1. OVERVIEW

This Payment Timeline Policy explains when and how Hosts are charged for bartending services on the bartendersNow platform.

Key Principle: You are charged when you commit financially—either when you cancel (with applicable penalties) or 48 hours before your event (when modifications lock). Note that the core details of your booking lock earlier, when a Bartender accepts (see Part 1, Section 7.2).

2. PAYMENT COLLECTION TRIGGERS

2.1 Payment Collection Triggers

Your stored payment method is charged upon the occurrence of any of the following three triggers: (1) automatically 48 hours prior to the scheduled event start time; (2) immediately upon a Host-initiated cancellation subject to applicable cancellation fees; or (3) immediately upon booking confirmation for short-notice bookings placed within 48 hours of the event.

2.2 Why This Timing?

• Flexibility: Before a Bartender is booked, you can change your event details — service hours, guest count, venue, package — at no charge. Once a Bartender accepts, the core details of the job they agreed to are locked (see Section 7.2), and no charge is placed until your payment trigger.
• Transparency: Your final charge reflects any modifications you've made, and any Bartender added to your event (see Section 3.3)
• Protection: the 48-hour charge means a Bartender is confirmed only after your payment is secured, before they prepare for your event.

3. AT BOOKING

3.1 What Happens When You Book

Payment Method On File: Your payment method is stored securely upon booking confirmation. Your card will be charged in full 48 hours prior to your bartender's scheduled arrival time, or earlier under any other trigger in Section 2.1. No funds are held or authorized prior to your scheduled charge.

3.2 Price Breakdown Shown at Booking

You see a full itemized breakdown before confirming your booking:

• Bartender service fees (hourly rate x service duration)
• Captain Service coordination fee (if applicable)
• Platform service fee (12% charged to Host)

Example Breakdown:

• Bartender: 5 hours x $80/hr = $400
• Captain Service: $50
• Host service fee: 12% x $450 = $54
• Total: $504

3.3 The Captain Service Fee Can Increase

If your event includes Captain Service, your Captain's coordination fee is a percentage of your event's total bartender costs — every Bartender booked on your event, not only your Captain — subject to that Captain's stated minimum.

Because the fee is calculated on your whole event, adding another Bartender to your event increases it. If a Bartender is added after your Captain accepts — either a Bartender you requested accepts, or you accept a Bartender's request to work your event — your Captain's coordination fee is recalculated on the larger total. The recalculated fee, plus the 12% Host service fee on it, is what is charged at your 48-hour lock.

You can work the increase out before you add anyone: it is your Captain's percentage applied to the additional Bartender's cost. For example, on a 20% Captain rate, adding a Bartender who costs $500 increases the Captain Service fee by $100, and your Host service fee by $12.

This is the only line on your booking that can increase without a change you make to your own booking details. Every other line is fixed at the amount shown when you booked, and none of them changes because of anything a Bartender does. It changes only when a Bartender is added to your event, which is a step you take.

We do not send a separate notice before the recalculated amount is charged. If you add a Bartender to an event that includes Captain Service, review your event total before your 48-hour lock. After the 48-hour lock, Bartender count is locked and this fee cannot change (see Section 7.3).

4. CARD ON FILE

4.1 Secure Storage

Your payment method is stored securely through our payment processor (Stripe) and is used to complete your booking at the scheduled charge.

4.2 Card Validity Monitoring

If your stored card becomes invalid before your scheduled charge (expiration, reported lost or stolen, issuer-side changes):

• You will receive a notification via email, SMS, and in-app
• You have the opportunity to update your payment method before the scheduled charge
• If not resolved before the scheduled charge, our Payment Failure Policy applies

5. PAYMENT CAPTURE SCENARIOS

5.1 If You Cancel

When you initiate a cancellation:

1. Your card on file is charged the full booking amount
2. Your refund amount is calculated based on cancellation timing
3. Any applicable refund is issued immediately
4. Bartender receives their compensation based on cancellation tier

Example - Canceling 10 Days Before Event:

• Total booking: $504
• Cancellation tier: 7-14 days (50% refund)
• Amount charged: $504
• Refund issued: $252
• Net charge to you: $252

5.2 At the 48-Hour Lock (No Cancellation)

If you do not cancel, at exactly 48 hours before your Bartender's scheduled arrival:

1. Your card on file is charged the full booking amount
2. Your event remains locked (core details locked when your Bartender accepted; see Section 7.2)
3. Your Bartender is notified that payment is secured
4. Payout to Bartender occurs after event completion

6. PAYMENT NOTIFICATIONS

6.1 Reminder Schedule

We send payment reminders to help you stay informed:

7. MODIFYING YOUR BOOKING

7.1 Before a Bartender Is Booked

Until a Bartender accepts your event, your event details remain fully editable (within platform limits):

• Add or reduce service hours
• Adjust guest count
• Change your venue or address
• Change your beverage package or consumption level
• Change other event details

When you modify:

1. The booking total is recalculated for the updated amount
2. No charge is placed until your scheduled charge
3. The updated total is what will be charged at the 48-hour lock (or at cancellation if earlier)

7.2 After a Bartender Is Booked — The Core-Detail Lock

Once a Bartender accepts your event, the core details of the job they agreed to are locked. This happens at acceptance, which is usually well before the 48-hour lock.

