Terms of Service

Effective date: August 13, 2026 · Version 1.0
Operated by TownVines, Perry County, Indiana · admin@townvines.com

1. Agreement

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of townvines.com and all related services (the “Platform”). By using the Platform, creating an account, submitting a business listing, applying as a Vine Helper, posting a classified advertisement, or otherwise participating, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Platform.

2. What TownVines Is — and Is Not

TownVines is a community information and connection platform serving Perry County, Indiana and surrounding areas. We publish local news, a business directory, community events, classified advertisements, a barter board, a harvest board, and a directory of independent local helpers.

TownVines is not:

• an employer, employment agency, or staffing service
• an agent, broker, partner, or representative of any business, helper, or member
• a party to any transaction, agreement, job, sale, trade, or dispute between users
• a licensed contractor, inspector, financial advisor, legal advisor, or medical provider
• a guarantor of any service, product, price, listing, review, or outcome

We connect people. We do not perform, supervise, insure, or guarantee the work, goods, or conduct of anyone listed on the Platform.

3. Eligibility and Accounts

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, apply as a Vine Helper, post a classified advertisement, or enter into any transaction through the Platform.

The Platform is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected such information, we will delete it. See the Privacy Policy.

You are responsible for the accuracy of your account information, for keeping your password secure, and for all activity under your account. Notify us at admin@townvines.com if you believe your account has been compromised.

We may suspend or remove any account, listing, or profile at any time — with or without notice — to protect the community or enforce these Terms.

4. Vine Helper Rules

This section applies to everyone who applies for, holds, or hires through a Vine Helper profile. It is the “Vine Helper Rules” referenced in the application.

4.1 Independent status

Vine Helpers are independent service providers. They are not employees, contractors, agents, partners, or representatives of TownVines. Nothing on the Platform creates an employment, agency, partnership, or joint venture relationship.

4.2 No screening or verification

TownVines does not perform background checks, criminal record searches, identity verification, credential verification, license verification, or insurance verification on Vine Helpers, except where we expressly state otherwise on an individual profile.

Trust indicators such as member vouches or self-reported licensing are self-reported and unverified unless explicitly marked as verified by TownVines.

Customers are solely responsible for their own due diligence before hiring anyone. This includes verifying licenses, insurance, references, and suitability, and making their own safety decisions.

4.3 Helper responsibilities

Each Vine Helper is solely responsible for: obtaining and maintaining all licenses, permits, certifications, and insurance required under federal, Indiana, Perry County, and municipal law; their own pricing, estimates, invoicing, expenses, business records, and taxes; performing only work they can complete safely, lawfully, and competently; their own conduct, safety practices, tools, equipment, and transportation; and protecting the private information of the people they serve.

4.4 Terms between helper and customer

All job details, scope, pricing, payment, scheduling, cancellation, refunds, safety arrangements, and disputes are agreed directly between the helper and the customer. TownVines is not a party to that agreement, does not process payment for it, and will not adjudicate disputes arising from it.

4.5 Prohibited services

Vine Helpers may not offer, and members may not request through the Platform:

• childcare, babysitting, or supervision of minors
• medical, nursing, medication, or personal-care services
• transportation of persons for compensation
• firearms, ammunition, controlled substances, alcohol, tobacco, or vaping products
• anything requiring a license the helper does not currently hold
• anything unlawful under federal, Indiana, or local law

5. Business Directory

Businesses may request a listing. Listings are reviewed before publication, but review is not verification. We do not audit a business’s licensing, insurance, pricing claims, or the quality of its goods or services. Business information is supplied by the business, which is responsible for its accuracy.

Founding business listings. Businesses listed during the founding period receive a basic directory listing at no charge, and we intend to keep basic listings free. We may in future introduce optional paid upgrades, and we may modify, relocate, or discontinue any listing, feature, or the Platform itself. A free listing does not create a permanent contractual entitlement.

6. Classifieds, Marketplace, Barter and Harvest Board

TownVines is not a party to any of these transactions. We do not inspect goods, hold funds, provide escrow, verify sellers or buyers, arrange delivery, or guarantee that any transaction will be completed.

You may not post: firearms, ammunition, explosives or weapons; controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, alcohol, tobacco or vaping products; prescription medication or medical devices; live animals for sale; stolen, counterfeit, recalled or unsafe goods; adult content; content that is discriminatory, harassing, threatening, defamatory or unlawful; or anything requiring a license or permit you do not hold.

Meet safely. We recommend meeting in public places, bringing another person, and not sharing your home address until you choose to.

