To promote a safe, fair and enjoyable trading experience for all users, Bob Shop has established a set of listing policies to ensure that items listed adhere to a minimum standard, making it easier for all to transact on the Bob Shop website.
This Listing Policy is mentioned in clause 4.4.4 of the Terms and Conditions of Use of this Site and must be adhered to by all users. The following policies apply to all listings:
1.1. The following items in section 1 may not be listed on Bob Shop and it is the sole responsibility of the seller who lists items to ensure that the listings do not include any of the following:
1.1.1. Stolen goods.
1.1.2. Illegally imported goods.
1.1.3. Banned substances or pharmaceuticals that require a prescription according to South African Law.
1.1.4. Pirated or counterfeit goods of any nature including but not limited to, software, Movies, Music, Clothing, Toys, Fragrances, Watches or any item that would infringe on copyright or trademark laws.
1.1.5. Goods and Services that could by nature be deemed harmful or dangerous to persons or property either directly or indirectly.
1.1.6. Products that contain or produced from Ivory including but not limited to: Raw Ivory, Jewellery, Carvings, and Antiques.
1.1.7. X-rated or pornography DVDs in accordance with the FPB Act.
1.1.8. Any goods and services that are deemed as inappropriate for sale on this site at the sole discretion of Bob Shop.
1.1.9. Goods and Services of which the sale and/or export would be in contravention of South African law.
1.1.10. Offers to give away products or services for free.
1.1.11. Mystery items, or any product where the final item received is not clearly described in the listing.
1.1.12. Items which display the Pre-1994 South African national flag in any guise or form may not be listed on the site.
1.1.13. The sale of South African Police Service (SAPS) items is prohibited by law. More information here.
2.1. Items should be listed in the correct category that caters for the type of item.
2.2. Listing the same product in multiple categories are not allowed.
3.1. Listed condition should always be a true reflection of the actual condition of the item being sold.
3.2. Misrepresentation of the item condition is not allowed under any circumstance eg. Listing an item as new when it is second-hand.
4. By participating in the Bob Shop platform, sellers acknowledge and agree to adhere to the stipulations outlined in this Listing Policy. Non-compliance may lead to your listing content being excluded from promotions, advertising, removal of listings, or other corrective actions as deemed necessary by Bob Shop. Following these requirements will allow Bob Shop to promote your products outside of the platform, attracting new customers to your products.
4.1. Product title requirements
4.1.1. Only capitalise the first word and known brand names.
4.1.2. Using all capital letters or all lowercase letters is prohibited.
4.1.3. Refrain from using special characters such as exclamation marks, asterisks, and hashtags in the product title.
4.1.4. Use hyphens (-) when separating information.
4.1.5. Use measurement abbreviations such as kg (kilogram), mm (millimetres), etc., if needed.
4.1.6. Be descriptive and convey the key features and attributes of the product in the title.
4.1.7. Avoid irrelevant information and ensure the title accurately represents the item.
4.1.8. If applicable, include the brand name before the product title. e.g. “Adidas running shoes”.
4.1.9. Add information identifying the product you are selling, such as "running shoes" or "camping tent."
4.1.10. You may include a reference to colour in the title if that is the only colour option available for the particular product.
4.1.11. Avoid promotional language: Product titles should not contain promotional phrases, such as "Best Deal" or "Limited Time Offer."
4.1.12. Misrepresenting brand names or other words to attract buyers to listings is not allowed.
4.1.13. Avoid referring to the condition of the product e.g. "Brand new."
4.1.14. Avoid referring to the shipping offering e.g. "Only R30 shipping!"
4.1.15. Avoid referring the user to "Read the description" below.
4.1.16. Avoid mentioning the RRP (Recommended retail price) e.g. Retail: R8,999.00
4.2. Product Description Requirements
Your item description is one of the most important parts of your listing because it helps buyers decide whether to buy your item and what to expect if they do. Write informative and accurate product descriptions. Highlight the key features, specifications, and any relevant information that customers may need to know.
4.2.1. Information used in the listing description must be clear and easy to understand.
4.2.2. Descriptions must indicate exclusions or missing parts of items sold in the listing. For example: Selling a phone without a charger if a charger is normally included when purchasing a phone).
