Legal Compliance

Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)

The Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) sets the rules for how we collect, use, and store your personal information. We process your data lawfully and only for the purposes needed to run the marketplace — creating your account, processing payments, delivering orders, and preventing fraud.

We are an accountable "responsible party" under POPIA. You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal information, and to object to certain processing. To exercise any of these rights, email our Information Officer at sailormarketplacesa@gmail.com. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA)

The Consumer Protection Act applies to transactions between sellers and consumers in South Africa and gives buyers important protections when shopping on our marketplace. Sellers on SAILOR MARKETPLACE are expected to comply with the CPA in every sale.

Your rights as a buyer (in plain language)

• Right to safe, quality goods. Goods must be reasonably safe, durable, and fit for their ordinary purpose. Defective or unsafe goods can be returned.
• Right to fair value. You are entitled to goods that match their description and the sample or picture shown in the listing.
• Right to a cooling-off period. For direct (online) marketing, you may cancel an order within 7 business days after delivery and get a refund, as long as the goods are returned unused and in their original condition (some exceptions apply, such as custom-made or perishable goods).
• Right to return defective goods. If goods are defective, you may return them within 6 months of delivery and choose a repair, replacement, or refund. The seller may not charge you for the return of defective goods.
• Right to fair and honest dealing. Sellers may not use bait marketing, false promises, or unfair pressure. Misleading listings are not allowed on the platform.
• Right to disclosure of information. Listings must clearly disclose the price, condition, and any material facts about the goods before you buy.

If something goes wrong with an order, open a dispute from your Orders page within 48 hours of delivery. See our Refund Policy for the full dispute and refund process.

Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECTA)

The ECT Act gives legal recognition to electronic agreements and signatures. When you create an account, tick the consent checkboxes, or place an order on SAILOR MARKETPLACE, you are entering into a legally valid electronic agreement — the same as signing on paper.

• Your clickwrap consent (ticking the POPIA and Terms boxes at registration) is a valid expression of intent under ECTA.
• Records of your orders and messages are valid electronic evidence and are retained by the platform.
• Where goods are sold online to a consumer, the CPA cooling-off and disclosure rights above also apply alongside ECTA.

Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001 (FICA)

The Financial Intelligence Centre Act places anti-money-laundering (AML) and "know-your-customer" (KYC) obligations on businesses that handle or move money. Because seller payouts are sent through Paystack to South African bank accounts, we and our payment partner may need to verify who sellers are before paying them.

• Sellers may be asked to provide valid South African ID or passport, proof of address, and bank account details before payouts are released.
• Businesses (CCs/Companies) must provide an authorised representative and may be asked for company registration documents.
• Payouts can be delayed or withheld where verification is incomplete or where a transaction is flagged for review.

See our Terms of Service for the seller suspension and KYC terms.