1. Overview
Welcome to Runaway Dress. These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of our website, services and platform (together, the “Service”). By creating an account, listing a dress, renting or purchasing a dress, or otherwise using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
Runaway Dress is a peer-to-peer marketplace that connects brides, dress owners and trusted service partners in South Africa. We provide the platform, tools, verification and payment facilitation, but we are not a party to the rental or sale agreement between members, except where stated.
2. User Accounts
To use certain features of the Service you must create an account. You agree to:
- Provide accurate, current and complete information, including a valid South African mobile number.
- Keep your login details secure and confidential.
- Be responsible for all activity under your account.
- Complete identity verification (South African ID or passport and a selfie) before booking or listing.
You must be at least 18 years old to create an account. We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or applicable law.
3. Listings
Dress owners may list dresses for rent, for sale, or rent-until-sold. By creating a listing you confirm that:
- You own the dress or have the legal right to list it.
- All information provided (photos, description, size, measurements, condition and availability) is accurate.
- The dress is authentic and not a counterfeit or replica.
- You will fulfil confirmed rentals and sales in accordance with these Terms.
Every listing is reviewed before it goes live. We may request proof of purchase, label photographs or an in-person inspection, and may remove or decline listings that are inaccurate, misleading, infringe intellectual property rights or do not meet our standards.
4. Rentals
A rental is confirmed when the bride has paid the booking deposit and the owner has accepted the request (or the listing is set to auto-accept). The standard rental period starts when the dress is delivered or collected (usually two days before the event) and ends on the return date shown in the bride’s dashboard.
Cancellations by the bride: cancellations more than 30 days before delivery receive a refund of the deposit less a R250 administration fee; cancellations within 30 days of delivery are non-refundable unless the dress can be re-booked for the same dates. Declines or cancellations by the owner result in a full refund to the bride. Nothing in these Terms limits your rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 68 of 2008, or the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, 25 of 2002, where they apply.
Brides must return the dress by the return date, in the packaging provided, with all accessories. Late returns may incur a late fee of R300 per day, deducted from the security deposit.
5. Purchases
A purchase is reserved when the buyer pays the reservation deposit. The balance is due within seven days of the owner’s confirmation. Ownership passes to the buyer on delivery once the balance has been paid in full. Pre-loved dresses are sold in the condition described in the listing.
6. Payments
All payments are processed by PayFast, a registered South African payment service provider. Runaway Dress collects payments on behalf of owners and releases payouts after a successful rental or sale. We do not store your card details.
Fees: brides pay a service fee on rentals (currently 15% of the rental price). Owners pay a commission on earnings (currently 20% on rentals and 15% on sales). Current fees are always shown on the Pricing page and at checkout before you pay.
7. Returns & Cleaning
Professional cleaning is included between rentals; brides should not attempt to clean the dress themselves. Dresses are inspected on return. Owners must confirm the return (or report a problem) within 48 hours of receiving the dress.
8. Damage Protection
Optional damage protection covers accidental minor damage such as light stains, small tears and loose beading that can be professionally repaired. It does not cover loss, theft, major damage, unauthorised alterations or intentional damage. Where damage is not covered, repair costs (or, for irreparable damage, the agreed replacement value) may be deducted from the security deposit and, if necessary, recovered from the bride. All claims are supported by photographs and assessed by our team.
9. Seller Obligations
Owners must keep their availability calendar up to date, respond to booking requests within 48 hours, deliver the dress clean and in the described condition, and maintain accurate bank details for payouts. Owners may not ask brides to pay outside the platform.
10. Buyer Obligations
Brides and buyers must provide accurate measurements, treat rented dresses with care, not make permanent alterations without written consent, and return rented dresses on time.
11. Fitting Hubs & Photographers
Fitting hubs are independent partner businesses. Independent photographers who visit members are vetted and bound by our code of conduct. Photographer visit fees are payable in advance and are refundable if we cannot schedule a visit.
12. Disputes
If something goes wrong, report it from your dashboard within 48 hours. Our team will review evidence from both parties and make a fair determination on refunds, deductions and payouts. This does not affect your right to approach the National Consumer Commission or a court.
13. Liability
To the extent permitted by law, Runaway Dress is not liable for indirect or consequential loss arising from use of the Service. Our total liability for any claim is limited to the fees we earned from the transaction concerned.
14. Changes & Contact
We may update these Terms from time to time and will notify members of material changes. These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Questions? Email hello@runawaydress.co.za.