Terms of Service

Welcome to Shobbable. By creating an account or using any part of the Shobbable platform ("Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

1.1 Who We Are

Shobbable is an online platform that enables South African sellers to create and manage their own storefronts and sell products to buyers. The Platform is operated in accordance with South African law, including the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 ("ECTA") and the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 ("CPA").

1.2 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and legally capable of entering into binding contracts under South African law to use the Platform. By registering, you represent and warrant that you meet these requirements.

1.3 Account Responsibilities

• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials.
• You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account, whether or not authorised by you.
• You must notify us immediately at support@shobbable.com if you suspect unauthorised access.
• You may not share your account or transfer it to another person.

1.4 Prohibited Use

You agree not to:

• Use the Platform for any unlawful purpose or in violation of these Terms.
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Platform or its systems.
• Introduce malware, viruses, or any other harmful code.
• Scrape, copy, or redistribute Platform content without prior written consent from Shobbable.
• Impersonate another person or entity, or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity.

1.5 Intellectual Property

All intellectual property rights in the Platform — including its design, code, trademarks, and content created by Shobbable — remain the exclusive property of Shobbable. You retain ownership of content you upload (product images, descriptions, etc.) and grant Shobbable a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to display and process that content solely for the purpose of operating the Platform.

1.6 Termination

Shobbable reserves the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time, with or without notice, if you breach these Terms or engage in conduct that we reasonably consider harmful to the Platform, other users, or third parties. You may close your account at any time from your account settings.

1.7 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Shobbable shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Platform, including loss of profits, data, or goodwill. Our total aggregate liability to you for any claim shall not exceed the fees you paid to Shobbable in the three months preceding the event giving rise to the claim.

1.8 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of South Africa.

1.9 Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via email or an in-platform notice at least 14 days before they take effect. Continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

Shobbable is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 ("POPIA"). This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights.

2.1 Information We Collect

• Account information: name, email address, phone number, and business details you provide during registration and onboarding.
• Store information: store name, product listings, images, pricing, and descriptions.
• Transaction data: order details, payment references (not card numbers), and shipping information.
• Usage data: pages visited, features used, browser type, and device information collected via cookies and server logs.

2.2 How We Use Your Information

• To provide, maintain, and improve the Platform.
• To process transactions and communicate order status.
• To send administrative emails, security alerts, and support messages.
• To send marketing communications where you have opted in (you may opt out at any time).
• To comply with legal obligations under South African law.

2.3 Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share it with:

• Payment processors to process transactions: the gateway a seller connects to their store (PayFast or Yoco), and Paystack, which processes Shobbable subscription payments and Shobbable Pay payments (section 7.11). Each processor's own privacy policy governs its handling of your payment data.
• Infrastructure providers (hosting, database, email) who process data on our behalf under data processing agreements.
• Law enforcement when required by a valid legal process or to protect the rights and safety of our users.

2.4 Cookies

We use essential cookies to keep you logged in and to maintain session state. We use analytics cookies to understand how the Platform is used. You may disable non-essential cookies in your browser settings, though this may affect Platform functionality.

2.5 Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active and for a period of five years thereafter, or as required by law. Transaction records are retained for seven years to comply with SARS requirements.

2.6 Your Rights under POPIA

You have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate information.
• Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention obligations).
• Object to the processing of your information for direct marketing.
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@shobbable.com.

This Seller Policy applies to all users who create a storefront and sell products through Shobbable.

3.1 Account Eligibility

• You must be a South African resident or a business registered in South Africa.
• You must provide accurate business and banking information during onboarding.
• You are solely responsible for complying with all applicable South African laws relating to the products you sell, including the CPA, SARS tax obligations, and any industry-specific regulations.

3.2 Listing Obligations

• All product listings must be accurate, complete, and not misleading.
• Product images must be original or licensed. You may not use images belonging to other sellers or brands without permission.
• Prices must be stated in South African Rand (ZAR) inclusive of VAT where applicable.
• Stock levels must be kept up to date. Selling out-of-stock items without timely notification to buyers may result in account suspension.