Locked once a Bartender accepts:

• Event date
• Service hours, including Bartender arrival and departure times
• Guest count
• Venue and address
• Beverage package and consumption level
• Event type
• Bar placement (number and location of bars, indoor or outdoor, relocation)
• Certification requirements

Still editable:

• Contact information
• Event notes
• Other non-material details

To change a locked detail, the existing booking must be cancelled and the event rebooked. Standard cancellation tiers apply (see Part 3).

7.3 After the 48-Hour Lock

Once payment is captured at the 48-hour mark:

• Allowed: Contact information changes, event notes
• Not allowed: Material changes (time, location, duration, guest count, Bartender count)

8. POST-EVENT CHARGES

8.1 Labor Overage

If your Bartender works longer than scheduled:

• You will be notified of the actual departure time
• You can approve the additional hours, dispute the time, or decline
• If approved, additional charges are processed to your stored payment method

8.2 Labor Overage Calculation

Example:

• Original: 5 hours x $80/hr = $400
• Overage: 1 hour x $80/hr = $80
• Host service fee on overage: $9.60
• Additional charge: $89.60

9. REFUND PROCESSING

9.1 Refund Timeline

• Refunds are processed within 5–10 business days
• Refunds return to your original payment method
• Timeline begins from when we initiate the refund

9.2 If Original Payment Method Unavailable

If we cannot refund to your original payment method:

• Platform credit will be issued to your account
• Credit can be applied to future bookings
• You may request payout to an alternative method

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PART 2: PAYMENT FAILURE POLICY

1. OVERVIEW

This Payment Failure Policy explains what happens if your payment cannot be processed on the bartendersNow platform, including grace periods, account restrictions, and resolution procedures.

Key Principle: We provide reasonable grace periods to resolve payment issues, while making clear how a Bartender is paid when a Host's payment does not clear. A Bartender is confirmed only once the Host's payment is secured, and payment depends on the Host's card clearing and on the booking's terms being met.

2. TYPES OF PAYMENT FAILURES

2.1 Card Save Failure at Booking

When it happens: Your card cannot be securely saved when you attempt to complete a booking.

What to do:

• Try a different payment method
• Contact your bank if you believe the card should work
• No penalties apply—simply use an alternative card

2.2 Card Becomes Invalid Before Scheduled Charge

When it happens: Between booking and your scheduled charge, your stored card becomes invalid (card expires, is reported lost or stolen, account closed, or issuer flags it).

Grace Period: 24 hours from the first detection or notification, not to extend beyond your scheduled charge.

What happens:

1. You receive immediate notification (email, SMS, in-app) when we detect the issue
2. You have 24 hours (or until your scheduled charge, whichever comes first) to update your payment method
3. If not resolved before your scheduled charge, the failure is handled per Section 2.3

2.3 Payment Capture Failure at 48-Hour Lock

When it happens: At 48 hours before your event, we attempt to charge your card. If it fails:

Grace Period: 24 hours.

What happens:

1. You receive urgent notifications via email and SMS (and in-app, possibly phone) detailing the payment failure
2. You have 24 hours from the initial failure notification to update your payment method
3. If payment is not successfully updated within the grace period, the booking is cancelled and treated as a Host cancellation within 7 days; because no payment was collected, no payout is issued, and the amount you owe is handled under Section 7.

2.4 Payment Capture Failure at Cancellation

When it happens: You cancel your booking but we cannot process the payment.

Grace Period: 24 hours

What happens:

1. Your cancellation is processed, but payment is pending
2. You have 24 hours to update your payment method
3. Your Bartender's cancellation compensation is issued once your payment is resolved.
4. Your account is restricted until payment is resolved

3. GRACE PERIODS

3.1 Grace Period Summary

3.2 During Grace Periods

You CAN:

• Update your payment method
• Try multiple different cards
• Contact support for assistance

You CANNOT:

• Make new bookings (account temporarily restricted)
• Delay resolution beyond the grace period

4. 48-HOUR PAYMENT FAILURE (CRITICAL)

4.1 Urgency of 48-Hour Failures

Payment failures at the 48-hour mark are critical because:

• Your Bartender is actively preparing for your event
• There is minimal time to find replacement work
• Your event is imminent

4.2 If Grace Period Expires

If you do not resolve the payment within 24 hours of the initial charge failure:

• Your booking is automatically cancelled and treated as a Host cancellation within 7 days
• You receive NO refund
• No payment is collected, so no payout is issued for this booking; the amount you owe is handled under Section 7.
• Your account may be suspended pending resolution

This outcome is governed by Section 6.4 of the Terms of Service (Payment Failures & Grace Periods), which controls in the event of any conflict with this policy.

