Repair Terms and Conditions

By signing the intake form, or by handing in a device for assessment, service or repair, the customer accepts these terms. Nothing in these terms removes any right under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 ("CPA") or other law that may not lawfully be excluded.

A. Ownership and authority

1. The customer warrants that they own the device or are authorised by the owner to book it in and to approve service or repair on these terms.
2. If a device is found to be reported stolen or blacklisted, Asetos Computers may withhold return of the device and may hand it to the South African Police Service where required by law, unless the customer proves ownership.

B. Condition of the device at intake

3. The condition of the device is recorded on the intake checklist at book-in and confirmed by both the customer and the Asetos representative. The recorded condition is taken as correct; any discrepancy must be raised before the customer leaves the premises. Customers may place a unique mark on major components before handing in.
4. Where a device does not power on at intake, its internal condition and baseline functionality cannot be verified. Only a general condition comment is recorded, and further faults may surface once power is restored. Such faults are treated as pre-existing.
5. Asetos Computers is responsible only for faults caused by its own work. Pre-existing and latent defects, particularly in liquid-damaged devices, may manifest during or after repair. These are not caused by, or the liability of, Asetos Computers and are not covered by the repair warranty.

C. Data, passwords and accessories

6. The customer must back up all data before booking in. Unless backup or data-recovery services are requested (fees apply), the customer confirms the data has been backed up. Board-level failures can render data permanently unrecoverable. To the extent permitted by law, Asetos Computers is not liable for loss or corruption of data, programs or settings.
7. Most hardware repairs will trigger a BitLocker recovery-key prompt. The customer must have recovery keys, passwords and account credentials available, and must disable "Find My", activation locks and similar features before book-in. Asetos Computers cannot recover a BitLocker key and may decline or return a device that remains locked.
8. Technicians may incidentally view data on a device during diagnosis or repair. Asetos Computers treats such data as confidential and will not access data beyond what the work reasonably requires.
9. The customer must remove SIM cards, memory cards, flash drives, dongles, discs, chargers, bags, cases and other accessories before handing in, unless requested for assessment. Asetos Computers is responsible only for items recorded on the intake form. Screen protectors, covers and similar add-ons may be damaged during repair and will not be replaced.

D. Assessment and quotation

10. A standard assessment fee of R345 applies. It is credited against the repair price if the quotation is accepted, and waived where Asetos Computers declines the repair or deems it unviable or uneconomical. If a reasonable quotation is declined, the assessment fee remains payable before the device is released.
11. A quotation is an estimate based on the diagnosed fault. It is valid for 7 days, may be affected by exchange-rate fluctuations, and may change if additional faults or parts are identified. Any additional chargeable work will be quoted for separate written approval.
12. Repair work starts only on receipt of written approval (WhatsApp to 084 464 4666, email to [email protected], or signed form) and payment of a 50% deposit on the quoted amount.
13. If the customer cancels after approval, a reasonable cancellation charge applies to cover costs already incurred, including special-order parts that cannot be returned to the supplier. The device is released once such charges are paid.

E. The repair

14. Asetos Computers works only on the faults reported, diagnosed and approved.
15. Parts used may be original (OEM), OEM-equivalent or quality-tested refurbished parts. A replaced part becomes the customer's property; the removed part becomes the property of Asetos Computers.
16. Parts availability is not guaranteed. Imported parts typically arrive within 7 to 21 working days. Turnaround times are estimates; Asetos Computers is not liable for delay caused by suppliers, couriers or events outside its control, and loan equipment is not guaranteed.
17. Devices with cracked screens, broken covers or hinges, brittle plastics, liquid damage or prior repair damage may deteriorate during disassembly. Asetos Computers takes reasonable care but may not be able to return such a device in the exact condition received, and for liquid-damaged devices cannot guarantee return in working order after disassembly.
18. Repair techniques and processes are trade secrets. The assessment feedback will explain the fault and what is required to fix it; Asetos Computers is not obliged to disclose its methods.
19. Software-only work (operating-system repairs, virus removal, updates, configuration) carries no warranty against recurrence after collection, since recurrence depends on subsequent use.
20. Parts supplied by the customer are fitted at the customer's risk. Only the fitting labour is warranted, not the part.

F. Repair warranty

21. In line with section 57 of the CPA, repair work carries a 3-month (90-day) warranty covering the repaired fault, the installed part and the related labour, from the date of collection. Where a replaced part carries a longer remaining warranty, the longer period applies to that part.
22. The warranty does not cover: unrelated or new faults; recurrence of liquid-damage symptoms; physical damage after collection; software issues; wear and consumables; or any device opened, repaired or tampered with by a third party after our repair. Warranty seals, where fitted, must be intact.
23. Warranty claims require return of the device for inspection. Confirmed claims are remedied in accordance with the CPA.

G. Payment, collection and storage

24. Full payment must be received in cleared funds before a device is released. The customer must present the intake form or payment receipt at collection during trading hours; no device is released without it.
25. The customer must collect within 30 days of being notified of the repair outcome. From day 31, a storage fee of R30 per device per day applies, and the device may be moved to off-site storage at the customer's risk and cost.
26. The device is pledged to Asetos Computers, and Asetos Computers holds a lien over it, as security for all repair, service, storage and related charges owed.
27. If a device remains uncollected or any amount remains unpaid 60 days after the storage period begins, Asetos Computers may, after reasonable written notice to the customer's provided contact details, sell or dispose of the device to defray costs, and will account to the customer for any surplus.

H. Liability

28. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Asetos Computers, its members, employees, contractors and agents are not liable for indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages arising from any assessment, service or repair, including loss of business, profits, revenue, data, programs or goodwill. This clause does not exclude liability for gross negligence, fraud, death or personal injury caused by negligence, or any liability that may not lawfully be excluded, including under sections 51, 57 and 65 of the CPA.

I. Personal information

29. Asetos Computers processes the customer's personal information (contact details, device details, repair history) to perform the repair contract, communicate during the repair, keep business records and comply with law, in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 and our Privacy Policy (available at asetos.co.za and on request). Marketing communications are sent only where the law permits or the customer consents, and the customer may opt out at any time.
30. The customer agrees that the phone number and email address provided at book-in are their chosen addresses for notices, including legal notices.

J. General

31. No variation, addition or cancellation of these terms is effective unless in writing and signed by both parties. If any clause is unenforceable, it is severed and the rest remain in force. No indulgence by either party waives its rights. These terms are governed by South African law.

Online purchases: the 7-day cooling-off right for qualifying online orders is set out in our Return Policy. It does not form part of these repair terms.