Terms of service

Last updated: 21 May 2026

These Terms of Service govern your access to and use of the S-Optics website, online store, products, quotations, orders, sales, deliveries, returns, support services, and related business services.

S-Optics is operated by Hardware Distribution (Pty) Ltd, registration number 2001/008689/07, trading as S-Optics.

By accessing our website, requesting a quotation, placing an order, submitting a purchase order, making payment, or using any of our services, you agree to these Terms of Service.

Please read these Terms carefully before using our website or placing an order.

1. Website Operator and Legal Entity

Legal entity: Hardware Distribution (Pty) Ltd
Registration number: 2001/008689/07
Trading as: S-Optics
Website: s-optics.co.za
Telephone: 011 467 9325
Email: sales@s-optics.co.za
Physical address: Fourways Golf Park, Sandton, Gauteng, 2191, South Africa

For the purposes of these Terms, “S-Optics”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Hardware Distribution (Pty) Ltd trading as S-Optics.

“You”, “your”, “customer” and “user” refer to any person, business, reseller, company, organisation, or representative that accesses our website, requests a quotation, places an order, or purchases products from S-Optics.

2. Use of Our Website

You may use our website only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms.

You agree not to:

• Use the website for any unlawful, fraudulent, harmful, or abusive purpose.
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to our website, systems, accounts, servers, or data.
• Interfere with the proper operation, security, or performance of the website.
• Upload, transmit, or distribute malware, viruses, harmful code, or malicious content.
• Copy, scrape, reproduce, or misuse website content, product information, pricing, images, or data without written permission.
• Misrepresent your identity, authority, company details, billing information, or order information.
• Use the website in a way that may damage S-Optics, its customers, suppliers, systems, or reputation.

S-Optics reserves the right to restrict, suspend, or terminate access to the website where misuse, unlawful activity, security risk, or breach of these Terms is suspected.

3. Product Information

S-Optics sells optical networking and connectivity products, including but not limited to transceivers, DACs, AOCs, patch leads, MPO/MTP products, fibre accessories, and related networking products.

We make reasonable efforts to ensure that product information, specifications, descriptions, compatibility information, images, pricing, stock availability, and lead times are accurate and up to date.

However, product information may be based on supplier, distributor, manufacturer, or third-party information and may change without notice.

Product images are for illustrative purposes only and may differ from the actual product packaging, label, coding, brand marking, or physical appearance.

Customers are responsible for checking that the product selected is suitable for their requirements, including but not limited to:

• Brand compatibility.
• Device compatibility.
• Form factor.
• Speed.
• Distance.
• Fibre type.
• Connector type.
• Wavelength.
• Cable type.
• Cable length.
• Power requirements.
• Temperature rating.
• DOM/DDM requirements.
• Vendor coding.
• Network environment.
• Intended use.

Where S-Optics expressly confirms compatibility in writing, we will assist in accordance with that written confirmation, our Returns Policy, and our Warranty Policy.

4. Compatibility and Technical Advice

S-Optics may provide product guidance, compatibility assistance, quotations, specifications, or recommendations based on information supplied by the customer.

Customers must provide accurate and complete information when requesting a quotation or compatibility recommendation.

S-Optics will not be responsible for incorrect product selection, compatibility issues, installation issues, or network issues caused by incomplete, incorrect, outdated, or misleading information supplied by the customer.

Unless expressly confirmed in writing by S-Optics, any technical guidance, product recommendation, compatibility information, or product description is provided for general assistance only and does not replace the customer’s own technical verification.

Customers remain responsible for ensuring that products are suitable for their intended network, equipment, configuration, and application.

5. Quotations

All quotations issued by S-Optics are subject to these Terms unless otherwise stated in writing.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, quotations are:

• Subject to stock availability.
• Subject to supplier availability.
• Subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
• Subject to price changes.
• Subject to final confirmation.
• Exclusive of VAT, unless stated otherwise.
• Exclusive of delivery, unless stated otherwise.
• Valid only for the period stated on the quotation.

