Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using DiscoverTutor (“the Service”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use the Service.

2. Description of Service

DiscoverTutor is a platform that connects students with tutors. We provide tools for scheduling, communication, and payment processing between students and tutors. All prices and charges on the platform are in Canadian dollars (CAD).

3. User Accounts

3.1 Account Creation

To use certain features of the Service, you must create an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during the registration process.

3.2 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account.

3.3 Account Types

Users may register as students or tutors. Each account type has different rights and responsibilities as outlined in these terms.

4. User Conduct

You agree to use the Service only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You agree not to:

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Impersonate any person or entity
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users
• Upload malicious code or interfere with the Service
• Scrape or copy content without permission
• Use the Service for any unauthorized commercial purpose

5. Tutor Services

5.1 Independent Contractors

Tutors are independent contractors, not employees of DiscoverTutor. We do not control the quality, timing, or delivery of tutoring services. However, we will monitor tutor performance and response time to ensure a high standard of service.

5.2 Tutor Verification

While we may verify certain tutor credentials, we do not guarantee the accuracy of tutor profiles or the quality of tutoring services provided.

5.3 Tutor Responsibilities

Tutors are responsible for maintaining accurate profiles, honoring booking commitments, and providing services in a professional manner.

6. Bookings and Payments

6.1 Booking Requests and Approval

Students may request tutoring sessions through the platform. A booking is not confirmed until the tutor approves it. Booking requests expire if not approved within 72 hours or before the scheduled start time, whichever comes first.

6.2 Payment Processing and Timing

Payments are processed through third-party payment processors (such as Stripe). During checkout, we collect a payment method and create a booking hold. Charges are only captured after a tutor approves a booking and the session start time has passed (currently 15 minutes after the scheduled start). If a tutor declines or a request expires, no charge is captured.

6.3 Platform Fees

For eligible paid tutoring sessions, the platform fee is 10% when the tutor's questionnaire, academic summary, and valid homework are completed on time; 13% when the questionnaire and summary are completed but homework is missing or late; and 15% when the summary is missing or late. An incomplete questionnaire adds 5 percentage points, producing tiers of 15%, 18%, or 20%. Homework is required for this fee calculation only when the individual session charge is at least $10 CAD or USD. Consultations and lower-cost sessions are not subject to the homework requirement.

6.4 Meeting Modes and Pricing

Tutors may offer sessions in one or more meeting modes: online, office (at the tutor's location), or travel (tutor comes to student's desired location). Each mode has its own hourly rate set by the tutor. Travel-mode sessions may include a per-kilometre surcharge based on the distance between the tutor's base location and the student's address.

6.5 Multi-Student Sessions

Tutors may allow sessions with more than one student. If a tutor has configured a per-extra-student fee, each additional student beyond the first is charged that fee per hour on top of the base session price. The total amount including any extra-student charges is shown at checkout.

6.6 Cancellations

Students can cancel confirmed bookings from their dashboard when the scheduled start time is at least 24 hours away, at no charge. Tutors may also cancel bookings before the session start time.

6.7 Late Cancellations (Within 24 Hours)

If a student requests to cancel a confirmed booking less than 24 hours before the scheduled session, the tutor may choose to apply a 50% late cancellation fee or waive the fee entirely. If the tutor does not respond within 12 hours of the cancellation request, the booking is automatically cancelled with no charge.

6.8 Tutor No-Show

If a tutor fails to appear for a confirmed session, the student may report a no-show within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time. A no-show claim opens a 1-hour window for the tutor to appeal. If no appeal is filed, the student is automatically refunded. Appealed claims are reviewed by our team.

6.9 Student No-Show

If a student fails to attend a confirmed session without cancelling, the session is charged in full. Students who repeatedly miss sessions may have their accounts reviewed.

6.10 Refunds

Full refunds are issued when a tutor cancels a booking or a confirmed no-show claim is resolved in the student's favour. Partial refunds (50%) are retained by the tutor when a late cancellation fee is applied. Refunds are processed to the original payment method and may take 5–10 business days to appear.

6.11 Recurring Sessions

Recurring sessions are charged per session on the same timing basis described above. Canceling a series stops future sessions, but past sessions remain charged.

6.12 Payment Failures

If a session charge fails (for example, due to insufficient funds or an expired card), DiscoverTutor will automatically retry the charge up to 5 times with increasing delays between attempts. Students are notified of each failed attempt and should update their payment method promptly. If all retries are exhausted the session remains unpaid and may be referred for further action.

6.13 Payout Timing

Tutor payouts are initiated 24 hours after a session charge succeeds. Actual bank deposit timing depends on Stripe and your financial institution, typically 2–5 business days.

7. Off-Platform Transactions

All tutoring bookings arranged through DiscoverTutor must be booked and paid for through the platform. Arranging sessions or payments outside the platform to circumvent fees is prohibited and may result in account suspension.

8. Minors and Parental/Guardian Consent

Users under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian create and manage their account. The parent or guardian is responsible for all obligations under these Terms, including payment authorisation and conduct.

9. Content and Intellectual Property

9.1 User Content

You retain ownership of content you submit to the Service. By submitting content, you grant DiscoverTutor a license to use, display, and distribute that content as necessary to provide the Service.

9.2 Platform Content

All content on the platform, including design, logos, and software, is owned by DiscoverTutor and protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

10. Privacy

Your use of the Service is also governed by our Privacy Policy. Please review it to understand how we collect, use, and protect your information.

11. Disclaimers

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. DISCOVERTUTOR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

We do not guarantee the quality of tutoring services, the accuracy of user profiles, or uninterrupted access to the platform.

12. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, DISCOVERTUTOR SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE.

Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid to DiscoverTutor in the twelve months preceding the claim.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless DiscoverTutor from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the Service or violation of these Terms.

14. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time for violation of these Terms or for any other reason at our discretion.

Upon termination, your right to use the Service will immediately cease.

15. Changes to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of material changes by posting the updated Terms on the platform. Your continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

16. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which DiscoverTutor operates, without regard to conflict of law principles.

17. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these Terms or use of the Service shall be resolved through binding arbitration, except where prohibited by law.

18. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us through the platform or at the contact information provided on our website.

19. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

20. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and DiscoverTutor regarding use of the Service.

21. SMS Program Terms

DiscoverTutor text notifications are optional. By enabling SMS in your notification settings, you agree to receive automated transactional messages related to your account, bookings, sessions, reminders, receipts, payouts, and review activity for the categories you select.

Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to unsubscribe or HELP for help. For support, contact info@discovertutor.ca.

Wireless carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. SMS consent is not required to use DiscoverTutor services.