Welcome to Vernac. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. Please read them carefully.
1. Acceptance of Terms
By creating an account, accessing, or using Vernac ("the Service"), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our Service.
2. Description of Service
Vernac is a platform that connects travellers with local guides ("Locals") who provide personalised travel advice, cultural insights, and local knowledge. Our Service facilitates these connections but does not directly provide travel services.
Important: Vernac acts solely as an intermediary platform. We do not employ Locals, nor do we guarantee the accuracy, quality, or safety of any advice or services provided by Locals. All arrangements are made directly between Travellers and Locals.
3. Eligibility and Age Verification
To use Vernac, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts
- Not be prohibited from using our Service under applicable law
By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you meet these eligibility requirements. We reserve the right to request proof of age at any time and may suspend or terminate accounts that do not meet our age requirements.
4. User Accounts
4.1 Account Creation
To use certain features of the Service, you must create an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to keep this information updated.
4.2 Account Security
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. Notify us immediately at support@vernac.com of any unauthorised use.
4.3 Account Types
Travellers: Users seeking local advice and connections.
Locals: Users who offer their local knowledge and services to travellers. Locals can optionally verify their identity to earn a verified badge.
5. Local Requirements and Responsibilities
If you register as a Local, you agree to:
- Provide accurate information about your expertise and location
- Respond to traveller inquiries within 48 hours
- Maintain professional and respectful communication
- Comply with all applicable local laws and regulations
- Not provide advice that could endanger travellers
- Clearly disclose any limitations in your knowledge
Identity Verification (Optional): Locals are encouraged to complete identity verification via Veriff to earn a verified badge and build trust with travellers. Verification is optional but recommended.
5.1 Quality of Advice
Locals are expected to provide advice to the best of their knowledge. However, Locals acknowledge that:
- Travel conditions, safety, and local situations can change rapidly
- Advice is based on personal experience and may not suit all travellers
- Travellers are responsible for their own due diligence and safety
5.2 Liability for Advice
Locals are not liable for any damages, injuries, losses, or negative outcomes arising from advice provided through the platform, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Travellers acknowledge that they follow Local advice at their own risk.
6. Payments and Fees
6.1 Service Fees
Vernac currently does not charge any platform fees. Locals receive 100% of their earnings. This may change in the future, and any changes will be communicated in advance.
6.2 Local Earnings and Payouts
Locals receive payments through Stripe Connect. By registering as a Local, you agree to Stripe's Connected Account Agreement.
- Payouts are processed within 7 business days of service completion
- Minimum payout threshold: $10
- Locals are responsible for reporting income and paying applicable taxes
- Vernac may issue tax documents as required by law
6.3 Refunds and Cancellations
Our refund policy is designed to be fair to both Travellers and Locals:
- Full refund: If a Local fails to respond within 48 hours or cancels
- Full refund: If you cancel more than 24 hours before a scheduled session
- 50% refund: If you cancel between 12-24 hours before a scheduled session
- No refund: If you cancel less than 12 hours before, or fail to attend
- Dispute resolution: For quality disputes, contact support within 48 hours
For full details, see our Refund Policy.
7. User Conduct and Acceptable Use
When using Vernac, you agree not to:
- Violate any applicable laws or regulations
- Harass, threaten, or abuse other users
- Post false, misleading, or fraudulent content
- Attempt to circumvent our payment system
- Use the Service for any illegal or unauthorised purpose
- Impersonate others or misrepresent your affiliation
- Collect user information without consent
- Interfere with the proper functioning of the Service
- Share contact details to avoid platform fees
- Engage in discriminatory behaviour based on race, gender, religion, nationality, or other protected characteristics
For detailed guidelines, see our Acceptable Use Policy.
8. Content and Intellectual Property
8.1 User Content
You retain ownership of content you submit to Vernac. By submitting content, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to use, display, and distribute such content in connection with the Service.
8.2 Platform Content
All content on Vernac, including text, graphics, logos, and software, is protected by intellectual property laws and belongs to Vernac or its licensors.
9. Privacy
Your privacy is important to us. Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms.
10. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability
10.1 Service Disclaimer
Vernac provides a platform for connections between travellers and Locals. We do not:
- Guarantee the accuracy of Local profiles or advice
- Endorse any particular Local or their services
- Assume responsibility for user interactions or outcomes
- Provide travel insurance or safety guarantees
- Verify the current accuracy of local conditions or safety
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
10.2 Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law:
- Vernac's total liability to you shall not exceed the greater of (a) the amounts paid by you to Vernac in the 12 months prior to the claim, or (b) $100.
- We shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of profits, data, or goodwill.
- We shall not be liable for any damages arising from advice provided by Locals, travel decisions made based on such advice, or any incidents occurring during travel.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by law.
11. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold Vernac, its officers, directors, employees, and agents harmless from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:
- Your violation of these Terms
- Your use of the Service
- Your violation of any rights of another party
- Any content you submit to the Service
12. Dispute Resolution
12.1 Informal Resolution
Before initiating formal proceedings, you agree to first contact us at support@vernac.com to attempt to resolve any dispute informally. We will endeavour to respond within 14 days.
12.2 Mediation
If informal resolution fails, either party may propose mediation through a mutually agreed mediator or the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR). Costs shall be shared equally unless otherwise agreed.
12.3 Jurisdiction
If mediation fails, disputes shall be resolved in the courts of England and Wales. However, nothing prevents you from bringing claims in the courts of your country of residence if you are a consumer.
13. Force Majeure
Vernac shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:
- Natural disasters, pandemics, or epidemics
- War, terrorism, or civil unrest
- Government actions or restrictions
- Internet or telecommunications failures
- Third-party service provider failures (e.g., Stripe, Veriff)
14. Modifications to Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of material changes at least 30 days before they take effect by:
- Email to your registered address
- Prominent notice on the Service
Your continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the new Terms. If you disagree with changes, you may close your account before they take effect.
15. Termination
We may suspend or terminate your account at our discretion for violations of these Terms, with notice where practicable. We may terminate immediately without notice for:
- Illegal activity or fraud
- Severe or repeated Terms violations
- Behaviour that endangers other users
You may close your account at any time through your account settings. Upon termination, sections regarding liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution shall survive.
16. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. If you are a consumer resident in another part of the United Kingdom, you may also benefit from mandatory protections of local law.
17. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
18. Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, Acceptable Use Policy, and Refund Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Vernac.
19. Contact Us
If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us:
- Email: support@vernac.com
- General Enquiries: hello@vernac.com