4.2.3. Keyword spamming or the inappropriate use of keywords to manipulate search results or listing rankings is not permitted.
4.2.4. The use of profanity or offensive language and images is not allowed.
4.2.5. Describe only the product itself. Don't provide your business’s history or policies.
4.2.6. Don’t include links to other websites.
4.2.7. Structure product descriptions with clear paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect, making it easy for shoppers to find relevant details.
4.2.8. Maintain uniform formatting by utilising a consistent format for product descriptions.
4.2.9. Avoid excessive use of bold, italics, or colour. Formatting should enhance readability, not detract from it. Bold, italics, and colour should be used sparingly and purposefully to emphasise key points. Overuse may lead to a cluttered and distracting appearance.
4.2.10. Restrict colour to highlight important information - if using colour, limit it to highlight critical details or calls to action. Avoid using multiple colours within a single sentence or paragraph.
4.2.11. Maintain a standard font size for consistency and readability. Avoid excessively large or small fonts.
4.2.12. Avoid drawing attention by using all caps, symbols, and promotional text.
4.2.13. Don’t use special characters to draw the buyer’s attention.
4.2.14. Don’t use capital letters for emphasis. Use capitalization when appropriate, including abbreviations, countries, and currency.
4.2.15. Don’t include promotional text such as price, sale price, sale dates, shipping, delivery date, other time-related information, or your company’s name.
4.3. Product Image Requirements
4.3.1. The sole use of stock images in item descriptions is only allowed when listing new items.
4.3.2. Listings of secondhand goods must contain original images of the actual item as part of the description and the sole use of stock images on these listings is not allowed.
4.3.3. Images used must not infringe on copyright and trademark law and users must have permission to use images that are under copyright.
4.3.4. Use clear, well-lit images that accurately represent the product.
4.3.5. A blurry, undefined or distorted image is considered poor quality and is not allowed.
4.3.6. Use high-quality images, ideally 1000 x 1000 pixels or larger
4.3.7. Accurately display the entire product with minimal or no product staging.
4.3.8. For the main image, make sure your image shows all included products if in a bundle
4.3.9. Do not use a placeholder or an image that doesn't show your product.
4.3.10. Do not use a generic image, graphic, or illustration that is not the actual product image.
4.3.11. Do not use an image that contains promotional elements or content that covers the product. This includes: any overlay, for example, watermarks, brand names, logos
service-related information such as extended warranty; free shipping; promotional adjectives, condition or compatibility.
5.1. Anything that attempts to circumvent paying Bob Shop fees is not allowed, for example: Selling of catalogues, Cross selling, upselling.
5.2. The selling of items at nominal values to circumvent the paying of Bob Shop fees or to get the contact information of the buyer is not allowed. Nominal amounts include R0.01, R0.10, R1.00 or any other amount that Bob Shop deems nominal.
5.3. The advertising of items no charge in order for the buyer and seller to increase their positive rating score is not allowed.
5.4. Listing items that requires an additional purchase, swop or trade in is not allowed.
6.1. Delivery costs and times are indicated automatically to the buyer.
6.2. No other shipping charges or conditions may be added to any product listings or orders.
6.3. Shipping or handling fees may not be charged on electronically distributed goods.
6.4. Items shipped from outside of South Africa must make it clear to the Buyer that it is being shipped from an international location. These items need to be listed as international items.
6.5. Items shipped from outside South Africa may not attract any additional fees for buyers. All import duties are to be covered by the seller.
6.6. Items imported from outside South Africa are still required to be shipped using one of the Bob Shop integrated courier partners.
7.1. Auction and Buy Now listings may not include any contact details which would include but not limited to, email addresses, website addresses, telephone numbers or physical addresses.
7.2. External links on listings that link away from the bobshop.co.za domain is not permitted with exception to links that go to manufacturer web pages to provide buyers with further information on the product (independent 3rd party information pages).
7.3. Links that link to sites where the product can be purchased are not allowed.
7.4. Links to sites where the buyer can obtain the contact details of the seller to conclude the purchase off the Bob Shop platform is not allowed.
7.5. Classified listings and categories where a listing fee is paid upfront for the listing may include contact details and links to external websites (examples of this is where auctions and buynows are listed in the property and specific car categories).
