Terms of Service

By accessing and using the Handsy platform, you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provision of this agreement. If you do not agree to abide by the above, please do not use this service.

Handsy is a digital marketplace — a venue only — that connects South African artisans and crafters with buyers seeking unique handmade products. Handsy is not the seller, manufacturer, or supplier of any product listed on the platform. Every contract of sale is concluded directly and exclusively between the buyer and the seller; Handsy is not a party to that contract. Sellers are independent third parties and are not employees, agents, partners, or representatives of Handsy. We facilitate connections but do not provide products or process payments between buyers and sellers.

You must be at least 18 years old and a resident of South Africa to use our marketplace. By using Handsy, you represent that you meet these requirements and will comply with South African laws.

• You must provide accurate and complete information when creating an account.
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
• You must immediately notify us of any unauthorized use of your account.
• One person may not maintain more than one Handsy account. We may use technical and verification signals to detect duplicate or fraudulent accounts.
• Sharing an internet connection with other people is allowed. A household, office, campus, church, apartment building, or mobile network often has one public IP address. That is not the same as one person holding multiple accounts, and a shared IP alone is not a ban.

• Provide accurate descriptions of your products, including photos, pricing, and delivery options (shipping or digital download).
• If you post external character or customer references, you confirm you have the referee’s consent to share their name, testimonial, and any contact details you submit (POPIA). You must not invent or misrepresent references.
• Comply with applicable South African law (e.g. consumer protection, product safety).
• Communicate professionally and respond promptly to buyer inquiries and orders. Buyers and sellers may exchange contact details. Handsy recommends completing sales through the Handsy order system so the sale is recorded and can support reviews, disputes, and your seller reputation.
• Fulfil orders according to your listing and our policies (ship on time, provide digital access when applicable).
• Respect buyer privacy and do not misuse personal or address data.

• Provide accurate delivery and contact information for orders.
• Pay for orders at checkout as required by the platform.
• Treat sellers with respect and use the platform's messaging and dispute tools appropriately.
• Report any concerns (e.g. non-delivery, damaged goods) through the platform's reporting or dispute system.

• Payments for orders are made directly by the buyer to the seller, using the payment methods the seller makes available (for example EFT to the seller’s bank account, or the seller’s own card checkout when offered).
• Handsy never receives, holds, controls, or distributes buyer funds, and does not operate an escrow service. Money paid for an order moves directly from buyer to seller.
• When a seller offers card checkout, that checkout is the seller’s own payment provider. Handsy does not process the card payment and does not hold the funds.
• Any fees a seller pays to Handsy (for example subscriptions, credits, or promotions) are for platform services only and are separate from buyer payments.
• Because Handsy does not handle buyer funds, Handsy cannot reverse, refund, or recover a payment made to a seller. Refunds and cancellations are between the buyer and the seller, handled according to our Return & Refund Policy, seller policies that do not conflict with South African law, and the buyer’s statutory rights.
• Buyers should verify seller details and use the platform’s messaging, verification signals, and reviews to inform their decision before paying.
• Orders placed through Handsy’s order system are recorded on the platform and allow Handsy to provide its marketplace support and dispute processes. That recorded history also supports reviews, order status, delivery information, and seller accountability.
• Buyers and sellers may also arrange a transaction independently (for example by talking or paying outside the Handsy order). Handsy does not guarantee those independently arranged transactions, and marketplace support and dispute processes may not be available for them because they are not recorded as Handsy orders.
• Handsy does not guarantee every transaction. Handsy is a venue that records orders placed through its order system; it does not warrant the honesty, delivery, or quality of any buyer or seller.

Handsy may charge sellers subscription or other fees (e.g. for listing limits or premium features). All fees will be clearly disclosed before you incur them. Buyer-facing prices are set by sellers unless otherwise stated.

• Violating any South African laws or regulations.
• Providing false or misleading information.
• Harassing, threatening, or discriminating against other users.
• Asking a buyer or seller to skip, avoid, or misrepresent a Handsy order in order to hide the transaction from the platform (for example offering a discount not to place the order, or asking them to pay a different account instead of the recorded order).
• Attempting to circumvent the platform's fees or security.
• Using the platform for any illegal activities.

• You retain ownership of content you submit to the platform.
• By posting content, you grant Handsy a license to use it for platform purposes.
• You may not post content that infringes on others' intellectual property rights.
• Handsy's trademarks, logos, and content are protected by South African law.

