Terms and Conditions

Shared Style

Terms and Conditions

Version 1.1 | Effective Date: 1 June 2025

These Terms and Conditions govern your use of the Shared Style platform. By creating an account or using our services, you agree to be bound by these terms. Please read them carefully before participating in any rental or resale transaction.

1. Introduction

Shared Style (Pty) Ltd ("Shared Style", "we", "us", or "our") operates a peer-to-peer clothing rental and resale platform ("Platform") that connects lenders and sellers ("Providers") with renters and buyers ("Users"). These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern all access to and use of the Shared Style mobile application and related services.

By registering an account, listing an item, or completing a transaction on the Platform, you accept these Terms in full. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must not use the Platform.

2. Eligibility and Account Registration

To use Shared Style, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age;

• Be a resident of the Republic of South Africa;

• Provide accurate and complete registration information;

• Complete identity verification as required by the Platform;

• Maintain the security of your account credentials.

You may not create more than one account. Shared Style reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that provide false information or violate these Terms.

3. Platform Role and Limitations

Shared Style operates as a marketplace facilitator only. We do not own, inspect, or guarantee any items listed on the Platform. Transactions are between Providers and Users directly, with Shared Style acting as an intermediary to facilitate payments, communications, and dispute resolution.

Shared Style is not a party to any rental or sale agreement between users. We do not assume liability for the condition, authenticity, or suitability of any listed item, except as expressly stated in our policies.

Shared Style facilitates — it does not guarantee. Always review item listings, photos, and condition notes carefully before booking or purchasing.

4. Fees, Payments, and Escrow

All payments on the Platform are processed through TradeSafe, a regulated digital escrow service. Funds are held securely until both parties have fulfilled their obligations, after which they are released according to the transaction outcome.

4.1 Rental Fees

The following fees apply to rental transactions:

• Platform service fee: 10% of the rental price, charged to the lender (deducted from payout).

• Renter convenience fee: 10% of the rental price, charged to the renter (added to checkout total).

• Security deposit: Collected from the renter based on the item's Recommended Retail Price (RRP) according to the deposit tier schedule.

• Minimum rental price: R200. Listings below this threshold are not permitted.

4.2 Resale Fees

The following fees apply to resale transactions:

• Seller platform fee: 5% of the sale price, deducted from payout.

• Buyer platform fee: 6% of the sale price, added to checkout total.

• Buyer flat fee: R15 per transaction, added to checkout total.

• Minimum resale price: R100. Listings below this threshold are not permitted.

4.3 Security Deposit Tiers

Security deposits are calculated based on item RRP:

• RRP R800 – R1,999: Deposit = 50% of RRP (maximum R1,000)

• RRP R2,000 – R3,999: Deposit = 35% of RRP

• RRP R4,000 – R7,999: Deposit = 25% of RRP

• RRP R8,000+: Deposit = 20% of RRP (maximum R3,000)

The minimum item RRP permitted on the Platform is R800.

4.4 Wallet and Payouts

Earnings from completed transactions accumulate in your Shared Style wallet. Payouts to your registered bank account are initiated by you through the app at any time. Shared Style does not automatically transfer funds — you must request each withdrawal. Processing times are subject to your bank and the payment processor.

5. Listing Requirements

All items listed on the Platform must comply with our Seller and Lender Terms. Key requirements include:

• Items must be clean, in good condition, and accurately described.

• Condition must be selected from the Platform's standardised dropdown (Excellent, Good, Fair).

• Measurements must be entered as structured fields (bust, waist, hips, length in centimetres) — free-text sizing is not accepted.

• All existing flaws or damage must be disclosed and photographed using the mandatory flaw photo slot. Failure to disclose known damage forfeits any damage claim.

• For items with an RRP of R5,000 or above, authenticity documentation must be uploaded at the time of listing.

• Minimum RRP: R800. Minimum rental price: R200. Minimum resale price: R100.

Shared Style reserves the right to remove any listing that does not comply with these standards, without notice.

6. Bookings and Confirmations

When a renter or buyer submits a booking or purchase request, the Provider has 24 hours to accept or decline. If no response is received within 24 hours, the request is automatically cancelled and any payment authorisation is voided. Shared Style sends reminders before this deadline expires.

Once a booking is accepted, both parties are bound by these Terms and the applicable Rental Agreement or resale terms.

7. Transaction Stages and In-App Photography

All rental transactions follow four mandatory stages, each requiring photo documentation:

• Stage 1 – Pre-Dispatch (Lender): Lender photographs the item before packing. Photos must be taken using the in-app camera only. Gallery uploads are not accepted.

• Stage 2 – Receipt Confirmation (Renter): Renter photographs the item upon receipt and confirms condition within 48 hours. Failure to complete Stage 2 within 48 hours results in automatic confirmation of good condition.

• Stage 3 – Pre-Return (Renter): Renter photographs the item before repacking for return.

• Stage 4 – Return Confirmation (Lender): Lender photographs the item upon return and confirms condition within 48 hours. Failure to complete Stage 4 within 48 hours results in automatic release of the security deposit to the renter.

All photos are timestamped and GPS-tagged by the Platform. The in-app camera requirement ensures photo integrity and prevents disputes arising from misrepresentation.

You must use the in-app camera at every stage. Photos taken outside the app and uploaded from your gallery will not be accepted as evidence in any dispute.

8. Dispatch and Waybill Requirements

Lenders must enter a valid waybill (tracking) number into the Platform before dispatch is confirmed. Shared Style will not release escrow funds for transit-phase without a recorded waybill number. This protects both parties in the event of a delivery dispute.

Items must be dispatched within the timeframe agreed at booking. Late dispatch without prior communication may result in booking cancellation and refund to the renter.

