Draft 0.1: not yet in force. This document is a working draft awaiting review by an attorney, and the highlighted details are still to be completed. It does not yet bind VINSTORE or anyone using it.

Terms of use

Version 0.1 · Effective [effective date]

These terms cover everyone who uses VINSTORE: buyers, workshops, panel beaters and suppliers. The short version: suppliers sell the parts, you inspect and pay in their store, and VINSTORE is the platform that connects you. Please read the whole document.

1. Who we are

VINSTORE is a product of Tech for African Problems (Pty) Ltd, registration number 2026/535581/07, a private company registered in the Republic of South Africa. In these terms “VINSTORE”, “we” and “us” mean that company, which owns and operates the VINSTORE platform.

Telephone: +27 68 143 9957 · Support: support@vinstore.co.za · Legal notices: info@tfap.co.za
Website: https://vinstore.co.za
Business address, where legal documents may be served: Steyn City, Office Block B, Ground Floor, Capital Park, Central Lane, Riverglen, Johannesburg, 2191
The company is not registered for VAT.

2. What VINSTORE is, and what it is not

2.1

VINSTORE is an online marketplace where independent parts suppliers list vehicle parts, and an inventory tool those suppliers use to run their stock. Buyers search, compare, and reserve parts for collection.

2.2

VINSTORE does not sell parts and never owns them. Every part is sold by the supplier named on the listing. The contract of sale is between you and that supplier, and it is concluded in the supplier's store when you inspect the part and pay for it.

2.3

We are not a party to that sale, we do not hold your money, and we are not the supplier's agent. We provide the platform, set standards suppliers must meet, and help resolve problems as described in section 10.

3. Accepting these terms

3.1

By creating an account, reserving a part or otherwise using VINSTORE you agree to these terms, the Privacy notice and the Returns and warranty policy. If you do not agree, do not use VINSTORE.

3.2

You must be 18 or older, or have your parent or guardian's consent. If you use VINSTORE for a business you confirm you may bind that business.

3.3

Suppliers are also bound by the Supplier agreement. Where it conflicts with these terms, the Supplier agreement applies to the supplier.

4. Your account

4.1

Give accurate details and keep them up to date. Keep your password to yourself; you are responsible for what is done through your account until you tell us it has been compromised.

4.2

One person, one account. We may suspend or close an account that is used to break these terms, to defraud a supplier or buyer, or to make reservations with no intention of collecting.

5. Searching and fitment

5.1

VINSTORE helps you find parts by VIN, registration, vehicle or description, and shows how well a part is expected to fit. That guidance is an aid, not a guarantee. It is built from information supplied by suppliers and from the vehicle a part was removed from. Vehicles of the same model and year differ.

5.2

You are responsible for confirming that a part is right for your vehicle before you pay: compare part numbers, inspect the part at the counter, and ask the supplier. If you are unsure, take your old part with you.

5.3

Photos are of the actual part unless the listing says otherwise. Condition grades and descriptions are given by the supplier, who is responsible for their accuracy.

6. Reservations and collection

6.1

A reservation asks the supplier to hold a part for you. It is not a purchase and you pay nothing online. The supplier may accept or decline it, for example if the part has just been sold at the counter.

6.2

An accepted reservation is held for the period shown when you reserve, currently 24 hours. If you do not collect in that time the hold ends and the part goes back on sale.

6.3

You receive an order reference and a collection PIN. Keep the PIN private. At the counter the supplier enters the PIN to confirm the collection. Anyone who presents your reference and PIN can collect, so treat them like cash.

6.4

Inspect the part before you pay. You are free to decline a part that is not as described, and you owe nothing if you do.

6.5

You pay the supplier directly, in store, by the methods that supplier accepts. The price is the price shown on your reservation unless you and the supplier agree otherwise. Prices are in South African rand and include VAT where the supplier is a VAT vendor.

6.6

Repeatedly reserving and not collecting harms suppliers and other buyers. We may limit or suspend accounts that do it.

7. Returns, warranty and your consumer rights

Your rights against the supplier, including the six-month implied warranty under the Consumer Protection Act, are set out in the Returns and warranty policy, which every supplier on VINSTORE must honour. Nothing in these terms limits rights the Consumer Protection Act gives you.

Because you conclude the sale in store and not online, the cooling-off right in section 44 of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act does not apply to parts collected through VINSTORE. You may cancel a reservation at any time before collection, at no cost.

8. What you may not do

List, offer or seek stolen parts, parts with altered or removed identification numbers, or anything it is unlawful to sell.
Give false information, impersonate anyone, or make reservations you do not intend to collect.
Post reviews that are untrue, abusive, or about a transaction you did not have.
Copy, scrape or resell VINSTORE's listings, fitment data or images, or use automated tools against the site without our written permission.
Interfere with the security or working of VINSTORE, or try to reach another user's account or data.

9. Stolen and unlawful goods

9.1

Suppliers must be registered second-hand goods dealers where the Second-Hand Goods Act 6 of 2009 requires it, and must be able to show the lawful origin of what they sell. We verify suppliers before they trade on VINSTORE and may ask for records at any time.

9.2

If you suspect a listing involves stolen goods, tell us at support@vinstore.co.za. We may remove listings, suspend suppliers and give information to the South African Police Service or other authorities where the law requires or permits it.

10. Problems and complaints

10.1

First raise the problem with the supplier, who is the seller. Use your order reference.

10.2

If that does not resolve it within 5 business days, write to support@vinstore.co.za with your order reference and what happened. We will acknowledge within 2 business days, look at the records on both sides, and try to settle it. We can require a supplier to honour the Returns and warranty policy and can suspend a supplier who does not.

10.3

You may at any time approach the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud, the National Consumer Commission or a court. For privacy complaints see the Privacy notice.

11. Reviews and content you post

You may review a supplier after a completed collection. You keep ownership of what you post and give us a free, non-exclusive licence to display it on VINSTORE. We may remove content that breaks section 8. Suppliers may reply to reviews but may not offer anything in exchange for changing one.

12. Our content

The VINSTORE name, logo, software, design, fitment data and compilation of listings belong to Tech for African Problems (Pty) Ltd or its licensors. You may use the site for its purpose: finding, reserving and selling parts. No other right is given.

13. What we are responsible for

13.1

We will run VINSTORE with reasonable care and skill, keep it secure, and act on complaints as described above.

13.2

We are not the seller. To the extent the law allows, we are not liable for the quality, safety, fit, legality or description of any part, for a supplier's failure to honour a reservation or a warranty, or for anything that happens at a supplier's premises. Those are claims against the supplier.

13.3

To the extent the law allows, we are not liable for indirect or consequential loss, such as loss of income, vehicle downtime, towing, labour charges for fitting and removing a part, or hire costs.

13.4

To the extent the law allows, our total liability to you for anything arising from your use of VINSTORE is limited to R1 000, or the fees you paid VINSTORE in the 12 months before the claim if that is more.

13.5

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited, including liability for gross negligence or fraud, or rights under the Consumer Protection Act.

13.6

VINSTORE is provided as it is. We do not promise it will always be available or free of errors, and we may change or withdraw features.

14. Your personal information

How we collect and use personal information is explained in the Privacy notice. When you reserve a part we give the supplier your name and order so that they can serve you.

15. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms. We will post the new version here with its effective date, and for a material change we will tell account holders by email or in the app at least 14 days before it takes effect. A reservation is governed by the terms in force when it was made.

16. Ending your use

You may close your account at any time from your account settings or by writing to privacy@vinstore.co.za. We may suspend or close an account that breaks these terms, giving reasons unless the law prevents it. Closing an account does not cancel a supplier's obligations on parts you have already bought.

17. Governing law and general

17.1

South African law governs these terms. The South African courts have jurisdiction, and you may also use the Magistrates' Court for your area regardless of the amount, where the law allows.

17.2

If part of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the rest still applies. If we do not enforce a right at once, we have not given it up.

17.3

We may transfer our rights and obligations under these terms to a company in the same group that takes over the VINSTORE product, or to a buyer of the business, and will tell account holders if we do.

17.4

You agree that we may send you notices electronically, to the email address on your account. Notices to us go to info@tfap.co.za and to our business address above.