Acceptable Use Policy

Last updated: March 18, 2026

This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") governs the conduct of all merchants, businesses, and sellers ("Merchants") who use the Bookendo platform to offer services, accept bookings, and process payments. By using Bookendo, you agree to comply with this policy in addition to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

1. Permitted Use

Bookendo is designed for legitimate beauty, wellness, and personal care businesses. Merchants may use the platform to:

• Offer and manage in-person beauty and wellness services (e.g., permanent makeup, microblading, hair styling, nail care, facials, massage, tattoo, aesthetics)
• Accept appointments and bookings from clients
• Process payments for services rendered, including deposits and full payments
• Manage client records, consent forms, and business operations
• Communicate with clients regarding appointments, confirmations, and follow-ups

Bookendo acts solely as a software platform and does not act as the merchant of record for transactions processed between buyers and merchants.

2. Prohibited Activities

Merchants may NOT use the Bookendo platform to:

• Offer, sell, or facilitate any illegal products or services
• Offer services that require professional licenses without holding valid, current licenses in their jurisdiction
• Process payments for goods or services not related to their listed beauty/wellness business
• Engage in fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading business practices
• Misrepresent the nature, quality, or pricing of their services
• Use the platform to launder money or process payments on behalf of third parties not associated with their business
• Collect client information for purposes unrelated to the booked service
• Send unsolicited messages, spam, or marketing communications without proper consent
• Violate any applicable local, state, federal, or international laws and regulations
• Infringe on intellectual property rights of others
• Discriminate against clients on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected class

3. Prohibited Industries

The following types of businesses and services are not permitted on Bookendo:

• Gambling, gaming, or lottery services
• Adult entertainment or sexually explicit services
• Controlled substances, drugs, or drug paraphernalia
• Weapons, firearms, or ammunition
• Cryptocurrency exchanges, investment schemes, forex trading services, or financial services that require regulatory licenses
• Multi-level marketing (MLM) or pyramid schemes
• Counterfeit or unauthorized goods
• Any service that violates PayPal's Acceptable Use Policy or Stripe's Restricted Businesses list

4. Payment Processing Requirements

Merchants who accept payments through Bookendo must:

• Only charge clients for services actually booked and rendered
• Clearly communicate pricing, deposit amounts, and cancellation policies before the client pays
• Process refunds promptly when warranted by their stated cancellation or refund policy
• Not impose hidden fees or charges not disclosed at the time of booking
• Maintain accurate records of all transactions processed through the platform
• Comply with all applicable payment card industry (PCI) requirements
• Comply with the policies of any payment providers used through the platform, including PayPal's Acceptable Use Policy and PayPal Commerce Platform requirements

5. Client Protection

Merchants must:

• Provide services as described in their Bookendo profile and booking listings
• Honor confirmed appointments or provide reasonable notice of cancellation
• Maintain appropriate hygiene, safety, and sanitation standards as required by their industry and jurisdiction
• Obtain proper consent from clients before performing services, especially for procedures involving health risks
• Protect client personal information and comply with applicable data protection laws
• Respond to client inquiries and complaints in a timely manner

6. Licensing and Compliance

Merchants are solely responsible for:

• Obtaining and maintaining all required business licenses and permits
• Obtaining and maintaining all required professional certifications and licenses for the services they offer
• Complying with all applicable health and safety regulations
• Filing and paying all applicable taxes on income earned through the platform
• Maintaining adequate business insurance as required by their jurisdiction

7. Enforcement

Bookendo reserves the right to take action against Merchants who violate this AUP, including but not limited to:

• Issuing a warning and requesting corrective action
• Temporarily suspending the Merchant's account and payment processing
• Permanently terminating the Merchant's account
• Withholding or freezing pending payouts in cases of suspected fraud
• Reporting violations to appropriate law enforcement or regulatory authorities

Bookendo may investigate potential violations at its discretion and may request documentation or information from Merchants to verify compliance with this policy.

8. Reporting Violations

If you believe a Merchant on the Bookendo platform is violating this Acceptable Use Policy, please contact us at support@bookendo.com with details of the violation. We review all reports and take appropriate action.

9. Changes to This Policy

Bookendo may update this Acceptable Use Policy at any time. We will notify Merchants of material changes via email or through the platform. Continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Contact

For questions about this Acceptable Use Policy, contact us at:

• Email: support@bookendo.com
• Website: bookendo.com