3.3 Fulfilment Responsibilities

• You are responsible for packing, shipping, and delivering orders within the timeframe stated in your listing or within a reasonable period.
• You must communicate promptly with buyers regarding order status, delays, or issues.
• Risk of loss and title pass to the buyer upon delivery to the carrier unless otherwise agreed.

3.4 Fees

Shobbable charges a subscription fee for access to the Platform, billed through Paystack. Your payment gateway charges its own transaction fees. If you use Shobbable Pay, Shobbable also charges a fee on each payment (section 7.4). Shobbable reserves the right to update its fee structure with 30 days' notice.

3.5 Account Suspension & Termination

Shobbable may suspend or terminate a seller account for repeated policy violations, sustained low fulfilment rates, fraudulent activity, or sale of prohibited products. Sellers will generally receive written notice before suspension unless the violation poses an immediate risk to buyers or the Platform.

Shobbable facilitates transactions between buyers and sellers. While sellers set their own refund terms (subject to the CPA), Shobbable provides a dispute resolution process to protect both parties.

4.1 Seller Refund Terms

Sellers must publish their refund policy on their storefront. Under the Consumer Protection Act, buyers have the right to return goods within 5 business days of delivery if the goods are defective, not as described, or not fit for purpose. Sellers must honour these statutory rights regardless of their stated policy.

4.2 Raising a Dispute

If a buyer does not receive their order or receives an item that is materially different from the listing, they may open a dispute through Shobbable within 14 days of the expected delivery date. To open a dispute:

• Navigate to your order history and select the relevant order.
• Click "Open Dispute" and describe the issue with supporting evidence.

4.3 Resolution Window

Once a dispute is opened, the seller has 3 business days to respond and propose a resolution. If the seller does not respond or a resolution is not reached, Shobbable may mediate and issue a final decision, which both parties agree to accept.

4.4 Chargebacks

If a buyer initiates a chargeback with their bank, Shobbable will provide transaction records to the payment processor. Sellers are responsible for any chargeback fees imposed by the payment processor where the chargeback is upheld.

The following products and services may not be listed or sold on Shobbable. Listings that break this policy will be removed without notice, and repeat or serious violations may result in suspension or permanent termination of your account.

5.1 Prohibited Categories

• Weapons & ammunition — firearms, ammunition, knives intended as weapons, tasers, pepper spray guns, and related parts and accessories.
• Counterfeit goods — replicas, fakes, or any item that infringes trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights.
• Adult content — sexually explicit material, products, or services.
• Controlled substances — illegal drugs, prescription medicines, and substances controlled under the Medicines and Related Substances Act, including drug paraphernalia.
• Unregistered health products — supplements, remedies, or devices that make medical or therapeutic claims without the required SAHPRA registration.
• Endangered species — animals, plants, or products derived from species protected under CITES or South African legislation.
• Hazardous materials — explosives, fireworks, toxic chemicals, and any items that cannot legally be shipped within South Africa.
• Stolen goods — any item obtained through theft or fraud.
• Gambling — betting, lotteries, raffles, casino games, and games of chance played for money or prizes.
• Financial services — investment schemes, forex or crypto trading, loans, credit repair, money transfers, and the sale of cryptocurrency or digital assets.
• Stored value — gift cards, vouchers, airtime, and prepaid cards from third parties.
• Pyramid schemes & MLM — any product or listing that is a pyramid scheme, chain letter, or multi-level marketing opportunity under the Consumer Protection Act.
• Personal data — databases, contact lists, account credentials, or any personal information collected without consent.
• Hate & violence — products or content that promote hatred, violence, discrimination, or extremist groups.
• Illegal services — any product or service that is illegal in South Africa or that helps others break the law.

5.2 Restricted Categories

The following may only be sold by sellers who hold the required licence or registration. We may ask for proof before your listings go live, and we may decline these categories for Shobbable Pay.

• Alcohol — only by sellers with a valid liquor licence, and only to buyers aged 18 or older.
• Tobacco & vaping products — only where the sale complies with South African tobacco legislation, and only to buyers aged 18 or older.
• Regulated health products — registered medicines, medical devices, and SAHPRA-registered supplements, only by appropriately licensed sellers.

