SkillScoop Hassle-Free Terms — Help Center

Hassle-Free Payment Terms

Definitions

  • “Platform” refers to SkillScoop’s website and services.
  • “Site” refers to SkillScoop’s website and services.
  • “User” refers to anyone who uses the platform.
  • “Specialist” refers to users offering services on the platform.
  • “Client” refers to users seeking services on the platform.
  • “Task” or “Job” refer to the job posted, listed or advertised by the User on the platform. Job includes work or service that Client requires and seeks to have completed by a Specialist.
  • “Stripe” refers to a trusted third-party payment processor used by SkillScoop to handle and manage online payments securely. Stripe facilitates the collection, holding, and transfer of funds between users, and purchases made on platform.
  • “Hassle Free Payment” or “Hassle-Free” refers to an optional payment feature that allows funds to be securely held by SkillScoop (via Stripe) until the job is completed or when agreed conditions are met.
  • Job/Service Contract refers to a direct agreement between a Client and a Specialist for the performance of services, formed when a Client accepts a quote or offer from a Specialist on the SkillScoop platform.
  • Milestone(s) refers to agreed stages or deliverables within a job, used to track progress and release payments through the Hassle-Free Payment system.

Overview of Hassle-Free Payment

SkillScoop offers a feature known as Hassle-Free Payment to help Clients and Specialists securely fund and complete tasks. Funds are held by a third-party payment processor (such as Stripe) and are not received or controlled by SkillScoop at any time.

By using Hassle-Free Payment, you acknowledge that:

  • SkillScoop is not a financial service provider,
  • SkillScoop is not a trustee, escrow agent, or custodian, and
  • All funds are subject to the terms and compliance procedures of the relevant payment processor.

Acceptance of Hassle-Free Payment Instructions

By initiating and utilising SkillScoop’s “Hassle Free” payment services, you acknowledge and agree that all instructions — including those for depositing, releasing, or cancelling funds — are submitted voluntarily and in good faith. These instructions are intended solely to simulate a secure holding mechanism and do not create a fiduciary or trust relationship between SkillScoop and any user. All funds are held securely using Stripe’s services, and SkillScoop’s involvement is limited strictly to facilitating these transactions.

Deposit of Funds into the Hassle-Free Payment

Before work commences, the Client shall deposit the agreed-upon funds into the “Hassle-Free Payment” system via the mechanisms provided on the platform. The funds are held securely using Stripe’s services and are not maintained in a segregated trust account, as would be required for a traditional escrow service. The Client is solely responsible for the accuracy and sufficiency of the deposited funds, and acknowledges that any issues related to the funds themselves are subject to Stripe’s policies. SkillScoop disclaims any liability for errors or issues arising from the deposit or handling of these funds.

Milestones

Clients may wish to break down a Hassle-Free job into smaller increments called “Milestones”. Each milestone defines the milestone name, value in NZD, its description (optional), and due date (optional). At least one milestone must be added to initiate the payment.

Account Verification Requirement

In order to use the Hassle-Free system and reply to jobs that utilise this service, specialists are required to complete account verification via Stripe. This verification process is necessary to ensure the secure handling of payments and to comply with platform requirements. Specialists must provide accurate information as requested by Stripe, including but not limited to identity verification, proof of address, payment account details, and other documentation as required. Failure to complete the verification process will disable specialists from replying to Hassle Free jobs.

Release and Delivery of Amounts in the Hassle-Free Payment

  1. Release of Funds to Specialist:
    Upon the Client’s confirmation that the work has been satisfactorily completed, SkillScoop – at its sole discretion – may authorize the release of funds from the “Hassle-Free Payment” system to the Specialist. Such a release does not constitute an endorsement of the quality or completeness of the services rendered and is final once executed.
    Pay-outs can be initiated immediately, however are processed after 5 business days from the initial milestone funding by a client (cooling off period by Stripe).
  2. Release of Funds to Client:
    In the event that the work is deemed incomplete, unsatisfactory, or in a dispute resolved in favour of the Client, SkillScoop – based on its internal review and at its sole discretion – may authorize the return of funds from the “Hassle-Free Payment” system to the Client. All decisions regarding the release or return of funds are final and binding.

