Privacy policy

1. M Essentials Collection’s Commitment To Privacy

1.1. In this policy, “We”, “Us”, “Our”, “M Essentials Collection” or “messentials.co.za” means M Essentials Collection, its subsidiaries and associates (unless otherwise stated).

1.2. Your privacy is important to us, and we take your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy will cover how we manage personal information across our business. It applies to M Essentials Collection, and to each wholly owned subsidiary of M Essentials Collection, and to the practices of the agents and contractors engaged by us. It also applies to your use of any M Essentials Collection-owned website and your dealings with us as a customer or subscriber.

1.3. We may update our policies and this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will always publish a link to our current T&Cs from the website homepage at messentials.co.za.

2. Types Of Personal Information We Collect

2.1. The types of personal information we collect will vary depending on your dealings with us, and the products, services and benefits we provide to you. This information may include any or all of the following:

  • Name, address(es), phone number(s) and other contact details
  • Email addresses
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Transaction details relating to your use of our products or services
  • Any preferences you tell us about

2.2. Information is also generated whenever a page is accessed on our website that records specific information, such as the time, date and specific page. We collect such information for statistical and maintenance purposes so that we can evaluate and improve our website performance, and service to you.

2.3. Some parts of our website use “cookies”. A cookie is a small text file that is placed on your computer’s hard-drive by a web page server. Cookies store information about your use of our website, and enable us to identify new or previous visitors, and provide additional benefits to you, such as retaining products that were added to the cart last time you visited. Most web browsers are set to accept cookies, but this function can be disabled if you wish, however please be aware that if you choose to do this, some functionality of our website will not be available to you.

3. Why We Collect Personal Information

3.1. In broad terms, we collect information about customers to provide a range of products, services and benefits. We also collect personal information to assist in identifying ways we can serve you better, and in a more effective and relevant manner. Personal information at times may also assist our internal administration and operations, including accounting, risk management, record keeping, archiving, systems development and testing, and staff training.

3.2. Some of the information we collect is for the purpose of improving our interaction with customers, and their involvement with us.

4. How We Collect Personal Information

4.1. In broad terms, we collect personal information from you, such as when you create an online account, subscribe to our newsletter, transact with us, or partake in a service, in the course of providing you that service, or when you have other dealings with us.

4.2. We may collect and update personal information over the phone, over the internet, when you write to us, or if you participate in our marketing campaigns.

5. Storage And Protection Of Personal Information

5.1. We store personal information in a combination of secure computer facilities and paper-based files and other records. In so doing, we have taken steps to protect your personal information from misuse, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure

5.2. We use a SSL certificate for extra security. This is a high-grade Encryption key (256 bit encryption key) that ensures your payment and personal info remains secure during your payment.

5.3. Additionally, we take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify personal information when we no longer need it. We impose strict requirements of security and confidentiality on all third parties as to how they store, handle and deal with your personal information.

6. How We Use Personal Information

6.1. We may use and disclose your personal information for a variety of purposes in connection with servicing you as a customer or subscriber, and in relation to our business operations. This could include:

  • Processing and administrating your transactions or dealings with us as a customer
  • Providing you with the products and services you have requested from us
  • Developing processes, products, services and benefits to better meet your needs
  • Disclosing your information for use by relevant parties in connection to your transaction or service
  • Conducting market research, and marketing our products and services to you more generally

6.2. We may also use your personal information to offer or provide you with loyalty benefits, discounts or other such activities that may be operated by us or third parties. This could include:

  • Providing your personal information to companies within the M Essentials Collection Group
  • Obtaining details about how you acquire and use our products, services and benefits
  • Rewarding customers for utilising our products and services through mechanisms such as discounts, special pricing offers and prices
  • Disclosing your information for use by relevant parties in connection to your transaction or service
  • Targeting appropriate marketing of products and services to you

7. Access To Personal Information

7.1. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that the personal information we collect, use or disclose is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If your personal details change, such as your address or phone number, please update your details on “My Account” section of our website.

7.2. Following a request, we will provide you with a copy of any personal information which we hold about you in accordance with our obligations under the Privacy Act. We may charge a fee for retrieving this information, in which case we will inform you of the fee in advance of providing the information.

7.3. We will promptly acknowledge and investigate any complaint about the way we manage personal information.

8. Contacting Us

8.1. If you have any questions about this privacy statement, if you wish to update information we hold about you or if you wish to make a complaint, please write to:

The Privacy Officer
M Essentials Collection 
20 Leeds Crescent
Pinetown
KwaZulu-Natal
3610