Home-produced food and produce. Sellers are responsible for compliance with Indiana Home Based Vendor rules and any applicable Perry County health requirements. TownVines does not inspect or approve food items.

7. Reviews, Ratings and User Content

You are responsible for what you post. It must be truthful, based on genuine experience, and free of personal information about others. You may not post content that is defamatory, knowingly false, harassing, discriminatory, threatening, obscene, or unlawful, or that reveals another person’s address, telephone number, access codes, or photographs without permission.

Photographs of identifiable people require that person’s permission. Photographs of minors require parental permission.

By posting, you grant TownVines a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to display, reproduce, and distribute your content on the Platform and in Platform promotion. You keep ownership.

Moderation. We may edit, refuse, or remove content at our discretion, but are under no obligation to monitor it. TownVines acts as a provider of an interactive computer service under 47 U.S.C. § 230 and is not the publisher or speaker of user content.

Reporting. Email admin@townvines.com with the page link and reason. We aim to review reports within five business days.

8. Local News and Information

News, event listings, and community content are provided for general information. We work to be accurate but do not warrant that any information is complete, current, or error-free. Nothing on the Platform is legal, financial, medical, or professional advice. Election and government information is a public service and is not an endorsement of any candidate, party, or position.

9. Advertising and Sponsorship

Advertising does not influence news coverage or directory placement, and sponsored content will be identified as such. Advertisers are responsible for the accuracy and legality of their advertisements. We may refuse or remove any advertisement.

10. Fees and Payment

Basic directory listings, helper profiles, and member accounts are currently offered without charge. Where fees apply, the price and terms will be disclosed before purchase. Unless stated otherwise, fees are non-refundable once a placement has been published. If we fail to deliver a paid placement, we will provide a replacement or a pro-rata refund.

11. Disclaimers

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, including any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, non-infringement, accuracy, or uninterrupted availability.

We do not warrant the conduct, honesty, competence, licensing, insurance, or safety of any user, helper, business, buyer, or seller. Your dealings with other users are at your own risk.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by Indiana law, TownVines and its owner, operators, and contributors will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, or for lost profits, lost data, loss of goodwill, personal injury, property damage, or emotional distress arising from or relating to your use of the Platform — whether based in contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or otherwise.

Our total aggregate liability for all claims will not exceed the greater of (a) the total amount you paid TownVines in the twelve months before the claim arose, or (b) one hundred United States dollars ($100).

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless TownVines and its owner, operators, and contributors from any claim, demand, loss, liability, damage, cost, or expense — including reasonable legal fees — arising from your use of the Platform, your content, your services or goods, your transactions with other users, or your breach of these Terms or of any law.

14. Intellectual Property

The TownVines name, logo, design, original written content, and compilation of the Platform are owned by TownVines. You may not copy, reproduce, scrape, or redistribute Platform content for commercial purposes without written permission. Business names, logos, and content supplied by businesses remain their property.

15. Termination

You may stop using the Platform and request account deletion at any time by emailing admin@townvines.com. We may suspend or terminate your access at any time, with or without notice. Sections 11, 12, 13, 14, and 17 survive termination.

16. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms. The effective date will change and material changes will be announced on the Platform. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance. Prior versions are available on request.

17. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Indiana, without regard to conflict-of-law rules.

Informal resolution first. Before filing any claim, you agree to contact admin@townvines.com and allow thirty (30) days to resolve the matter informally.

If that fails, any claim will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Perry County, Indiana, and you consent to the jurisdiction of those courts.

18. General

If any provision is found unenforceable, the rest remains in effect. Our failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver. These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, are the entire agreement between you and TownVines regarding the Platform. You may not assign your rights under these Terms.

19. Community Standards

This section is the “Community Standards” referenced elsewhere on the Platform. We ask everyone to:

• Be truthful. Do not misrepresent yourself, your business, your services, or your experience.
• Be respectful. No harassment, threats, discrimination, or personal attacks — including on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.
• Protect privacy. Do not share another person’s address, telephone number, photograph, access code, or personal circumstances without permission.
• Keep it local and constructive. No spam, no scams, no political attacks, no sensationalism.
• Speak up. Report fraud, abuse, unsafe conduct, or suspicious activity to admin@townvines.com.

Violating these standards may result in content removal, suspension, or permanent removal from the Platform.

20. Contact

TownVines · Perry County, Indiana · admin@townvines.com

Connecting Communities. Supporting Local. Growing Together.