• Handsy is a platform only and does not guarantee product quality, authenticity, delivery, or outcomes.
• The contract of sale is between buyer and seller. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Handsy is not liable for the acts or omissions of any buyer or seller, including misrepresentation, non-delivery, defective goods, or fraud committed by a user.
• We are not liable for disputes between users; we may facilitate resolution in line with our policies, but we have no obligation to mediate, adjudicate, or compensate.
• Product quality and fulfilment are the responsibility of sellers, subject to consumer law. Under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, the seller is the supplier of the goods.
• We disclaim all warranties, express or implied, to the maximum extent permitted by South African law.
• To the extent permitted by law, Handsy is not liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, or for loss of profits, data, or goodwill, arising from use of the platform or from any transaction between users.
• To the extent permitted by law, Handsy’s total aggregate liability to any user for any claim arising out of the platform is limited to the greater of the fees that user paid to Handsy in the six months before the claim arose, or R1,000.
• Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability that cannot be excluded under South African law, including rights under the Consumer Protection Act, and nothing deprives you of protections you enjoy as a consumer by law.

• Handsy uses an automated Trust Score (an opinion-based metric) that affects your visibility and perks on the platform (e.g. listing limits, promotions).
• The score is calculated from your behaviour (orders, reviews, disputes, verification, etc.) according to published rules. Negative events may be pending for 48 hours before they fully affect your public score; you may appeal with evidence via the in-app process.
• To the extent permitted by law, Handsy is not liable for any lost revenue or opportunity due to a change in your Trust Score, provided the system and appeal process follow the published rules and you have had access to the in-app appeal and external redress options (e.g. CGSO, NCC).

• Handsy may display verification badges (for example ID, address, or bank confirmation) and trust signals such as reviews, Trust Scores, and seller-supplied external references.
• Verification means only that the seller supplied documents that appeared valid at the time of checking. It is not an endorsement, guarantee, or warranty of the seller’s honesty, conduct, product quality, or future performance.
• External references (testimonials, links, or screenshots from outside Handsy) are supplied by the seller. Handsy does not verify them. They are labelled as not verified by Handsy and are not an endorsement of the seller.
• Trust signals are informational tools. Buyers remain responsible for their own judgment before paying a seller.
• To the maximum extent permitted by law, Handsy is not liable for loss arising from reliance on a verification badge, review, rating, Trust Score, or seller-supplied external reference.

• Handsy does not pre-screen every listing and has no general obligation to monitor user content, consistent with section 78 of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002.
• We act on reports: when we receive credible notice that a listing or account breaks the law or our rules, we may remove listings, suspend or terminate accounts, and preserve records for law enforcement.
• Report concerns through the in-app reporting and dispute tools. Fraud is a crime committed by the perpetrator, not by the platform; victims should report it to the South African Police Service, and Handsy will cooperate with lawful investigations.
• Buyers may also pursue external redress through the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO) or the National Consumer Commission (NCC).

• You may communicate freely on Handsy, including sharing contact details. Handsy does not prohibit buyers and sellers from talking or paying outside the platform.
• Handsy recommends keeping orders and payments through the Handsy order system for your protection. A Handsy order is recorded and allows Handsy to provide marketplace support and dispute processes.
• If you arrange a transaction independently, Handsy may not be able to help with order history, reviews, or disputes for that sale, because it was not recorded as a Handsy order.
• Handsy may review messages to detect attempts to divert a recorded Handsy order (for example asking someone not to place the order, or to pay a different account). That is risk detection, not a guarantee that every conversation stays on Handsy, and it is not a warranty of any transaction.

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Handsy, its owners, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable legal costs) arising from your use of the platform, your listings or content, any transaction you conclude with another user, or your violation of these terms or of any law. This indemnity survives termination of your account.

Either party may terminate this agreement at any time. Handsy may suspend or terminate your account for violations of these terms or illegal activities.

These terms are governed by South African law. Any disputes will be resolved through South African courts with jurisdiction in the relevant provincial division. If any provision of these terms is found unenforceable, that provision will be limited or removed to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions remain in full force.

Users are entitled to the protections afforded by the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008. Sellers must comply with all consumer rights and remedies provided by this legislation.

Your privacy is protected under POPIA. Please review our Privacy Policy and POPIA compliance documentation for details on how we handle your personal information.

We may update these terms periodically. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms.

For questions about these terms, contact us through the in-app support system, by email at support@handsy.co.za, or for legal and privacy matters at privacy@handsy.co.za. You can also browse the Help Centre at /help.