5. ACCOUNT RESTRICTIONS

5.1 Temporary Restriction (During Grace Period)

While you have an active payment issue:

• You cannot make new bookings
• You CAN update your payment method
• Your existing other bookings are unaffected

5.2 Account Suspension (Unresolved Payment)

If a grace period expires without payment resolution:

• You cannot make new bookings
• You cannot search for Bartenders
• You CAN pay your outstanding balance
• Existing future bookings may be cancelled

5.3 Account Termination (Repeated Failures)

Repeated payment failures (3+ in 12 months) or suspected fraud may result in:

• Permanent account termination
• Inability to create new accounts
• Referral to collections for outstanding balances

6. BARTENDER PAYMENT PROTECTION

6.1 What Protection Means

When a booking is arranged and paid through bartendersNow™, the payment runs through our system and is backed by our support and dispute process. Payment still depends on the Host's card clearing and on the booking's terms being met — it is not a guarantee by bartendersNow™.

6.2 How It Works

• If your payment fails and you resolve it within the grace period: standard process, and your Bartender is paid on the normal schedule, provided their payout setup is complete — if it isn't, their earnings are held for them and released when they finish (see our Bartender Payout Policy).
• If your payment fails and you do not resolve it within the grace period: the booking is cancelled under Part 2, Section 4.2 and Terms of Service Section 6.4. No payment is collected, so no payout is issued for that booking. We pursue the amount you owe through the collections process in Section 7.
• If you file a chargeback: we contest it through Stripe's dispute process. A payout already made to your Bartender is not reversed against them.

We don't share your payment method or billing details with your Bartender. If a booking is cancelled because payment was not collected, your Bartender is told that the booking was cancelled, that the payment was not collected, and that no payout applies.

7. COLLECTIONS PROCESS

7.1 If You Have Unresolved Debt

Days 1-7: Internal reminders via email Days 8-30: Escalated communications with warnings Day 31+: Referral to external collections agency

7.2 Collections Consequences

• Additional fees may be added by collections agency
• May impact your credit report
• Account permanently terminated
• Platform reserves right to pursue legal action for significant debts

7.3 Resolving Outstanding Balances

To restore your account:

1. Log into your account
2. Navigate to "Outstanding Balance"
3. Pay the full amount due
4. Account restrictions are lifted immediately upon payment

8. CHARGEBACK POLICY

8.1 What Is a Chargeback?

A chargeback is when you dispute a charge directly with your credit card company rather than through our platform.

8.2 Our Position

• We encourage you to resolve disputes through our platform first
• We will contest chargebacks with evidence of service provided
• Fraudulent chargebacks (disputing legitimate charges) result in account termination
• Multiple chargebacks (2+ in 12 months) may require alternative payment arrangements

8.3 If You Have a Legitimate Complaint

Please contact us at disputes@bartendersnow.com BEFORE filing a chargeback. We're committed to fair resolution and can often resolve issues faster than the chargeback process.

9. PREVENTING PAYMENT FAILURES

9.1 Best Practices

• Keep your payment method current (update before cards expire)
• Ensure sufficient funds before your 48-hour charge
• Respond immediately to any payment alerts
• Add a backup payment method if available

9.2 Payment Reminders

We send reminders to help you avoid payment issues:

• When your card is expiring before your event
• 72 hours before your 48-hour charge
• Immediately if any payment issue is detected

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PART 3: CANCELLATION POLICY

1. OVERVIEW

This Cancellation Policy governs how cancellations are handled on the bartendersNow™ platform. Our policy is designed to balance flexibility for Hosts during the planning phase with income protection for Bartenders as events approach.

Key Principle: The closer to the event date, the more we protect Bartender income, as their ability to find replacement work diminishes.

2. HOST CANCELLATION POLICY

2.1 Cancellation Tiers

Cancellation timing is calculated from the scheduled Bartender arrival time specified in your booking.

All timings above are measured from your Bartender's scheduled arrival time. Cancellation itself is available only before your event's scheduled start time — see Section 2.5.

2.2 Service Fee Treatment

The 12% Host Service Fee follows the same refund tiers as Bartender costs:

• 14+ days: 100% service fee refunded
• 7-14 days: 50% service fee refunded
• Within 7 days: No service fee refund

No Separate Payment-Processing Fee. bartendersNow™ absorbs payment-processing costs. You pay exactly the Bartender cost plus the 12% Host Service Fee — there is no separate card-processing charge added to your total, and none is withheld from your refund. When you cancel, your refund is simply the applicable percentage of what you paid (Bartender cost and Host Service Fee) under the tiers above: 100% on a full refund (14+ days before the event, or any Bartender-initiated cancellation) and 50% on a partial refund (7–14 days before the event). The Captain Service fee follows its own rule and is handled per Section 2.3. The refund amounts shown in the tiers and examples in this policy are the exact amounts returned to you.

