Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Surrounders platform ("Platform"), including our website and mobile application, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree, you must not use the Platform.

We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you before the changes take effect. Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

2. Definitions

• "Platform" means the Surrounders website, mobile application, and all related services
• "User" means any person who creates an account on the Platform
• "Customer" means a User who uses the Platform to discover and book services
• "Professional" (or "Pro") means a User who offers services through the Platform
• "Booking" means a confirmed appointment between a Customer and a Professional
• "Content" means any text, images, reviews, messages, or other materials posted on the Platform
• "Service Listing" means a Professional's published description of a service offered through the Platform

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to use the Platform. By creating an account, you represent that you meet this requirement and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

4. Account Registration and Security

• You must provide accurate and complete information when creating an account
• You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account and for all activity under it
• You must notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access
• You may not create multiple accounts or transfer your account to another person
• We may require identity verification for Professional accounts

5. The Platform

Surrounders is a marketplace that connects Customers with service Professionals. We provide the technology to facilitate discovery, communication, and bookings between Users.

We are not a party to any service agreement between Customers and Professionals. We do not employ, endorse, or guarantee any Professional. We do not provide, control, or take responsibility for the services offered by Professionals. The contract for services is between the Customer and the Professional directly.

6. Service Listings

Professionals are solely responsible for the accuracy of their Service Listings, including descriptions, pricing, availability, and cancellation policies. Listings must comply with all applicable laws.

• Listings must accurately describe the service being offered
• Pricing must be clear and include all mandatory fees
• Professionals must honor the pricing displayed at the time of booking
• We reserve the right to remove listings that violate these Terms or applicable law

7. Bookings and Cancellations

A booking request is not confirmed until the Professional accepts it. Once accepted, both parties are expected to honor the booking. We send confirmation emails and reminders, but it remains each User's responsibility to track their bookings.

Each Professional sets their own cancellation policy, which is displayed on their Service Listing. Both parties are expected to respect the cancellation terms agreed at the time of booking. Repeated cancellations by a Professional may result in account restrictions.

Customers may request recurring weekly bookings, subject to Professional acceptance. Either party may pause or cancel a recurring series at any time.

8. Payments

Surrounders does not process, handle, or intermediate payments between Customers and Professionals. All payments for services are arranged and settled directly between the Customer and the Professional, outside of the Platform.

• Payment terms, methods, and timing are agreed upon directly between the Customer and the Professional
• Surrounders is not responsible for any payment disputes between Users
• Professionals are solely responsible for setting their prices and collecting payment

9. Reviews and Ratings

• Only Users who have completed a booking may leave a review
• Reviews must be honest and based on genuine personal experience
• Reviews may not contain hate speech, personal attacks, or discriminatory language
• Professionals may respond to reviews
• We may moderate or remove reviews that violate these Terms
• Manipulating reviews - including fake reviews or offering incentives - is strictly prohibited and may result in account termination

10. Messaging

The Platform provides messaging to facilitate communication between Users. Messages are private between participants.

• Messaging must be used for legitimate, Platform-related communication
• You may not use messaging to send spam, solicit personal information, or harass other users
• We may review message content when investigating reports of abuse or fraud, or when required by law

11. User Content

You retain ownership of Content you post on the Platform. By posting Content, you grant Surrounders a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute your Content solely for the purpose of operating the Platform.

You represent that you have the necessary rights to the Content you post and that it does not infringe any third party's rights. We may remove Content that violates these Terms.

12. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

• Provide false or misleading information
• Harass, threaten, or abuse other Users
• Discriminate against Users based on any protected characteristic
• Post fake reviews, spam, or fraudulent listings
• Use the Platform for any illegal activity
• Attempt to access another User's account without authorization
• Scrape, crawl, or use automated tools to extract data from the Platform
• Interfere with or disrupt the Platform
• Impersonate another person or entity
• Reverse-engineer or disassemble any part of the Platform

13. Intellectual Property

The Platform, including its design, logos, and software (excluding User Content), is owned by or licensed to Surrounders and is protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, or create derivative works without our prior written consent.

14. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of harmful components.

15. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law:

• Surrounders acts solely as an intermediary and is not responsible for the quality, safety, or legality of services provided by Professionals
• We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Platform
• We are not responsible for disputes between Customers and Professionals

Nothing in these Terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, or any liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law.

16. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Surrounders and its team from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the Platform, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any third party's rights.

17. Termination

You may delete your account at any time. We may suspend or terminate your account if you violate these Terms. Upon termination, your right to use the Platform ceases immediately. Your personal data will be handled according to our Privacy Policy.

18. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which Surrounders is incorporated, except where overridden by mandatory local consumer protection rules.

In the event of a dispute, the parties agree to first attempt resolution through good-faith negotiation. If the dispute cannot be resolved within 30 days, either party may submit it to the competent courts.

If you are a consumer in the European Union, you may also use the European Online Dispute Resolution platform at ec.europa.eu/odr.

19. General Provisions

• If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect
• These Terms and our Privacy Policy constitute the entire agreement between you and Surrounders
• Our failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver
• You may not assign your rights under these Terms without our consent
• We are not liable for failures due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control

20. Contact

If you have questions about these Terms, contact us at [email protected].