website terms and conditions.
1. Terms and Conditions
Please read the terms and conditions (the “Terms and Conditions”) set forth below, as they apply to your access and use of our services and any and all aspect relating to them, including our various websites, APIs, email notifications, applications, buttons and widgets (the “Services”), and any information, text, graphics, photos or other materials uploaded, downloaded or appearing on the Services (collectively referred to as the “Content”). Your access to and use of the Services signifies your acceptance of these Terms and Conditions and agreement to be bound by them and any and all other applicable terms referenced herein absolutely.
Specifically, your access to and use of the Services signifies your acceptance and agreement of the following:
(a) There is no partnership or joint venture between Sponge Beauty Limited and the freelancers who render the beauty services (the “Freelancers”), Sponge Beauty Limited is not the agent of the Freelancers, any and every Freelancer is not the agent of Sponge Beauty Limited, any and every Freelancer is not authorised to make or enter into any commitment for or on behalf of Sponge Beauty Limited, and there is no relationship of employment between Sponge Beauty Limited and each and every Freelancer. These statements are true are are accepted by you even if anything is implied to the contrary.
(b) The Freelancers act on their own behalf, and not for the benefit of any other person, entity or organisation. These statements are true are are accepted by you even if anything is implied to the contrary.
(c) Sponge Beauty Limited is not responsible and cannot be found liable for any and all actions (including but not limited to actions of a criminal nature), omissions (including but not limited to omissions of a criminal nature), and oral or written statements (including but not limited to oral or written statements of a criminal nature) by the customer and/or by the Freelancer before, during and after the customer’s appointment. Additionally, Sponge Beauty Limited is not responsible and cannot be found liable for the Freelancer’s certifications, license, permits, insurance and related representations, or lack thereof. These statements are true are are accepted by you even if anything is implied to the contrary.
2. Other applicable terms
2.1 These Terms and Conditions refer to the additional terms in our Website Privacy Policy, which also apply to your use of our Services.
2.2 Our Website Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we process any personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us. By using our Services, you consent to such processing and you warrant that all data provided by you is accurate. You understand that through your use of the Services you consent to the collection and use (as set forth in the Website Privacy Policy) of this information, including the transfer of this information both within and outside of Hong Kong for storage, processing and use by us. As part of providing you the Services, we may need to provide you with certain communications, such as service announcements and administrative messages. These communications are considered part of the Services, which you may not be able to opt-out from receiving.
3. Information about us
The Services are provided and operated by Sponge Beauty Limited. We are a limited liability company registered in Hong Kong with registration number 2378029, and the following address: Room 1405, 135 Bonham Strand Trade Centre, 135 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.
4. Changes of terms
We may amend the Terms and Conditions from time to time at our sole discretion without notice or liability to you. By continuing to use the Services following such amendments to the Terms and Conditions, you agree to be bound by such amendments.
5. Changes to our services
5.1 The Services that we provide are always evolving and the form and nature of the Services that we provide may change from time to time without prior notice to you. In addition, we may stop (permanently or temporarily) providing the Services (or any features within the Services) to you or to users generally and not be able to provide you with prior notice. We also retain the right to create limits on use and storage at our sole discretion at any time and without prior notice to you.
5.2 We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that our Services or any content on our site is accurate, complete or up to date.
6. Accessing our services
6.1 Our Services are made available free of charge.
6.2 We do not guarantee that our Services, or any content, will always be available or be uninterrupted. Access to our Services is permitted on a temporary basis. We may suspend, withdraw, discontinue or change all or any part of our Services without notice. We will not be liable to you if for any reason our Services are unavailable at any time or for any period.
6.3 You are responsible for making all arrangements necessary for you to have access to our Services.
6.4 You are also responsible for ensuring that all persons who access our Services through your internet connection are aware of these Terms and Conditions and other applicable terms and conditions, and that they comply with them.
7. Your licence to use the services
Sponge Beauty Limited gives you a personal, worldwide, royalty-free, non-assignable and non-exclusive licence to use the software that is provided to you by us as part of the Services. This licence is for the sole purpose of enabling you to use and enjoy the benefit of the Services as provided by Sponge Beauty Limited, in the manner permitted by these Terms and Conditions.