2.3 Captain Service Fee

The Captain Service coordination fee is 100% non-refundable for Host-initiated cancellations made within 14 days of your event. This non-refundability applies only to cancellations initiated by the Host. If the Captain, a Bartender, or the platform cancels, the Host receives a 100% refund of the Captain fee.

Rationale: The Captain invests significant time in team coordination, host communication, and event planning during the final two weeks before an event. This fee compensates for that work. If your Captain's fee was recalculated because a Bartender was added to your event (see Part 1, Section 3.3), the non-refundable amount is the recalculated fee.

If the Captain, a Bartender, or the platform cancels the booking, the Captain fee is refunded 100% to the Host regardless of timing.

2.4 How to Cancel

1. Log into your bartendersNow™ account
2. Navigate to "My Bookings"
3. Select the booking you wish to cancel
4. Click "Cancel Booking"
5. Review the refund breakdown before confirming
6. Confirm cancellation

Your refund will be processed within 5–10 business days to your original payment method.

2.5 When Cancellation Is Available

You can cancel a booking at any time from the moment you create your event until your event's scheduled start time. The refund you receive is set by the matrix in Section 2.1, which is measured from your Bartender's scheduled arrival time. These are two different times: your Bartender is scheduled to arrive before your event begins, so that setup is finished when your guests arrive.

Once your event's scheduled start time has passed, the booking can no longer be cancelled. The option to cancel is no longer offered, and a cancellation request made after that point will not be accepted. This applies whether or not your event actually began, and whether or not your Bartender arrived. (If your booking does not record a separate start time, this cut-off is your Bartender's scheduled arrival time.)

Cancelling after your Bartender's scheduled arrival time but before your event's scheduled start time falls in the "Within 7 days of event" row of Section 2.1: you are charged the full booking amount and the Host Service Fee, no refund is issued, and your Bartender receives 100% of their contracted amount. Your Bartender may already be travelling to your venue or setting up, so this is the most expensive point at which you can cancel. Before the cancellation goes through, we will show you the exact amount you will be charged and ask you to confirm that you understand no refund applies.

If something has gone wrong, do not use Cancel. Use Report an issue on your event instead — including if your Bartender did not arrive, left early, or you believe you were charged for time that was not worked. Reports are reviewed under our Dispute Resolution Policy.

Safety and alcohol-service concerns are handled separately and immediately. If you have a safety concern, or a concern about alcohol service — including service to a minor or to a visibly intoxicated guest — contact safety@bartendersnow.com or call (888) 548-9469 right away. Do not use Cancel or Report an issue for an urgent safety matter. A Bartender's refusal to serve a guest, made in good faith to comply with the law or with our Alcohol Service Compliance requirements — including refusing a guest who appears to be under 21, cannot produce acceptable identification, or appears visibly intoxicated — is not grounds for a cancellation penalty waiver or a refund. This does not affect any other right you have under this policy or our Dispute Resolution Policy.

3. BARTENDER CANCELLATION POLICY

3.1 Host Protection

In ALL Bartender-initiated cancellation scenarios, Hosts receive a 100% refund of all payments, including service fees.

When a Bartender cancels a confirmed booking, you will receive an immediate 100% refund of all payments.

The bartendersNow™ platform provides self-service tools to help you find a replacement:

• Browse available Bartenders in your area for your event date/time
• View profiles, ratings, and reviews to make an informed selection
• Book a replacement directly through the platform

Note: Finding a replacement Bartender is not guaranteed and depends on availability.

3.2 Reliability as a Material Contract Term

By accepting bookings through bartendersNow™, Bartenders enter into binding service contracts with Hosts. Fulfilling accepted bookings is a material term of both the service contract with the Host and the Bartender's agreement to use the platform.

Unreliability as Material Breach: Bartenders who fail to fulfill accepted bookings may be in material breach of their contractual obligations. Such breaches undermine the integrity of the marketplace and the trust essential to its operation.

Platform Response: bartendersNow™ reserves the right to terminate platform access for Bartenders whose conduct demonstrates a pattern of unreliability or whose cancellations cause significant harm to Hosts. This determination is made at the platform's sole discretion based on the totality of circumstances, including but not limited to:

• Timing and frequency of cancellations
• Impact on Hosts and the marketplace
• Circumstances surrounding cancellations

No Progressive Discipline: Consistent with the independent contractor relationship, bartendersNow™ does not impose warnings, suspensions, fines, or other employment-style discipline. The platform's sole remedy is restriction or termination of access.

