Terms Of Service
CLIENT SERVICES AGREEMENT Effective Date: This Client Services Agreement (“Agreement”) becomes effective when a Client electronically accepts it during the Rice Tutors LLC registration, scheduling, or checkout process. This Agreement is entered into between Rice Tutors LLC, a New York limited liability company with its principal place of business at 310 Beverley Road, Brooklyn, New York 11218 (“Rice Tutors,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), and the individual purchasing or scheduling tutoring services through the Rice Tutors website or platform (“Client,” “you,” or “your”). If tutoring services are purchased for a student under eighteen (18) years of age, the individual accepting this Agreement represents and warrants that they are the student’s parent or legal guardian and have the legal authority to enter into this Agreement on behalf of the minor student and themselves. Client information, including the Client’s name, contact information, student information, billing information, and other registration details, will be collected and maintained electronically through the Rice Tutors platform and shall form part of the Parties’ contractual relationship without the need to reproduce that information within this Agreement.
PURPOSE
Rice Tutors LLC provides online tutoring services by matching students with qualified independent tutors in various academic subjects. This Agreement establishes the terms governing the tutoring services provided through Rice Tutors.
SERVICES
Rice Tutors will use commercially reasonable efforts to match the Client with an appropriately qualified tutor based on the information provided by the Client. Tutoring services may include, among other things:
Homework assistance
Test preparation
Subject-specific tutoring
Study skills coaching
Academic mentoring
Other educational support services agreed upon by the Parties
Tutoring sessions shall be conducted online unless Rice Tutors agrees otherwise in writing. Rice Tutors reserves the right to assign, replace, or reassign tutors as reasonably necessary to meet scheduling, availability, or service needs.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR TUTORS
The Client understands and acknowledges that tutors providing services through Rice Tutors are independent contractors and are not employees of Rice Tutors. Rice Tutors coordinates scheduling, payment processing, customer service, and administrative support but does not guarantee any particular tutor’s continued availability.
SCHEDULING
Tutoring sessions shall be scheduled through Rice Tutors. The Client agrees to provide accurate scheduling information and to notify Rice Tutors promptly if scheduling changes are required.
FEES AND PAYMENT
All tutoring fees shall be paid directly to Rice Tutors. Under no circumstances shall the Client pay a tutor directly for tutoring services provided through Rice Tutors unless Rice Tutors has provided prior written authorization. Invoices shall be payable according to the payment instructions provided by Rice Tutors. Failure to make timely payment may result in suspension or termination of tutoring services until the account is brought current. Rice Tutors reserves the right to update its pricing for future tutoring services upon reasonable notice.
CANCELLATION AND RESCHEDULING POLICY
The Client may cancel or reschedule a tutoring session without penalty by providing at least twenty-four (24) hours’ advance notice. If a tutoring session is cancelled or rescheduled less than twenty-four (24) hours before its scheduled start time, the Client shall be responsible for the full session fee, and no refund or credit will be issued. If a tutor is unable to attend a scheduled session, Rice Tutors will make reasonable efforts to reschedule the session or provide a substitute tutor where appropriate. Rice Tutors may waive cancellation fees in exceptional circumstances at its sole discretion.
REFUND POLICY
Except as expressly stated in this Agreement or otherwise approved by Rice Tutors in writing, tutoring fees are non-refundable. No refunds shall be provided for:
missed sessions
late cancellations
no-shows
dissatisfaction based solely upon grades or academic outcomes
tutoring sessions that were substantially completed
Nothing in this section limits any rights the Client may have under applicable law.
CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The Client agrees to:
attend scheduled tutoring sessions on time
provide accurate academic information reasonably necessary for tutoring
maintain appropriate technology and internet access for online sessions
complete agreed assignments where applicable
treat tutors respectfully and professionally
comply with all reasonable policies communicated by Rice Tutors
For students under the age of eighteen (18), the parent or legal guardian remains responsible for ensuring compliance with this Agreement.
