The fine print, written plainly.

When you book a call or send a message, we collect your name, email, company (if given), and whatever you tell us about your project. That's used only to respond to you and, if we start working together, to run the engagement.

We don't sell contact information, share it with third-party marketers, or add you to a mailing list without asking first. If we ever do send occasional updates, every message includes a clear way to opt out.

Analytics on this site, if enabled, are used in aggregate to understand what pages are useful — not to track individuals across other websites.

Projects often mean handing us access to a live Shopify store, a codebase, or customer data. We treat that access as a loan, not ownership — used only for the scoped work, on accounts we control with standard security practices (unique credentials, no shared logins, access revoked at project end).

Customer data belonging to your business is never used for any purpose beyond the project — not for training, not for benchmarking, not for anyone else's work.

Access is removed within 5 business days of an engagement ending, unless you ask us to retain it for ongoing support.

The free 30-minute discovery call is limited to one per new client. Any session after that — scoping, architecture reviews, audits, or advisory — is billed at ₹1,000/hr in 30-minute increments, invoiced after the session.

Project builds are quoted as a fixed price once scope is agreed in writing, and billed against milestones rather than open-ended hours. If scope changes mid-project, we flag it and re-quote before continuing — no surprise line items.

On completion, you receive full ownership of the code, store configuration, and content model, along with documentation for handover. We don't retain access or hold anything hostage after final payment.

1. Introduction & Acceptance

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your engagement with BracketStory ("we", "us", or "Company"), a software development and digital services provider registered in India. By using our website, booking a consultation, or engaging our services, you ("Client") agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not proceed with booking or payment.

2. Scope of Services & Quotation

Discovery Call: One free 30-minute consultation per new client. This call is informational only — no commitment or obligation is created. We discuss your project, our capabilities, and next steps.

Fixed-Price Packages: All service packages have a defined scope, timeline, and fixed price quoted in advance. Scope changes mid-project require a written change request and re-quotation before work continues.

Custom Projects: For projects outside our standard packages, we provide a written proposal with deliverables, timeline, and fixed price. Work begins only after written acceptance and payment terms are agreed.

3. Payment Terms & Invoicing

Fixed-Price Projects: Billed in milestones (typically 30% at project start, 40% at midpoint, 30% at completion). Milestone dates are defined in the project agreement.

Hourly Advisory: Billed at ₹1,000/hr in 30-minute increments, invoiced after the session concludes.

Invoice & Payment: Invoices are issued via email. Payment must be received within 15 days of invoice date. GST will be added as per Indian tax law (18% standard rate). Accepted payment methods: bank transfer (NEFT/RTGS/UPI), or as agreed in writing.

Late Payment: Payment received after 30 days from invoice date may result in suspension of support or deliverables. Project timelines will extend to account for unpaid periods.

4. Intellectual Property & Ownership

Custom Work Ownership: Upon final payment, the Client receives full ownership of: code, store configurations, content models, design files, and documentation. We retain no ongoing rights unless a separate support agreement is signed.

Pre-Built Tools & Frameworks: Client receives a license to use (not own) any BracketStory-owned tools, libraries, or frameworks included in the project. Client may modify for internal use only; resale or public redistribution is prohibited without written permission.

Third-Party IP: Services may include third-party software (Shopify, Next.js, Node.js, Sanity CMS, etc.) governed by their respective licenses. Client is responsible for compliance with those licenses.

5. Client Responsibilities & Obligations

Access & Credentials: Client must provide timely access to necessary systems (Shopify admin, hosting, repositories, databases, email accounts) as required. We will not share or reuse credentials across clients.

Content & Data: Client is responsible for providing, maintaining, and ensuring legality of all content, product data, images, and copy uploaded to the project. We are not liable for copyright infringement, data accuracy, or compliance violations arising from Client content.

Third-Party Services: If the project integrates third-party services (payment gateways, email providers, analytics, etc.), the Client is responsible for setting up accounts, obtaining API keys, and accepting those services' terms. We configure them; we do not operate them.

Timely Feedback: For project success, Client must provide feedback, approvals, and required information within agreed timeframes. Delays in Client responses will extend project timelines accordingly.

