Terms, Privacy & Returns Policy

1. Who we are

WoodDrop ("we", "us", "our") is operated by Joel Gamsu as a sole proprietor. We are the Responsible Party for the personal information described below, as defined in the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA). Our Information Officer is Joel Gamsu (contact details below).

2. What this policy covers

This policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, who we share it with, how we protect it, and the rights you have under POPIA.

3. Personal information we collect

• Identity and contact details: your name, mobile number, email address.
• Delivery details: your delivery address and any access or delivery notes.
• Order information: items ordered, order history, delivery preferences.
• Verification data: one-time PIN (OTP) codes sent to your mobile number to confirm it is yours.
• Payment status: whether a payment succeeded or failed. We do not collect or store your card number, CVV or expiry. Card data is captured and processed directly by our payment provider, iKhokha, on their secure systems.
• Technical data: device and browser information, IP address, and cookie data (see our Cookie Policy).

4. How we collect it

We collect information directly from you when you place an order, verify your number, contact us, or use our website. Some technical data is collected automatically through cookies, with your consent.

5. Why we process it (purpose and lawful basis)

• To create and fulfil your order, match it to a supplier, and arrange delivery — performance of our agreement with you.
• To verify your mobile number by OTP — security and performance of the agreement.
• To provide customer support and handle queries, refunds and disputes — legitimate interest and performance of the agreement.
• To send you marketing about similar products — only where you have opted in, or as permitted for existing customers under POPIA section 69, always with an easy opt-out.
• To keep records required by law and to detect and prevent fraud or abuse — legal obligation and legitimate interest.

6. Who we share it with

• Independent suppliers and their drivers — your name, delivery address and contact number, so your order can be delivered.
• iKhokha — our payment processor, to take and verify payment.
• Twilio (or our SMS provider) — to send OTP and delivery notifications by SMS/WhatsApp.
• Hosting and analytics providers — to run the website and understand usage (analytics only with your consent).

We require these parties, where they act as Operators, to process your information only on our instructions and to keep it secure. Some providers may process data outside South Africa; where they do, we take reasonable steps to ensure a comparable level of protection as required by POPIA section 72.

7. Direct marketing

We will only send you electronic marketing where you have consented, or where the law permits us to market similar products to existing customers. Every marketing message includes a way to opt out. You can withdraw consent at any time by contacting us.

8. How long we keep it

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes above, or as required by law (for example, transaction records for tax and accounting). When no longer needed, we delete or de-identify it.

9. How we protect it

We apply reasonable technical and organisational measures to safeguard your information against loss, unauthorised access and misuse, as required by POPIA section 19. If a data breach affecting you occurs, we will notify you and the Information Regulator as required by law.

10. Your rights (POPIA)

• Ask what personal information we hold about you and request access to it.
• Ask us to correct or delete information that is inaccurate, irrelevant, excessive or out of date.
• Object to processing in certain circumstances.
• Withdraw consent (this will not affect processing already carried out).
• Complain to the Information Regulator (details below).

To exercise any right, contact our Information Officer. We may need to verify your identity first.

11. Contact and complaints

• Information Officer: Joel Gamsu — hello@wooddrop.co.za, +27 60 018 9663 (WhatsApp only).
• Information Regulator (South Africa): inforegulator.org.za, POPIAComplaints@inforegulator.org.za.

12. Changes

We may update this policy. The "last updated" date shows the current version, and material changes will be brought to your attention.

1. About these terms

These terms govern your use of the WoodDrop website and your purchase of firewood and related products through it. By placing an order or ticking the agreement box, you accept these terms. They do not limit any rights you have under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) or other South African law.

2. Who we are (ECTA section 43 disclosure)

WoodDrop is a marketplace operated by Joel Gamsu (sole proprietor). Full business and contact details, including our physical address, are in the Contact & Business Details section of this page.

3. How the marketplace works

WoodDrop is the seller of the firewood and related products you buy on this site. Your contract of sale is with WoodDrop, and WoodDrop is responsible to you under the Consumer Protection Act. We work with independent third-party suppliers who hold stock and carry out delivery on our behalf; those suppliers are independent contractors bound by a separate WoodDrop supplier agreement and are not your contracting party. You deal with WoodDrop for your order, payment, and any after-sale matter.

4. Products and descriptions

We describe wood type, suitability (open fireplace, closed fireplace, braai), and where shown, target moisture. Descriptions are given in good faith. Natural firewood varies; minor variation in size, colour and moisture is normal and not a defect.

5. Prices and payment

Prices are shown in South African Rand. WoodDrop is not VAT registered, so prices are final and no VAT is added. Payment is taken securely online through iKhokha. We do not store your card details. An order is only confirmed once payment is verified.