5.3 Enforcement

We review stores and listings during onboarding and on an ongoing basis. If we find a listing that breaks this policy, we may remove it, suspend your store or your Shobbable Pay account, hold related settlements as set out in section 7.9, and report illegal activity to the relevant authorities.

5.4 Reporting

If you see a listing that you believe breaks this policy, please report it to trust@shobbable.com. We review all reports and take appropriate action.

All payments on Shobbable are made in South African Rand (ZAR). Sellers accept payments in one of two ways:

• Your own payment gateway — you connect your own PayFast or Yoco account to your store. Buyers pay you directly through that gateway, and Shobbable never receives or holds the money.
• Shobbable Pay — payments are processed by Paystack through Shobbable, and your share is paid into your bank account by Paystack. Shobbable Pay is governed by section 7.

6.1 Payment Processing

• Buyers pay on the payment provider's secure checkout, which supports card, Instant EFT and other South African payment methods, depending on the provider.
• Shobbable does not store buyer card details. Card data is handled by the payment provider in accordance with PCI DSS standards.
• Orders are marked as paid only once the payment provider confirms the payment. Sellers should fulfil orders only after that confirmation.

6.2 Transaction Fees

Your payment provider charges a transaction fee on each sale, as set out in its own fee schedule. Shobbable does not charge a fee on payments made through your own gateway. Shobbable Pay fees are set out in section 7.4.

6.3 Payouts

• With your own gateway, payouts are made by that provider to your bank account under your agreement with them. Shobbable is not involved in or responsible for those payouts.
• With Shobbable Pay, Paystack pays your share to your bank account as described in section 7.5.
• Sellers must use a valid South African bank account. International payouts are not supported at this time.

6.4 Fraud Holds

Payment providers may hold funds linked to transactions they flag as potentially fraudulent while they investigate. For Shobbable Pay, Shobbable may also hold or delay settlements as set out in section 7.9. We will notify the affected seller and resolve holds as promptly as possible. Shobbable is not liable for delays caused by fraud screening.

6.5 Currency

All prices on the Platform must be listed in ZAR. Shobbable does not support multi-currency transactions at this time. Buyers outside South Africa purchase at their own exchange rate risk.

Version 2026-09-beta-1. These terms apply only to sellers who choose to use Shobbable Pay, and they apply in addition to the rest of this document. Shobbable Pay is currently available by invitation only.

7.1 What Shobbable Pay Is

Shobbable Pay lets you accept online payments on your storefront without connecting your own payment gateway. Payments are processed by Paystack Payments South Africa (Pty) Ltd ("Paystack"), a licensed payment service provider. When you activate Shobbable Pay, Shobbable creates a Paystack settlement account for you and, for each sale:

• the buyer pays through Paystack's secure checkout;
• at the moment of payment, the amount is split between your share and Shobbable's fee (see 7.4); and
• Paystack pays your share directly into the South African bank account you gave us, on Paystack's settlement schedule.

Shobbable is not a bank and does not hold your money in a wallet or balance. You remain the seller of the goods and are responsible for the sale. By using Shobbable Pay you also agree to Paystack's terms of service as they apply to merchants on a platform.

7.2 Eligibility and Verification

• You must be an individual resident in South Africa or a business registered in South Africa, with a South African bank account in your own or your business's name.
• You must give us accurate, complete and current information about yourself or your business, including identity and registration details, and your payout bank account. We may ask for documents to verify this, as required by the Financial Intelligence Centre Act and by Paystack.
• Your store must sell in South African Rand (ZAR) and must not sell anything listed in the Prohibited Products Policy (section 5) or prohibited by Paystack.

7.3 Activation and Account Status

Every Shobbable Pay account is reviewed before it can accept payments. We may approve, decline or ask you for more information, at our discretion. Your account status is shown in Settings → Payments:

• Pending: setup has started but is not complete.
• Verification required: we are reviewing your details, or need more information from you.
• Active: you can accept payments with Shobbable Pay.
• Suspended: you cannot accept new payments (see 7.9).
• Closed: the account can no longer be used.