Contract End

Should both parties agree to request a cancellation of a “Hassle-Free Payment”, SkillScoop may, in its sole discretion, cancel the transaction and manage the release of funds to the Client. The Hassle-Free fee is not redeemable or transferable.

Violation of Terms or Law

Any breach of SkillScoop’s Terms of Use or any applicable law may result in the immediate suspension or cancellation of a “Hassle-Free Payment” transaction. In such cases, SkillScoop reserves the right to withhold funds and take any remedial actions deemed necessary. All decisions in these matters are final, and SkillScoop shall not be held responsible for any resulting consequences.

Hassle-Free Dispute Assistance

In the event of a disagreement regarding the performance or outcome of a task funded through Hassle-Free Payment, either party may request SkillScoop’s Hassle-Free Dispute Assistance before the funds are released.

This is a non-binding, informal process facilitated by SkillScoop to help resolve the matter prior to the release of funds. SkillScoop may, at its sole discretion:

  • Request supporting information from both parties,
  • Review the available evidence,
  • Decide whether to release, partially release, or refund funds still held.

This process is intended to assist users in resolving disputes without formal legal proceedings. It is not arbitration, not legal mediation, and not enforceable under the Arbitration Act 1996.

Limited Role of SkillScoop

SkillScoop acts only as a neutral facilitator of the Hassle-Free Payment system and does not act as a party to any contract between Clients and Specialists.

You agree that:

  • SkillScoop is not liable for the outcome of any job or dispute,
  • SkillScoop does not provide financial or legal advice,
  • SkillScoop does not adjudicate claims or enforce outcomes beyond platform-based decisions.

Any funds released, refunded, or withheld during the Dispute Assistance process are determined solely by SkillScoop’s internal review policies and do not constitute legal determinations.

No Further Review or Appeal

Once a decision is made through the Hassle-Free Dispute Assistance process, it is final, and no further review or appeal is available through the platform.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the Hassle-Free Dispute Assistance process, you may choose to pursue your claim independently through the New Zealand Disputes Tribunal or another appropriate legal forum.

SkillScoop Not a Party to Claims

SkillScoop does not act as a party in any dispute or legal proceeding between users. Any legal or tribunal action must be brought directly between the Client and the Specialist involved in the transaction.

SkillScoop is not liable for any loss, damage, or dispute arising from services provided, payments made, or jobs arranged via the platform. To the maximum extent permitted by law, SkillScoop disclaims all such liability.

Abuse of Hassle-Free Dispute Assistance

SkillScoop reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine if a party is abusing or misusing the Dispute Assistance process. In such cases, SkillScoop may refuse further participation in the Dispute Assistance process, cancel the transaction, or take any other remedial measures deemed appropriate. Any actions taken by SkillScoop in response to abusive conduct are final, and the offending party may forfeit any rights to dispute resolution under these Terms of Use.

Services provided by users

SkillScoop operates solely as a facilitator, connecting Clients and Specialists and offering optional features such as the “Hassle-Free Payment” service and dispute resolution support. We do not provide, manage, or oversee the services offered by users of the platform, and we make no guarantees regarding their quality, performance, or outcomes.

All services and transactions facilitated through SkillScoop are provided on an “as-is” basis, and users assume all associated risks. SkillScoop disclaims any liability for direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages — including, without limitation, loss of profit or revenue — arising from the use of the platform, the Hassle-Free Payment service, or any dispute resolution process.

By using SkillScoop, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms.