8. Our intellectual property rights
8.1 All intellectual property rights subsisting in respect of the Services belong to Sponge Beauty Limited or have been lawfully licensed to Sponge Beauty Limited for use in connection with the Services. All rights under applicable laws are hereby reserved. You are not allowed to upload, post, publish, reproduce, transmit or distribute in any way any component of the website itself or create derivative works with respect thereto, as the website is copyrighted under applicable laws.
8.2 You agree that we are free to use, disclose, adopt and modify all and any ideas, concepts, knowhow, proposals, suggestions, comments and other communications and information provided by you to us (the “Feedback”) in connection with the Services and/or your use of the Services without any payment to you. You hereby waive and agree to waive all and any rights and claims for any consideration, fees, royalties, charges and/or other payments in relation to our use, disclosure, adoption and/or modification of any or all of your Feedback.
9. Limited liability and warranty
Please read this section carefully since it limits the liability of Sponge Beauty Limited and its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, related companies, officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, partners, and licensors (collectively, the “Entities of Sponge Beauty Limited”). Each of the subsections below only applies up to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law. Some jurisdictions do not allow the disclaimer of implied warranties or the limitation of liability in contracts, and as a result the contents of this section may not apply to you. Nothing in this section is intended to limit any rights you may have which may not be lawfully limited. All Information is for your general reference only. We do not accept any responsibility whatsoever in respect of such information.
9.1 YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF OUR SERVICES IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK AND IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, “AS AVAILABLE”. THE SERVICES ARE FOR YOUR PERSONAL USE ONLY AND THE ENTITIES OF SPONGE BEAUTY LIMITED MAKE NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES ON MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.
9.2 THE ENTIRE LIABILITY OF THE ENTITIES OF SPONGE BEAUTY LIMITED AND YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES OR OTHERWISE, IS RE-PERFORMANCE OF DEFECTIVE SERVICES. IN JURISDICTIONS WHICH DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN TYPES OF LIABILITY, OUR LIABILITY WILL BE LIMITED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. WE DO NOT ENDORSE, WARRANT OR GUARANTEE ANY MATERIAL, PRODUCT OR SERVICE OFFERED THROUGH US OR OUR SERVICES. WE ARE NOT AND WILL NOT BE A PARTY TO ANY TRANSACTION BETWEEN YOU AND ANY THIRD PARTY.
9.3 IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF THE ENTITIES OF SPONGE BEAUTY LIMITED EXCEED ONE THOUSAND HONG KONG DOLLARS (HKD 1,000).
9.4 The Entities of Sponge Beauty Limited shall not guarantee or assume any responsibility that:
(a) the information presented in our Services is accurate, adequate, current or reliable, or may be used for any purpose other than for general reference;
(b) the information presented in our Services is free of defect, error, omission, virus or anything which may change, erase, add to or damage your software, data or equipment;
(c) messages sent through the internet including in connection with the services will be free from interception, corruption, error, delay or loss;
(d) access to the Services will be available or be uninterrupted;
(e) use of the Services will achieve any particular result; or
(f) defects in the Services will be corrected.
9.5 Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in no event will the Entities of Sponge Beauty Limited be liable to you or any other person for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, punitive or consequential loss or damages, including any loss of business or profit, arising out of any use, or inability to use, the information or the services, even if any of the Entities of Sponge Beauty Limited has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages.
9.6 You will exercise and rely solely on your own skill and judgment in your use and interpretation of the information and use of the services. You are responsible to ensure that your use of the information and the Services complies with all applicable legal requirements.
9.7 Without prejudice to the foregoing, if your use of the Services does not proceed satisfactorily and/or where applicable you do not receive appropriate responses to such use from us, as set out in these Terms and Conditions or otherwise, you are advised to contact us at [email protected]. No such lack of response shall be deemed to constitute any acquiescence or waiver.
9.8 The limitation of liability contained in these Terms and Conditions will apply to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws.
