Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Garden Gate Tea. By accessing our website or using our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms.

If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you should discontinue use of our services immediately.

1. Agreement to Terms

By using our services, you confirm that:

1.1 You are at least 18 years of age or have parental consent to use our services
1.2 You have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts
1.3 You will provide accurate and complete information when required
1.4 You will comply with all applicable laws and regulations
1.5 You understand and accept these Terms in their entirety

2. User Obligations and Responsibilities

2.1 Lawful Use

You agree to use our services only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You are responsible for:

• Ensuring your use complies with all applicable local, national, and international laws
• Respecting the rights of others when using our services
• Conducting yourself in a manner that does not harm our reputation or business

2.2 Prohibited Conduct

You shall not engage in any of the following prohibited activities:

• Using our services to transmit harmful, threatening, abusive, or defamatory content
• Engaging in any form of fraud, deception, or misrepresentation
• Interfering with or disrupting our services or servers
• Attempting to access restricted areas or bypass security measures
• Using automated systems to access our website without authorization
• Copying, modifying, or distributing our content without permission
• Using our services to compete with our business or for commercial gain without authorization

2.3 Content Guidelines

When submitting any content (reviews, comments, testimonials), you agree that such content will not:

• Contain false or misleading information
• Violate intellectual property rights of any party
• Include offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate material
• Contain personal information of others without consent

2.4 Age Restrictions

Our services are intended for individuals aged 18 and older. If you are under 18, you may only use our services with the involvement and consent of a parent or legal guardian who agrees to be bound by these Terms.

3. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

3.1 Service Warranty Disclaimer

Our services are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. We make no warranties, express or implied, regarding:

• The accuracy, reliability, or completeness of content on our website
• Uninterrupted or error-free operation of our services
• The quality, suitability, or results of our products or services
• The correction of defects or errors

3.2 Product Liability

While we carefully curate our tea selections and educational materials, we make no guarantees about specific outcomes or experiences. Individual results and preferences may vary. We are not liable for allergic reactions or health issues that may arise from consuming tea products.

3.3 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Garden Gate Tea shall not be liable for:

• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
• Personal injury or property damage resulting from your use of our services
• Any claim arising from circumstances beyond our reasonable control

3.4 Maximum Liability

Our total aggregate liability for all claims shall not exceed the amount you paid to us in the twelve months preceding the claim, or one hundred US dollars, whichever is greater.

3.5 Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure to perform our obligations due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, war, terrorism, labor disputes, governmental actions, or technical failures.

4. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Garden Gate Tea, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, and service providers from and against all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from or relating to:

• Your violation of these Terms and Conditions
• Your use or misuse of our services
• Your violation of any rights of third parties
• Content you submit or share through our services

5. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection, use, and protection of your personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

By accepting these Terms, you also acknowledge and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Policy.

6. Third-Party Services and Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by Garden Gate Tea. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites.

You acknowledge and agree that Garden Gate Tea shall not be responsible or liable for any damage or loss caused by your use of any third-party content, goods, or services.

7. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

7.1 Informal Resolution

If you have any concern or dispute about our services, you agree to first attempt to resolve the issue informally by contacting us. We will work in good faith to address your concerns within a reasonable timeframe.

7.2 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with applicable laws, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law.

7.3 Jurisdiction

Any legal action or proceeding arising from these Terms shall be brought exclusively in courts of competent jurisdiction, and you consent to the jurisdiction of such courts.

8. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to our website with an updated date. Your continued use of our services after such modifications constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically for changes. We may, but are not obligated to, provide notice of material changes.

9. Severability and Waiver

9.1 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected or impaired. The invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

9.2 Waiver

No waiver of any term or condition shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term. Our failure to assert any right or provision under these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

10. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other policies referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and Garden Gate Tea regarding your use of our services and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.