4. MULTI-BARTENDER EVENTS

4.1 Full Event Cancellation

When a Host cancels an entire multi-Bartender event:

• Standard cancellation tiers apply to all Bartender payouts
• Captain fee remains 100% non-refundable (if within 14 days)
• Each Bartender receives compensation based on the cancellation tier

4.2 Reducing Bartender Count

• Permitted: Up to 14 days before the event
• Not permitted: Within 14 days of the event (team is locked)

If you need to reduce Bartender count before the 14-day window, standard cancellation tiers apply to removed Bartenders.

Removing a Bartender before the team locks also recalculates your Captain's coordination fee on the smaller total, but not below the fee originally quoted for your Captain.

4.3 If a Team Bartender Cancels

If a non-Captain Bartender cancels from a multi-Bartender event:

• You receive a full refund for that Bartender's position
• The Captain and remaining Bartenders are unaffected
• You may use the platform's self-service search tools to find and book a replacement Bartender (subject to availability)

5. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

5.1 Host No-Show

If a Host or event does not materialize and the Bartender arrives at the scheduled location:

• Bartender receives 100% of their contracted payment (already charged at the 48-hour lock)
• If there is nothing for the Bartender to do, they may leave at their own discretion, but assume the risk of poor ratings if the Host disputes the departure
• Bartenders cannot receive more than their contracted amount in any scenario
• Host account is subject to review and potential suspension

5.2 Venue Cancellation

If your venue cancels or your event location changes substantially:

• This is treated as a Host-initiated cancellation
• Standard cancellation tiers apply based on when you notify us

5.3 Short-Notice Bartender Declines

For short-notice bookings (less than 48 hours to event), the Host is charged immediately upon booking confirmation — that is, when the requested Bartender accepts the Host's request, or when the Host accepts a Bartender's request. Sending a request does not itself charge the Host. If the Host requested a specific Bartender and that Bartender then declines the request or does not respond within the request window:

• The Host is not charged, because no charge is placed until a Bartender accepts
• The event returns to a state where the Host may request another Bartender or cancel the event entirely
• The declining Bartender receives no compensation (they did not accept the booking)

This is distinct from a Bartender cancellation, which applies only to bookings the Bartender has accepted and confirmed.

5.4 Force Majeure

For extraordinary circumstances beyond your control (natural disasters, government orders, medical emergencies):

• Contact us immediately at support@bartendersnow.com
• We will review requests on a case-by-case basis
• Documentation may be required

5.5 After Your Event Has Started

Cancellation is a pre-service option only. Once your event's scheduled start time has passed, the booking can no longer be cancelled — see Section 2.5. If your Bartender did not arrive, left early, or something else went wrong, use Report an issue on your event, or contact us at disputes@bartendersnow.com. Safety or alcohol-service concerns should go to safety@bartendersnow.com or (888) 548-9469 immediately.

6. PAYMENT PROCESSING

6.1 When Payment is Collected

Payment is collected at the earliest of:

1. When you cancel your booking, OR
2. 48 hours before your Bartender's scheduled arrival time, OR
3. At the moment you commit to a Bartender for a short-notice booking (event less than 48 hours away)

See the Payment Timeline Policy for full details on each trigger.

6.2 Refund Timeline

• Refunds are processed within 5–10 business days
• Refunds return to your original payment method
• If your original payment method is unavailable, platform credit will be issued

6.3 Payment Failure at Cancellation

If your payment method is declined when you cancel:

• You have 24 hours to update your payment method
• Your Bartender will still receive their compensation earned for legitimate, completed services, once your payment is resolved (see Section 4.2 of the Dispute Resolution Policy)
• Your account will be restricted until payment is resolved

7. CANCELLATION EXAMPLES

Example 1: Host Cancels 20 Days Before Event

• Booking: 5 hours at $80/hr = $400 Bartender + $48 service fee = $448 total
• Cancellation tier: 14+ days (Tier 1)
• Host refund: $448 (100%)
• Bartender receives: $0

Example 2: Host Cancels 10 Days Before Event

• Booking: 5 hours at $80/hr = $400 Bartender + $48 service fee = $448 total
• Cancellation tier: 7-14 days (Tier 2)
• Host refund: $224 (50%)
• Bartender receives: $200 (50% of $400)

Example 3: Host Cancels 3 Days Before Event

• Booking: 5 hours at $80/hr = $400 Bartender + $48 service fee = $448 total
• Cancellation tier: Within 7 days (Tier 3)
• Host refund: $0
• Bartender receives: $400 (100%)

Example 4: Event with Captain Service (Host Cancels 10 Days Before)

• Booking: $400 Bartender + $50 Captain + $54 service fee = $504 total
• Cancellation tier: 7-14 days (Tier 2)
• Host refund: $227 (50% of Bartender cost + 50% service fee; Captain fee non-refundable)
• Bartender receives: $200 (50%)
• Captain receives: $50 (100% - non-refundable)

8. POLICY UPDATES

We may update these Payment & Cancellation Policies from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via email and in-app notification at least 14 days before taking effect.

