Policy

This policy is designed to:

(a) set clear rules to reduce disputes and ambiguity;

(b) allocate risk between Guests and Hosts; and

(c) protect the marketplace Operator from being treated as the Experience provider,

while preserving any non-excludable rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

1.1 A Booking forms a contract between the Guest and the Host (User-Host Contract).

1.2 The Operator is not the Host and does not deliver Experiences.

1.3 The Operator may facilitate payments and administer refunds/credits under this policy and processor rules.

2.1 At checkout, the Platform will display:

(a) the Experience price (set by Host);

(b) any taxes (if applicable / estimated);

(c) Platform Service Fee (if charged to Guest);

(d) Processing Fee (if charged to Guest);

(e) total amount charged.

2.2 The Host payout shown to Hosts is net of applicable platform/processing fees and any adjustments.

3.1 A Booking is confirmed when payment is authorised/collected and the Platform confirms the Booking.

3.2 The Platform may decline, cancel, or hold a Booking for fraud/safety/compliance reasons.

4.1 Unless otherwise stated on the listing at the time of booking (and permitted by the Platform), Guest cancellations follow this policy.

4.2 Refund calculation principle:

(a) Host-facing amounts may be refundable according to the timing rules below;

(b) Platform Service Fees and Processing Fees may be non-refundable to the extent they reflect costs incurred, except where required by law.

4.3 Maximum Refund Cap for Guest cancellations (non-ACL). For Guest-initiated cancellations not required by law, the maximum refund of amounts paid is capped at 95% of the total charged, to cover platform and processing costs, unless the Platform specifies a different cap.

4.4 Timing tiers (default):

Tier A: Cancellation within 24 hours of booking AND more than 7 days before start — refund up to 95%.

Tier B: Cancellation 7 days to 72 hours before start — refund up to 50% of Experience price component (cap still applies).

Tier C: Cancellation within 72 hours of start — no refund (cap not applicable).

4.5 Exceptions: The Platform may apply different tiers for certain Experience types (high-prep events, limited capacity, special purchases) if disclosed at listing time.

5.1 If the Host cancels, the Guest receives a full refund of all amounts paid for the Booking, including any Platform Service Fee, unless a different lawful remedy applies.

5.2 The Platform may also issue additional credits as a goodwill measure at its discretion.

6.1 If a reschedule is offered by the Host and accepted by the Guest through the Platform, the Booking is updated and the policy snapshot for the rescheduled Booking may be the original snapshot unless otherwise specified.

6.2 If the Guest declines a Host-proposed reschedule, the cancellation rules apply, taking into account the Host's reason and evidence.

7.1 If the Guest fails to attend (no-show) or arrives too late to participate materially, the Booking may be treated as completed with no refund, except where required by law.

7.2 Hosts should document timing and communications via Platform messaging.

8.1 If an Experience is materially different from the listing, not delivered, or unsafe, the Guest may be eligible for a refund or other remedy based on evidence.

8.2 Evidence includes: messages, photos/videos, witness statements, and Host confirmations.

8.3 The Platform may:

(a) issue partial or full refunds;

(b) issue credits;

(c) remove listings or suspend Hosts.

9.1 Nothing in this policy limits non-excludable rights under the ACL.

9.2 Where the ACL applies, remedies may include repair/replacement, re-supply, refund, or compensation depending on the circumstances and whether the failure is major.

9.3 The Platform's decision process will consider ACL thresholds without admitting that the Operator is the supplier of the Experience.

10.1 Payments may be processed by third parties. The Platform may place holds or delays for fraud/risk review.

10.2 You authorise the Platform and processor to:

(a) charge your payment method;

(b) issue refunds to the original method where possible;

(c) issue credits where refunds are not possible.

11.1 If you file a Chargeback instead of using Platform support, the Platform may suspend your Account during investigation.

11.2 If a Chargeback occurs after a payout, the Platform may recover amounts from the Host or Guest as permitted by these policies and processor rules.

11.3 The Platform may provide evidence to the payment processor.

12.1 Refunds are returned to the original payment method where possible.

12.2 Timing depends on processor and bank systems and may take 5–15 business days (or longer).

12.3 The Platform is not responsible for delays caused by banks/processors.

13.1 Credits (if offered) are platform-issued and:

(a) have an expiry period disclosed at issue time;

(b) are non-transferable unless stated;

(c) may be revoked if issued due to fraud or error.

14.1 The policy version in effect at Booking time may be recorded and governs that Booking to the extent permitted by law.

14.2 Policy updates apply prospectively.

Support: admin@thesharedtablestory.com

16.1 Refunds may be calculated on different components:

(a) Experience price component (host-set);

(b) Platform Service Fee;

(c) Processing Fee;

(d) taxes (if collected).

17.1 The Platform may deny refunds or credits where there is evidence of:

(a) false claims; (b) repeated refund abuse; (c) chargeback abuse; (d) coordinated fraud.

17.2 The Platform may require identity verification for high-risk refunds.

18.1 If you attend part of an Experience, refunds are assessed on evidence and fairness under policy and law.

19.1 Coupons and promotions are subject to their terms and may be revoked for misuse.