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Buyer Beware: The Hidden Risk of ‘Grey’ Imports on Takealot’s Marketplace
Imagine buying a brand-new smartphone from a major online retailer, only to discover it’s a regional model that doesn’t support tap-to-pay and has no local warranty. This is the reality for a growing number of South African shoppers on Takealot’s marketplace, where sellers are listing “grey imports” without the legally required warnings.
These parallel importsgenuine products brought into the country outside of the manufacturer’s official distribution channelsare creating a minefield for consumers who assume they are buying a fully-supported local device.
The Law is Clear, But Sellers Are Skirting It
The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) is designed to prevent this exact scenario. It mandates that any business selling parallel-imported goods must place a “conspicuous” notice on the product, clearly identifying it as such. This warning is crucial because it informs buyers that the device may lack key features or after-sales support that come with official products.
Despite this, MyBroadband has identified numerous listings for brands like Samsung, Honor, Oppo, and Xiaomi where this warning is absent. This leaves customers in the dark, potentially stuck with a device that manufacturers like Samsung will refuse to repair if it develops a fault.
Takealot’s Policy vs. Seller Practice
In response to the findings, Takealot has acted, suspending non-compliant listings. The retailer states it has a strict Parallel Import Policy that sellers must follow, which includes:
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Getting explicit permission from Takealot to list such goods.
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Providing a warranty that is equal to or better than the manufacturer’s original warranty.
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Attaching a physical label to the packaging identifying the product as a parallel import.
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Fully disclosing all product limitations in the listing.
The problem, it seems, lies in enforcement. Takealot explained that sellers who fail to correctly disclose their items can see their listings appear under the main brand page, which automatically pulls the standard product description. This, whether done on purpose or by mistake, misleads customers and breaches Takealot’s rules.
How to Protect Yourself as a Shopper
The situation highlights the importance of being a vigilant online shopper. Here’s what to look out for:
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Scrutinize the Warranty: Be very wary of any warranty that is shorter than the standard two years or is listed as a “direct” or “limited” warranty. For non-grey imports, Takealot typically offers a 6-month warranty where they handle returns.
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Look for the Label: If a product is a parallel import, the seller is required by law and by Takealot to have a clear, physical label on the box. If this is missing upon delivery, you may have a case for a return.
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Ask Questions: Before buying, use the “Ask a Question” feature on the product page to directly ask the seller if the product is a parallel import and has full local warranty support.
Takealot has stated that sellers who “purposefully or repeatedly contravene our policies are dealt with urgently.” However, the onus remains on the consumer to navigate this landscape carefully. When a deal seems too good to be true on a marketplace, it’s essential to check the fine print that the seller may have deliberately left out.
{Source: MyBroadband}
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