Release of Funds to Specialist

Specialist and Client hereby authorize and instruct SkillScoop to release funds from the Hassle-Free Payment account (with funds held securely via Stripe’s services) to the Specialist upon the occurrence of any of the following conditions. Such authorization and instruction shall be irrevocable except as expressly provided herein:

1. Client-Initiated Release:
The Client affirmatively selects the option to release funds for a Milestone or Service/Job Contract to the Specialist via the platform.

2. Joint Release Instructions:
The Client and Specialist may jointly submit Supplemental Release Instructions in writing – duly signed by both parties – to SkillScoop requesting the release of funds to the Specialist. Such instructions will be honoured upon acceptance by SkillScoop.

3. Dispute Assistance Related Conditions:

  • If the Client declines to participate in Hassle-Free Dispute Assistance, and the Specialist has complied with the necessary Dispute Assistance requirements e.g., provided sufficient evidence in their support, SkillScoop may release the funds to the Specialist.
  • Similarly, if the Client fails to respond in a timely manner to a Notice of Hassle-Free Dispute Assistance (sent via email) or otherwise does not meet the requirements of the Dispute Assistance (as determined by SkillScoop’s Team), SkillScoop may authorise the release of funds to the Specialist.

4. Judicial or Arbitration Award:

Upon the issuance of an order by a dispute tribunal, court, or other judicial body of competent jurisdiction in favour of the Specialist (in whole or in part).

SkillScoop will proceed with releasing the funds to the Specialist.

5. Other Applicable Conditions:
Any other condition for releasing funds to the Specialist, as described elsewhere in these Terms of Use or related Hassle-Free Payment Instructions, shall be deemed satisfied and will result in release of funds.

Release of Funds to Client

Specialist and Client hereby authorisze and instruct SkillScoop to release funds from the Hassle-Free Payment account (with funds held securely via Stripe’s services) to the Client upon the occurrence of any of the following conditions. Such authorisation and instruction shall be irrevocable except as expressly provided herein:

1. Cancellation by Client:
If the Specialist accepts Client’s “End Contract” request via Platform, and funds for the Milestone or Contract remain in the Hassle-Free Payment account, SkillScoop is authorised to release the funds to the Client.

2. Joint Release Instructions:
The Client and Specialist may jointly submit Release Instructions in writing – duly signed by both parties – to SkillScoop requesting the release of funds to the Client. Such instructions will be honoured upon acceptance by SkillScoop.

3. Dispute Assistance Related Conditions:

  • If the Specialist declines to participate in Hassle-Free Dispute Assistance, and the Specialist has complied with the necessary Dispute Assistance requirements e.g., provided sufficient evidence in their support, SkillScoop may release the funds to the Client.
  • Similarly, if the Specialist fails to respond in a timely manner to a Notice of Hassle-Free Dispute Assistance (sent via email) or otherwise does not meet the requirements of the Dispute Assistance (as determined by SkillScoop’s Team), SkillScoop may authorise the release of funds to the Client.

4. Performance-Related Conditions:

  • If the Client demonstrates that the Specialist has failed to render services in a professional and workmanlike manner consistent with the market standards; or
  • If the Client shows that the Specialist has not responded to communications within a reasonable time frame or has failed to deliver the agreed scope of work within agreed timeframe, SkillScoop may release the funds to the Client.

6. Judicial or Arbitration Award:

Upon the issuance of an order by a court, arbitrator, or other judicial body of competent jurisdiction in favour of the Client (in whole or in part).

SkillScoop will proceed with releasing the funds to the Client.

6. Other Applicable Conditions:
Any other condition for releasing funds to the Client, as described elsewhere in these Terms of Use or related Hassle-Free Payment Instructions, shall be deemed satisfied and will result in the release of funds.

These conditions are intended to provide a clear framework for the release of funds within SkillScoop’s Hassle-Free Payment system. SkillScoop reserves the right to review and interpret each request for fund release and to make determinations in its sole discretion, without liability for any outcomes arising from such determinations.