If no validity period is stated, the quotation should be treated as valid for a reasonable period only and subject to confirmation before order placement.

A quotation does not guarantee stock reservation unless S-Optics confirms this in writing.

S-Optics reserves the right to correct any quotation error, pricing error, typing error, product error, stock error, exchange-rate error, or calculation error before accepting an order.

6. Pricing

All pricing is subject to confirmation by S-Optics.

Prices may change without notice due to supplier pricing, exchange rates, freight costs, customs charges, stock movement, market conditions, or other factors outside our control.

Where pricing is shown on the website, such pricing is provided in good faith but may be subject to correction before the order is accepted.

S-Optics reserves the right to cancel or correct any order affected by a pricing error, system error, quotation error, supplier error, or obvious mistake.

Unless stated otherwise, all prices are quoted in South African Rand.

Prices may exclude VAT, delivery, insurance, installation, configuration, testing, customs charges, or other costs unless expressly stated in writing.

7. Orders and Acceptance

An order is only accepted once S-Optics confirms acceptance in writing or begins processing the order.

Submitting an online order, purchase order, email request, or payment does not automatically mean that S-Optics has accepted the order.

S-Optics may refuse, cancel, or delay an order where:

• The product is unavailable.
• Pricing or product information was incorrect.
• Payment has not cleared.
• Customer information is incomplete or incorrect.
• The order appears fraudulent or suspicious.
• Supplier pricing or stock has changed.
• The product has become end-of-life or discontinued.
• Delivery cannot be completed.
• The customer has breached these Terms.
• S-Optics is unable to fulfil the order for reasons outside its reasonable control.

If an order cannot be fulfilled after payment has been received, S-Optics may offer an alternative product, revised lead time, credit note, refund, or cancellation, depending on the circumstances.

8. Purchase Orders

Where a customer submits a purchase order, the customer confirms that:

• The purchase order is valid.
• The person submitting the purchase order is authorised to do so.
• The company or organisation is bound by the purchase order.
• The product details, quantities, pricing, billing details, delivery details, and contact information are correct.
• The customer accepts these Terms, unless otherwise agreed in writing by S-Optics.

Customer purchase order terms will not override these Terms unless S-Optics expressly agrees to those terms in writing.

9. Payment

Payment terms will be confirmed by S-Optics in writing.

Unless a customer has an approved credit account with S-Optics or Hardware Distribution (Pty) Ltd, payment must be received and cleared before goods are ordered, released, dispatched, delivered, or collected.

S-Optics may require proof of payment, but proof of payment does not guarantee that funds have cleared.

Where payment is made by EFT, goods may only be released once payment reflects and clears in our account.

S-Optics reserves the right to withhold goods, delay processing, cancel an order, or suspend services where payment is not received, delayed, reversed, disputed, or incomplete.

Customers are responsible for ensuring that payments are made using the correct reference details.

10. Credit Accounts

Credit facilities may be granted only at the discretion of Hardware Distribution (Pty) Ltd or S-Optics.

Where a customer has an approved credit account, the customer must comply with the agreed payment terms.

S-Optics may suspend or withdraw credit facilities where:

• Payment is overdue.
• The account exceeds its credit limit.
• The customer breaches these Terms.
• The customer provides incorrect information.
• There is increased credit risk.
• The customer is placed under business rescue, liquidation, sequestration, administration, or similar process.

S-Optics may charge interest, collection costs, legal fees, or related recovery costs on overdue accounts where permitted by law and applicable agreement.

11. Stock Availability

Stock availability is not guaranteed unless confirmed in writing by S-Optics.

Products may be available from local stock, supplier stock, international stock, or special-order supply.

Stock information can change quickly and may be affected by supplier updates, prior sales, system delays, stock errors, warehouse movement, import delays, or allocation to other orders.

S-Optics will not be liable for loss, delay, or damages arising from stock unavailability, supplier changes, discontinued products, end-of-life products, or stock errors.