8.1. Sellers may not offer Lay-by’s as a payment option to buyers.
8.2. Sellers based in South Africa may not accept Pay Pal payment from buyers based in South Africa for goods to be delivered inside of South Africa.
8.3. Once payment is received the items must be shipped out as soon as possible.
8.4. Payments received via the bobpay payment service are guaranteed by Bob Shop and sellers may not withhold shipment until a payout request is processed from Bob Shop.
8.5. Buyers have 48 hours from winning an auction or placing an order for a "Buy Now" item to make payment in full. If full payment is not received inside this period, the seller can initiate the SNC (Sale not complete) process.
8.6. Sellers may not add any payment processing surcharges to process payments. This would include but are not limited to Credit Card, mobicred and PayPal payments.
9.1. Seller may not manipulate or abuse the listing service to get listings featured more prominently or to spam the Bob Shop website. This includes but is not limited to:
9.1.1. Repeated item relisting with short listing durations.
9.1.2. Keyword spamming
9.1.3. Spamming categories with multiple listings of the same or similar items.
9.1.4. Listing the same items in multiple categories.
9.1.5. Sellers who are found to be abusing the listing service will receive a warning and could also be charged excess listing fee of R 0.10 per listing that are over the free listing threshold (The free listing allowance is calculated as the greater of: 100 listing per week calculated from Sunday to Saturday or the maximum number of sales by a seller in a week over the past six weeks multiplied by five).
10.1. Bidding on your own listings or items to inflate or manipulate the price or the auction is not allowed.
10.2. Having family members or friends bid on items to manipulate pricing is not allowed.
10.3. Buying accounts registered and used for shill bidding will be disabled.
10.4. Sellers that engage in shill bidding could have their accounts restricted or disabled.
10.5. Restricted selling accounts may be required to pay an R500 administration fee to have the account restriction reviewed.
11.1. Listing of items soliciting entries for a competition or charitable donations are subject to the approval of Bob Shop.
11.2. Charity and NPO Fundraising numbers must be provided on registering an account to list items.
11.3. Approved Charities will have access to list items in the charity section on Bob Shop.
12.1. Market prices are not allowed to be inflated to create a perception of savings
12.2. Market prices should only be used if it can be easily verified with real-world examples.
13.1. Items listed should be in stock and ready to be shipped.
13.2. Items sold that are not in stock or where the seller is not able to ship the goods may not be listed. (This may lead to negative ratings and the SNC being rejected).
13.3. Sellers that wish to list items that are drop-shipped should obtain permission from Bob Shop prior to listing these items and consent to payouts and listing counts being restricted at the discretion of Bob Shop.
13.4. Listing of Pre-Orders is only allowed after obtaining express consent from Bob Shop. Sellers listing unauthorised pre-order items will have their listings removed and may forfeit listing fees on such items.
14.1. Bob Shop in its sole discretion reserves the right to remove any listing deemed necessary without having to notify the seller of such a listing.
15.1. Listing of South African Coins and Bank notes according to the South African Reserve Bank Act 90 of 1989:
The following items are not allowed in the South African Coins and Notes Categories and users that list any such items will be guilty of an offence and could face possible imprisonment in terms of the South African Reserve Bank Act 90 of 1989.:
15.1.1. Any coin or note of the South African Reserve Bank that has been forged, altered or unlawfully issued may not be listed on Bob Shop.
15.1.2. If a user without the authority of the South African Reserve Bank, engraves or makes upon any material whatsoever any words, figures, marks, letters, lines or devices the print whereof resembles in whole or in part any word, figures, letters, marks, lines or devices peculiar to and used in or upon any note of the South African Reserve Bank or any coin which is legal tender and then lists that item on the Bob Shop site.
15.1.3. Listing images of South African currency that do not have the words “Image – not legal tender” printed diagonally across the image
Please read the specific requirements for listing South African Coins and Notes!
15.2. Nazi Related items:
15.2.1. Items that display Nazi or Nazi Related icons, emblems, and symbols including the Nazi SS, 3rd Reich and Swastika may not be listed on Bob Shop.
15.2.2. Listings where the display of Nazi or Nazi Related icons, emblems, and symbols including the Nazi SS, 3rd Reich and Swastika has been obscured or covered may not be listed on Bob Shop.