10. Content copyright policy
10.1 Sponge Beauty Limited respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects users of the Services to do the same. We will respond to notices of alleged copyright infringement that comply with applicable law and are properly provided to us. If you believe that your Content has been copied in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please provide us with the following information: (i) a physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or a person authorised to act on their behalf; (ii) identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed; (iii) identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing or to be the subject of infringing activity and that is to be removed or access to which is to be disabled, and information reasonably sufficient to permit us to locate the material; (iv) your contact information, including your address, telephone number, and an email address; (v) a statement by you that you have a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorised by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and (vi) a statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and that you are authorised to act on behalf of the copyright owner.
10.2 We reserve the right to remove Content alleged to be infringing without prior notice, at our sole discretion, and without liability to you. In appropriate circumstances, we will also terminate a user's account if the user is determined to be a repeat infringer. Our address for notice of alleged copyright infringement appearing on the Services is [email protected]
11. Use of the services
11.1 We reserve the right at all times (but will not have an obligation), to suspend or terminate users, and to reclaim usernames without liability to you. We also reserve the right to access, read, preserve, and disclose any information as we reasonably believe is necessary to (i) satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or governmental request, (ii) enforce the Terms and Conditions, including investigation of potential violations hereof, (iii) detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security or technical issues, (iv) respond to user support requests, or (v) protect the rights, property or safety of Sponge Beauty Limited its users and the public.
11.2 We do not guarantee that our Services will be secure or free from bugs or viruses. You are responsible for configuring your information technology, computer programmes and platform in order to access our site. You should use your own virus protection software.
11.3 You may not do any of the following while accessing or using the Services: (i) access, tamper with, or use non-public areas of the Services, Sponge Beauty Limited's computer systems, or the technical delivery systems of Sponge Beauty Limited's providers; (ii) probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of any system or network or breach or circumvent any security or authentication measures; (iii) access or search or attempt to access or search the Services by any means (automated or otherwise) other than through our currently available, published interfaces that are provided by us (and only pursuant to those terms and conditions), (scraping the Services without our prior consent is expressly prohibited); (iv) forge any TCP/IP packet header or any part of the header information in any email or posting, or in any way use the Services to send altered, deceptive or false source-identifying information; or (v) interfere with, or disrupt, (or attempt to do so), the access of any user, host or network, including, without limitation, sending a virus, trojan, worm, logic bomb or other material which is malicious or technologically harmful, overloading, flooding, spamming, mail-bombing the Services, or by scripting the creation of Content in such a manner as to interfere with or create an undue burden on the Services.
11.4 We will report any such breach to the relevant law enforcement authorities and we will co-operate with those authorities by disclosing your identity to them. In the event of such a breach, your right to use our Services will cease immediately.
12. Linking to us
You may link to our Services provided you do so in a way that is fair and legal and does not damage our reputation or take advantage of it. You must not establish a link in such a way as to suggest any form of association, approval or endorsement on our part where none exists. You must not establish a link to our Services in any website that is not owned by you. We reserve the right to withdraw linking permission without notice.
13. Third-party links and resources in our site
13.1 The links from the Services may take you to other sites or services and you acknowledge and agree that Sponge Beauty Limited has no responsibility for the accuracy or availability of any Information provided by third parties services and websites.
13.2 The Services may include advertisements, which may be targeted to the Content or information on the Services, queries made through the Services, or other information. The types and extent of advertising by Sponge Beauty Limited on the Services are subject to change. In consideration for us granting you access to and use of the Services, you agree that Sponge Beauty Limited and its third-party providers and partners may place such advertising on the Services or in connection with the display of Content or information from the Services whether submitted by you or others.
13.3 Links to other websites and services do not constitute an endorsement by us of such websites or services, or the Information, products, advertising or other materials available made available by such third parties.
