Local Bestie – Consumer Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of the Local Bestie platform, a service provided by Local Bestie Limited (NZBN: 9429052690723), an AI-powered platform based in New Zealand that connects consumers with local businesses offering loyalty rewards, Bestie Credit, and exclusive promotions.

By accessing or using the Local Bestie website, mobile application, or any related services (collectively, the "Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you must refrain from using the Platform.

• 1.1 "Customer," "you," or "your" means any individual using the Platform to discover, purchase from, or interact with Merchants.
• 1.2 "Merchant" refers to a local business registered with Local Bestie to promote services and offer Bestie Credit or loyalty rewards.
• 1.3 "Bestie Credit" are digital rewards accumulated by Customers through qualifying purchases and activities on the Platform.
• 1.4 "Services" means the features provided by Local Bestie, including but not limited to listing discovery, loyalty rewards, in-app payments, and user review systems.
• 1.5 "Content" refers to any text, image, review, feedback, or other information submitted by a user or Merchant through the Platform.

• 2.1 Eligibility: You must be at least 18 years old or the age of majority in your jurisdiction to use the Platform.
• 2.2 Registration: You may be required to create an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information and to keep your account secure.
• 2.3 Account Responsibility: You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account.

• 3.1 Earning Bestie Credit: Customers may earn Bestie Credit by making eligible purchases from participating Merchants via the Platform.
• 3.2 Redemption: Bestie Credit are not redeemable for cash. They may be applied as partial payment toward future purchases on the Platform or as digital vouchers in accordance with the published redemption policies.
• 3.3 Expiry: Bestie Credit may expire if not used within a specified period, which will be communicated via the Platform.
• 3.4 No Transferability: Bestie Credit are non-transferable and cannot be assigned, sold, or exchanged between users.

• 4.1 Prohibited Uses: You must not: (a) Violate any laws or regulations; (b) Post misleading, offensive, defamatory, or illegal content; (c) Use the Platform for unauthorized commercial purposes; (d) Interfere with the security or functionality of the Platform.
• 4.2 Suspension: Local Bestie reserves the right to suspend or terminate any account involved in fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activities.

• 5.1 Ownership and License of User Content: By submitting reviews, ratings, photos, comments, or any other content ("User Content") on the Platform, you retain ownership of your content. However, you grant Local Bestie a worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, royalty-free, fully paid-up, transferable, and sublicensable license to use, reproduce, publish, modify, distribute, and display your User Content for: (a) Operating and enhancing the Platform; (b) Marketing and promotional campaigns (e.g., testimonials); (c) Any lawful business purpose.
• 5.2 Your Responsibilities: You represent and warrant that your User Content does not infringe any third-party rights, including privacy or intellectual property rights. You acknowledge that Local Bestie may monitor or remove content at its sole discretion.
• 5.3 No Compensation: You acknowledge that no compensation will be paid for the license granted to Local Bestie under this section.

6.1 Local Bestie collects and processes your personal data in accordance with its Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms. By using the Platform, you consent to such processing.

7.1 While Local Bestie strives to provide continuous and secure access to the Platform, service may occasionally be interrupted for maintenance, upgrades, or due to unforeseen events.

• 7A.1 Local Bestie provides a platform to connect Customers with participating Merchants. When you make a purchase or redeem a service or offer via the Platform, you enter into a direct agreement with the applicable Merchant.
• 7A.2 Local Bestie is not a party to any transaction between you and a Merchant. The Merchant is solely responsible for the provision, quality, safety, legality, and fulfilment of the goods or services purchased.
• 7A.3 Local Bestie does not guarantee the availability, suitability, or compliance of any product or service offered by Merchants on the Platform.

• 7B.1 Any dispute arising from a transaction, product, service, or offer is solely between you and the Merchant.
• 7B.2 Local Bestie is not responsible for resolving disputes regarding refunds, product quality, merchant service levels, or fulfilment. However, we may, at our sole discretion, facilitate communications to help resolve issues.

8.1 Local Bestie and its licensors retain all rights, title, and interest in the Platform, including all related technology, software, design, and branding.

• 9.1 To the extent permitted by law, Local Bestie shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Platform.
• 9.2 In any event, Local Bestie's total liability will not exceed NZD $100 or the total amount of service-related fees paid by you within the three (3) months preceding the claim.

• 10.1 You may discontinue use of the Platform at any time.
• 10.2 Local Bestie may suspend or terminate your access immediately if you breach these Terms.
• 10.3 Any provision of these Terms which by nature is intended to survive termination (including but not limited to clauses related to intellectual property, indemnity, limitation of liability, and license of User Content) shall survive termination of your account or these Terms.

11.1 Local Bestie may amend these Terms from time to time. Updated versions will be posted on the Platform, and continued use constitutes acceptance.

12.1 These Terms are governed by the laws of New Zealand. You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.

13.1 If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at: support@localbestie.com.

14.1 You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Local Bestie, its directors, officers, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or in connection with: (a) your breach of these Terms; (b) your violation of any applicable law or rights of any third party; or (c) any content you submit or actions you take using the Platform.

15.1 Local Bestie shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations under these Terms due to events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, government restrictions, pandemics, cyberattacks, or power outages.

By using the Local Bestie platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.