Terms and Conditions of Use

In these Terms and Conditions, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings assigned to them below:

Cermora is an online marketplace and aggregator platform. The Company's role is limited to facilitating connections between Customers and Vendors.

2.1 Platform as Intermediary

• Cermora is an intermediary as defined under Section 2(1)(w) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. We do not own, control, operate, or manage any venue, catering unit, photography studio, or other facility listed on the Platform.
• All contracts for Event Services are entered into directly between the Customer and the Vendor. Cermora is not a party to such contracts.
• The Company does not provide Event Services itself and is not responsible for the performance, quality, legality, or suitability of any services provided by Vendors.

2.2 Vendor Independence

• Vendors are independent third-party service providers. They are not employees, agents, partners, or franchisees of Cermora.
• Vendors are solely responsible for the services they provide — including compliance with applicable laws, health and safety standards, food safety regulations, labour laws, and GST/tax obligations.
• Cermora does not endorse any Vendor or guarantee the quality of their services unless explicitly stated through a verified badge or quality certification program on the Platform.

2.3 Package / Bundled Event Offerings

• Where Cermora offers curated event packages that combine venue, photography, décor, catering, and other services into a single comprehensive offering, the Company acts as the principal service provider under the characterisation of Event Management Services.
• In such cases, Cermora takes responsibility for coordinating and delivering the bundled event, and the contract is between Cermora and the Customer.
• Terms specific to bundled packages will be outlined in the booking confirmation and event management agreement provided at the time of booking.

3.1 Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years of age to register and enter into legally binding contracts.
• By registering, you represent and warrant that you have legal capacity to enter contracts under the Indian Contract Act, 1872.
• If registering on behalf of a company, partnership, or other legal entity, you represent you have authority to bind that entity to these Terms.

3.2 Account Creation

• Registration requires a valid email and/or mobile number, verified via OTP.
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of account credentials and for all activities under your account.
• Notify us immediately at support@cermora.com of any unauthorised use of your account.
• Cermora reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms, engage in fraudulent activity, or provide false information.

3.3 Vendor Registration

• Vendors must provide accurate business details including GSTIN, PAN, business address, and proof of service capability.
• Vendors represent they are legally authorised to offer listed services and hold all necessary licences, permits, and clearances.
• Vendors must maintain a valid and active GSTIN at all times. Lapse must be reported to Cermora immediately.
• Cermora reserves the right to verify Vendor credentials and remove any Listing that does not meet platform standards.

4.1 Booking Process

• Customers may browse Listings, check availability, and initiate bookings through the Platform.
• A booking is confirmed only upon receipt of the booking confirmation email/SMS from Cermora and receipt of the applicable booking amount or advance payment.
• Availability displayed on the Platform is subject to real-time updates by Vendors. Cermora does not guarantee availability until a booking is confirmed.

4.2 Pricing and GST

• All prices are inclusive or exclusive of GST as indicated. Where applicable, GST is separately shown on the invoice.
• Standalone Vendor bookings: the Vendor's invoice (inclusive of their GST) will be the final tax document. Cermora's invoice is limited to its commission / facilitation fee.
• Bundled event packages: Cermora will issue a single composite invoice at 18% GST under SAC 998554 (Event Management Services).
• Prices may vary based on date, season, event type, and Vendor-specific factors. Cermora is not responsible for price changes made by Vendors after a booking is confirmed.

4.3 Payment Terms

• Payments are processed through secure PCI-DSS compliant third-party payment gateways (Razorpay, PayU, or similar).
• Cermora does not store credit/debit card information. All card data is handled by the payment gateway provider.
• Cermora deducts platform commission and applicable TCS at 1% under Section 52 of the CGST Act (for standalone Vendor bookings) before remitting balance to the Vendor.
• Easy EMI options are provided through partnered NBFCs/Banks. EMI terms, interest, and fees are governed by the NBFC/Bank's terms and are not within Cermora's control or responsibility.

4.4 Invoicing

• Standalone bookings: Vendors issue their own GST-compliant tax invoice to the Customer. Cermora issues a separate commission/facilitation invoice to the Vendor (where applicable).
• Bundled packages: Cermora issues a GST-compliant composite invoice to the Customer under SAC 998554.
• Customers requiring a GST invoice must provide their GSTIN at the time of booking. GSTIN cannot be added or changed after the invoice is issued.

Standardized Cancellation Tiers

Cermora uses a standardized, multi-tiered cancellation framework to balance flexibility for customers with revenue protection for vendors. When booking, vendors select one of three standard cancellation tiers to govern their listings.

Note: Cermora’s non-refundable booking service fee (typically 3–5%) is retained on all customer-initiated cancellations to cover payment processor and administrative overhead.

Special Handling & Edge Cases

• Deposit & Milestone Payments: Standard 20% initial deposits are strictly non-refundable after the first 24-hour grace period, regardless of the selected tier, as they cover vendor administrative costs and date-locking.
• Grace Period: Customers receive a 100% refund (including the platform service fee) if they cancel any booking within 24 hours of confirmation, provided the event is at least 14 days away.
• Vendor-Initiated Cancellations: If a vendor cancels a booking for any reason, the customer receives a 100% full refund (including all deposits and platform service fees), Cermora assists in finding a replacement vendor of equal quality, and the canceling vendor incurs a penalty fee.
• Force Majeure & Extraordinary Events: Events canceled due to declared natural disasters, government restrictions, severe weather alerts, or sudden severe health emergencies qualify for the Extenuating Circumstances Policy, waiving standard tier deadlines for credit or cash refunds minus unrecoverable hard costs already incurred by the vendor.

