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Terms of Service

Last updated: April 22, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using BlueTika Limited's platform ("BlueTika", "we", "our", "the Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

These terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and BlueTika Limited, a New Zealand company. The Platform is governed by New Zealand law.

2. Definitions

  • Client: A user posting projects and hiring service providers
  • Provider: A verified user offering services and submitting bids
  • Project: A job posted by a client seeking service provider bids
  • Bid: A provider's offer to complete a project at a specified price
  • Contract: An accepted bid creating a binding agreement
  • Funds: Money held securely until contract completion

3. Eligibility

To use BlueTika, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be a New Zealand resident or authorized to conduct business in New Zealand
  • Provide accurate, current, and complete information
  • Maintain the confidentiality of your account credentials

4. User Accounts

4.1 Registration

Users may register as Clients, Providers, or both. You are responsible for all activity on your account.

4.2 Provider Verification

Service Providers must complete verification (ID, licenses, certifications as applicable). Verification does not guarantee work quality — it confirms identity and credentials.

4.3 Account Suspension

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts for:

  • Violation of these Terms
  • Fraudulent activity or misrepresentation
  • Harassment or abusive behavior
  • Repeated disputes or poor performance

5. Platform Services

5.1 For Clients

  • Post projects with descriptions, budgets, and timelines
  • Receive and review bids from verified providers
  • Accept bids to create contracts
  • Funds are held securely until job completion

5.2 For Providers

  • Browse open projects and submit competitive bids
  • Build reputation through verified reviews
  • Receive payment upon contract completion and mutual review
  • Manage staff and subscriptions (Silver+ tier)

5.3 Project Lifecycle

Projects follow a managed lifecycle to maintain platform quality:

  • Draft Projects: Saved projects remain in your account indefinitely until published or manually deleted
  • Unassigned Projects: Expire from the public feed 7 days after the set deadline if no bid is accepted
  • Overdue Projects: The system may auto-cancel inactive, overdue projects to keep the marketplace clean
  • Archive: Completed and cancelled contracts are moved to your "Archive" tab. They are not permanently deleted and remain accessible for your records

5.4 Cancellation Requests

Either party may request contract cancellation:

  • The requesting party must provide a reason for cancellation
  • The other party has 48 hours to respond (approve or reject)
  • If no response is received within 48 hours, the contract is automatically cancelled
  • Approved cancellations will process refunds according to the stage of work completion
  • Rejected cancellation requests require both parties to continue the contract or escalate to dispute resolution

Escrow Auto-Release: After both parties submit reviews, funds are held in escrow for 48 hours before automatic release to the provider. This allows time for any final dispute resolution.

6. Payments and Fees

6.1 Platform Fees

Provider Commission Tiers (based on 60-day sales):

  • No Tier: 8% commission ($0 - $599.99 in sales)
  • Silver: 7% commission ($600 - $1,999.99 in sales)
  • Gold: 6% commission ($2,000 - $4,999.99 in sales)
  • Platinum: 5% commission ($5,000+ in sales)

How to reach next tier: Complete contracts totaling the required sales amount within a rolling 60-day period. Your current tier is prorated based on your recent sales performance.

Client Payment Processing: None - BlueTika subsidizes all payment processing fees including Stripe (2.65%-3.65% + $0.30 per transaction) and the Stripe monthly fee ($2/month).

Subscriptions: Optional paid features (logo removal, email hosting, custom URL).

6.2 Payment Process

  • Clients pay the agreed price upfront via Stripe
  • Funds are held securely until both parties submit reviews
  • Providers receive payment (minus applicable commission tier) after reviews are completed
  • All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD)

6.3 Refunds

Refunds are handled case-by-case through our dispute resolution process. Platform fees are non-refundable.

7. Contracts and Conduct

7.1 Binding Agreements

When a client accepts a provider's bid, a legally binding contract is created between the two parties. BlueTika is a platform facilitator, not a party to the contract.

7.2 User Conduct

You agree NOT to:

  • Misrepresent your identity, qualifications, or services
  • Post illegal, offensive, or fraudulent content
  • Harass, threaten, or discriminate against other users
  • Attempt to bypass the platform for payments ("off-platform transactions")
  • Use automated tools (bots, scrapers) without permission
  • Infringe intellectual property rights

7.3 Evidence Requirements

Providers must upload before/after photos for applicable projects. Use the internal chat feature to communicate with clients throughout the project. All communication should remain on-platform for dispute resolution purposes. Failure to comply may delay fund release.

8. Disputes

If a dispute arises, users should first attempt to resolve it directly. If unresolved:

  • Either party may raise a formal dispute through the Platform
  • BlueTika admin will review evidence and make a fair determination
  • Admin decisions are final and binding
  • Disputes may result in full/partial refunds, fund release to provider, or other resolutions

Dispute Timeline: Clients have 24 hours after "After" photos are submitted to raise a dispute. Providers have 48 hours to respond to any dispute or cancellation request.

8B. Escrow & Payment Release

BlueTika operates an escrow system to protect both clients and providers:

  • Fund Holding: Client payments are held securely until contract completion
  • Review Process: Both parties must submit reviews for the contract to be considered complete
  • Auto-Release: After both reviews are submitted, funds are held in escrow for 48 hours before automatic release to the provider
  • Dispute Window: The 48-hour escrow period allows time for any final dispute resolution

8A. Consumer Guarantees Act

This Platform operates under the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA). The CGA provides automatic guarantees that services will be:

  • Provided with reasonable care and skill
  • Fit for the purpose specified
  • Completed within a reasonable time

These guarantees apply to contracts formed between Clients and Providers through our Platform. BlueTika facilitates these connections but does not provide the services directly. If you have concerns about service quality, please use our dispute resolution process.

9. Intellectual Property

All Platform content (design, code, trademarks, logos) is owned by BlueTika Limited. Users retain ownership of their submitted content (project descriptions, photos, reviews) but grant BlueTika a license to display it on the Platform.

10. Disclaimers

  • No Guarantee: BlueTika does not guarantee work quality, provider reliability, or project outcomes
  • Verification Limitations: Provider verification confirms identity but does not guarantee competence
  • Independent Contractors: Providers are independent contractors, not BlueTika employees
  • Platform Availability: We do not guarantee uninterrupted service and are not liable for downtime

11. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by New Zealand law:

  • BlueTika's liability is limited to the fees paid to us in the 12 months preceding the claim
  • We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
  • You use the Platform at your own risk

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold BlueTika harmless from claims, damages, or expenses arising from:

  • Your use of the Platform
  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your violation of third-party rights
  • Contracts formed through the Platform

13. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of New Zealand. Any disputes will be resolved in New Zealand courts.

14. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Changes will be posted with the "Last updated" date. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

15. Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact us:

By using BlueTika, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.