These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you (the "User", "Buyer", or "Seller") and Thrif ("we", "us", or "our"), a locally built online marketplace platform operating within the Republic of South Africa. These Terms govern your access to and use of the Thrif mobile application ("the App") and its associated services.
By downloading, registering, or using the App, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms, which are drafted in accordance with the laws of South Africa, including the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act No. 25 of 2002 (ECTA), the Consumer Protection Act No. 68 of 2008 (CPA), and the Protection of Personal Information Act No. 4 of 2013 (POPIA).
Platform Provider: Thrif provides an online, localized peer-to-peer (C2C) and business-to-consumer (B2C) marketplace that facilitates the buying and selling of new, pre-loved, and vintage clothing.
The Intermediary Status: In terms of Section 27 of the CPA, Thrif operates strictly as an intermediary platform. Thrif is not a party to the actual sale transaction between Buyers and Sellers, does not take ownership of any items listed, and does not act as an agent for either party except for the limited purpose of holding transaction funds in a secure escrow environment (the "Thrif Wallet").
Limitation of Product Liability: While Thrif employs AI tools to assist Users, the Seller remains solely responsible for the accuracy of listing descriptions, the quality, safety, and legality of the items sold, and their compliance with the CPA.
Registration: To create an account or log in, Users must utilize the "Sign up/Log in with WhatsApp" protocol. A secure One-Time Pin (OTP) will be generated and dispatched via WhatsApp to grant access.
Geographic Restriction: Registration is restricted strictly to valid South African mobile numbers. International numbers are currently not supported.
Account Recovery: Users must provide a valid recovery email address during registration. If access to the registered WhatsApp number is lost, the recovery email will serve as the secondary mechanism to regain account access.
By registering an account, you expressly consent to receiving operational and transactional updates via app push notifications, WhatsApp and/or email.
Permitted Notifications: Notifications are strictly limited to vital account activity, including order updates, shipping reminders, and payout confirmations. No unsolicited commercial communications (spam) will be distributed. The only time you will receive marketing communications is if you have opted in within the app.
Opt-Out Rights: In compliance with Section 69 of POPIA Users retain the right to change their communication preferences at any time from within the App’s settings to opt out of WhatsApp notifications and receive communications via email instead (or vice versa).
Zero Selling Fees: Listing items on Thrif is completely free. Thrif charges 0% commission on sales; 100% of the agreed-upon sale price earned by the Seller is deposited directly into their Thrif Wallet once the Buyer receives their item(s) and the 24hr return window lapses.
Commercial/Retail Sellers: Small businesses or independent clothing retailers are permitted to create accounts and utilize bulk listing functionalities. Larger enterprise retailers must contact Thrif corporate support prior to bulk integration.
Thrif utilizes lightweight Artificial Intelligence (AI) models to streamline the listing process.
AI Functionality: Thrif’s AI assists by automatically removing photo backgrounds, generating listing details/descriptions, and reading label sizes to map items to standard South African clothing sizes.
AI Pricing Suggestions: The AI scans online sources to cross-reference prices of comparable items in the South African resale market, providing an "estimated retail price" (the item's value if bought new) and a suggested listing price based on condition.
Seller Responsibility: The use of AI is optional, and Users may choose to list items completely manually. Where AI is utilized, the Seller has final editorial oversight and must review, correct, and approve all AI-generated text and pricing before the listing goes live. Thrif accepts no liability under the CPA for inaccurate or misleading descriptions generated by AI and approved by the Seller.
Items that do not fit within an available product category on Thrif are not allowed. Users may not list or sell any of the following prohibited items (which include, but are not limited to) and may be removed according to Thrif’s discretion:
Authenticity & Intellectual Property:
Counterfeit & Replica Items: Fake, knock-off, or replica branded items, including factory rejects and unauthorized parallel imports. Designer brand or high-end items must include a photo of their authenticity certification in the listing.
Testers, Samples & Promotional Items: In-store demonstration bottles or units (often marked "TESTER" or "Not for Sale"), single-use sample sachets/vials, and promotional "Gift With Purchase" items not intended for resale.
AI Generated Images: Any item listings that include images generated using AI outside of Thrif’s background removal and enhancements including decorative backgrounds, design templates and virtual models are not allowed.
Cosmetics, Beauty & Underwear:
Cosmetics & Fragrances: Beauty or cosmetic products (e.g., lip gloss, mascara, creams, lotions, or eyeshadow palettes).