Dispute Resolution & Payout Schedule

• Vendor Payout Hold: Customer funds are held in secure escrow by Cermora until 24 hours after the event completion time.
• Dispute Window: Customers have 24 hours post-event to file a formal dispute (e.g., vendor no-show, severe service failure).
• Escrow Lock: If a dispute is filed within 24 hours, the payout is frozen until Cermora's mediation team reviews proof of service delivery and issues a binding resolution.

6.1 Listing Accuracy

• Vendors must ensure all Listing information — pricing, photographs, descriptions, availability, capacity, amenities, certifications — is accurate, current, and not misleading.
• Vendors must promptly update Listings for any change in pricing, availability, or service scope.
• Cermora reserves the right to remove, edit, or suspend any Listing containing inaccurate, misleading, or objectionable content.

6.2 Tax Compliance

• Vendors are solely responsible for GST compliance — timely filing of GSTR-1 and payment of output GST on supplies made through the Platform.
• Vendors must maintain a valid GSTIN and issue proper GST-compliant tax invoices to Customers.
• TCS deducted by Cermora under Section 52 of the CGST Act will be reflected in the Vendor's Electronic Cash Ledger and can be utilised for GST payment.
• Failure to file GSTR-1 accurately may result in denial of ITC to Customers and may affect Vendor standing on the Platform.

6.3 Service Standards

• Vendors must deliver services as agreed in the booking confirmation — capacity, facilities, timing, and any special requirements.
• Vendors must comply with all applicable laws including the Food Safety and Standards Act (if catering), fire safety regulations, health and hygiene standards, and local municipal regulations.
• Vendors are required to have adequate insurance coverage for their operations. Cermora is not responsible for any claims arising from incidents at Vendor premises.

6.4 Subscription and Commission

• Subscribing Vendors agree to pay the applicable Subscription fees published on the Platform from time to time.
• Cermora reserves the right to revise Subscription fees with 30 days' prior notice.
• Commission deducted from Vendor payouts is as agreed in the Vendor onboarding agreement. Rates may vary by service category.

• All Platform content — the Cermora brand, logo, website design, software, text, photographs (except Vendor uploads), graphics, and data compilations — is the exclusive intellectual property of ADDSUS Solutions and Services LLP or its licensors.
• No content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or used for commercial purposes without prior written consent from ADDSUS Solutions and Services LLP.
• By uploading content, Vendors grant Cermora a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to use, display, and distribute such content for platform operations, marketing, and promotional purposes.
• Vendors represent that they own or have the right to use all uploaded content and that such content does not infringe any third-party intellectual property rights.

8.1 Platform Disclaimer

• The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available". Cermora makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding accuracy, completeness, reliability, or fitness for a particular purpose.
• Cermora does not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free from viruses or other harmful components.

8.2 Vendor Service Disclaimer

• Cermora is not responsible for the quality, safety, legality, or delivery of services provided by Vendors. All disputes regarding Event Services must be resolved directly between the Customer and the Vendor.
• Cermora's liability for any booking facilitated through the Platform shall not exceed the platform commission or facilitation fee received by Cermora for that specific booking.
• In no event shall Cermora be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive, or exemplary damages — including loss of profits, loss of data, or damage to reputation.

8.3 Event Insurance

• Event Insurance products displayed on the Platform are offered by licensed insurance companies and subject to the terms of the respective policy.
• Cermora acts only as a referral agent and does not underwrite or guarantee any insurance claim. Insurance-related disputes must be addressed directly with the insurer.

Users and Vendors must not use the Platform for any of the following:

• Posting false, misleading, or fraudulent Listings or reviews
• Circumventing the Platform to transact directly with Customers or Vendors introduced through the Platform, to avoid platform fees (circumvention policy applies for 12 months from introduction)
• Uploading content that is defamatory, obscene, illegal, or infringes third-party rights
• Using automated tools, bots, or scrapers to extract data from the Platform
• Impersonating any person or entity, or misrepresenting your affiliation
• Engaging in any activity that disrupts, damages, or impairs the Platform's infrastructure or security
• Violating any Applicable Laws — consumer protection, data privacy, GST compliance, etc.

10.1 Customer–Vendor Disputes

• Disputes regarding Event Services (quality, delivery, refunds) are primarily between Customer and Vendor. Cermora will endeavour to facilitate resolution but is not obligated to do so.
• Cermora operates a grievance mechanism. Disputes may be raised at grievance@cermora.com within 30 days of the event date.
• Cermora's decision in platform-level disputes (Vendor suspension, booking cancellation) is final.

10.2 Governing Law and Jurisdiction

• These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India.
• Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts at Hyderabad, Telangana.

10.3 Consumer Disputes

• Nothing in these Terms limits a Customer's rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Customers may approach the appropriate Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

• Cermora reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be notified via email and/or platform notice with at least 15 days' notice for material changes.
• Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of revised Terms constitutes acceptance.
• It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically. The current version is always available at www.cermora.com/terms.

• Severability: If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force.
• Waiver: Failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of that provision.
• Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any specific booking or vendor agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the parties.
• Force Majeure: Cermora is not liable for any failure or delay due to circumstances beyond reasonable control — natural disasters, government actions, pandemics, or internet outages.
• Notices: All official communications must be sent to legal@cermora.com or to the registered address of ADDSUS Solutions and Services LLP.