Your continued use of the Platform after policy changes indicates acceptance of the updated terms.

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PART 4: BARTENDER PAYOUT POLICY

1. OVERVIEW

This Bartender Payout Policy explains when and how Bartenders receive payment for services rendered through the bartendersNow™ platform.

Key Principles:

• When You're Paid: Your payout is released once you complete your post-event tasks — or automatically 7 days after the event if you don't — and then arrives in your bank account on the standard 2–4 business-day schedule.
• Payout Setup Required: You're paid only after you've completed payout setup and identity verification. You can accept and work events before doing this; if you earn first, your earnings are held safely with our payment processor and released when you finish (see our Bartender Payout Policy).
• Payment Protection: You are confirmed only after the Host's payment is secured, and your payout is not reversed if the Host later disputes the charge (Section 8)
• Transparency: Our 12% platform fee is shown on every booking — you see the gross service total, the fee, and your payout before you accept

2. PAYOUT TIMELINE

2.1 Standard Payout Process

Step 1: Complete Your Event Provide bartending services as agreed with the Host.

Step 2: Complete Post-Service Tasks (Required) Within 24 hours of your event ending:

• Confirm your actual departure time
• Complete the service completion checklist

Step 3: Labor Overage Approval (If Applicable) If you worked beyond scheduled hours (>15 minutes), wait for Host approval.

Step 4: Payout Released Once you complete your post-event tasks, your payout is released. If you haven't completed them, it's released automatically 7 days after the event. (This assumes your payout setup is complete — see our Bartender Payout Policy.)

Step 5: Funds Arrive Funds arrive in your bank account 2-4 business days after payout is initiated.

2.2 Total Timeline

3. PAYOUT CALCULATION

3.1 Standard Formula

Gross service total = Hourly Rate × Hours Worked
Platform fee = 12% of the Gross service total, retained by bartendersNow™ before payout
Your payout = Gross service total − Platform fee

3.2 Example: Standard Event

• Contracted: 5 hours × $80/hr = $400
• Gross service total: $400
• Platform fee: $48 (12%)
• Your payout: $352

3.3 Example: With Labor Overage

• Contracted: 5 hours × $80/hr = $400
• Actual: 6 hours (1 hour overage, approved by Host)
• Gross service total: $480
• Platform fee: $57.60 (12%)
• Your payout: $422.40

4. POST-SERVICE TASKS

4.1 Required Tasks

To receive your payout, you must complete:

1. Departure Time Confirmation

• Log your actual departure time
• Include setup through final departure
• Accuracy is critical for overage calculations

2. Service Completion Confirmation

• Confirm service was provided as agreed
• Confirm no major issues or incidents

4.2 Optional Tasks

These help improve the platform but are not required for payout:

3. Event Notes

• Any service quality notes
• Issues or concerns encountered
• Suggestions for future events

4. Stock List Feedback (when available)

• Was the shopping list accurate?
• Did you run out of any items?
• Was there significant excess?

4.3 Task Completion Deadline

Complete your post-service tasks to release your payout. If you don't, your payout is released automatically 7 days after your event.

5. LABOR OVERAGE

5.1 What Triggers Overage Review?

If your actual departure time exceeds the scheduled end time by more than 15 minutes, the Host is prompted to approve the additional hours.

5.2 Host Response Options

The Host can:

• Approve: You're paid for all hours worked
• Dispute: Platform reviews evidence and decides
• Decline: You're paid contracted hours only (you may dispute)

5.3 If You Disagree

If the Host declines your overage and you believe you worked the hours:

• You can accept contracted amount only, OR
• You can dispute the decision

If you dispute, we review messages, event context, and any available evidence. Our decision is typically provided within 2-3 business days.

6. CANCELLATION PAYOUTS

6.1 Immediate Payout for Cancellations

Unlike standard events, certain cancellations trigger immediate payment to you:

Cancellation payouts follow the same payout-setup rule as event payouts: if your payout setup and identity verification aren't complete, the amount is held safely with our payment processor and released when you finish (see our Bartender Payout Policy).

6.2 Example: Host Cancels 10 Days Before

• Contracted: 5 hours × $80/hr = $400
• Cancellation tier: 7-14 days (50%)
• Gross service total (50% tier): $200
• Platform fee: $24 (12%)
• Your payout: $176
• Timing: Immediate (within minutes of cancellation)

7. CAPTAIN SERVICE PAYOUTS

7.1 Captain Earnings

If you serve as a Captain:

• You receive the Captain Service coordination fee
• Platform fee: 12%, retained before payout
• Payout timing: Same as regular Bartender payouts

7.2 Example: Captain Payout

• Captain Fee: $50
• Platform fee: $6 (12%)
• Your payout: $44

7.3 Captain Fee on Cancellations

8. PAYMENT PROTECTION

8.1 What Protection Means

When a booking is arranged and paid through bartendersNow™, the payment runs through our system and is backed by our support and dispute process. Payment still depends on the Host's card clearing and on the booking's terms being met — it is not a guarantee by bartendersNow™.

