1. Platform Role
CateringBiz is a concierge marketplace that connects clients with event service vendors. We facilitate the booking process, provide communication tools, and manage payment coordination. CateringBiz is not a service provider and is not responsible for the quality, performance, or conduct of any vendor.
Once a booking is confirmed, the service relationship is directly between the client and each vendor. CateringBiz provides messaging, a planning checklist, and vendor contact information to support coordination, but ongoing follow-up is the responsibility of both parties.
2. Platform Fee
CateringBiz charges a service fee on each booking. This fee is added to the vendor quote total and is clearly shown to the client before confirmation. The platform fee is non-refundable under all circumstances, including vendor cancellations, client cancellations, or event changes.
3. Vendor Obligations
By confirming a quote on CateringBiz, a vendor enters into a binding commitment to provide the agreed services on the event date at the quoted price.
- Cancellation between 30 and 14 days before the event: The vendor must refund all payments received from the client. A cancellation fee of 10% of their quoted amount is owed to CateringBiz to cover the cost of sourcing a replacement vendor, who may charge more.
- Cancellation within 14 days of the event: The vendor must refund all client payments plus pay CateringBiz a fee of 15% of their quoted amount. At this stage, replacement options are limited and may come at a significantly higher cost.
- Cancellation within 2 days of the event: The vendor must refund all client payments plus pay CateringBiz a fee of 30% of their quoted amount. A last-minute cancellation causes severe disruption and may make replacement impossible.
- No-show (failure to appear on event day): The vendor must refund all client payments and pay CateringBiz a penalty of 50% of their quoted amount. A no-show causes irreparable harm to the client's event with no opportunity for recovery. Following a no-show, the vendor's account will be placed under review. CateringBiz will assess the circumstances and reason provided before determining whether the vendor may continue operating on the platform. Continued access is not guaranteed and is at the sole discretion of CateringBiz.
- Cancellations more than 30 days before the event carry no fee, provided all client payments are refunded promptly. CateringBiz must be notified immediately.
- Vendors must respond to quote requests promptly and communicate any scheduling conflicts before confirming.
- Vendors must keep their profile, availability calendar, and contact information up to date.
4. Client Obligations
By confirming vendor selection and proceeding to payment, the client agrees to the following:
- The platform fee is non-refundable regardless of event outcome or vendor changes.
- Vendor deposits are subject to each vendor's individual cancellation policy. CateringBiz does not guarantee refunds of vendor deposits in the event of client cancellation.
- The client is responsible for following up directly with confirmed vendors regarding event logistics, timing, and requirements. CateringBiz provides tools to facilitate this but is not responsible for coordination failures.
5. Event-Day Balance Payments
Some vendors offer the option to defer the remaining balance to be collected in person on the event day. By selecting this option, both parties agree to the following:
- The vendor is solely responsible for collecting the deferred balance directly from the client on the event day.
- The vendor must mark the balance as received on the platform within 48 hours after the event. Failure to do so will result in the balance being considered collected and the record closed.
- CateringBiz is not liable for uncollected event-day balances. Any dispute is solely between the client and the vendor.
6. Post-Booking Responsibility
After a booking is confirmed, CateringBiz's role is limited to platform support. We provide direct messaging between clients and vendors, vendor contact information, an AI-generated planning checklist, and payment tracking. Clients are responsible for confirming event details and logistics directly with each vendor. CateringBiz is not a party to the service agreement between client and vendor.
7. Disputes
CateringBiz may, at its discretion, assist in mediating disputes between clients and vendors. However, CateringBiz is not obligated to resolve disputes and is not liable for losses arising from vendor non-performance, client non-payment, or event cancellations. For disputes involving cancellation fees or no-show penalties owed to CateringBiz, we reserve the right to pursue collection through available legal means.
8. Changes to Terms
CateringBiz reserves the right to update these terms at any time. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms. Material changes will be communicated via email.