Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms & Eligibility

These Terms of Service constitute a legally binding agreement between you (“Customer”, “Partner”, or “User”) and Shata Events Private Limited (“Shata”). By accessing our website, mobile applications, or booking services, you acknowledge and agree to these Terms. You must be at least 18 years old and possess the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts under the Indian Contract Act, 1872.

2. Intermediary Marketplace Platform Status

Shata operates as an online technology intermediary platform under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Shata connects customers with verified independent event professionals (including photographers, videographers, caterers, decorators, and event coordinators).

• Partner Screening: Shata conducts multi-step verification including KYC identity checks, business legitimacy screening, and portfolio validation.
• Independent Contractor Status: Event partners are independent business professionals and not direct employees or agents of Shata.
• Doorstep Planning: Shata facilitates doorstep consultations and project milestone coordination through verified local partners.

3. Transparent Pricing & Zero Hidden Fees Policy

Shata strictly opposes hidden charges, disguised markups, and checkout surprise fees. In compliance with the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns (2023):

4. Payments & Milestone Escrow Protection

All payments must be processed through Shata’s integrated, RBI-authorized payment infrastructure. Booking deposits are held securely and released to partners according to predefined service milestones (e.g., booking confirmation, doorstep consultation sign-off, and event completion). Direct off-platform cash transactions bypass platform safety safeguards and are strictly prohibited.

5. Cancellations & Refunds

All booking cancellations and refund requests are governed transparently by our dedicated Refund & Cancellation Policy. Key safeguards include:

• Tiered cancellation refunds based on event timeline notice.
• Partner Default Safeguard: In the rare event an assigned partner cannot fulfill an event, Shata provides an equal or superior replacement partner at zero surcharge, or an immediate full refund.
• Refunds processed directly to original payment source within 5 to 7 business banking days.

6. User Conduct & Dark Pattern Prohibition

Both customers and partners agree to treat each other professionally and respectfully. Shata strictly prohibits:

• Deceptive dark patterns, false countdown timers, pre-checked opt-in checkouts, or forced continuity subscriptions.
• Circumvention of platform booking and escrow payment processes.
• Submission of false booking inquiries or harassment of event professionals.

7. Review Authenticity & Unsupported Claims

Shata maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against fake, automated, or incentivized reviews. Only registered customers who have confirmed an event booking or completed verified app testing may submit ratings. Reviews reflect genuine customer sentiment and are audited against manipulation.

8. Intellectual Property & Licensed Assets

All trademarks, logos, visual designs, software code, and brand assets of Shata are proprietary to Shata Events Private Limited. Typography used across the platform (“Instrument Sans” and “Calistoga”) is licensed under the SIL Open Font License (OFL). Open-source SVG iconography is utilized under standard MIT licenses.

9. Limitation of Liability & Force Majeure

To the maximum extent permitted by Indian law, Shata is not liable for indirect, punitive, or consequential damages resulting from third-party vendor performance. Neither party shall be held liable for failure to perform due to Force Majeure events (natural disasters, severe floods, government lockdown curfews, or civil emergencies).

10. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed exclusively by the laws of the Republic of India. Any legal disputes arising out of or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.