Terms of Service

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of BookMates (“BookMates,” “we,” “us”). By creating an account or otherwise using BookMates, you agree to these Terms. If you don't agree, please don't use the platform.

1. What BookMates is

BookMates is a peer-to-peer book borrowing platform. Members list books they own and lend them to other members nearby, and borrow books in return. Instead of money, BookMates uses a points-based deposit system: points are a refundable placeholder used to hold a borrowing commitment, not a currency. Points have no cash value, cannot be purchased or sold, cannot be exchanged for money, and are not a payment, credit, or financial product of any kind.

2. We are not a registered company yet

BookMates is currently an independent, pre-launch project. It is not registered as a company or other legal entity at this time, and nothing on this platform should be taken as a representation that it is. We make no claims about corporate status, regulatory registration, or licensing, and the platform is offered on that basis. This may change as BookMates develops, and these Terms will be updated if it does.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to create a BookMates account and use the platform.

4. Your account

You're responsible for keeping your login credentials secure and for all activity that happens under your account. Let us know right away if you believe your account has been compromised.

5. How members should behave

• List books accurately — condition, availability, and description should be honest.
• Honor borrowing commitments: show up, hand books off, and return them as agreed.
• Don't use BookMates for fraud, harassment, or to list illegal or prohibited items.
• Treat other members with respect.

6. Meetups and your safety

Please read this section carefully — it matters.

• Never share private or sensitive information with other members through the platform or in person — this includes financial details, government ID numbers, your home address, or anything else you wouldn't hand to a stranger.
• Always meet in a public, well-lit location to exchange books — a café, library, or busy public spot. Avoid meeting at private residences or isolated locations.
• BookMates does not run background checks on members, is not present at meetups, and is not involved in arranging or supervising them.
• BookMates is not responsible for what happens during an in-person meetup, including but not limited to personal safety, injury, theft, lost or damaged books, or any dispute between members. You arrange and conduct meetups entirely at your own risk and discretion.

7. Content you post

You keep ownership of the photos, descriptions, and other content you post, but by posting it you give BookMates permission to display it on the platform. We may remove content that violates these Terms.

8. No warranties, limitation of liability

BookMates is provided “as is,” without warranties of any kind. We don't guarantee the platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that any particular outcome (finding a book, a successful borrow, etc.) will occur. To the fullest extent permitted by law, BookMates is not liable for any loss, damage, or dispute arising from your use of the platform or your interactions with other members, including anything described in Section 6.

9. Suspension and termination

We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or put other members at risk.

10. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms as BookMates develops. We'll post the updated version here with a new “Last updated” date.

11. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Reach out via our contact page.