These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the MiddlePay platform, website, mobile application, payment services, escrow services, marketplace, payment links, cards and other services made available by MiddlePay (Middle-Pay Technologies Limited) ("MiddlePay", "we", "us" or "our").
By creating an account, accessing the MiddlePay platform, listing a product or service, initiating a transaction, making a payment, accepting a payment, or otherwise using any MiddlePay service, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
If you do not agree with these Terms, you must not use MiddlePay.
1. Definitions
For purposes of these Terms:
"Buyer" or "Customer" means a person or entity that purchases, engages, books, or pays for a Product or Service through MiddlePay.
"Seller" means any person or business that offers, lists, sells, supplies, creates, delivers, or provides Products or Services through MiddlePay. A Seller may include a Vendor, Merchant, Artisan, Service Provider, professional, freelancer, contractor, or other commercial provider.
"Vendor" or "Merchant" means a Seller that offers physical or digital products for sale through MiddlePay.
"Artisan" means an individual or business that provides skilled, specialised, creative, technical, manual, craft, trade, or professional work, whether the work is performed at the Customer's location, the Artisan's location, or another agreed location.
Artisans may include, without limitation, tailors, fashion designers, hairstylists, barbers, makeup artists, photographers, videographers, decorators, caterers, electricians, plumbers, mechanics, carpenters, painters, furniture makers, technicians, repair professionals, craftsmen and other skilled providers.
"Service Provider" means an individual, professional, freelancer, company, or other entity that provides a service to a Customer through MiddlePay.
Service Providers may include consultants, coaches, agencies, professionals, event providers, logistics providers, creative professionals, technology providers, repair providers, educational providers, and other service businesses.
"Product" means any physical or digital item offered through MiddlePay.
"Service" means any work, professional service, skilled service, appointment, booking, project, subscription, engagement, or other service offered through MiddlePay.
"Transaction" means any purchase, booking, engagement, payment, order, project, service request, or other commercial transaction initiated through MiddlePay.
"Escrow" means the transaction-protection mechanism through which funds associated with an eligible Transaction are held or controlled through MiddlePay's applicable payment infrastructure until the applicable release conditions are satisfied.
2. MiddlePay's Role
MiddlePay provides technology and transaction-protection infrastructure that enables Buyers and Sellers to transact with greater confidence.
Depending on the service being used, MiddlePay may provide:
- marketplace listings;
- payment processing;
- escrow-enabled transactions;
- payment links;
- transaction monitoring;
- dispute management;
- fraud prevention;
- vendor, artisan and service-provider profiles;
- booking and service-engagement functionality;
- card services;
- transaction records; and
- other commerce and financial technology services.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, MiddlePay does not itself manufacture, own, stock, supply, deliver, repair, create or perform the Products or Services listed by Sellers.
The Seller remains responsible for the quality, legality, availability, delivery and performance of the Product or Service offered.
3. Seller Responsibilities
Every Seller using MiddlePay must:
- provide accurate and truthful information about themselves and their business;
- provide accurate descriptions of Products and Services;
- provide accurate pricing and applicable fees;
- clearly communicate delivery, fulfilment or service timelines;
- only offer Products and Services they are legally authorised to provide;
- fulfil accepted orders, bookings and engagements;
- communicate honestly with Customers;
- comply with applicable laws and regulations;
- honour representations, warranties and commitments made to Customers;
- provide accurate contact and business information;
- cooperate with legitimate MiddlePay investigations and dispute processes;
- maintain appropriate records relating to Transactions; and
- comply with MiddlePay's Seller policies and applicable Platform rules.
4. Additional Responsibilities of Artisans and Service Providers
Artisans and Service Providers must accurately represent their:
- skills;
- qualifications;
- certifications;
- experience;
- availability;
- location or service area;
- pricing;
- estimated completion time;
- materials included;
- scope of work; and
- other material terms of the engagement.
Where a qualification, licence or certification is legally required to provide a particular Service, the Artisan or Service Provider must possess and maintain the required qualification or authorisation.
An Artisan or Service Provider must not:
- falsely claim to possess qualifications;
- misrepresent their experience;
- accept work they cannot reasonably complete;
- materially change the agreed scope without the Customer's agreement;
- substitute another person without appropriate disclosure or approval where the identity of the provider is material;
- use Customer property without authorisation; or
- intentionally abandon an agreed engagement without reasonable cause.
5. Service Agreements and Scope of Work
Where a Transaction involves an Artisan or Service Provider, the Customer and Seller should clearly establish, where applicable:
- the Service to be provided;
- scope of work;
- agreed price;
- materials and expenses;
- location;
- scheduled date and time;
- estimated completion date;
- milestones;
- deliverables;
- cancellation terms;
- revision terms;
- return or refund terms where applicable; and
- any other material conditions.
Where MiddlePay provides functionality for documenting or confirming these terms, the parties may use that functionality to establish the Transaction terms.