6. Deliverables & Acceptance

What We Deliver: Code, configurations, and documentation as specified in the project agreement. Deliverables are considered "complete" when they meet the agreed specifications and pass our QA testing.

Testing & UAT: Before handover, all deliverables undergo rigorous testing. Client has up to 5 business days to review, test, and provide feedback. After handover, changes are billable at hourly rates unless covered under a support plan.

Acceptance: Acceptance occurs when the Client explicitly approves the deliverable in writing or uses it in production for 7 consecutive days without reporting defects.

7. Limitation of Liability

Cap on Damages: Our total liability to the Client shall not exceed the amount paid by the Client for the specific service in which the claim arose, or ₹5,00,000 (whichever is lower). This applies to all claims including breach, negligence, or tort.

Excluded Damages: We are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages, including lost profits, lost revenue, lost data, or business interruption, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

No Service Level Guarantee: We do not guarantee uptime, performance, or uninterrupted service for third-party platforms (Shopify, Supabase, Vercel, etc.). Liability for third-party outages lies with those providers.

8. Warranties & Disclaimers

Limited Warranty: We warrant that services will be performed in a professional and workmanlike manner according to industry standards. This warranty is valid for 30 days after project completion.

Disclaimer: Except as expressly stated above, we provide services "as-is" without warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

Third-Party Services: We disclaim all warranties for third-party services integrated into your project. Refer to their terms for support and warranties.

9. Confidentiality

Mutual Confidentiality: Both parties agree to keep confidential any sensitive business information, trade secrets, or personal data shared during the engagement. This includes project details, client lists, business strategy, and financial information.

Exceptions: Information may be disclosed if required by law, court order, or regulatory authority. We will provide notice when legally permitted.

Portfolio Use: With your written permission, we may include your project in our portfolio, case studies, or testimonials (with anonymization if preferred). We will not use your confidential information without consent.

10. Refund & Cancellation Policy

Project Cancellation: If a Client cancels a project after work has begun, the Client is liable for all work completed to date, plus any non-recoverable third-party costs (hosting, domain registration, etc.). Refunds will not be issued for work performed unless we are at fault.

Service Defects: If deliverables do not meet agreed specifications due to our error, we will remedy the defect at no charge within the warranty period (30 days). If remedy is impossible, a pro-rata refund may be issued.

Discovery Call: The free discovery call is non-refundable (it's free). No payment is required; no refund applies.

11. Termination

Termination by Client: Client may terminate the engagement by written notice. If terminating due to our material breach and we fail to cure within 15 days, no further payment is due. Otherwise, Client owes payment for all work completed to date.

Termination by BracketStory: We may terminate if Client is in material breach (e.g., non-payment for 30+ days) and fails to remedy within 15 days written notice. Upon termination, we cease work; Client pays for completed work only.

Effect of Termination: Upon termination, we will deliver all work-in-progress and relevant documentation within 5 business days. Access to our systems is revoked immediately.

12. Compliance & Data Protection

Indian IT Act, 2000: These Terms comply with the Information Technology Act, 2000, and rules thereunder.

Data Protection: Personal data collected during services is processed as described in our Privacy Policy. Client is responsible for ensuring end-user compliance with applicable data protection laws (DPDP Act, IEC Rules, etc.).

Client Data Security: Client is responsible for securing and backing up their data. While we use standard security practices, we do not guarantee absolute data security.

13. Dispute Resolution & Jurisdiction

Informal Resolution: In case of dispute, both parties agree to attempt resolution through good-faith negotiation and written communication within 15 days.

Jurisdiction: These Terms are governed by the laws of India. Both parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in India for dispute resolution. Venue shall be in the state where BracketStory is registered.

Arbitration (Optional): Either party may elect to refer the dispute to mediation or arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

14. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. Continued engagement after changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms. For ongoing support clients, we will provide 30 days written notice before material changes take effect.

15. Contact & Support

Questions about these Terms? Contact us at hello@bracketstory.com or call during working hours (Mon–Fri, 10am–7pm IST). We'll clarify any clause and work to address your concerns.

Effective Date: October 3, 2026