RETURNS & REFUNDS POLICY
At Saw & Stitch, we take immense pride in the quality of our craftsmanship and the products we curate. Because our business spans handmade furniture, custom commissions, and specialized woodworking tools, our returns policy is structured clearly across our different product lines to protect both your investment and our workshop. This policy aligns strictly with the South African Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA).
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1. “Change of Mind” Returns & Exchanges
If you are not completely satisfied with a standard product, we offer a 7-day return or exchange window from the date of delivery or collection, subject to the following conditions:
- Eligible Items: This applies strictly to our standard, non-custom furniture Collections and unused, standard Plush & Crochet Goods.
- Condition: Items must be completely unused, undamaged, free of alterations, and returned in their original packaging.
- Exclusions: Custom commissions, personalized items, altered pieces, or goods purchased on a clearance/sale cannot be returned for a change of mind.
- Costs: Return shipping, handling, and logistics fees for change-of-mind returns are the sole responsibility of the customer. Alternatively, items may be dropped off at our Sandton studio by prior arrangement. A 10% restocking fee may be applied to large furniture collection items to cover handling and logistics.
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2. Custom Commissions & Bespoke Orders
Every custom commission is a one-of-a-kind piece designed and built specifically to your unique dimensions and aesthetic requirements.
- Non-Refundable Status: Due to their highly personalized nature, custom furniture commissions are strictly non-refundable once a deposit has been paid and production has commenced.
- Our Guarantee: We guarantee substantial conformance to the final, mutually signed Scope of Work and technical drawings. We stand fully behind our structural workmanship. If a custom piece deviates structurally from the agreed scope, we will remedy, alter, or repair the piece at our expense.
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3. Damaged, Defective or Faulty Goods
A. Solid Wood Collections & Custom Workmanship
In line with our standard terms, our handmade solid timber items are covered by a 6-month structural warranty against manufacturing defects and poor workmanship from the date of delivery.
- What is covered: Structural joint failures, severe splitting or warping due to manufacturing faults, and integrated hardware failures.
- What is excluded: Natural variations in wood grain, color tones, or knots; standard seasonal wood movement (minor contraction or expansion); hairline checking; and damage caused by physical misuse, direct sunlight, extreme indoor climate fluctuations (placing items near air conditioning units or fireplaces), or standard wear-and-tear (scratches, water rings, or impact damage).
B. Handcrafted Plush & Crochet Items
Due to the delicate nature of soft textile designs, our plush and crochet collections carry a limited 14-day manufacturing warranty from the date of delivery.
- What is covered: Strictly out-of-the-box structural production defects, such as loose initial seams or unraveling yarn lines.
- What is excluded (Rough Play): This limited warranty strictly excludes any damage resulting from normal wear-and-tear, pulling, biting, chewing, fabric tearing, staining, washing machine damage, or rigorous "rough play." Textile goods subjected to everyday play or pet interaction naturally degrade over time, which does not constitute a defect.
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4. How to Initiate a Return
To open a return or warranty claim, please follow these steps:
- Email Us: Send a formal request to our support email with your original order or invoice number.
- Provide Proof: For damaged or defective claims, you must include clear photographic or video evidence of the structural issue, defect, or out-of-the-box damage.
- Assessment: Our workshop team will review the claim within 2-3 business days. If a physical inspection is required, we will coordinate the collection of the item or arrange for you to bring it to our Sandton workshop.
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Refunds & Processing Time
- Once a return is received at our facility and formally inspected, we will notify you via email regarding the approval or rejection of your refund.
- Approved refunds will be processed via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) into your verified South African bank account within 7 to 10 business days. We do not issue cash refunds under any circumstances.