the Buyer may have under applicable law.

10. Damaged, Missing or Incorrect Deliveries

10.1 If the Goods arrive damaged, incomplete, incorrect, or materially not as described, the Buyer must notify the Seller as soon as reasonably possible and provide supporting evidence (photos, video, packaging images, POD reference).

10.2 The Seller will investigate with the Courier (where applicable) and may request additional information.

10.3 Remedies may include replacement, repair, refund, or partial refund, depending on the circumstances, the CPA (if applicable), and the Returns/Cancellations Policy.

10.4 If a parcel is confirmed lost in transit, the Seller must provide an appropriate remedy in line with the CPA (if applicable) and the Returns/Cancellations Policy.

11. Packaging, Prohibited Items and Special Handling

11.1 Sellers must package Goods appropriately for courier transport and comply with courier packaging standards.

11.2 Certain items may require special handling (fragile, temperature-sensitive, bulky, hazardous). If such items are offered, Sellers must disclose any special delivery conditions at checkout.

11.3 Sellers may not ship prohibited or restricted items where unlawful or where courier rules prohibit shipment. The Seller remains responsible for compliance.

12. International Deliveries

12.1 Unless expressly stated at checkout, deliveries are limited to addresses within South Africa.

12.2 If international delivery is offered for certain Goods, the Seller must disclose: international courier options, estimated timelines, duties/taxes, customs documentation requirements, and who bears those costs.

13. Support, Complaints and Escalation

13.1 Delivery queries should be directed to the Seller shown on the order. The Seller is responsible for liaising with the Courier and keeping the Buyer reasonably informed.

13.2 MHDS may assist with escalation where a Marketplace Seller repeatedly fails to meet platform standards, but MHDS does not become the seller for Marketplace Seller Goods.

13.3 Repeated delivery abuse, fraud, or unreasonable conduct by a Buyer may result in account restrictions, subject to the main Terms and applicable law.

14. Changes to this Policy

14.1 MHDS may update this Shipping & Delivery Policy from time to time by publishing the updated version on the Website. The version applicable to an order is the version in force at the time the order was placed, unless a change is required by law.

15. Contact Details

15.1 For delivery support, contact the Seller shown on your order. For platform queries, contact MHDS via the Website contact channels or email: satsang@mhdssa.co.za

15.2 Legal notices must be delivered in accordance with the Notices clause in the MHDS Online Store Terms and Conditions.