Refund policy
Refund & Returns Policy
The Good Monk
We want you to enjoy every can. If something isn't right, tell us and we'll put it right.
1. Contact us first
Email seeking@thegoodmonk.org with your order number and, where relevant, a photo of the product. We aim to respond within 2 business days.
2. Damaged, faulty or incorrect orders
If your order arrives damaged, leaking, past its best-before date, or is not what you ordered, contact us within 7 days of delivery. We will replace the affected items or refund them in full, including the shipping you paid, at your election. We may ask for photographs of the product and packaging. You will not be asked to pay return shipping in these cases.
This does not limit your rights under section 56 of the Consumer Protection Act, which entitles you to return goods that are defective or unsafe within six months of delivery for a repair, replacement or refund.
3. Cooling-off period (online orders)
Under section 44 of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, you may cancel an online order within 7 days of delivery without giving a reason, provided the goods are:
- unopened and in their original sealed packaging;
- undamaged and in resalable condition; and
- not stored outside of normal conditions.
To cancel, email us within that period and return the goods to the address we provide. You are responsible for the cost of returning the goods. Once we receive and inspect them, we will refund the purchase price within 30 days. Original shipping charges are not refundable in this case.
Because our products are consumable, we cannot accept returns of opened, part-consumed or unsealed cans for reasons of food safety.
4. Cancelling before dispatch
If your order has not yet been dispatched, email us and we will cancel it and refund you in full.
5. Non-returnable items
- Opened, part-consumed or unsealed cans, unless faulty
- Goods damaged through misuse, incorrect storage, or freezing
- Gift cards and promotional items
6. How refunds are paid
Approved refunds are processed to the original payment method within 5–10 business days of approval. Depending on your bank or card issuer, it may take a further few business days to reflect. Where an order was paid via Paystack, the refund is returned through the same channel.
Where only part of an order is returned, we refund the value of those items. Shipping is refunded only where the fault was ours.
7. Shipping costs
Delivery is charged at a flat rate of R90 within South Africa. This charge is refunded where goods are faulty, damaged, incorrect, or where we cancel your order. It is not refunded on change-of-mind returns.
8. Damaged in transit
Please inspect your delivery on arrival. If the outer packaging is visibly damaged, note this with the courier where possible and photograph it before opening. It helps us resolve the claim quickly, though it is not a condition of your refund.
9. Your statutory rights
Nothing in this policy limits your rights under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 or the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002.
10. Complaints
If you are unsatisfied with how we have handled a return, email seeking@thegoodmonk.org and we will escalate it internally. You may also refer the matter to the National Consumer Commission.