15.2.3. German World War II memorabilia that does not exhibit emblems, symbols or icons referring to the Nazi's (as indicated above) may be listed.
15.2.4. German stamps and coins produced during the World War II period can be listed.
15.2.5. Books and documentaries detailing world history and events revolving around the Second World War time period (which may exhibit imagery referencing Nazi's, the Nazi SS or the swastika) can be listed.
15.2.6. Items, documentation or any matter promoting violence, hatred and racial prejudice or religious contempt may not be listed on Bob Shop.
15.3. Listing of Gemstones:
15.3.1. Diamonds:
15.3.1.1. Definition:
• Diamonds are defined as a carbon crystal mineral with the following properties:
• Mohs hardness: 10
• Specific Gravity: 3.52
• Refractive Index: 2.41
15.3.1.2. Diamonds must be clearly described as natural or synthetic
15.3.1.3. Stones not meeting this definition cannot be listed in the diamond category on Bob Shop.
15.3.1.4. Users posting incorrect stones under the diamonds category on Bob Shop will receive an immediate warning and have the respective items removed.
15.3.1.5 Rough diamonds may not be listed on Bob Shop
15.3.2. Market values:
15.3.2.1. All diamonds with market values advertised must include a diamond report/ certificate from a certified gemologist.
15.3.2.2. Retail values must be within 100% of current Rappaport Pricing.
15.3.3. Treatments:
15.3.3.1. Diamonds must be clearly described as synthetic or treated.
15.3.3.2. Sellers may only make use of the following terminology when selling diamonds that are synthetic or treated in any manner.
• 15.3.3.2.1. Synthetic
• 15.3.3.2.2. Laboratory grown
• 15.3.3.2.3. Man-made
• 15.3.3.2.4. Colour enhanced
• 15.3.3.2.5. Clarity enhanced
• 15.3.3.2.6. Laser drilled
• 15.3.3.2.7. Heat treated
• 15.3.3.2.8. No abbreviations are permitted
• 15.3.3.2.9. Sellers must specify in the listing description whether the diamond is natural, synthetic/man-made / laboratory grown, enhanced or altered in any manner from the natural state.
15.3.4. Coloured Gemstones:
The seller must disclose the following:
15.3.4.1. Whether the stone is natural.
15.3.4.2. Whether the stone is synthetic.
15.3.4.3. Whether the stone has been subjected to treatments or fills of any description.
15.3.5. Coloured Gemstone Market Values:
15.3.5.1. No market values may be advertised for coloured gemstones. Market values may not appear in the market value section, the listing title, the description, the listing warranties or the shipping section.
15.4. Alcohol
15.4.1. This refers to an alcoholic drink or alcohol for human consumption only
15.4.2. It is an offence in terms of South African Alcohol Legislation:
• for any person under the age of 18 years to purchase, or attempt to purchase, alcohol and/or to present false evidence of his/her age in order to access alcohol; and/or to purchase alcohol for or on behalf of any person under the age of 18 years.
15.4.3 Selling of alcohol
• Sellers who wish to list items that contain alcohol for human consumption may only do so with Bob Shop's approval.
• Bob Shop may require sellers to submit their liquor license number and a copy of their liquor license for record purposes.
• Sellers found listing without approval from Bob Shop will have their listings removed and seller status revoked without warning
15.4.4 Buying of alcohol
• ALCOHOL NOT FOR SALE TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18
15.5. Software products
15.5.1. This relates to any software product sold on Bob Shop.
15.5.2 Only authorised software sellers are allowed to list software-related products on Bob Shop.
15.5.3 To apply for software seller status one needs to be:
15.5.3.1 A verified seller,
15.5.3.2 Maintain an average rating score of 98% or more,
15.5.3.3 Apply for authorised software seller status, more information here.
15.5.4 Software listing must be clearly described, including requirements to operate the software and include support warranty and support guarantee.
15.5.5 Subscription-based software products listed as a once-off purchase may not be listed on Bob Shop.
Violation of this policy may result in a range of actions, including, but not limited to, listing cancellations/deletion, listing restrictions, suspension or restriction of your Bob Shop account and forfeiting of Bob Shop fees on cancelled/deleted listings.