12. Lead Times and Delivery Estimates

Any lead times, delivery dates, or estimated arrival dates provided by S-Optics are estimates only unless expressly confirmed as guaranteed in writing.

Lead times may be affected by:

• Supplier availability.
• International shipping.
• Customs clearance.
• Courier delays.
• Public holidays.
• Payment delays.
• Stock movement.
• Weather events.
• Strikes or unrest.
• Import procedures.
• Supplier production delays.
• Circumstances outside our reasonable control.

S-Optics will make reasonable efforts to communicate material delays where possible.

A delay does not automatically entitle the customer to cancel an order for special-order, imported, custom, vendor-coded, or non-stock products once the order has been placed with the supplier, unless cancellation rights apply by law or S-Optics agrees in writing.

13. Shipping and Delivery

Delivery is handled in accordance with our Shipping Policy.

Customers must provide accurate and complete delivery details, including company name, contact person, telephone number, delivery address, site requirements, and any access instructions.

S-Optics will not be responsible for failed delivery, delayed delivery, incorrect delivery, additional courier charges, or returned goods caused by incorrect, incomplete, or unavailable delivery information supplied by the customer.

Delivery fees may vary depending on product type, order value, delivery location, courier costs, insurance, and other factors.

Delivery may be made by S-Optics, our courier partner, supplier courier, or a courier nominated by the customer.

Where the customer arranges their own courier or collection, the customer accepts responsibility for the goods once collected from S-Optics, the supplier, or the nominated collection point.

14. Risk and Ownership

Risk in the goods passes to the customer when the goods are delivered to the customer’s nominated address, collected by the customer, or handed to the customer’s appointed courier.

Ownership of the goods remains with Hardware Distribution (Pty) Ltd trading as S-Optics until full payment has been received and cleared.

Until ownership passes to the customer, the customer must not sell, pledge, dispose of, modify, or encumber the goods without written permission from S-Optics.

15. Inspection of Goods

Customers must inspect goods upon delivery or collection.

Any incorrect, damaged, missing, or visibly defective goods must be reported to S-Optics in writing within 48 hours of delivery or collection.

Customers should keep all packaging, courier labels, product labels, accessories, and documentation until any delivery-related issue is resolved.

Failure to report delivery-related issues timeously may affect our ability to investigate the matter with the courier, supplier, or insurer.

16. Returns, Refunds and Exchanges

Returns, refunds, exchanges, incorrect orders, damaged goods, defective products, and cancellations are handled in accordance with our Returns, Refunds & Exchanges Policy.

Nothing in these Terms or in our Returns Policy is intended to limit any rights that customers may have under applicable South African law, including the Consumer Protection Act and Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, where these laws apply.

Products must not be returned without prior written approval from S-Optics.

Returns may be refused where products are used, damaged, incomplete, incorrectly installed, altered, tampered with, missing packaging, missing accessories, specially ordered, imported, custom-configured, vendor-coded, or not in resalable condition, unless a legal right to return applies.

17. Special-Order, Imported, Custom and Vendor-Coded Products

Certain products may be special-order, imported, customised, configured, vendor-coded, or sourced specifically for the customer.

These may include, but are not limited to:

• Imported stock sourced specifically for a customer.
• Products not normally held in local stock.
• Vendor-compatible transceivers.
• Custom-coded optical transceivers.
• Custom cable assemblies.
• Special cable lengths.
• Special fibre configurations.
• Special-order DACs or AOCs.
• MPO/MTP trunks, breakouts, jumpers, and custom items.
• Products ordered in non-standard quantities.
• Clearance, discontinued, or end-of-life products.

Once a special-order, imported, custom, or vendor-coded product has been ordered from the supplier, cancellation, return, or exchange may not be possible unless the product is defective or a legal return right applies.

Where a cancellation or return is approved, the customer may be responsible for supplier cancellation fees, restocking fees, courier fees, customs charges, exchange-rate losses, testing fees, handling fees, or other costs already incurred, where permitted by law.

18. Warranty

Warranty claims are handled in accordance with our Warranty Policy and any applicable supplier or manufacturer warranty terms.

