Terms of Service — SideStops

1. Who we are

SideStops is a self-hosted local commerce discovery service that helps consumers find deals from businesses along their commute route. In these terms, "we", "us", and "SideStops" refer to the operator of this service. "You" refers to any person or entity using the service.

2. Accounts

You may use SideStops anonymously (with limited features) or create an account. If you create an account:

You must provide accurate email information and keep your password confidential.
You are responsible for all activity on your account.
You must be at least 13 years old to create a consumer account.
Some content categories (cannabis, adult) require a 21+ age attestation before we display them to you.
Merchant accounts require the account holder to have authority to represent the business they claim.

3. Acceptable use

You agree not to:

Use the service for any illegal purpose or in violation of any applicable law.
Post false, misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent business listings, deals, or content.
Claim businesses you don't own or have authority to represent.
Post content that infringes on intellectual property, is defamatory, harassing, hateful, or violates others' privacy.
Post images that depict explicit sexual content, illegal activity, or content involving minors in inappropriate contexts.
Attempt to scrape, reverse-engineer, or interfere with the operation of the service.
Use automated systems to submit content, create accounts, or interact with the service.
Impersonate any person or entity.

We reserve the right to remove content, suspend accounts, or terminate access for any violation of these terms, at our sole discretion.

4. Merchant subscriptions

Merchant accounts may subscribe to paid tiers (Pro, Super) which grant expanded posting limits and features. Subscriptions are billed monthly in advance and auto-renew until cancelled. You may cancel at any time; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. We do not refund partial months.

Consumer accounts may subscribe to Pro for enhanced features. Same billing and cancellation terms apply.

5. Deals, listings, and merchant conduct

Merchants are solely responsible for the accuracy and legality of their listings, deals, product descriptions, prices, and any transactions that result from a consumer visiting them. SideStops is not a party to any transaction between consumers and merchants — we do not sit between you and your customer. Redeeming a deal at a merchant is a transaction solely between the consumer and the merchant.

Merchants agree to honor deals they publish for the duration the deal is marked active. Repeated failure to honor published deals may result in account termination.

6. Age-restricted content

SideStops displays some business categories (cannabis dispensaries, adult retail, adult entertainment) only to signed-in users who have attested to being 21 years of age or older. By checking that attestation, you affirm your age and consent to seeing those categories. Providing false information to bypass this gate is a violation of these terms.

Cannabis-related merchants must comply with all applicable state and local laws governing advertising and sales in every jurisdiction where they operate. SideStops does not endorse and is not responsible for any cannabis merchant's compliance with such laws.

7. Content ownership and license

You retain ownership of content you submit (business info, deals, photos, etc.). You grant SideStops a worldwide, royalty-free license to display, distribute, and modify (e.g., resize images for map display) that content solely for the purpose of operating the service.

Map data comes from OpenStreetMap contributors and is used under the Open Database License. Address geocoding uses Photon (OpenStreetMap data). Routing uses OSRM with OpenStreetMap data.

8. Disclaimers

The service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. We do not warrant that:

The service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free.
Business listings, addresses, or contact information are accurate.
Merchants will honor deals or provide the goods and services listed.
Routing directions are safe or optimal — always use your judgment.

9. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, SideStops and its operators shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or in connection with your use of the service. Our total aggregate liability to you for any claim arising out of these terms or the service shall not exceed the greater of $100 or the amount you paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless SideStops and its operators from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of your use of the service, your content, or your violation of these terms.

11. Termination

You may close your account at any time. We may suspend or terminate your access if you violate these terms. Upon termination, your right to use the service ceases immediately, but any provisions that by their nature should survive termination will do so.

12. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by updating the "Last updated" date at the top and, for signed-in users, presenting a notice on your next visit. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

13. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Maryland, and you consent to their jurisdiction.

14. Contact

Questions about these terms? Contact us via the "Request your city" link on the map, or by any contact information we publish elsewhere on the service.