Terms of Service

Last updated: January 3, 2025

Welcome to Pledgd. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Pledgd accountability service ("we," "us," or "our"). By using Pledgd, you agree to these Terms.

1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing or using Pledgd, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the service.

You must be at least 18 years old to use Pledgd. By using the service, you represent that you are at least 18 years of age and have the legal capacity to enter into this agreement.

2. Service Description

Pledgd is an SMS-based accountability service that helps you stick to your goals through:

• Goal Setting: You define goals and check-in schedules via text message.
• Reminders: We send you SMS reminders at your scheduled times.
• Photo Verification: You submit photos as proof of completing your goals, which are verified using AI technology.
• Financial Stakes: You set penalty amounts that are charged when you miss goals without a valid excuse.
• Strictness Levels: You choose how strictly excuses are evaluated (Flexible, Moderate, or David Goggins Mode).

3. Account Registration

To use Pledgd, you must:

• Provide a valid US mobile phone number
• Provide accurate and complete information
• Maintain the security of your phone and phone number
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use

You are responsible for all activity that occurs through your phone number.

4. Fees and Payment

Subscription Fee

Pledgd costs $15 per month. You get a 14-day free trial. After the trial period, you will be charged monthly unless you cancel.

Payment Method

You must provide a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or other accepted payment method) through our payment processor, Stripe. By providing payment information, you authorize us to charge your payment method for:

• Monthly subscription fees
• Penalty charges when you miss goals without valid excuses

Billing

Subscription fees are billed monthly on the anniversary of your signup date. Penalty charges are processed immediately when incurred.

5. Financial Stakes System

How Stakes Work

• You Set Your Stakes: You choose your starting penalty amount ($5, $10, or $30 per miss).
• Escalation: Stakes may escalate with consecutive misses (e.g., $5 → $10 → $30 → $90 → $270).
• Cap: You set a maximum cap on penalties so they never exceed your comfort level.
• Monthly Reset: Stakes reset to your starting amount each month.

Strictness Levels

• Flexible: Legitimate excuses (illness, travel, emergencies) are accepted without penalty.
• Moderate: Planned changes are accepted; unplanned excuses require justification.
• David Goggins Mode: Almost no excuses are accepted. You pay unless there's an extreme circumstance.

Modifying Stakes

You can change your goals at any time. However, changes to your stake amounts have a 7-day waiting period to prevent lowering stakes right before skipping.

6. AI Photo Verification

Pledgd uses artificial intelligence to verify photos you submit as proof of completing goals. You understand and agree that:

• AI verification is automated and may occasionally make errors
• If you believe a verification was incorrect, you can dispute it for a refund
• Submitting fake, manipulated, or misleading photos is a violation of these Terms
• We reserve the right to manually review disputed verifications

7. User Responsibilities

You agree to:

• Use the service in good faith for personal accountability
• Submit authentic, unmanipulated photos as proof
• Not attempt to circumvent or cheat the verification system
• Not use the service for any illegal purpose
• Not send abusive, threatening, or inappropriate messages
• Maintain sufficient funds in your payment method for charges

8. Cancellation and Refunds

Cancellation

You can cancel your subscription at any time by texting us. Upon cancellation:

• Your subscription will end at the end of your current billing period
• You will not be charged for future months
• No partial refunds for unused portions of the current month

Refund Policy

We want Pledgd to work for you. If you're paying lots of penalties and feeling frustrated rather than motivated, let us know.

Where Penalty Money Goes

Penalty payments are retained by Pledgd to cover operational costs (AI processing, SMS messaging, infrastructure). We'd rather you succeed and just pay the monthly subscription than collect penalties.

9. Pausing Service

If you're traveling or need a break, simply text us to pause your reminders. We'll resume when you're ready. Pausing does not affect your monthly subscription billing.

10. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

• Pledgd is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind
• We do not guarantee that the service will help you achieve your goals
• We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages
• Our total liability is limited to the amount you paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim
• We are not responsible for SMS delivery failures caused by your carrier

11. Dispute Resolution

If you have a dispute with Pledgd:

1. Contact Us First: Email support@pledgd.com and we'll work to resolve the issue.
2. Informal Resolution: We agree to attempt to resolve any dispute informally for at least 30 days before pursuing formal action.
3. Governing Law: These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New Hampshire, without regard to conflict of law principles.

12. Modifications to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you via SMS or by posting notice on our website. Your continued use of Pledgd after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

13. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to Pledgd if you:

• Violate these Terms
• Attempt to cheat or manipulate the verification system
• Engage in abusive or fraudulent behavior
• Fail to pay charges owed

Upon termination, your right to use the service ceases immediately.

14. Miscellaneous

• Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Pledgd.
• Severability: If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in effect.
• No Waiver: Our failure to enforce any provision does not waive our right to do so later.
• Assignment: You may not assign these Terms. We may assign them in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

15. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, please contact us:

• Email: support@pledgd.com
• Address: 3440 Hinman, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755