Used Underwear Bottoms: For health and hygiene reasons, underwear bottoms, thongs, briefs, and g-strings must be brand new with tags or original packaging. Note: Pre-loved bras and swimwear are permitted provided they are thoroughly washed and their worn condition is clearly stated in the listing.
Kids, Pets & Non-Supported Categories/Listings:
Babies, Kids & Teen Apparel: Clothing, footwear, or accessories designed for babies, toddlers, children, or teenagers. Thrif is exclusively an adult fashion marketplace.
Pet Items & Apparel: Pet clothing, collars, leashes, harnesses, pet toys, beds, animal feed, or pet medicines.
Bundled Items: Listing with more than one item included for sale as part of a bundle. Only one item can be sold per listing.
Medicines, Health & Consumables:
Medicines & Health Products: Prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, health/food supplements, medical devices (e.g., inhalers, blood pressure monitors), and diagnostic kits.
Tobacco & Nicotine: Cigarettes, cigars, vapes, e-liquids, e-shisha, or related accessories.
Food, Alcohol & Beverages: Any food items, drinks, or alcoholic beverages.
Drugs & Paraphernalia: Illicit substances, illegal drugs, or drug-related paraphernalia.
Weapons & Dangerous Goods:
Weapons & Self-Defence Gear: Firearms, ammunition, realistic toy guns (e.g., airsoft or paintball guns), pepper sprays, tasers, military equipment, or items intended for self-defence.
Dangerous Blades & Knives: Throwing knives, concealed blades, survival weapons, or sharp kitchen knives.
Electronics, Digital & Non-Physical Goods:
Vehicles & Household Electronics: Motorized vehicles, mobile phones, smartwatches, locked/reset-restricted devices, or household appliances.
Non-Physical & Digital Goods: Vouchers, gift cards, digital downloads, e-books, services, or mystery boxes/jars with hidden contents.
Currency: Physical money, bank notes, coins, or currency reproductions.
Illegal, Adult & Offensive Content:
Stolen Goods: Any items obtained through theft, fraud, or unlawful means.
Adult Products: Pornography, explicit media, or adult novelties.
Hate Speech & Harmful Content: Items promoting violence, hate speech, discrimination, criminal activity, self-harm, or sexual exploitation.
Illegal Items: Any product or material that is otherwise prohibited or restricted by South African law.
With the support of our community, we take an active role in removing items that are offensive, illegal, or otherwise inappropriate for the platform.
Saw a listing that shouldn’t be on Thrif? Please report a seller if they’re selling prohibited items or their listings go against our rules — it helps improve others’ experience on Thrif.
All financial transactions including payments and wallet withdrawals on Thrif are processed via Stitch Express and Ozow, secure PCI-DSS compliant payment gateways. Payment methods include:
Thrif Wallet balances.
Capitec Pay.
Apple Pay / Google Pay.
Credit/Debit cards.
Stitch Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) options (allowing purchases to be split into 2 to 6 flexible installments).
Thrif does not feature an automated "bundling" tool for single shipments across different sellers. The "Multi-Cart" feature allows Buyers to add items from various Sellers to one cart. However, because Sellers operate from distinct nationwide locations, the cart will automatically split items by individual Seller at checkout. Each split order constitutes a separate transaction requiring its own courier shipment fee.
To secure transactional integrity, Thrif operates an escrow model:
The Fee: Every checkout incurs a mandatory Buyer Protection Fee of 6% + R15. This fee funds hands-on customer support, secure transactions, and the framework required to handle returns for misdescribed items. The Buyer Protection fee is only refundable to the Buyer if an order is cancelled, the item is never shipped, or the item is returned in accordance with Thrifs’ return policy. In these cases, the full amount initially deposited—which includes the item price, the initial delivery fee, and the Buyer Protection fee—will be automatically refunded to the Buyer’s Thrif Wallet.
Escrow Holding: Upon checkout, the Buyer's payment is safely deposited and held in Thrif's account. Funds are explicitly withheld from the Seller until the courier confirms that the item is delivered and the 24-hour returns window lapses.
Thrif is integrated with The Courier Guy to handle nationwide logistics.
Scheduling: Once an item is sold, the Seller has 3 (three) days to schedule the shipment directly within the Thrif App.
Drop-off: Following scheduling, the Seller has 5 (five) days to securely package the item and drop it off at any authorized The Courier Guy Locker or Kiosk.
Packaging: Sellers may use recycled or personal packaging (e.g., gift bags, cardboard boxes), provided the package strictly conforms to the dimension guidelines specified in the App and the Buyer's shipping details/waybill are clearly visible. Sellers are encouraged to use the free flyer bags or boxes available at all The Courier Guy locations.