Warranty periods and conditions may vary depending on the product, supplier, manufacturer, brand, product type, and whether the item is new, refurbished, special-order, or end-of-life.

Warranty cover may be refused where the product has been:

• Damaged after delivery.
• Installed incorrectly.
• Used with incompatible equipment.
• Exposed to power surges.
• Exposed to static discharge.
• Exposed to liquid, dust, heat, moisture, contamination, or unsuitable environments.
• Physically damaged.
• Modified, altered, opened, repaired, or tampered with.
• Used outside its specifications.
• Returned without serial numbers, labels, packaging, or proof of purchase.
• Damaged due to misuse, negligence, abuse, or improper handling.

S-Optics may require inspection, testing, fault logs, device details, serial numbers, photos, or supplier assessment before approving a warranty claim.

If no fault is found, the customer may be responsible for testing, handling, and courier costs where permitted by law.

19. Product Installation and Use

Customers are responsible for proper handling, installation, configuration, storage, and use of products.

Optical transceivers, DACs, AOCs, patch leads, MPO/MTP products, and other networking products should be handled carefully and installed by suitably trained or competent persons.

Customers must follow applicable product specifications, safety instructions, compatibility guidelines, equipment requirements, and industry best practice.

S-Optics will not be liable for damage, network failure, downtime, compatibility failure, or other loss caused by incorrect installation, incorrect handling, unsuitable equipment, or use outside specifications.

20. Refurbished, End-of-Life and Clearance Products

Where products are sold as refurbished, clearance, discontinued, end-of-life, demo, open-box, or special-deal items, this will be indicated where applicable.

Such products may have different warranty terms, packaging condition, availability, replacement options, or return limitations.

Customers must review the applicable quotation, product description, and warranty terms before placing an order.

Nothing in this clause limits any rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

21. Resellers and End Customers

Where a customer purchases from S-Optics for resale, the customer is responsible for managing its own relationship with its end customer.

S-Optics is not responsible for promises, warranties, service levels, compatibility claims, delivery commitments, pricing, or representations made by a reseller to an end customer unless S-Optics expressly agreed to them in writing.

Resellers must not misrepresent S-Optics products, warranties, specifications, lead times, or support terms.

22. Website Accounts

Where account functionality is available, customers are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their login details and account access.

Customers are responsible for all activity conducted through their account.

You must notify S-Optics immediately if you believe your account has been accessed without authorisation.

S-Optics may suspend or disable accounts where unauthorised access, misuse, fraud, security risk, or breach of these Terms is suspected.

23. Privacy and Personal Information

S-Optics processes personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy / POPIA Policy.

By using our website, submitting enquiries, requesting quotations, placing orders, or communicating with S-Optics, you acknowledge that we may process your personal information for purposes including enquiries, quotations, orders, payments, delivery, support, returns, warranty claims, legal compliance, fraud prevention, and business operations.

Please refer to our Privacy Policy / POPIA Policy for full details.

24. PAIA and Access to Information

Where applicable, access to information requests will be handled in accordance with the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2 of 2000.

S-Optics will make its PAIA Manual available where required by law.

PAIA and privacy-related requests may be sent to:

Email: sales@s-optics.co.za
Telephone: 011 467 9325
Address: Fourways Golf Park, Sandton, Gauteng, 2191, South Africa

25. Intellectual Property

All website content, including text, graphics, logos, icons, images, product layouts, design elements, website structure, product descriptions, and other content, belongs to S-Optics, Hardware Distribution (Pty) Ltd, its licensors, suppliers, or content providers.

You may not copy, reproduce, modify, distribute, republish, display, scrape, sell, or exploit any website content without prior written permission from S-Optics.

Any third-party trademarks, OEM names, part numbers, logos, or brand references remain the property of their respective owners and are used only for identification, compatibility, or product reference purposes.

Reference to third-party brands does not imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation unless expressly stated.