9. Damage, Loss, and Dispute Resolution

All damage and loss claims are governed by the Shared Style Damage and Loss Policy, which forms part of these Terms by reference. Key provisions include:

• Any damage noticed by the renter on receipt must be reported within 24 hours of completing Stage 2.

• Pre-existing damage that was not disclosed in the listing will not be eligible for a claim by the lender.

• Undisclosed pre-existing damage reported by the renter may result in a partial or full refund of the security deposit to the renter.

• Lenders have 48 hours after Stage 4 to raise a damage claim. After this window, the deposit is automatically released to the renter.

• All disputes are reviewed by Shared Style based on photographic evidence from each transaction stage.

Shared Style's decision in dispute matters is final, subject to the appeal process set out in the Damage and Loss Policy.

10. Cancellations and Refunds

Cancellations are governed by the Shared Style Cancellation and Refund Policy, which forms part of these Terms by reference. Refund eligibility depends on the timing of the cancellation relative to the rental start date.

A full refund of the rental fee is available if the cancellation occurs before the item has been dispatched by the lender. Once the lender has confirmed dispatch (entered a waybill number), the rental fee is non-refundable. Service fees are non-refundable in all cases.

11. In-App Communication Only

All communication between Providers and Users regarding transactions, item details, logistics, and any other Platform-related matter must take place exclusively through the Shared Style in-app messaging system.

Users may not share, request, or use personal contact information (including phone numbers, email addresses, social media profiles, or any other personal identifiers) for the purpose of conducting or discussing Platform transactions outside the app.

This requirement exists to:

• Protect all users' personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA);

• Ensure a complete and verifiable record of all transaction communications;

• Provide Shared Style with the ability to mediate disputes based on full communication history;

• Prevent off-platform transactions that circumvent our fee and protection structures.

Sharing personal contact details to conduct transactions outside the Platform is a material breach of these Terms and may result in immediate account suspension.

Keep all your conversations in the app. This protects you — if a dispute arises, we can only help if the communication happened on our platform.

12. Automated Platform Actions

To ensure transactions progress efficiently and fairly, Shared Style operates the following automated actions:

Trigger

Automated Action

Timing

Booking request not accepted

Booking cancelled; payment authorisation voided

24 hours after request

Stage 2 not completed by renter

Condition automatically confirmed as good; transit damage window closes

48 hours after delivery confirmed

Stage 4 not completed by lender

Security deposit automatically released to renter

48 hours after return confirmed

No damage claim raised after Stage 4

Security deposit automatically released to renter

48 hours after Stage 4 complete

These automations operate without manual intervention. Users are responsible for completing each stage within the applicable window. Shared Style will send reminder notifications before each deadline, but is not responsible for missed deadlines due to notification failures on the user's device.

Complete each stage on time. Automated actions are designed to be fair to both parties — they protect renters from unreturned deposits and lenders from being chased for responses.

13. Reviews and Reputation

Both Providers and Users must complete a review of the other party before participating in their next transaction on the Platform. Reviews become visible to all users once both parties have submitted, or after 14 days, whichever comes first.

Reviews must be honest, accurate, and based on the specific transaction. Reviews that contain personal attacks, discriminatory language, or demonstrably false statements may be removed at Shared Style's discretion.

A pattern of negative reviews or unresolved disputes may result in account restrictions or termination.

14. Prohibited Conduct

Users may not:

• List counterfeit, stolen, or prohibited items;

• Misrepresent the condition, size, authenticity, or ownership of any item;

• Conduct or solicit transactions outside the Platform;

• Share personal contact details for the purpose of off-platform transactions;

• Manipulate the review system;

• Use the Platform for commercial resale at scale (arbitrage or re-trading) without prior written consent from Shared Style;

• Engage in any conduct that harasses, intimidates, or harms another user;

• Attempt to circumvent Platform fees, escrow, or dispute processes.

Violations may result in immediate account suspension, permanent ban, forfeiture of wallet funds, or referral to law enforcement where applicable.

15. Intellectual Property

All content, branding, design, and software associated with the Shared Style Platform is the intellectual property of Shared Style (Pty) Ltd. You may not reproduce, copy, distribute, or create derivative works from any Shared Style content without prior written consent.

By uploading photos or content to the Platform, you grant Shared Style a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use that content for the purposes of operating and promoting the Platform, including displaying listings to other users.

16. Privacy and Data Protection

Shared Style processes personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA). Our Privacy Policy sets out how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information, and forms part of these Terms by reference.

You have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your personal information at any time. Requests may be directed to our Information Officer via the contact details set out in our Privacy Policy.

17. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Shared Style's liability to any user in respect of any claim arising from use of the Platform is limited to the value of the transaction fees paid by that user in the 3 months preceding the claim.

Shared Style is not liable for:

• Loss, theft, or damage to items in transit;

• The conduct or dishonesty of any Platform user;

• Losses arising from Platform downtime, technical errors, or payment processor delays;

• Indirect, consequential, or special damages of any kind.

Nothing in these Terms limits Shared Style's liability for fraud, wilful misconduct, or any liability that cannot be excluded under applicable South African law, including the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008.

18. Consumer Protection Act Compliance

These Terms are subject to the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA). Where any provision of these Terms conflicts with the CPA, the CPA shall prevail. Users who are consumers as defined in the CPA retain all rights afforded to them under that Act, including the right to return defective goods, the right to fair value, and protection against unfair contract terms.

19. Changes to These Terms

Shared Style may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or operational policies. We will notify you of material changes via in-app notification and/or email at least 14 days before the changes take effect.

Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any update constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

20. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform that cannot be resolved through our internal dispute process will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of South Africa.

21. Contact

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us through the in-app Help Centre or at:

• Email: legal@sharedstyle.co.za

• Shared Style (Pty) Ltd, South Africa

© 2025 Shared Style (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved.