Terms of Service

Last updated: September 2026

1. Definitions

  • “Platform” — Barbed, including the web app at barbed.ai and associated services.
  • “Guide” — an outdoor guide service provider who uses the Platform.
  • “Client” — a person who contacts a Guide through the Platform to inquire about or book trips.
  • “Barb” — the automated assistant that manages communications, bookings, and payments on a Guide's behalf.
  • “Service Fee” — a per-booking fee of 3–5% of the trip price, paid by the Guide, charged on top of the trip cost via Stripe.
  • “Guild” — the referral rewards program.
  • “Content” — materials uploaded or transmitted through the Platform.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account, accessing, or using the Platform, you agree to these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you use the Platform on behalf of a business, you represent that you have authority to bind that entity.

3. Eligibility & Registration

You must be at least 18 years old. Sign-in is passwordless — a one-time code sent to your email. You are responsible for the security of your email account and for activity under your Platform account, and for keeping your information accurate.

4. Service Description

Barb helps Guides run their businesses by:

  • Responding to Client inquiries via SMS, WhatsApp, and email
  • Checking calendar availability and managing trip bookings
  • Generating branded payment links and tracking payment status
  • Syncing with Google Calendar and Outlook
  • Providing a web dashboard for settings, conversation history, and trip detail

Barb communicates with Clients on the Guide's behalf using the Guide's dedicated numbers. The Guide controls what Barb may do autonomously versus what requires approval.

5. Fees & Payments

Service Fee. Barb charges a per-booking Service Fee of 3–5% of the trip price, added on top of the trip cost and paid by the Guide. There is no monthly subscription.

Payment Processing. Client payments are processed through Stripe Connect on the Guide's own connected Stripe account. Barb collects its Service Fee as a Stripe application fee and is not the merchant of record for trip payments. By using the Platform you agree to Stripe's Connected Account Agreement. We do not store card or bank details.

Refunds. Refunds are governed by the Guide's cancellation policy for each outing. The Barb Service Fee and Stripe's processing fee are non-refundable, and any refund is net of those fees.

Disputes. Payment disputes and chargebacks are between the Guide, the Client, and Stripe. Barbed is not responsible for failed, disputed, or reversed payments.

6. Guild Referral Program

Guides can refer other Guides. When a referred Guide transacts on the Platform, the referrer earns 30% of Barb's Service Fee on that Guide's bookings, credited to their Guild wallet and payable via Stripe. Guild credits are promotional referral credits, not stored funds. Self-referrals and fraudulent referrals are prohibited and may result in forfeiture. Barbed may modify or end the program with 30 days' notice.

7. Guide Responsibilities

  • Provide accurate information about your trips, pricing, and availability
  • Honor confirmed bookings and deliver the services described
  • Maintain all required licenses, permits, certifications, and liability insurance
  • Set and communicate clear cancellation policies
  • Comply with all applicable laws and report income for tax purposes
  • Review Barb's actions and maintain appropriate permission settings

Independent Contractor. Guides are independent contractors, not employees or agents of Barbed.ai LLC. The Platform does not control how you provide your guiding services.

8. Automated Assistant Terms

Barb acts on your behalf based on your settings and permission levels. You are responsible for the actions Barb takes for you (bookings, payment requests, messages). Barb may occasionally err or misinterpret requests; review its actions regularly and keep sensitive actions in an approval-required mode until you are comfortable. Barb is provided without a guarantee of accuracy.

9. Calendar Integration

When you connect Google Calendar or Outlook, Barb reads events to determine availability and creates/updates events when trips are booked or changed. You can disconnect at any time, which immediately deletes stored calendar data. Integration is subject to Google's and Microsoft's terms.

10. Messaging & SMS Program

The Platform supports SMS, WhatsApp, and email. You receive dedicated numbers provisioned through Twilio and registered under Barbed's A2P 10DLC campaign for SMS compliance. By opting in you consent to receive transactional messages (verification codes, booking and payment messages, reminders, client communications). Message frequency varies; message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Your number is never shared with third parties for marketing. See our SMS Terms.

11. Third-Party Integrations

Connecting a third-party service (Google, Microsoft, Stripe, Twilio) authorizes Barb to access the data necessary to perform its functions, subject to that provider's terms. You can disconnect any integration at any time. We are not responsible for outages or changes caused by third parties.

12. Intellectual Property

The Platform's software, design, and marks are the property of Barbed.ai LLC. You retain ownership of Content you provide and grant Barbed a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use it solely to operate the service; this license ends when you remove the Content or close your account.

13. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to provide false information, use the Platform unlawfully, harass others, upload infringing Content, reverse-engineer the Platform, send unsolicited commercial messages, or manipulate the Guild program. We may investigate violations and suspend or terminate accounts.

14. Disclaimers & Limitation of Liability

The Platform is provided “as is” without warranties of any kind. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Barbed.ai LLC is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, and its total liability is limited to the Service Fees you paid in the 12 months preceding the claim.

15. Indemnification, Termination & Changes

You agree to indemnify Barbed.ai LLC against claims arising from your use of the Platform or your guiding services. Either party may terminate at any time; certain provisions survive termination. We may update these Terms with notice; continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

16. Governing Law & Contact

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Washington, USA. Barbed.ai is operated by Barbed.ai LLC — contact support@barbed.ai.