Caring for your products
We want your SAHEL products to withstand season changes, outlast fashion trends and continue to be useful and looking good in years to come. Here are a few practical tips on keeping them at their best.
– If your bag has tassles on it, hang it up when not in use so the tassles don’t get creased. If you can’t do that, lie them flat. If they do get crushed, leave them to hang and the creases should drop out in time.
– Surface marks on coloured leather can be gently removed with a damp cloth. Suede should be dry cleaned only.
– Our natural tan leather, used for many of our straps and wallet linings, is hand cured using plant extracts. It is characteristically uneven and the blemishes are part of its charm. Over time and with use, it is normal for the colour to darken and the leather to soften. If it gets wet, dry it at normal room temperature. Do not place it near a radiator or heat source as this can cause it to become hard and dry. Clean off surface dirt and store it in a dry place, as damp conditions can cause mould or mildew to grow on leather.
– Brass or bronze fittings will tarnish and become dull over time, which is characterful. However, if you want them to shine again like new, rub a wedge of lemon covered with salt over the buckle, allowing the acidic juice and the abrasive salt to remove the tarnish, before rinsing under warm water. Avoid dunking the leather in water if you can as this may darken or harden the leather in those areas. Small objects like bronze beads can be cleaned using a spot of washing up liquid and lemon juice on a toothbrush.
Shipping
Made to Order products
These are made by artisans in Burkina Faso, and posted to the UK for quality control before being sent to the customer. We work with independent artisans who are paid well and treated fairly with respect. The expected delivery time is calculated for each made to order product. If unforeseen circumstances such as illness, bereavement or weather conditions prevent an artisan from being able to meet the required delivery time, we will inform you in advance. We ask you to be understanding of such circumstances as this is the nature of our work.
Delivery options
SAHEL products are posted from the UK worldwide using Royal Mail services.
For UK deliveries we give you the option of:
First Class signed for (Royal Mail aim for next day delivery)
Second Class signed for (Royal Mail aim for 2-3 working days)
For International deliveries we use Royal Mail’s International Tracked & Signed for service, available to 53 destinations, which aims to deliver to Europe within 3-5 working days, and worldwide within 5-7 working days.
If you have your own shipping agents or preferred methods we are happy to use them. We can also offer a same day courier service for customers in London. Please contact us to discuss these arrangements.
Tax & Duty for International orders
Tax or Duty may be payable for your purchases according to the regulations of your country for goods shipped from the UK. We advise you check the regulations before placing your order.
Payment
Online Purchases
We are able to accept payment via Paypal online. To use Paypal, you do need to have a paypal account but this is free and can be created for you as you checkout. If you would prefer to pay by credit or debit card, we can accept a telephone payment. Please call us on + 44 (0) 20 8244 5039 or + 44 (0) 7816 336 246 if you would like to complete checkout this way.
Returns
Online Purchases
We hope you will be pleased with your purchase from us. If you need to return an item bought from our online shop, we will accept returns within 15 business days from the day of purchase, for a full refund or exchange. We will however deduct the cost of postage. Items returned must not have been worn, altered, or washed, and all accompanying tags and storage bags must be returned also in the same condition in which they were sent.
Please include a written description of the reason for return, and the details of any required exchange. The address for returns is:
Flat 2
185 Battersea High Street
London
SW11 3JS
Tel: + 44 (0) 7816 336 246
We suggest you use a ‘signed for’ service for returns. Refunds will be issued and exchanged items will be dispatched only after the returned goods have been received and undergone a quality control check.
Shop Purchases
We cannot accept returns for products bought from one of our stockists. These must be returned to the stockist from where it was bought.
Made To Order and Sale Items
All Made to Order items, or items purchased on sale are final and cannot be returned or exchanged. If we receive a returned Made To Order or Sale item, the package will be returned to you and we will notify you via email. No refund will be issued.