ShipHiker Legal Center

2. Release of Liability

By using this site, you acknowledge that you are entering into a direct agreement with other users at your own risk. ShipHiker is not a party to any agreement between a Shipper and a Traveler. We are not liable for lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed items. Disputes must be resolved directly between users. Our maximum liability to you, under any circumstance, shall not exceed the fees you have paid to ShipHiker in the past 12 months (or $100, whichever is less).

3. User Responsibilities

• Vetting: You are solely responsible for evaluating and vetting the person you are transacting with. Review profiles, ratings, and reviews before agreeing to any shipment.
• Legality: You agree to comply with all local, state, and federal laws regarding the transport of goods. Do not ship illegal items or materials prohibited by law.
• Accuracy: You warrant that any shipment description you post is accurate and truthful. Misrepresenting the contents of a shipment is prohibited.
• Prohibited Use: You agree not to use ShipHiker to facilitate scams, fraud, impersonation, harassment, threats, price gouging, or any unlawful activity.

4. Independent Contractor Relationship

Nothing in this Agreement creates an employment, partnership, or agency relationship between you and ShipHiker. Travelers are independent contractors. You have the sole right to determine when, where, and how often you utilize the platform. You are responsible for your own taxes, insurance, and tools. ShipHiker does not withhold taxes or provide employment benefits.

5. Insurance Warning for Travelers

ShipHiker does not provide auto, cargo, or general liability insurance. Warning: Many personal auto insurance policies contain exclusions for "commercial use" or "delivery for hire." It is your sole responsibility to verify with your insurance provider that your policy covers you while transporting items for others. If you plan to make regular shipments, consider obtaining a commercial auto insurance policy or cargo insurance. You assume all financial risk for accidents or damages occurring during a trip.

6. Payment Processing & Transactions

ShipHiker does not process, hold, or collect payments. We provide payment links (PayPal buttons and direct payment options) as a convenience. Any financial transaction (Cash, PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, etc.) is a direct arrangement between the Shipper and Traveler. ShipHiker is not responsible for non-payment, payment disputes, chargebacks, or refund requests. You must resolve all payment issues directly with the recipient or with the payment service provider (e.g., PayPal, your bank).

7. Third-Party Services

This application integrates with third-party services, including but not limited to Google Maps, PayPal, Firebase, and Google Cloud Messaging. By using ShipHiker, you agree to comply with the terms of service and privacy policies of these third parties:

• Google Privacy Policy
• PayPal User Agreement

ShipHiker is not responsible for the actions, policies, or service interruptions of these third parties.

8. Intellectual Property

You retain all rights to any content you post on ShipHiker, including shipment descriptions, photos, and messages. By posting content, you grant ShipHiker a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and display your content for the purpose of operating the platform. ShipHiker does not warrant the accuracy or legality of user-generated content.

9. Dispute Resolution & Arbitration

You agree that any legal dispute between you and ShipHiker will be resolved by binding, individual arbitration, and you waive your right to participate in a class-action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration. For non-binding informal dispute resolution, please contact us at shiphikerhelp@gmail.com.

10. Changes to Terms

ShipHiker reserves the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. We will notify you of material changes via email or in-app notification. Your continued use of the platform following a change constitutes your acceptance of the modified terms.

11. Age Restrictions

You must be at least 18 years old to use ShipHiker. By creating an account, you represent that you are 18 or older and legally able to enter into a binding agreement.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly, including your email, phone number, public screen name, profile picture, bio, and the details of shipments/trips you post. We also collect approximate location data to facilitate search features. We do not collect sensitive financial information (credit card numbers, bank account details) directly—payment processing is handled by PayPal or other payment providers.

2. How We Share Data

We do not sell your personal data to third parties. Your sensitive contact information (phone/email) is never shared with other users on the platform. Your login credentials are never shared. Only the data you willingly share in messages, your bio, profile picture, and reference links on your profile page are visible to other users on the platform.

3. Data Retention & Deletion

We retain your account data for as long as your account is active, and for 12 months after account closure for legal and dispute resolution purposes. If you request account deletion, we will delete your personal data within 30 days, except for data required by law to be retained. Message history and transaction records may be retained longer for compliance purposes. You can request data deletion by contacting support at shiphikerhelp@gmail.com.

4. Accessibility

ShipHiker is committed to providing an accessible experience for all users. We strive to comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. If you experience accessibility issues, please contact us at shiphikerhelp@gmail.com.