14. Payment Terms
14.1 Ordering Services. Sponge Beauty Limited does not assume responsibility, and no indemnification of any kind will be awarded to you, for any cost endured by you based on correspondences (including but not limited to verbal or written correspondences) between you and Sponge Beauty Limited. Appointments for Services are confirmed only once you successfully submit your information on the booking page (www.gosponge.com/book). You must provide us with a valid credit card (“Payment Provider”) as a condition to signing up for the Services, including free Services. Your Payment Provider agreement governs your use of the designated credit card, and you must refer to that agreement and not this Agreement to determine your rights and liabilities. By providing us with your credit card number and associated payment information, you agree that Sponge Beauty Limited is authorized to immediately charge your card for all fees and charges due and payable to us hereunder and that no additional notice or consent is required. You agree to immediately notify Sponge Beauty Limited of any change in your billing address or the credit card used for payment hereunder. We may change the pricing for the Services (from time to time in our sole discretion) by updating the price list included in the Services and without any additional notice to you, provided that any changes will not affect any Services purchased prior to the notice.
14.2 Payment Process. If you order a Service, you agree to pay the then-current applicable Service fee listed in the Services or the website of our third party booking agent (“Booking Agent”) as linked to from the website. We, or our Booking Agent, will automatically bill your credit card submitted in ordering the Service on the date the Service is ordered, and each time you book an appointment thereafter. All payments follow the cancellation and late/no show policies below. Any amounts not paid when due will bear interest at the rate of one and one half percent (1.5%) per month, or the maximum legal rate if less. If any fee cannot be charged to your credit card for any reason, we may provide you, via email, notice of such non-payment and a link for you to update your payment information.
14.3 Promotional Codes. We may, in our sole discretion, create promotional codes that may be redeemed for benefits related to the Services, subject to any additional terms that we establish on a per promotional code basis (“Promo Codes”). Unless otherwise expressly stated in additional terms we establish for a particular Promo Code, Promo Codes may only be used once per person, multiple Promo Codes cannot be used in a single transaction or Service visit, and each Promo Code benefit may only be redeemed once per account. Only Promo Codes sent to you through official Sponge Beauty Limited communications channels are valid. You further agree: (i) to use Promo Codes only for their intended purpose, and in a lawful manner; (ii) you will not alter, duplicate, sell, transfer or redistribute Promo Codes in any manner (including, without limitation, by posting Promo Codes to a website or other public forum), unless expressly permitted by us; (iii) Promo Codes may be disabled by us at any time for any reason without liability to us; (iv) Promo Codes may only be used pursuant to this Agreement and any specific additional terms that we establish for a Promo Code; (v) Promo Codes have no cash value; and (vi) Promo Codes may expire prior to your use.
14.4 Reservation of Rights. We reserve the right to withhold or deduct benefits obtained through the use of Promo Codes by you or any other user in the event we determine in our sole discretion that the use or redemption of the Promo Code in question was in error, fraudulent, illegal, or in violation of the applicable Promo Code terms or the terms of this Agreement. Once you have redeemed a Promo Code or used any credit in your Account to purchase Services, no further promotional value adjustments or credits will be issued for any reason, including but not limited to, dissatisfaction with the Services.
14.5 Change of Booked Services. We reserve the right to charge the credit card you used to book your appointment, for any increase in price due to any and all changes or add-ons to any and all Services booked by you.
15. Cancellation Policy
If you cancel your appointment 24 hours or more before your appointment start time, you will be refunded 50% of the service price.
If you cancel your appointment within 24 hours of your appointment start time, you will not be refunded any portion of the service price.
All refunds will be made using the original payment method.
All cancellations on services booked with a promo code will result in the forfeiture of that promo code. Sponge Beauty Limited does not do refunds or exchanges.
Sponge Beauty Limited reserves the right to refuse service or cancel appointments at its sole discretion. No credits or promotional value adjustments will be made in the event we cancel a free Service.
16. Late or No Show Policy
If you do not show up for your appointment within 10 minutes of your appointment time, the appointment is forfeited and you will not be refunded any portion of the service price. Sponge Beauty Limited does not do refunds or exchanges.