Buyers choose their preferred delivery method at checkout:
Locker / Kiosk Collection: Fixed rate of R69. Collection requires a unique PIN provided via the App, WhatsApp, or email once delivered to the destination locker.
Direct Door Delivery: Fixed rate of R99 to the physical address specified by the Buyer.
Delivery Duration: Standard delivery takes 2 to 3 business days from drop-off, extending up to 12 business days under extraordinary or remote regional circumstances.
Non-Delivery: In the event of transit loss or permanent failure to deliver, Users must notify Thrif Support. Thrif will investigate and ensure equitable compensation/refunds are applied to both parties.
Because Thrif primarily facilitates transactions between individual consumers (C2C), standard statutory "change of mind" or cooling-off periods under the CPA do not automatically apply to transactions between those private individuals.
Sizing and Personal Preference: Thrif does not accept returns or offer refunds if an item does not fit the Buyer or if the Buyer dislikes the item. In such instances, the Buyer is encouraged to re-list the item for sale on Thrif to recoup their funds.
Statutory Exception: Returns are strictly permitted only if the received item is significantly not as described by the Seller (e.g., undisclosed damage, wrong item, counterfeit).
The 24-Hour Rule: The Buyer must inspect the item immediately upon receipt. Any claim that an item is significantly not as described must be formally logged with photos in the App within 24 hours of delivery/collection. If no dispute is logged within 24 hours, the transaction is deemed final, and funds are permanently released to the Seller's Thrif Wallet.
Logging a Return: To log a return, the Buyer must navigate to "My Purchases - Returns", select the item(s), state the reason for the return, and provide photographic proof.
Return Shipment: Upon validation, a return waybill will be generated in the App. The Buyer must write these details on the package and drop it off at a designated collection point within 5 (five) days. Failure to drop off the item(s) within 5 days results in automatic cancellation of the return, and no refund will be issued.
Return Routing: Returned items are automatically routed back to the original Locker from which the Seller shipped them, unless alternative arrangements are communicated to and approved by Thrif Support.
To maintain transactional integrity and protect both parties, Thrif controls the refund workflow via tracking integration and manual oversight:
Rejection/Acceptance Input: Because returns are only authorized on the verified basis that an item is significantly not as described, Sellers do not have the technical ability to unilaterally reject or manually accept a return inside the App.
Escrow Lock: Transaction funds remain securely locked in Thrif's escrow account throughout the return pipeline.
Courier Verification & Manual Refund Release: Once The Courier Guy confirms via tracking data that the return package has been successfully delivered back to the Seller, Thrif Customer Support will step in manually to process the Buyer’s refund. Customer Support will verify tracking receipt and process the final refund directly into the Buyer’s Thrif Wallet.
Seller Dispute for Damaged Returns: If a Buyer returns an item that has been damaged, worn, or altered while in their possession, the Seller must notify Thrif Support within 24 hours of collecting the return package. Upon notification, Thrif Support will maintain the escrow lock and initiate an internal investigation to arbitrate an equitable resolution.
Full Cancellation: If a Seller is unable to fulfill or ship an order within the designated timelines, the order will be cancelled. The Buyer will receive a 100% refund (inclusive of the purchase price, shipping and Buyer Protection Fee) into their Thrif Wallet.
Order Adjustment: If a Multi-Item order from a single Seller cannot be completely fulfilled, the Seller may adjust the order in-app. Available items will be processed and shipped, and a partial refund for the unfulfilled items will be credited back to the Buyer's Thrif Wallet.
The Thrif Wallet: Your Thrif Wallet is an in-app ledger reflecting funds accumulated via successful sales or credited through refunds. Wallet balances can be instantly used to fund purchases within the App or withdrawn to a local bank account.
Withdrawal/Payout Timelines: Users can request a payout from their Thrif Wallet to a verified South African bank account at any time. Funds generally reflect within the User’s bank account within 24 hours, subject to standard inter-bank clearing protocols.
Thrif is committed to processing your Personal Information lawfully and securely in accordance with POPIA. By using the platform, you acknowledge that Thrif processes personal data (including identity details, contact numbers, delivery addresses, and banking information) for the explicit purposes of account authentication, logistics fulfillment via The Courier Guy, and secure payment processing via Stitch. For further specifics on your rights to access, correct, or request the deletion of your data, please consult our full Privacy Policy.
For any disputes, legal notices, or customer support queries, please contact Thrif via:
Email: hello@thrif.store
WhatsApp Support: +27 72 836 0708
+27 72 836 0708
hello@thrif.store
+27 72 836 0708
hello@thrif.store