8.2 How It Works

What this means in practice:

• You are confirmed for an event only after the Host's payment has been secured (Section 8.4).
• Once you have been paid, your payout is not reduced because the Host later disputes the charge. If a Host files a chargeback, we contest it and do not reverse your payout against you.
• If a Host's payment fails and is not resolved within the grace period described in Part 2, Section 2.3, the booking is cancelled and no payout is issued for it. We tell you the booking was cancelled, that the payment was not collected, and that no payout applies for it.

8.3 Host Payment Issues

We don't pass on a Host's payment details, or the steps they're taking to resolve a payment problem. If a Host's payment isn't resolved, the booking doesn't confirm, or is cancelled — and if it's cancelled for non-payment, we tell you that, that the payment was not collected, and that no payout applies. You're released from the booking; if being released left you out of pocket, contact support.

8.4 When You're Confirmed

You receive a booking confirmation notification only after the Host's payment has been secured. This protects your time:

• For events 48+ hours away: Confirmation is issued at the 48-hour lock, at the moment the Host's card is successfully charged.
• For short-notice events (less than 48 hours away): Confirmation is issued at the moment the Host's card is successfully charged for your commitment action — either immediately after you accept a Host's direct request, or immediately after a Host accepts your request to work a public event.

We charge the Host before we confirm you, so you aren't asked to travel to or prepare for a booking whose payment hasn't been secured. If a Host's payment doesn't clear, the booking doesn't confirm and is cancelled (see Section 8.2).

9. PAYMENT METHOD

9.1 Stripe Connect

Payouts are processed via Stripe Connect direct deposit to your connected bank account.

9.2 Setting Up Your Account

You can set up payouts at any time — before or after you start accepting events. To receive any earnings, this must be complete:

1. Connect your bank account
2. Pass identity verification through our payment processor

Until setup and verification are complete, earnings from events you've worked are held for you (see our Bartender Payout Policy). Identity verification is part of your platform onboarding; payout setup can be completed whenever you're ready, and is required to receive funds.

9.3 Updating Your Bank Account

You can update your bank account anytime in Account Settings. Changes take effect immediately for future payouts.

10. PAYMENT DASHBOARD

10.1 What You Can See

Your dashboard includes:

• Upcoming Payouts: Events completed, pending tasks
• Processing Payouts: Payouts initiated, in transfer
• Completed Payouts: Historical records
• Year-to-Date Totals: Your gross service totals, platform fees, and payouts for the year
• Tax Information: 1099 preparation data

10.2 Payout Receipt

Each payout includes a detailed receipt:

• Event details
• Hours worked
• Gross service total
• Platform fee
• Your payout
• Payment method and timing

Your payout is settled to your connected payout account, so it counts toward the total reported on your Form 1099-K. The platform fee is retained before that settlement and is never paid to you, so it is not part of that total and is not a further deduction against it. Your own records are the place to track your service totals and fees. See Section 11.3.

11. TAX INFORMATION

11.1 Independent Contractor Status

All Bartenders on bartendersNow™ are independent contractors, not employees.

11.2 Tax Responsibilities

Bartenders are independent businesses and are solely responsible for calculating, reporting, and remitting all applicable federal, state, and local income and self-employment taxes.

11.3 IRS Form 1099-K Reporting

As a marketplace facilitator utilizing Stripe Connect as our payment settlement partner, tax reporting is conducted pursuant to IRS Form 1099-K regulations for Third Party Settlement Organizations (TPSO).

• Reportable Amounts: If you meet applicable federal and state reporting thresholds in a calendar year, Stripe Connect or Midnight Logic, Inc. will issue an IRS Form 1099-K.
• Reportable Amount Basis: In compliance with IRS rules for Third Party Settlement Organizations, reported Form 1099-K amounts reflect the total gross amount settled to your connected payout account through the platform — your 88% settlement payouts plus 100% of your in-app tips, together with any cancellation payout or labor-overage distribution paid the same way. Our 12% platform fee is retained before any distribution to you and is never settled to your account, so it is not part of the reported total; the Host's separate 12% marketplace fee is likewise never settled to you and is not included. Neither fee is a separate deduction against the reported amount, because neither is included in it. This matches Section 6.2 of the Terms of Service. Your Form 1099-K is an information return, not a statement of your taxable income — your per-booking service total and platform fee are shown on your payout receipts under Section 10.2, and you should consult a tax professional about your own return.
• Tax Document Availability: Form 1099-K documents are made available electronically via your Stripe Express / account dashboard by January 31 following each tax year.

