Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing privateivytutors.com or using our services ("Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree to these terms, you may not use this Platform. Access to the Platform is conditioned on your acceptance of and compliance with these Terms. Account holders must be 18 years or older, or have verifiable parental/guardian consent. Students under 18 require active parental or guardian supervision and consent.

2. No School Affiliation

Private Ivy Tutors is an independent tutoring network operated by Sonic Solutions LLC. We are NOT affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Sarasota County Schools, Pine View School, or any educational institution. All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Our use of these names is for identification purposes only.

3. Platform Role & Disclaimer

Private Ivy Tutors operates as an intermediary connecting students and families with independent tutors. We do NOT employ tutors—they are independent contractors. We are not responsible for:

• Tutor performance, teaching quality, or academic outcomes.
• Student grades, test scores, or academic progress.
• Tutor conduct, professionalism, or compliance with laws.
• Content of tutoring sessions or course materials provided by tutors.
• Any disputes between students/families and tutors outside the Platform.

Users accept full responsibility for verifying tutor qualifications and evaluating session suitability before booking.

4. User Accounts & Responsibilities

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities under your account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, complete, and current information when registering.
• Update your information promptly if changes occur.
• Use the Platform only for its intended lawful purposes.
• Not engage in harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior toward tutors or other users.
• Not attempt to circumvent Platform rules or security measures.
• Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms.

5. Payments, Bucks, & Refunds

All sessions are booked and paid using "Private Ivy Bucks," our in-app prepaid currency. Terms:

• Prepaid Only: No off-platform payments (cash, Venmo, Zelle, etc.). All transactions must occur on our Platform.
• Completed Sessions: Non-refundable except in cases of tutor no-show or confirmed disputes (reviewed case-by-case).
• Unused Bucks: Refundable within 30 days of purchase, minus a 5% processing fee.
• Disputes: Report disputes within 7 days of session completion. We will investigate and resolve fairly.
• Stripe Processing: All payments are securely processed by Stripe. See our Privacy Policy for payment data handling.

Refunds are processed within 5-7 business days to the original payment method. Prices are subject to change with notice.

6. SMS Messaging Program (TCPA Compliant)

Private Ivy Tutors (Sonic Solutions LLC, +1 (941) 263-0052) sends non-marketing SMS messages for:

• Tutoring session reminders and confirmations to parents/guardians.
• Tutor payout notifications.
• Schedule changes and urgent alerts.

Message frequency varies. Standard message and data rates apply. To manage SMS:

• Reply STOP to unsubscribe (note: you may miss urgent alerts).
• Reply HELP for assistance.
• Contact info@privateivytutors.com or +1 (941) 263-0052.
• Consent is NOT required for using the Platform (optional checkbox).

Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. See our Privacy Policy for data handling details.

7. Non-Circumvention & Platform Integrity

Once you interact with a tutor through our Platform, you agree NOT to book sessions with that tutor outside the Platform for 24 months following the interaction. This includes:

• Direct payments (cash, Venmo, etc.).
• Use of third-party tutoring platforms.
• Private arrangements not facilitated by Private Ivy Tutors.

Violations will result in immediate account termination, forfeiture of remaining Bucks, and potential legal action. This protects our business model and ensures sustainable operations.

8. Intellectual Property

All content on the Platform—including logos, design, text, graphics, and code—is owned by or licensed to Private Ivy Tutors and protected by copyright and intellectual property laws. You may not:

• Reproduce, distribute, or transmit any content without written permission.
• Reverse-engineer or attempt to access source code.
• Use our trademarks or branding without authorization.

Limited personal use is permitted. Unauthorized use may result in legal action.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Private Ivy Tutors, its owners, employees, and agents from any claims, losses, damages, or legal expenses arising from:

• Your use of the Platform or violation of these Terms.
• Your disputes with tutors or other users.
• Your breach of any law or regulation.
• Content you provide or statements you make.

10. Limitation of Liability & Disclaimers

AS-IS BASIS: The Platform is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We disclaim all warranties including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

LIABILITY CAP: Our total liability for any claim is limited to fees paid by you in the 6 months preceding the claim, or $100, whichever is greater.

NO INDIRECT DAMAGES: We are NOT liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages, including lost profits or data, even if advised of such damages.

Some jurisdictions do not allow liability limitations, so these limits may not apply to you.

11. Dispute Resolution & Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict of law principles. You agree that:

• Any legal action or claim must be brought within one year of the claim arising.
• Disputes will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Sarasota County, Florida.
• You consent to the jurisdiction and venue of these courts.
• You waive any objection to venue and any claim of inconvenient forum.

For support issues, contact info@privateivytutors.com or +1 (941) 263-0052 before pursuing legal action.

12. Termination & Account Suspension

We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your account immediately for:

• Violation of these Terms.
• Illegal activity or fraud.
• Non-circumvention policy breaches.
• Abusive or harassing behavior.
• Payment disputes or chargebacks.

Upon termination, remaining Bucks may be forfeited at our discretion. You remain liable for all fees and obligations incurred before termination.

13. Modifications to Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date and notified via email to your registered address. Your continued use of the Platform after updates constitute acceptance of the modified Terms. Review these Terms periodically for changes.

14. Severability & Waiver

If any provision of these Terms is deemed invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be severed, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force. No waiver of any provision is effective unless in writing and signed by an authorized representative.