Buy from me, or from overseas?

My business is all about getting world-class torches to you without the hassle or risk of importing them yourself. 

You might be able to order my torches from overseas e-stores that don't carry stock (or know anything about torches) but their prices don't include customs charges; they may not be able to send batteries with your torch; and their "free" delivery could take months... if it arrives at all (it's usually sent through the train-wreck of our Post Office!)

Also, if you have a problem with your torch, you're expected to send it back to the factory in China at your expense, which will take months and cost more than you paid for it – so you're basically gambling that it won't give trouble so you can save a few bucks. Maybe.

But you don't have to. I stock the torches I sell so I've already jumped through the shipping and customs hoops, I pre-test every single one before I sell it, and in the highly unlikely event you have a problem I facilitate full warranty support from the factory for 18 months.

Save time and money

You can buy anything on my website by following the checkout procedure and I'll send it off to you the next weekday (I don't take weekends off, but the couriers do). 

When you checkout from my online store your payment is received by a "pay portal" which charges me a commission, but if you pay by EFT direct to my bank account I'll give their commission back to you as a discount – drop me a line (mark@torchguy.com) and I’ll email you an invoice with the discount and my banking details.

I despatch goods when payment clears to my account (I don't work on "proof of payment") which is immediate with EFTs from Nedbank but can take a day or two from other banks, unless you pay for instant clearance. When we despatch your order, I'll email you a tracking number along with some hints and tips on the operation of your new torch. 

(Not) coming to a store near you

Most brick-and-mortar stores demand a 100% markup (or more!) so they can pay their rent, salaries and other costs. If you want to handle a product before you buy, it basically costs you twice as much! 

Even if you buy online from a South African importer who supplies local retailers you'll still pay the higher price because he can't undercut his re-sellers.

But I don't work that way. I import my torches direct from the factory and sell direct to end-users, so my customers get world-class torches at wholesale prices with snappy delivery and full after-sales support.

Mrs Torchguy and I work from home and don't employ anyone, so we keep our overheads really low and we're able to give you the best prices possible! 

Getting your torch to you

When you checkout from my website you're given a choice between delivery to your door or to a pick-up point near you. I work with Courier Guy for street addresses, and Pargo who deliver to more than 4,000 pick-up points where you can collect your torch within eight days of arrival (they send you an SMS).

We pay their fees if your order comes to R2,000 or more before discount, otherwise I will charge you a standard fee of R100.

We despatch orders when payment clears to our account and we send you a tracking number when we do. Delivery to either pick-up points or street addresses takes a week or two, depending on where you are.

BTW, I import my beautiful torches in the cheapest boxes available so you don't have to pay for a crappy presentation case you'll never use (the extra weight and volume make a big difference to the price). I've seen nice padded aluminium tool boxes at Builders Warehouse if you want a carry-case that's worth owning.

Also note that our Customs Department are not exactly... gentle... when they inspect goods, so the product boxes are sometimes damaged. However this is no reflection on the contents, which we carefully inspect before despatch.

But what if. . .

If your torch has problems within 18 months just courier it back to me and, if I can't fix it myself, I'll negotiate with the factory to get a replacement part or a new torch for you. If that model is no longer available I'll offer you a new one at cost. If your torch gives trouble after 18 months I'll give you a special discount on a new one.

For more information on the "landmines" that can affect warranty claims, please see here.

If you want to return a torch for an exchange or refund, please be aware that I NEVER re-sell torches as "new" if they've been returned, even if they're in mint condition, so you can be sure when I sell you a new torch it's not pre-owned! Instead I re-sell my (very rare) returns as "demo" models at 30% off, or less if they're not in perfect condition, so this is the most I can refund. Unfortunately I can't refund the cost of batteries or courier delivery, which are consumables.

If you'd like more information about anything, please feel free to drop me a line at mark@torchguy.com