Payment and Refund Policy
Last updated: 05 November 2026
Scope of the Policy and Covered Services
This Payment and Refund Policy applies to all purchases of digital subscriptions, magazine issues, lifestyle articles, personal development courses and related entertainment content offered through the website operated by Cronicly.com. It covers both one-time purchases and recurring subscriptions for South African residents and explains how payments are processed, when contracts are formed and under what conditions refunds may be granted. The policy is governed by the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 and does not limit any rights that cannot be excluded by law.
Prices, Currencies, Taxes and Additional Charges
All prices are displayed in South African Rand (ZAR) and include value-added tax where applicable. Cronicly.com reserves the right to adjust prices for new subscriptions or renewals with at least thirty days notice. No hidden fees apply to standard digital deliveries. Shipping charges do not arise because all content is delivered electronically. Customers are responsible for any bank or card issuer fees that may be levied on international transactions.
Accepted Payment Methods, Authorisation and Security
Payments are accepted via major South African bank cards, EFT transfers and approved third-party gateways that comply with local financial regulations. Authorisation occurs immediately upon submission of an order. Cronicly.com does not store full card details; all sensitive information is handled by PCI-DSS compliant processors. Customers receive a confirmation once the transaction is approved.
Order Confirmation and Contract Formation
A contract is formed when Cronicly.com sends an electronic confirmation email or on-screen receipt after successful payment. This confirmation summarises the purchased items, subscription term and total amount. Until this point the customer may cancel without penalty by abandoning the checkout process.
Cancellation Rights and Applicable Periods
Under the Consumer Protection Act customers have a five-business-day cooling-off period for certain direct-marketing transactions. Digital subscriptions may be cancelled at any time before the next billing cycle. Early termination of an annual subscription does not entitle the customer to a pro-rata refund except where required by law or in cases of material non-performance by Cronicly.com.
Refund Eligibility, Exclusions and Non-Refundable Items
Refunds are available when content is not delivered due to technical failure on the part of Cronicly.com, when duplicate charges occur or when a customer exercises statutory cooling-off rights within the permitted window. Non-refundable items include already-accessed digital issues, completed personal development modules and promotional or gift subscriptions. Refunds are not granted for change of mind after content has been downloaded or streamed.
Step-by-Step Procedure to Request a Refund
To request a refund the customer must complete the contact form on the Contacts page, selecting the refunds category and providing the order number, date of purchase and a brief description of the reason. Supporting evidence such as screenshots of failed access may be requested. Requests must be submitted within thirty days of the transaction or within the statutory cooling-off period, whichever is longer.
Inspection, Approval, Rejection and Notification
Each request is reviewed within ten business days. Cronicly.com will notify the customer via the contact method supplied in the form whether the claim is approved or rejected and the reasons for the decision. If additional information is needed the review period may be extended by a further five business days.
Refund Method, Processing Time and Receipt of Funds
Approved refunds are issued to the original payment method. Processing through the payment gateway typically takes five to seven business days, after which the customer’s bank may require an additional three to five business days to credit the account. Cronicly.com provides a written confirmation once the refund has been initiated.
Special Rules for Digital Content, Subscriptions and Promotional Offers
Digital content is considered delivered once the customer has accessed or downloaded the material. Subscription cancellations take effect at the end of the current billing period. Promotional offers are subject to the same refund rules unless the offer terms explicitly state otherwise. Auto-renewal reminders are sent at least ten days before each renewal date.
Failed Payments, Duplicate Charges, Chargebacks and Suspected Fraud
Failed payments result in immediate suspension of access until the outstanding amount is settled. Duplicate charges are investigated and refunded within seven business days. Chargebacks are treated as refund requests and may lead to account review. Suspected fraudulent activity will be reported to the relevant South African authorities and may result in permanent account termination without refund.
Mandatory Consumer Rights in South Africa
Nothing in this policy excludes or limits the rights granted by the Consumer Protection Act, including the right to receive goods and services of acceptable quality, the right to fair and honest dealing and the right to approach the National Consumer Commission or a provincial consumer affairs office. Customers may also refer disputes to the applicable ombud or small-claims court.
Contact Route, Policy Changes and Last-Updated Date
Queries regarding this policy should be submitted through the contact form on the Contacts page. Cronicly.com may update the policy from time to time; the current version will always be posted on this page. The last update occurred on 05 November 2026. Continued use of the site after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.