12. NO-SHOW POLICY

12.1 If You No-Show

A no-show (failing to arrive at a confirmed booking without communication) constitutes a material breach of your agreement with the Host and with bartendersNow™.

Consequences:

• $0 payment - No payment for service not rendered
• Platform access termination - bartendersNow™ reserves the right to immediately and permanently terminate platform access for no-shows
• Host refund - Host receives 100% refund

No-shows undermine the trust essential to our marketplace. The platform's sole remedy is restriction or termination of access, consistent with the independent contractor relationship.

12.2 If You Must Cancel

If you cannot attend, contact the Host AND support immediately. This is treated as a Bartender cancellation (not a no-show) with less severe consequences than a no-show.

13. DISPUTES

13.1 If You Believe Your Payout Is Incorrect

Contact support@bartendersnow.com immediately with:

• Your booking ID
• Expected amount vs. received amount
• Any relevant details

We will review and correct any errors within 24 hours.

13.2 Response Timeline

• Acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
• Investigation: 2-3 business days
• Resolution: Payment adjustment within 24 hours of decision

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Cancellation Questions:

• Email: support@bartendersnow.com
• Subject Line: Cancellation Inquiry - Booking ID

Payment Questions:

• Email: support@bartendersnow.com
• Subject Line: Payment Inquiry - Booking ID

Payout Questions (Bartenders):

• Email: support@bartendersnow.com
• Subject Line: Payout Inquiry - Booking ID

Billing Disputes:

• Email: billing@bartendersnow.com

Tax Documents:

• Email: tax@bartendersnow.com

Disputes and Appeals:

• Email: disputes@bartendersnow.com
• Response time: 2-3 business days

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Cancellation Questions

Q: Can I reschedule instead of canceling? A: Currently, changes to event date/time must be processed as a cancellation followed by a new booking. Cancellation tiers will apply. We are developing a reschedule feature for future release.

Q: What if my Bartender cancels on me? A: You receive a 100% refund immediately. You can use the platform's search tools to find and book an available replacement Bartender.

Q: Why is the Captain fee non-refundable? A: Captains invest significant coordination time in the weeks before your event—communicating with you, organizing the team, and planning logistics. The non-refundable fee compensates them for this work.

Q: What counts as "days before event"? A: Days are calculated from your Bartender's scheduled arrival time, not midnight. If your Bartender is scheduled to arrive at 5:00 PM on Saturday, "7 days before" means 5:00 PM the previous Saturday.

Q: Can I cancel after my event has started, or after it's over? A: No. Cancellation is available up until your event's scheduled start time; after that, the booking can no longer be cancelled. If your Bartender did not arrive, left early, or something else went wrong, use "Report an issue" on your event. See Section 2.5 and our Dispute Resolution Policy.

Payment Questions

Q: Why don't you charge at booking like other services? A: Charging at cancellation or the 48-hour lock reduces transaction costs and means you're only charged when you're truly committed. This is about charge timing, not editability: the core details of your booking lock earlier, when a Bartender accepts (see Part 1, Section 7.2).

Q: Does saving my card affect my available credit? A: No. Saving a card does not place a hold on your account or reduce your available credit. No funds are held or authorized prior to your scheduled charge.

Q: What if my card is declined at the 48-hour mark? A: You'll receive immediate email and SMS notifications and a short grace period to update your payment method; the deadline is stated in Section 6.4 of the Terms of Service. If it is not resolved, your booking is cancelled for non-payment and treated as a Host cancellation within 7 days (no refund). No payout is issued for the booking.

Bartender Payout Questions

Q: When do I get paid after an event? A: Your payout is released once you complete your post-event tasks (confirm your departure time and service completion). If you don't complete them, it's released automatically 7 days after the event. Funds then arrive in your bank account 2–4 business days later. You're paid only once your payout setup and identity verification are complete (see our Bartender Payout Policy).

Q: What's the 12% platform fee for? A: Identity verification, payment processing, insurance support, in-app messaging, booking management, customer support, and our proprietary algorithms. This is significantly lower than traditional staffing agencies (25-50%).

Q: What if the Host cancels? A: You receive 50% if they cancel 7-14 days before, or 100% if within 7 days. Payment is issued immediately, provided your payout setup is complete — if it isn't, it's held for you (see our Bartender Payout Policy).

Q: What if I worked longer than scheduled? A: Log your actual departure time. If greater than 15 minutes over, the Host is prompted to approve. If approved, you're paid for all hours.

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These Payment & Cancellation Policies are incorporated by reference into the bartendersNow™ Terms of Service. In the event of any conflict between this policy and the Terms of Service, the Terms of Service shall govern.

Last Updated: September 8, 2026 Version: 1.13