6. Orders and acceptance

Placing an order is an offer to buy. The order is accepted once payment is confirmed and a supplier has accepted it. If we cannot fulfil an order, we will tell you and refund any payment.

7. Delivery

We deliver within the Cape Town areas shown at checkout. Estimated delivery times are not guaranteed. Please ensure the delivery address and access details are correct; failed deliveries due to incorrect details or no access may incur a re-delivery cost.

8. Your cooling-off right (ECTA section 44)

Because you buy online, you may cancel without reason within 7 days of receiving the goods, except where an exception in ECTA section 42 applies. You return the goods at your cost and in resaleable condition, and we refund the price paid within 30 days. This is in addition to your CPA rights.

9. Returns, defects and refunds (CPA)

You are entitled to goods that are of good quality and reasonably suitable for their purpose. If goods are defective, unsafe, or not as described, you may return them under the CPA. Full details are in our Returns & Refund Policy, which forms part of these terms.

10. Your responsibilities

Use firewood safely and follow the safety guidance for your fire type (for example, do not use smoky woods or paraffin firelighters in a closed combustion unit). We are not responsible for misuse.

11. Liability

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits any liability that cannot be excluded under the CPA or other South African law, including your right to safe, good-quality goods. Subject to that, and except where the CPA provides otherwise, WoodDrop's liability for any order is limited to the price paid for that order, and we are not liable for indirect or consequential loss. Where a problem is caused by a supplier's act or omission, this does not affect your rights against WoodDrop as the seller.

12. Governing law and disputes

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. We aim to resolve disputes directly first — contact us using the details below. You retain your right to refer a matter to the National Consumer Commission or a relevant ombud or court.

13. Our details

• Trading name: WoodDrop, operated by Joel Gamsu (sole proprietor)
• Address: 15 Avenue Normandie, Fresnaye, Cape Town
• Email: hello@wooddrop.co.za
• WhatsApp only: +27 60 018 9663 (we don't take calls)

14. Changes

We may update these terms; the version in force is the one published on the site when you order.

1. Your protection

This policy sets out how returns and refunds work and explains the rights you have under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA). It does not take away any of those rights.

2. 7-day cooling-off (online purchases — ECTA section 44)

As you buy online, you may cancel within 7 days of delivery without giving a reason, unless an ECTA section 42 exception applies. The goods must be unused and in resaleable condition. You arrange and pay for the return, and we refund the purchase price within 30 days of cancellation.

3. Defective, unsafe or incorrect goods (CPA)

If your firewood or product is not of good quality, not reasonably suitable for its intended use, unsafe, or does not match what was described or ordered, you may return it. Under CPA section 56 you may choose a refund, replacement or repair where applicable. The CPA allows return of defective goods within 6 months. We cover the cost of return in these cases.

4. What is not a defect

Natural variation in firewood — size, colour, bark, and minor moisture variation within the stated range — is normal and not a defect.

5. How to request a return or refund

Contact us on WhatsApp +27 60 018 9663 or email hello@wooddrop.co.za with your order number, what the issue is, and a photo where relevant. We will respond and guide you through the next step.

6. How refunds are paid

Approved refunds are paid back to your original payment method through iKhokha, typically within 24 to 72 hours, depending on your bank.

7. Cancellations before delivery

If you cancel before a supplier has dispatched your order, we will refund you in full.

8. Our details

WoodDrop, operated by Joel Gamsu. 15 Avenue Normandie, Fresnaye, Cape Town. hello@wooddrop.co.za, +27 60 018 9663 (WhatsApp only).

1. What cookies are

Cookies are small files stored on your device that help a website work and understand how it is used.

2. Categories we use

• Necessary — required for the site to function (for example, keeping your cart and session). Always on.
• Functional — remember your preferences.
• Analytics — help us understand usage so we can improve. Loaded only with your consent.
• Marketing — used to measure and tailor marketing. Loaded only with your consent.

3. Your consent

On your first visit, a banner asks how you'd like us to handle cookies. You can Accept all, Reject all, or choose each category individually. Until you make a choice, only necessary cookies are used — nothing functional, analytics or marketing runs, and no marketing tags are loaded.

You can change or withdraw your choice at any time using the Cookie Settings link in the footer of any page. Withdrawing marketing consent stops the marketing tags and clears the cookies they set. Withdrawal does not affect anything that happened while consent was still in place.

We keep a record of the choice you made, the categories you allowed and the version of this policy you were shown, so we can demonstrate that your consent was given properly.

4. Contact

WoodDrop, operated by Joel Gamsu. 15 Avenue Normandie, Fresnaye, Cape Town. hello@wooddrop.co.za, +27 60 018 9663 (WhatsApp only).

We're a Cape Town business and we answer fast. WhatsApp is the quickest way to reach us — we don't take calls, so a message gets the best response.