TUTOR-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP
Rice Tutors invests substantial resources in recruiting tutors, marketing its services, acquiring clients, coordinating schedules, and administering tutoring services. Accordingly, the Client acknowledges that all tutoring relationships established through Rice Tutors are facilitated by and belong to Rice Tutors. The Client agrees that all scheduling, payments, and administrative matters relating to tutoring services shall remain exclusively through Rice Tutors during the term of this Agreement.
NON-CIRCUMVENTION
To protect Rice Tutors’ legitimate business interests, the Client agrees that:
During Services
While receiving tutoring services through Rice Tutors, the Client shall not:
hire a Rice Tutors tutor privately
pay a tutor directly
request that a tutor provide tutoring services outside Rice Tutors
otherwise attempt to bypass Rice Tutors in connection with tutoring services
Following Termination
For a period of six (6) months after the last tutoring session arranged through Rice Tutors, the Client shall not knowingly retain or engage any tutor first introduced through Rice Tutors for private tutoring services outside Rice Tutors without the Company’s prior written consent. This restriction applies only to tutors introduced through Rice Tutors and does not apply to tutoring relationships that existed before the Client became a Rice Tutors client. The Client acknowledges that this provision is intended solely to protect Rice Tutors’ goodwill and investment in developing tutor-client relationships.
COMMUNICATIONS
The Client agrees to communicate with tutors in a respectful and professional manner. Rice Tutors reserves the right to discontinue services where a Client engages in abusive, threatening, discriminatory, or inappropriate conduct toward tutors or Company personnel.
EDUCATIONAL DISCLAIMER
Rice Tutors and its tutors provide educational assistance and academic support only. Rice Tutors does not guarantee:
specific grades
admission to any educational institution
standardized test scores
scholarships
academic awards
any other educational outcome
Student success depends upon numerous factors beyond the control of Rice Tutors, including the student’s effort, attendance, preparation, and participation.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
The Client is responsible for maintaining:
a reliable internet connection
a compatible computer or mobile device
any required software or applications
a suitable environment for online tutoring sessions
Rice Tutors is not responsible for interruptions caused by the Client’s equipment or internet connection.
PRIVACY
Rice Tutors will use reasonable care to protect personal information provided by Clients. The Client agrees to provide only information reasonably necessary for tutoring services. Tutors are expected to maintain the confidentiality of student information in accordance with their contractual obligations to Rice Tutors.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Rice Tutors shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages arising from tutoring services, including loss of educational opportunities, lost academic performance, or emotional distress. Rice Tutors’ total liability arising out of this Agreement shall not exceed the total tutoring fees actually paid by the Client to Rice Tutors during the three (3) months immediately preceding the event giving rise to the claim. Nothing in this Agreement limits liability where such limitation is prohibited by law.
TERMINATION
Either Party may terminate this Agreement at any time upon written notice. Termination shall not affect:
outstanding payment obligations
accrued cancellation fees
the non-circumvention provisions
confidentiality obligations
any provision intended to survive termination
Rice Tutors may suspend or terminate services immediately if the Client materially breaches this Agreement or engages in conduct that threatens the safety, wellbeing, or professional integrity of a tutor or Company representative.
GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict-of-law rules.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
The Parties agree to first attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute through informal discussions. If a dispute cannot be resolved within thirty (30) days after written notice, either Party may pursue its legal remedies in a court of competent jurisdiction located in the State of New York.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Rice Tutors LLC and the Client regarding the tutoring services provided through Rice Tutors and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous discussions, negotiations, representations, understandings, and agreements, whether oral or written, relating to the same subject matter.
Updates and Amendments
Rice Tutors LLC may revise or update this Agreement from time to time to reflect changes in its services, business practices, operational procedures, technology, or applicable legal requirements. The most current version of this Agreement will be made available on the Rice Tutors website or platform and will indicate the date on which it becomes effective. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, any revised version of this Agreement shall apply prospectively to tutoring services purchased, renewed, scheduled, or continued after the revised version becomes effective. Where required by law, or where Rice Tutors LLC determines that a revision materially affects the rights or obligations of Clients, Rice Tutors LLC may require the Client to electronically accept the revised Agreement before purchasing, scheduling, or continuing to receive tutoring services. No modification or amendment requested by an individual Client shall be binding upon Rice Tutors LLC unless expressly agreed to by Rice Tutors LLC in writing or through an authorized electronic communication.
