Terms & Conditions

1. What BackScratch is

BackScratch is a community platform that connects small businesses, tradespeople, service providers, and individuals for the purpose of exchanging goods, services, and value — including through barter. BackScratch provides the tools to find each other, communicate, and document deals. We are a facilitator only.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to use BackScratch. By creating an account, you represent that you are operating as a business, sole proprietor, or individual acting in good faith as a community member — not as a corporation, high-volume commercial operator, or entity whose primary purpose is to extract value from the community. We reserve the right to remove accounts that misrepresent their nature or scale.

3. BackScratch is a facilitator — not a party to your deals

BackScratch facilitates connections and documented exchanges between community members. We are not a party to any deal, transaction, or exchange made on the platform. We do not guarantee that any deal will be completed, that any party will fulfill their obligations, or that any goods or services will meet your expectations.

All deals — whether cash, barter, or a combination — are entered into voluntarily between independent parties. Fulfillment is the sole responsibility of each party to a deal. BackScratch takes no liability for unmet obligations, failed deals, or disputes between users.

Cash transactions are negotiated and agreed between parties on BackScratch but may be completed off-platform. BackScratch is not responsible for payments made outside the platform.

4. Barter and non-monetary exchange

BackScratch supports and documents barter — the direct exchange of goods or services without cash. Barter transactions may constitute taxable income under federal and Massachusetts state law. You are solely responsible for understanding and meeting your own tax obligations arising from any exchange made on this platform. BackScratch does not provide tax advice. We recommend consulting a qualified tax professional.

5. Platform fees

Barter-only deals are always free on BackScratch. Paid transactions processed through the platform carry a small fee, which is disclosed clearly at the time of each transaction. By completing a paid transaction, you agree to the fee shown at confirmation. We will never bury or hide fees.

6. Dispute resolution

BackScratch offers a community-based dispute process to help parties resolve disagreements. This process is informal and non-binding. Our involvement in any dispute is limited to facilitation and, where escalated, an administrative review of deal terms and account history. BackScratch is not a mediator, arbitrator, or legal authority and cannot compel any outcome.

We reserve the right to take action — including suspending or terminating accounts — where a pattern of bad faith, fraud, or community harm is established. Scratch Score impacts from failed deals are applied only after admin review, never automatically.

7. Your content

You own the content you post on BackScratch — your business profile, posts, and messages. By posting content, you grant BackScratch a limited, non-exclusive license to display and distribute that content on the platform for the purpose of operating the service. We will not sell your content or use it for advertising purposes.

You are responsible for ensuring that anything you post is accurate, lawful, and does not infringe on anyone else's rights.

8. Acceptable use

You agree not to use BackScratch to:

• Post false, misleading, or fraudulent listings
• Harass, threaten, or harm other users
• Spam or send unsolicited messages
• Operate as a high-volume commercial entity inconsistent with BackScratch's community purpose
• Scrape or collect user data without permission
• Attempt to circumvent our systems, fees, or security measures
• Use the platform for any unlawful purpose

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate any account that violates these terms.

9. Scratch Score and reviews

Scratch Scores and reviews reflect community activity on the platform and are provided for informational purposes only. BackScratch does not guarantee their accuracy. Reviews are submitted by users and do not represent the views of BackScratch.

10. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, BackScratch is not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of the platform, including but not limited to failed deals, lost income, or disputes between users. Our total liability to you for any claim shall not exceed the amount you paid to BackScratch in the 12 months preceding the claim.

11. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time. When we do, we'll update the effective date above and notify you by email if the changes are material. Continued use of the platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

12. Governing law

These terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

13. Contact

Questions about these terms? Reach us at keigan@backscratchlocal.com.