17. Your Responsibilities
As the recipient of Services, you agree to assume certain responsibilities. When you purchase Services, you agree to comply with any rules or requirements applicable to the Service purchased and that you are made aware of, including as part of any confirmation email (the “Requirements”). Whether or not there are Requirements, you agree to: (a) create in your home (or other space where the freelancers are invited to perform the Services) a safe, clean, and reasonably comfortable workspace that is free of conditions that would make it difficult for the freelancers to perform their jobs (all as determined in each of our freelancer’s sole discretion); (b) provide a workspace that has access to bathroom facilities and is in close proximity to an electrical outlet and a sink with hot and cold running water; and (c) refrain, and cause other individuals present in your household to refrain, from any speech, conduct, or personal displays that a reasonable person would find offensive, intimidating, hostile, harassing, indecent or abusive while the freelancers are present. If you have pets, you agree to confine all of your pets to a room where the freelancers will not be working. If you have a child or children under the age of 13, you agree that childcare (provided by someone other than you and the freelancer) will be present. This is important as the freelancer will have equipment that can injure a child and the freelancer will be focused on you. We reserve the right to terminate or refuse Services to anyone at any time in the event you do not fulfill your responsibilities as set forth in this Section or if a freelancer feels unsafe or uncomfortable with their work environment or conditions for any reason.
18. Indemnity
You agree to defend, indemnify and hold us harmless from and against all liabilities, damages, claims, actions, costs and expenses (including without limitation legal fees), in connection with or arising from your breach of any of these Terms and Conditions and/or your use of the website. We may, if necessary, participate in the defence of any claim or action and any negotiations for settlement. No settlement which may adversely affect our rights or obligations shall be made without our prior written approval. We reserve the right, at our own expense and on notice to you, to assume exclusive defence and control of any claim or action.
19. Severance
The illegality, invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Terms and Conditions under the law of any jurisdiction shall not affect its legality, validity or enforceability under the laws of any other jurisdiction nor the legality, validity or enforceability of any other provision.
20. Several users
If there are two or more persons adhering to these Terms and Conditions as user, their liability under the Terms and Conditions is joint and several, and their rights are joint.
21. Waiver
No failure or delay by a party to exercise any right or remedy provided under this agreement or by law shall constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor shall it prevent or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy. No single or partial exercise of such right or remedy shall prevent or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy.
22. Termination
22.1 The Terms and Conditions will continue to apply until terminated by either you or us as follows.
22.2 You may end your agreement with us at any time for any reason by deactivating your accounts and discontinuing your use of the Services. You do not need to specifically inform us when you stop using the Services.
22.3 We may suspend or terminate your accounts or cease providing you with all or part of the Services at any time for any reason, including, but not limited to, if we reasonably believe: (i) you have violated these Terms and Conditions or (ii) you create risk or possible legal exposure for us; or (iii) our provision of the Services to you is no longer commercially viable. We will make reasonable efforts to notify you by the email address associated with your account or the next time you attempt to access your account.
22.4 In all such cases, any provision of these Terms and Conditions that expressly or by implication is intended to come into or continue in force on or after termination of this agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
22.5 Nothing in this section shall affect our rights to change, limit or stop the provision of the Services without prior notice, as provided above in Clause 5 Changes to our services.
23. Governing law and jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Hong Kong courts.
24. Gift Certificates
When you buy or receive a Sponge gift certificate, the following terms and conditions shall apply. Sponge gift certificates can only be redeemed by entering the full digit code on the Sponge website booking page (www.gosponge.com/book) before the expiration date listed on the gift certificate. Sponge Beauty Limited does not do refunds or exchanges of gift certificates. The value of your gift certificate, monetary or otherwise, will not be replaced by Sponge Beauty Limited if your gift certificate is expired, lost, stolen or damaged. We reserve the right to correct your gift certificate if we believe that a clerical, billing, or accounting error occurred. Sponge Beauty Limited may modify any of the terms and conditions governing use of the Sponge gift certificates at any time, with or without notice, even though these changes may affect your ability to use your gift card, subject to our compliance with applicable laws.
25. Languages
In case of discrepancies between the English and Chinese language versions of these Terms and Conditions and contents of this site, the English version shall prevail.
Last updated: 5 March 2018