6. Escrow for Services and Artisan Work
Where available, MiddlePay may allow Customers to fund an eligible Service or Artisan engagement through escrow.
Depending on the nature of the engagement, funds may be released:
- after the Customer confirms completion;
- upon completion of agreed milestones;
- after delivery of agreed deliverables;
- after the applicable inspection or confirmation period;
- upon mutual agreement between the parties; or
- following resolution of a dispute.
For milestone-based projects, MiddlePay may support the release of funds in stages rather than releasing the entire amount at once.
The specific release conditions applicable to a Transaction will be communicated through the Platform or agreed by the parties.
7. Artisan and Service-Provider Disputes
A Customer may raise a dispute where, for example:
- the agreed Service was not provided;
- the Artisan or Service Provider failed to attend an agreed appointment;
- the work materially differs from the agreed scope;
- agreed deliverables were not provided;
- the Service was materially incomplete;
- the Seller materially misrepresented their qualifications or Service;
- the agreed milestone was not completed; or
- another material breach of the Transaction terms occurred.
MiddlePay may request evidence from both parties, including:
- photographs;
- videos;
- documents;
- invoices;
- project files;
- communications;
- delivery records;
- appointment records;
- proof of completion; and
- other relevant information.
MiddlePay may make a determination based on the information reasonably available to it and the applicable Transaction terms.
8. Customer Confirmation
Where a Transaction requires Customer confirmation, the Customer may confirm that:
- the Product has been received;
- the Product is materially consistent with the order;
- the Service has been completed;
- the agreed milestone has been achieved;
- the agreed deliverables have been received; or
- the Transaction has otherwise been satisfactorily completed.
Customers must not deliberately provide false confirmations or abuse MiddlePay's transaction-protection mechanisms.
9. Cancellation of Services
Cancellation rights may differ depending on the nature of the Service.
Where a Service has not yet commenced, cancellation may be subject to the agreed cancellation terms.
Where an Artisan or Service Provider has already incurred reasonable costs, purchased materials, commenced work or reserved a specific appointment or resource, the applicable cancellation or refund amount may take those circumstances into account, subject to applicable law and the agreed Transaction terms.
Certain Services may be non-refundable once commenced, particularly where the Service is customised, time-specific or has already been substantially performed.
10. Custom and Made-to-Order Products
Where an Artisan or Vendor creates a customised or made-to-order Product, the Customer acknowledges that the Product may differ slightly from reference images, samples or descriptions due to:
- materials;
- craftsmanship;
- measurements;
- colour variation;
- manufacturing processes; or
- other reasonable variations.
However, the Seller remains responsible for ensuring that the final Product substantially conforms to the agreed specifications.
11. Professional and Regulated Services
Certain services may require professional qualifications, licences, permits, registrations or other regulatory approvals.
Where applicable, the Service Provider or Artisan is solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining those requirements.
MiddlePay does not guarantee that a Seller's qualifications, licences or professional competence are sufficient for a particular engagement unless MiddlePay expressly states that such verification has been performed.
Customers should independently assess whether a Seller is appropriate for their specific needs.
12. Seller Content and Portfolios
Sellers may upload photographs, videos, descriptions, portfolios, reviews, business information and other content.
The Seller represents that they have the necessary rights to upload and use such content.
The Seller grants MiddlePay a non-exclusive licence to host, display, reproduce and use the content solely as reasonably necessary to operate, market and improve the Platform and the Seller's listing, subject to applicable law.
13. Reviews and Ratings
MiddlePay may allow Customers to rate or review Sellers, Artisans and Service Providers.
Reviews must be genuine and based on the Customer's actual experience.
Users must not:
- submit fake reviews;
- manipulate ratings;
- threaten another User to obtain a favourable review;
- offer fraudulent incentives for reviews;
- impersonate another Customer; or
- deliberately submit misleading information.
MiddlePay may remove reviews that violate applicable policies or laws.
14. Seller Verification
MiddlePay may offer different levels of Seller verification.
Verification may include:
- identity verification;
- business verification;
- document verification;
- phone or email verification;
- bank-account verification;
- professional-qualification verification; or
- other verification procedures.
A verification badge or status does not constitute a guarantee, warranty or endorsement of a Seller's Products or Services.
MiddlePay may withdraw verification where information becomes inaccurate or where the Seller no longer satisfies the applicable requirements.
15. Delivery, Performance and Completion
For Products, the Seller is responsible for fulfilment and delivery unless otherwise agreed.
For Services, the Service Provider or Artisan is responsible for performing the agreed Service within the agreed timeframe and scope.
Where a third-party delivery or logistics provider is used, the Seller remains responsible for providing accurate delivery information and complying with the applicable Transaction terms.
MiddlePay may facilitate communication, payment and transaction protection but does not guarantee the performance of an independent Seller or third-party delivery provider.