In these Terms and Conditions, unless the context otherwise requires:
2.1. Dual-Sided Marketplace: Needsey operates an online technology marketplace connecting Clients seeking professional assistance with independent third-party Service Providers for both local on-site services and remote/online digital services (such as web development, tutoring, and legal or financial consulting).
2.2. Intermediary Role: Needsey acts strictly as a technology facilitator and online marketplace. Needsey is not a party to any service contract, agreement, or direct transaction formed between Clients and Service Providers.
2.3. Independent Status:Service Providers operate as independent business contractors and are not employees, workers, partners, joint venturers, or agents of Needsey. Needsey does not employ, supervise, or direct the manner in which a Provider performs their work, and makes no representation as to the quality of a specific Provider's services beyond the verification, rating, and review mechanisms described in these Terms. Needsey's role in holding funds in escrow and administering the dispute resolution process described in clause 6 does not make Needsey a guarantor of any Provider's performance, nor does it affect a Client's statutory rights against the Provider under clause 8.2.
3.1. Account Creation: Users must register an account to access core Platform features, providing accurate and current information.
3.2. Provider Onboarding: Users initially register as Clients. To list services or accept jobs as a Service Provider, users must complete the mandatory onboarding verification process, including providing professional background details, verification credentials, tax or GST registration status, and Stripe Connect payout account information.
4.1. Browse Services (Client-initiated):Clients may browse professional profiles and service packages, electing either to book directly at the Provider's listed standard price or to initiate a dialogue to negotiate a custom budget.
4.2. Post a Need (Client-initiated via Radar):Clients may broadcast a specific project "Need" accompanied by a fixed budget and geographic location, or designate the request as "Remote / Online". Local or global Providers may evaluate and accept open requests via their live radar interface.
5.1. Free Access: Account creation, browsing the marketplace, and posting needs are completely free of charge.
5.2. Scenario A (Standard Pricing / Direct Booking):When a Client books directly at a Provider's listed standard price without custom negotiation, Needsey charges the Service Provider a 10% marketplace commission plus applicable payment processing fees.
5.3. Scenario B (Custom Budget / Need Radar): When a Client requests a service under a custom negotiated budget or posts an open need accepted by a Provider, Needsey charges the Client a 10% marketplace commission on top of their fixed budget, plus transaction fees.
5.4. Timing of Fee Settlement and Escrow Release: Platform commissions and Provider payouts are not charged, transferred, or released when a Provider accepts a job or when funds are initially authorized. All transaction funds are held securely in Stripe Connect escrow. Fees are officially captured, settled, and disbursed out of escrow strictly upon job completion and when the job is formally marked complete by the Client.
6.1. Forty-Eight Hour Dispute Window: Following the formal submission of completed work by a Service Provider, Clients are granted a strict 48-hour dispute window to inspect the deliverables.
6.2. Dispute Review: If a Client raises a formal dispute regarding service quality, non-performance, or scope mismatch within this 48-hour window, escrow funds remain frozen pending administrative review by Needsey.
6.3. Fund Disbursement: If no dispute is raised within 48 hours of job completion submission, the transaction is auto-finalized, and Stripe Connect disburses the net funds to the Service Provider.
Needsey collects, stores, and processes user personal information in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020. For full detail on what we collect, why, who it's shared with, and your rights to access, correct, or delete your information, see our Privacy Policy.
8.1. New Zealand Governing Law: This agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New Zealand. Any legal action, proceeding, or dispute resolution must be seated exclusively in the courts of New Zealand.
8.2. Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA):Where a Client is a "consumer" under the CGA, the statutory guarantees under the CGA are owed by the Service Provider actually performing the work, as the supplier of those services — they are not excluded, restricted, or modified by these Terms. Where a Client acquires services for business purposes, section 43 of the CGA allows those guarantees to be contracted out of, but only by specific written agreement between the Client and the Provider covering that transaction; use of the Platform alone does not constitute such an agreement.
8.3. Fair Trading Act 1986 (FTA): Users agree to engage in fair, transparent dealings on the Platform and refrain from misleading or deceptive conduct in compliance with the FTA.
8.4. Limitation of Liability:To the maximum extent permitted by New Zealand law, and without limiting any guarantee under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 that cannot lawfully be excluded, Needsey shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, loss of revenue, data loss, or property damage arising from interactions between Clients and Service Providers. Subject to that same qualification, Needsey's total aggregate liability in connection with a given transaction is limited to the commission fees actually received by Needsey for that transaction. Nothing in this clause limits liability for fraud, wilful misconduct, or any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under New Zealand law.