5. Third-Party Services

This application uses Google Maps features and Firebase services. By using ShipHiker, you are also bound by Google's Privacy Policy.

1. Payment Methods

Shippers and Travelers may agree to payment via any method of their choosing, including:

• PayPal (using links provided on the platform)
• Cash, check, or other payment instruments
• Third-party services (Venmo, Zelle, etc.)

ShipHiker does not endorse any specific payment method and is not responsible for disputes related to any payment method.

2. Payment Disputes & Refunds

ShipHiker is not responsible for payment disputes, chargebacks, non-payment, or refund requests. If a dispute arises between a Shipper and Traveler, you must resolve it directly with the other party or through your payment service provider (e.g., PayPal's dispute resolution process). ShipHiker has no authority to issue refunds or mediate payment disputes.

3. PayPal Integration

ShipHiker provides PayPal payment buttons as a convenience to users. PayPal is a third-party payment processor and is governed by PayPal's User Agreement and Privacy Policy. ShipHiker does not collect or process PayPal payments. All PayPal disputes should be directed to PayPal, not ShipHiker. Report a PayPal dispute here.

4. No Escrow or Guarantee

ShipHiker does not hold funds in escrow, does not guarantee payment, and does not guarantee the return of shipments. Payment and delivery are entirely between Shipper and Traveler. You use ShipHiker at your own financial risk.

1. Account Suspension & Termination

ShipHiker reserves the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time, with or without notice, if we determine that you have violated these Terms of Service, posted prohibited content, engaged in fraudulent activity, or endangered the safety of the community. Reasons for suspension or termination include, but are not limited to:

• Posting or shipping prohibited items (weapons, drugs, stolen goods, etc.)
• Engaging in fraud, scams, or misrepresentation
• Harassment, threats, or abusive behavior toward other users
• Multiple violations of community guidelines
• Suspicious activity or attempts to circumvent platform protections

2. Warning System

ShipHiker may issue warnings for minor violations before suspension. Repeated violations may result in immediate termination without warning. The decision to issue a warning or proceed directly to suspension is at ShipHiker's sole discretion.

3. Data Upon Account Termination

If your account is terminated or suspended, your profile may become inaccessible. Your messages and transaction history may be retained for legal and dispute resolution purposes, but your personal data will be deleted within 12 months unless required by law to be retained longer.

4. Appeals & Support

If your account has been suspended or terminated, you may appeal by contacting ShipHiker support at shiphikerhelp@gmail.com. Include your account details and a detailed explanation of why you believe the action was taken in error. ShipHiker will review your appeal and respond within 10 business days.

5. Reporting & Community Standards

ShipHiker relies on user reports to maintain a safe community. You can report another user for violation of these Terms by using the "Report" feature on their profile or shipment. ShipHiker moderators and support staff review reports in good faith but do not guarantee enforcement. Moderators and support staff are not liable for failure to enforce community standards or for errors in moderation decisions.

Traveler Rights & Inspection

Travelers have the absolute right to inspect the contents of any package before accepting it. Do not seal your package until the Traveler has arrived and visually verified the contents match the description. If a Shipper refuses inspection or the contents do not match the description, the Traveler should decline the shipment immediately and report the incident to ShipHiker.

Safety Guidelines

• Meet in Public: Always meet in a public, well-lit location (e.g., coffee shop, police station exchange zone, busy mall).
• Inform Others: Tell a trusted friend or family member where you are going, who you are meeting, and when you expect to return. Share your location with them.
• Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off—the person looks different from their photo, they seem rushed, or their story changes—trust your gut. Cancel the meetup and report the incident.
• Document the Handoff: Take a photo of the item at pickup (to prove its condition) and at drop-off. This protects both parties.
• Exchange Contact Details: Know your destination handoff details, exchange phone numbers, and confirm arrival times.
• Check Ratings & Reviews: Before agreeing to a shipment, review the other user's profile, ratings, and feedback from previous transactions.
• Use the Messaging Feature: Communicate with the other user through ShipHiker's messaging system. This creates a record of all conversations.
• Be Excellent to Each Other: Treat others with respect and kindness. We are all part of the same community.
• Drive Safe: Obey traffic laws, don't drive while distracted, and arrive early to avoid rushing.

Reporting Safety Issues

If you witness a safety violation, experience harassment, or suspect criminal activity, report it immediately to ShipHiker at shiphikerhelp@gmail.com and to local law enforcement if appropriate. Do not attempt to resolve safety issues directly with the other user.