Terms of service

Terms of Service — The Velvet Hour

Last updated: [insert date you publish]

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of thevelvethour.co.za and any related services (the "Services"), operated by The Velvet Hour ("we", "us", "our"). By accessing the Site, placing an order, or using the Services, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Services.

These Terms are subject to the laws of the Republic of South Africa, including the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 ("CPA") and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 ("ECTA"). Nothing in these Terms is intended to limit any rights you have that cannot be excluded under South African law.

1. Age restriction — you must be 18 or older

The Services and all products sold are intended strictly for adults aged 18 years or older. By using the Services or placing an order, you confirm that you are at least 18. We reserve the right to refuse or cancel any order where we reasonably believe this requirement is not met, and to request proof of age.

2. Eligibility and accounts

You must provide accurate, current information when using the Services or creating an account. You are responsible for keeping your account credentials confidential and for all activity under your account. Notify us immediately of any unauthorised use.

3. Our products and Services

We sell curated adult-lifestyle boxes and related products, available as individual purchases, as a bundle, and (where offered) on a subscription basis. Product descriptions, images and pricing are provided in good faith; minor variations in curation, packaging or contents may occur, and we may substitute an item of equal or greater value where necessary.

4. Pricing and payment

  • All prices are in South African Rand (ZAR) and, where applicable, include VAT at the prevailing rate.
  • Payment is processed securely through our payment providers. By submitting payment, you warrant that you are authorised to use the payment method.
  • We reserve the right to correct pricing errors and to refuse or cancel an order affected by an obvious error, refunding any amount already paid.

5. Orders and acceptance

Your order is an offer to purchase. A contract is formed only when we confirm acceptance of your order (for example, by a confirmation email or by dispatching the goods). We may decline or cancel an order for reasons including stock availability, suspected fraud, age-verification concerns, or pricing errors.

6. Subscriptions and recurring billing

Where you choose a subscription or the multi-box journey:

  • You authorise us to charge your payment method on a recurring basis at the interval and price disclosed at checkout, until you cancel.
  • Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled before the next billing date.
  • You may pause or cancel at any time through your account or by contacting us; cancellation takes effect from the next billing cycle, and we do not refund a box already processed or dispatched.
  • We will give reasonable notice of any change to subscription pricing.

7. Delivery

We deliver discreetly within South Africa (and elsewhere where stated). Delivery timeframes are estimates, not guarantees. Risk in the goods passes to you on delivery. Please see our Shipping Policy for details. All packaging is plain and unbranded.

8. Returns, refunds and your cooling-off rights

Please read this together with our Refund Policy.

  • Cooling-off (ECTA section 44): for goods bought online, you may generally cancel within 7 days of delivery and receive a refund, subject to the exceptions in the law.
  • Health and hygiene exception: for reasons of health, hygiene and safety, intimate and adult products cannot be returned, exchanged or refunded once their seal or hygiene packaging has been opened or the item has been used, unless the item is defective. This is a standard and lawful exception for this category.
  • Defective or incorrect goods: if an item is defective, damaged, or not as described, you are entitled to a remedy under the CPA (repair, replacement or refund). Contact us within a reasonable time with your order number and details.
  • Refunds are made to your original payment method within a reasonable period after we approve the return.

9. Acceptable use

You agree not to use the Services unlawfully, to resell our products without authorisation, to interfere with the Site's operation or security, to submit false information, or to infringe the rights of others.

10. Product use and disclaimers

Our products are intended for personal, adult use in accordance with any instructions and safety guidance provided. Information we provide (including guides on consent, safety and aftercare) is for general educational purposes and is not medical advice. You use our products at your own discretion and responsibility. To the extent permitted by law, products are provided "as is" except for the guarantees that apply under the CPA.

11. Intellectual property

All content on the Site including the brand name, logo, text, graphics, designs and images is owned by or licensed to The Velvet Hour and protected by law. You may not copy, reproduce or use it without our written permission.

12. User-generated content

If you submit reviews or other content, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use, display and reproduce it in connection with the Services. You are responsible for content you submit and must not post anything unlawful, infringing, or explicit beyond what is appropriate for a public page.

13. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, and subject to your rights under the CPA, we are not liable for any indirect, incidental or consequential loss arising from your use of the Services or products. Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

14. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify us against claims, losses and costs arising from your breach of these Terms or your misuse of the Services, to the extent permitted by law.

15. Privacy

Your use of the Services is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we process your personal information in line with POPIA.

16. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. The updated version will be posted on the Site with a new "Last updated" date and applies from posting.

17. Governing law and disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa, and you consent to the jurisdiction of the South African courts. Consumer disputes may also be referred to the relevant authorities under the CPA.

18. Contact

The Velvet Hour Email: Info@velvethour.co.za, Address: South Africa