26. Third-Party Links and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, tools, platforms, or services.

S-Optics is not responsible for the content, accuracy, privacy practices, terms, security, or availability of third-party websites or services.

Customers access third-party websites at their own risk.

27. Disclaimer

S-Optics provides the website and product information in good faith.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not guarantee that:

• The website will always be available, uninterrupted, secure, or error-free.
• Product information will always be complete, current, or free from error.
• Stock availability will always be accurate at the time of viewing.
• Website images will exactly match the product supplied.
• The website will be free from viruses, malware, or harmful components.
• Products will be suitable for purposes not expressly confirmed by S-Optics in writing.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any warranty, guarantee, liability, or right that cannot lawfully be excluded under South African law.

28. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, S-Optics, Hardware Distribution (Pty) Ltd, its directors, employees, suppliers, service providers, and affiliates will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, punitive, or economic loss, including but not limited to:

• Loss of profit.
• Loss of revenue.
• Loss of business.
• Loss of data.
• Loss of goodwill.
• Network downtime.
• System downtime.
• Business interruption.
• Loss of contracts.
• Loss of opportunity.
• Installation costs.
• Removal costs.
• Reconfiguration costs.
• Replacement labour costs.
• Third-party claims arising from customer use or resale.

Where liability cannot be excluded, S-Optics’ liability will be limited to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Nothing in these Terms limits liability for fraud, intentional misconduct, gross negligence where it cannot legally be limited, or any liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law.

29. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless S-Optics, Hardware Distribution (Pty) Ltd, its directors, employees, suppliers, service providers, and affiliates from any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses arising from:

• Your breach of these Terms.
• Incorrect information supplied by you.
• Incorrect product selection by you.
• Misuse of products.
• Incorrect installation or configuration.
• Unauthorised resale claims.
• Misrepresentation to end customers.
• Breach of law.
• Unauthorised use of our website or content.
• Fraudulent or unlawful activity.

This indemnity applies to the fullest extent permitted by law.

30. Force Majeure

S-Optics will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations where such failure or delay is caused by events beyond its reasonable control.

This may include supplier delays, courier delays, customs delays, strikes, labour disputes, power outages, internet failures, system failures, cyber incidents, natural disasters, fire, flood, unrest, war, government restrictions, import delays, pandemic-related disruptions, currency restrictions, or other events outside our reasonable control.

31. Complaints and Disputes

If you have a complaint regarding a product, service, order, delivery, return, warranty claim, or website issue, please contact S-Optics first so that we can try to resolve the matter.

Email: sales@s-optics.co.za
Telephone: 011 467 9325

Please include your invoice number, quotation number, purchase order number, order reference, product details, and a clear description of the issue.

Where a dispute cannot be resolved directly, the parties may pursue remedies available under applicable South African law.

32. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

Any dispute arising from these Terms, the website, quotations, orders, products, or services will be dealt with under South African law and, where applicable, by the appropriate South African courts, regulators, ombuds, or dispute resolution bodies.

33. Changes to These Terms

S-Optics may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes to our business, website, products, legal requirements, operational processes, or supplier terms.

The updated Terms will be published on our website with the revised “Last updated” date.

Continued use of the website or services after updated Terms are published will be regarded as acceptance of the updated Terms, where permitted by law.

34. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision will be treated as separate from the remaining provisions.

The remaining provisions will continue to apply to the fullest extent permitted by law.

35. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with any quotation, invoice, written agreement, Privacy Policy, Shipping Policy, Returns Policy, and Warranty Policy, form the agreement between the customer and S-Optics, unless otherwise agreed in writing by S-Optics.

If there is a conflict between these Terms and a written agreement signed or expressly accepted by S-Optics, the written agreement will apply to the extent of the conflict.

36. Contact Us

For any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact:

S-Optics
Operated by Hardware Distribution (Pty) Ltd
Registration number: 2001/008689/07
Website: s-optics.co.za
Email: sales@s-optics.co.za
Telephone: 011 467 9325
Address: Fourways Golf Park, Sandton, Gauteng, 2191, South Africa