Terms & Conditions

1. About Whato

Whato is a hyperlocal services booking platform that connects customers with local businesses including clinics, salons, gyms and restaurants. Whato is operated as a sole proprietorship registered in Tamil Nadu, India.

Whato acts as a technology platform facilitating bookings. We are not a healthcare provider, salon, gym or restaurant. All services are provided by the respective businesses listed on our platform.

2. User Accounts (Customers)

• You must provide accurate information when registering - name, phone number, and password
• Your phone number is your login identifier - use a valid number you have access to
• You are responsible for keeping your account credentials secure
• One account per person. Creating multiple accounts is not permitted
• You must be 18 years or older to create an account and make bookings
• We reserve the right to suspend accounts that violate these terms

3. Business Accounts

• Businesses must provide accurate information during onboarding including legal name, address, GST (if applicable) and bank account details for Razorpay payouts
• Businesses are responsible for the accuracy of their listings, slot availability, service details and pricing
• Multiple staff logins (owner, manager, receptionist, staff) are available based on subscription plan
• Businesses must honour confirmed bookings. Repeated cancellations may result in listing suspension
• Businesses must not list services they are not licensed or qualified to provide

4. Booking Terms

4.1 How Bookings Work

A booking is confirmed once payment is completed through Whato via Razorpay. The payment is transferred directly to the business's linked bank account via Razorpay Route - Whato does not hold or retain your payment at any point. For some niches (clinics, salons, gyms), the service fee may be paid directly at the venue in person rather than online.

4.2 Customer Responsibilities

• Arrive on time for your appointment or token
• Carry your booking confirmation and token number
• Cancel in advance if you cannot attend - see our Refund Policy for details

4.3 No-Show Policy

If you do not show up for a confirmed booking without cancelling, the booking is forfeited. Repeated no-shows may result in temporary restriction of your booking ability on Whato.

4.4 Business Cancellations

If a business cancels a confirmed booking, the customer is entitled to a full refund. Since payments are settled directly to the business via Razorpay, the refund is issued by the business to the customer. See our Refund Policy for the full process.

5. Payments

Payments on Whato are processed securely through Razorpay, a licensed payment aggregator in India. Whato does not store card or bank credentials. When you pay for a booking, the payment is split and transferred directly to the business's bank account via Razorpay Route.

A small convenience fee is added to each paid booking at checkout. This fee covers Razorpay's payment gateway charges (2% + 18% GST) and instant settlement costs, so the business receives exactly the service amount they have listed. The convenience fee is borne by the customer and is shown clearly before you confirm payment.

Whato earns revenue only through business subscription fees. There is no commission charged on any booking. All prices shown to customers are in Indian Rupees (INR).

6. WhatsApp Notifications

By creating an account, you consent to receive transactional WhatsApp messages on your registered number. These include booking confirmations, reminders, queue updates and order status messages. We do not send promotional or marketing messages via WhatsApp.

7. Prohibited Conduct

Users of Whato must not:

• Provide false information during registration or booking
• Make bookings with no intention of attending
• Attempt to access other users' accounts or data
• Use automated scripts or bots to interact with the platform
• Misrepresent qualifications or services as a business
• Harass, threaten or abuse other users or business staff through the platform
• Attempt to circumvent payment processes
• Use the platform for any unlawful purpose

Violation of these rules may result in immediate account suspension without refund.

8. Subscription Plans (For Businesses)

Whato offers Starter (₹799/month), Growth (₹999/month) and Pro (₹1,299/month) plans for businesses. Features are gated by plan. Plan limits apply monthly and reset at the start of each billing cycle.

Subscriptions are billed monthly via Razorpay and auto-renew each month. Businesses may cancel at any time. See our Refund Policy for details on cancellation refunds. A 30-day free trial is available for new businesses - no payment is required during the trial period.

9. Disclaimer of Liability

Whato is a technology platform. We are not responsible for the quality, safety, accuracy or legality of the services provided by listed businesses. Any disputes regarding service quality must be resolved directly between the customer and the business.

We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from missed appointments, service failures or disputes between customers and businesses facilitated through our platform.

Whato's total liability to any user in connection with use of the platform shall not exceed the amount paid by that user to Whato in the 30 days preceding the claim.

10. Intellectual Property

All content on Whato including the name, logo, design, code and documentation is the intellectual property of Whato. You may not copy, reproduce or redistribute any part of the platform without prior written permission.

11. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of India. Any disputes arising from use of Whato shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India.

12. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via WhatsApp or email. Continued use of Whato after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms.

13. Contact