Electronic Communications
The Client consents to receive communications from Rice Tutors LLC electronically, including by email, through the Rice Tutors website or platform, or by other electronic means permitted by law. Electronic communications may include service announcements, scheduling confirmations, invoices, receipts, notices, updates to this Agreement, and other information relating to the tutoring services.
Severability
If any provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Any invalid or unenforceable provision shall be interpreted, modified, or limited only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable while preserving the Parties’ original intent to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Waiver
No failure or delay by Rice Tutors LLC in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement shall constitute a waiver of that right or remedy. Any waiver of a provision of this Agreement shall be effective only if made expressly in writing by Rice Tutors LLC and shall not constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach or default.
Assignment
The Client may not assign or transfer any rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Rice Tutors LLC. Rice Tutors LLC may assign or transfer this Agreement, in whole or in part, in connection with a merger, acquisition, corporate reorganization, sale of assets, or other business transaction, or to any successor entity, without the Client’s consent.
No Third-Party Beneficiaries
Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, nothing contained herein is intended to confer any rights or remedies upon any person or entity other than the Parties to this Agreement and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
Headings
The headings used in this Agreement are provided solely for convenience and reference and shall not affect the interpretation or construction of any provision of this Agreement.
Survival
Any provisions of this Agreement that by their nature are intended to survive termination or expiration—including, without limitation, provisions relating to payment obligations, cancellation fees, confidentiality, non-circumvention, limitation of liability, dispute resolution, governing law, and electronic acceptance—shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement to the extent necessary to give them full force and effect.
ELECTRONIC ACCEPTANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT
This Agreement is presented electronically during the registration, scheduling, or checkout process for tutoring services. If the student is eighteen (18) years of age or older, the student must personally accept this Agreement before tutoring services may be purchased or scheduled. If the student is under eighteen (18) years of age, this Agreement must be accepted by the student’s parent or legal guardian. A parent or legal guardian accepting this Agreement represents and warrants that they have the legal authority to enter into this Agreement on behalf of the minor student and agree to be legally bound by its terms both individually and on behalf of the minor student. To proceed with the purchase or scheduling of tutoring services, the individual completing the registration must affirmatively select the following checkbox:
☐ I certify that I am either (i) at least eighteen (18) years of age and am accepting this Agreement on my own behalf, or (ii) the parent or legal guardian of the minor student receiving tutoring services. I have read, understand, and agree to be legally bound by the Rice Tutors Client Services Agreement.
By selecting the checkbox above and proceeding with the purchase or scheduling of tutoring services, the individual accepting this Agreement acknowledges and agrees that:
they have had the opportunity to read and review this Agreement in its entirety before accepting it
they understand and agree to be legally bound by all of the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement
checking the required acceptance box and completing the purchase or scheduling process constitutes their electronic signature and electronic acceptance of this Agreement, with the same legal force and effect as a handwritten signature, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law
where the student is a minor, the parent or legal guardian accepts responsibility for complying with this Agreement, including payment obligations, cancellation policies, and communications relating to the tutoring services
no tutoring services will be scheduled or provided unless this Agreement has been electronically accepted
they consent to the use of electronic records and electronic communications in connection with the purchase, scheduling, and administration of tutoring services
Rice Tutors LLC may maintain electronic records of the acceptance of this Agreement, including the date and time of acceptance, the version of the Agreement accepted, the name and email address of the individual accepting the Agreement, the student’s name (if different), the IP address or other identifying information collected during the registration or checkout process, and other transaction records maintained in the ordinary course of business. Such electronic records shall constitute prima facie evidence of acceptance of this Agreement and may be relied upon by Rice Tutors LLC to the same extent as a signed written agreement. No separate handwritten or electronic signature shall be required. The acceptance checkbox must be selected before tutoring services may be purchased, scheduled, or provided.