Terms of Service

Please read these terms carefully before using BookYard.

Last updated: January 2025

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using BookYard, you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provision of this agreement. If you do not agree to abide by the above, please do not use this service.

2. Service Description

BookYard is a platform that connects college students to buy and sell textbooks. We provide the technology and tools to facilitate these connections, but we are not a party to any transactions between users.

What We Provide:

A platform to list and browse textbooks
Messaging system for communication between users
User profiles and rating systems
Safety guidelines and support resources

What We Don't Provide:

Payment processing or financial services
Shipping or delivery services
Guarantees about book condition or authenticity
Resolution of disputes between users

3. User Responsibilities

Account Requirements:

You must be a current college student with a valid .edu email address
You must provide accurate and complete information
You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account
You must not share your account with others

Listing Requirements:

You must own the books you list for sale
Descriptions must be accurate and honest
Photos must accurately represent the book's condition
Pricing must be reasonable and in good faith

Communication Standards:

Be respectful and professional in all communications
Respond to messages in a timely manner
Do not use the platform for harassment or spam
Report suspicious or inappropriate behavior

4. Prohibited Activities

The following activities are strictly prohibited on BookYard:

Listing counterfeit, stolen, or illegally obtained books
Creating fake accounts or impersonating others
Posting false, misleading, or deceptive listings
Engaging in fraudulent or scam activities
Harassing, threatening, or abusing other users
Using the platform for non-textbook related sales
Attempting to circumvent safety measures or policies
Scraping or automated data collection

5. Liability and Disclaimers

Platform Disclaimer:

BookYard is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content or communications on our platform.

Transaction Disclaimer:

BookYard is not responsible for the quality, safety, legality, or accuracy of books listed by users. All transactions are between users, and we are not liable for any disputes, damages, or losses arising from these transactions.

Limitation of Liability:

To the maximum extent permitted by law, BookYard shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, or use.

6. Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time for violations of these terms, suspicious activity, or other reasons we deem necessary to protect our community.

Reasons for Termination:

Violation of these terms of service
Fraudulent or deceptive behavior
Harassment or abuse of other users
Inactivity for extended periods
No longer being a college student

7. Changes to Terms

We may update these terms from time to time to reflect changes in our service or legal requirements. We will notify users of significant changes via email or through our platform. Continued use of BookYard after changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms.