Trade

Informing the customer about a defect in the product

Q: I sell 1m lengths of pipe at R80. I purchase these ready cut. I have a marking on my counter to measure 1m. Those who purchase don't specifically require 1m but purchase the metre as that's how it's sold. It is advertised as 1m. I noticed a pipe today that was marginally short. I therefore refunded R2 to the customer but did not inform him why. The pipe will still fulfill the function for which it was purchased. What is the ruling regarding this transaction?

Selling a product that is out of stock

Q: 

1. If a customer was to order something that the business didn't own (it wasn't in stock) and rather than paying full price on it, they agreed to put a deposit down and pay full price after the product was delivered to their house and it was fitted into their house (fitting is a separate service and a customer can order a product and request fitting it into their house or they can order a product with the fitting service together). 

Would the income be halal for this? The product will be delivered to the shop first and then the business will send the product to the customers house and fit it. 

2. If you tell a customer that the product isn't in stock and they have to order it in and if they do, they don’t have to pay full price, rather just a deposit and then when the product is delivered to their house or ready to collect from the businesses store, they can pay full price after that, is the income halal?

Muslim business using adverts with Christmas decorations and selling Christmas items

Q: 

1. Is it permissible for a Muslim business owner to promote his business using adverts with Christmas decorations? 

2. Can a Muslim businessman sell Christmas lights, trees, decorations, etc.? 

3. What is the ruling regarding a person decorating his business with Christmas lights, Santa Clause etc.?

Being charged extra when buying airtime in advance

Q: I bought airtime and put it in my phone. I used the airtime to buy a bundle of data. I never notice my airtime was fifty cents less. They charged me an emergency recharge. They gave me R2 and said from my next airtime they will take R2+R1.10 access fee. What must I do at that time? When agreeing, I never know it was interest but after that I sensed it. Please advise.

Adding a "christmas" tag to an online product so it appears easily in searches to attracts sales

Q: I have a start up that will sell products online in the U.S. I have made small 3d printed stars for use as fridge magnets, but they also can be hanged as a decoration. It is Christmas time in the U.S. and a lot of decoration sales are made during this time. 

I have not made a product specifically for Christmas, but my product may be used as a decoration on x-mass trees. I can make a product listing on my online store and add "tags" that help customers find my product. Is it okay for me to add a "christmas" tag to my product, so that it appears easily in searches and attracts sales?

Options to sell an item that one does not have stock of

Q: I am selling physical products on an online website. I had one product in stock, but got two orders for that product. Now, I have two options: 

1. Manufacture the extra product to fulfill both my customers orders. 

2. Buy the extra product from elsewhere and then get it shipped to my customer. 

Are these options halaal? I know that dropshipping is not allowed Islamically as the seller does not own the product at the time of the sale, that is why I want clarification.