7.4 Fees

• Shobbable charges a fee on each Shobbable Pay payment. The fee that applies to your store is shown in Settings → Payments before you accept your first payment, and is deducted from each payment at the moment it is made.
• Paystack's processing fees apply to each payment. Who bears them is shown in Settings → Payments.
• Fees are exclusive of VAT unless stated otherwise. We will give you at least 30 days' notice of any change to our fees.
• Your Shobbable subscription (section 3.4) is billed separately and is not affected by Shobbable Pay.

7.5 Settlement

• Paystack pays your share to your payout bank account on its settlement schedule. Timing depends on Paystack, the payment method and your bank, and is not guaranteed by Shobbable.
• Any available, pending or upcoming settlement amounts shown in your dashboard are estimates. Paystack's records are final.
• You are responsible for keeping your payout details correct. We are not liable for money paid into an account because the details you gave us were wrong. Changes to your payout details may be reviewed before they take effect, and payouts may be paused while we do.

7.6 What Buyers See

Buyers pay on Paystack's checkout, and the charge appears on their bank or card statement under Shobbable's name, not your store's. You must not tell buyers otherwise. If a buyer contacts Shobbable about a charge, we may share the order details with them and refer them to you.

7.7 Refunds

• You must honour buyers' rights under the Consumer Protection Act and your published refund policy (section 4.1).
• If a refund is made before your share has been settled, it is taken from the payment before settlement.
• If a refund is made after your share has been settled, Paystack takes it from Shobbable, not from you. You must repay Shobbable that amount, and any related fees, and you authorise us to recover it as set out in 7.10.

7.8 Chargebacks and Disputes

• If a buyer disputes a Shobbable Pay payment with their bank, we will tell you and you must give us evidence (such as proof of delivery and your communication with the buyer) within the time we ask for. Card scheme deadlines are short, and late evidence may not be considered.
• If a dispute is decided against you, or you do not respond in time, you are liable for the disputed amount and any chargeback fees, and we may recover them as set out in 7.10.
• A high rate of disputes or refunds may lead to limits, a reserve or suspension (7.9).

7.9 Limits, Holds and Suspension

To protect buyers, sellers and Shobbable, we may at any time:

• set limits on the size of a single payment or on the total you can accept per day or month. Limits are usually stricter for new sellers;
• delay, hold or ask Paystack to hold settlements linked to payments we reasonably suspect are fraudulent, prohibited or likely to be disputed, while we investigate;
• require a reserve, meaning part of your future settlements is held for a period to cover likely refunds and disputes; and
• suspend or close your Shobbable Pay account if you breach these terms, provide false information, sell prohibited products, have excessive refunds or disputes, or if Paystack or the law requires it.

We will tell you the reason where we are allowed to. You can close your Shobbable Pay account at any time. Closing it does not affect refunds, disputes or amounts owed on payments made before closure.

7.10 Amounts You Owe Us

If you owe Shobbable money under these terms (for example a refund or chargeback paid by Shobbable after your share was settled, or related fees), you authorise us to recover it by deducting it from your future Shobbable Pay settlements, by using any reserve, or by invoicing you, in which case the invoice is payable within 7 days. We will tell you before we recover an amount and show you how it was calculated.

7.11 Your Information

To provide Shobbable Pay we share your identity, business, contact and payout bank details, and the details of each payment, with Paystack. Paystack processes them to create your settlement account, process payments, pay you and meet its own legal obligations. Paystack holds your full payout account number; Shobbable keeps only the last four digits and a one-way fingerprint of it. Our Privacy Policy (section 2) applies to all of this, and we keep payment records for as long as the law requires.

7.12 Changes to These Terms

We may publish a new version of these Shobbable Pay terms. When we do, you will be asked to accept the new version in Settings → Payments. Your account keeps working while you review it, but we may limit new payments if you do not accept within a reasonable time. We record which version you accepted and when.