FAQs

Have a question? Drop us an email at bancroftjhb@gmail.com or look below to see if any of your concerns are addressed below:
 
Local Deliveries:
 
We mostly use Fastway Couriers as our standard method to deliver securely across South Africa, including many hard-to-reach places. The cost of delivery, usually around R80, is added automatically during the check-out payment phase of placing an order. We then try and get your item(s) packaged as quickly as possible – usually within 1 working day. Depending on the delivery address, from collection of the prepared parcel, delivery can then take anything from between about 1 working day to nearby Johannesburg areas; about 2-3 working days to other major centres in SA; and approximately 3-7 working days to most other destinations in the RSA.
 
If having the order delivered to your address does not suit you, we can, on request, have an order sent to your closest PostNet branch for collection by you when convenient. The cost is the same as our standard method of delivery. The delivery period depends on the PostNet network, but is similar to that of Fastway Couriers, though some major branches can even receive delivery within 24 hours within the standard rate.
 
We will always send you a tracking number as soon as we have one for you, which you will be able to use on the applicable website to follow the delivery progress, should you wish to do so.
 
As yet, we have never had a shipment that went astray or arrived damaged. Regardless of that, our policy is that, until the items arrive at our clients’ addresses and are signed for, they remain our responsibility and would be fully covered against loss or damage. If the latter, we require that you return the damaged item to us.
 
International Orders and Deliveries:
 
Please note that, when placing an order, the “check-out” platform on our website is only set up to accept orders that are shipped locally within the RSA. The main reason for this is that delivery costs are reasonably standard, and easy for us to set up in our website’s payment platform, so that the charge can be automatically added when placing the order. We can, however, arrange to have orders sent to many destinations across the globe, and have already done so to places such as the USA and also several countries in Europe. Delivery charges and methods can vary, so please contact us for customised details, should you be interested in placing an order from outside the RSA. We will always try and find the most cost-effective method of getting an order to you. Please note, however, that while many countries do not charge duties and/or taxes on imported antique items, this can vary from nation to nation. Customs duties and applicable taxes during importation would be your responsibility, and are for your separate account – it is advisable to contact a clearing agent in your country to research this.
 
Returns:
 
We accept that ordering an item online, without physically seeing it, can seem risky and requires a certain amount of faith. In addition, our pieces are mostly vintage, and therefore second-hand: they are sold “as is”, and since we did not make them ourselves – this is often unknown – we cannot guarantee their manufacture either. Because of this, we try and describe every item as accurately and fully as possible, and include a range of images, showing the item from various angles and giving a sense of scale. However, we are human and we do occasionally make mistakes. We also recognise that nothing can replace seeing an item in person. Because of this, if you receive an item that you ordered, and it is not what you expected or hoped for, we will take it back for a full refund of the cost of the item, provided you inform us within 24 hours of receiving it, and send it back to us within 3 days, in the same condition that it was received, together with all packaging. You are also welcome to use the credit towards another item on our website that you might prefer.
 
Any Other Questions?
 
Feel free to drop us an email at bancroftjhb@gmail.com
 
Testimonials:
 
"For a collector it is a challenge when you find great objects far away from home. Bancroft Antiques and Paul helped out in a great way to make this transaction truly smooth in all ways possible. I'm very pleased with the quality of what I bought and the way they found their way from Johannesburg to Copenhagen." - Jonas Feldt, Denmark (July 2018)
 
"Such a pleasure to meet you two lovely gentlemen today. I love your stall and am so grateful to you for enabling me to buy what I did. Looks wonderful. Thank you." - Linda Patricia Kelly, Bryanston Johannesburg (July 2018)
 
"Bought from them!! Excellent service. Love my pendant!!!" - Karin Human, Warrenton, Northern Cape (July 2018)
 
"Hi Paul, unbeknown to me the parcel had already been delivered, as I sent the previous email this morning! Very pleased with the earrings - for my wife's 33 year wedding anniversary. Many thanks for outstanding service!!!" - Rob, Houghton, Johannesburg (September 2018)

"I can confirm I have received my order and it is beautiful. It is my pleasure to do business with you and if I see anything from your online store I wouldn't hesitate doing business again with your company. Thank you for your time and updates, all went smoothly." Julian Peel, Chester le Street, United Kingdom (March 2019)