1. GATHERINGS OVERVIEW

1.1 What are Gatherings?

Gatherings are collaborative cooking events organized through Gruby. They allow users to:

• Plan and organize group cooking events
• Invite friends and family to participate
• Coordinate shopping lists and ingredient contributions
• Calculate and track cost-splitting among participants
• Communicate through Gathering chat
• Share recipes and meal plans for the event

1.2 Gathering Roles

• Host: The user who creates the Gathering. Has full control over settings, participants, and can delete the Gathering.
• Co-Host: Users designated by the Host with elevated permissions to manage the Gathering.
• Participant: Users who have accepted an invitation to join the Gathering.

2. CREATING AND MANAGING GATHERINGS

2.1 Host Responsibilities

As a Gathering Host, you are responsible for:

• Providing accurate information about the event
• Inviting only users you know and trust
• Managing participants appropriately
• Setting fair cost-splitting arrangements
• Moderating the Gathering chat
• Ensuring food safety at the actual event
• Handling disputes among participants in good faith

2.2 Location Information

Gatherings may include location information for the event. By adding a location:

• You consent to sharing this location with all Gathering participants
• If using location-based discovery, the general area may be visible to other users
• Exact addresses should only be shared with confirmed participants
• Never share locations that could endanger you or others

2.3 Invitations and Participants

• Invitations can only be sent to Gruby users
• Users must accept invitations to become participants
• Hosts can remove participants at any time
• Participants can leave a Gathering at any time
• Do not invite users you do not know to in-person events

3. COST-SPLITTING FEATURES

3.1 How Cost-Splitting Works

Gruby provides tools to:

• Calculate how costs should be divided among participants
• Track who has contributed what
• Record estimated and actual expenses
• Show who owes whom and how much

3.2 What Gruby Does NOT Do

3.3 Splitting Methods

Gatherings may use various cost-splitting methods:

• Equal Split: Total costs divided equally among all participants
• Custom Amounts: Host-defined amounts for each participant
• Item-Based: Costs assigned based on specific items or contributions
• No Split: Costs tracked but not divided (e.g., Host covers all)

The Host determines the splitting method, and all participants can view the breakdown.

4. FINANCIAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN USERS

4.1 Your Agreement with Other Participants

By participating in a Gathering with cost-splitting:

• You are entering into an agreement with other participants, NOT with Gruby
• You agree to pay your share as calculated and agreed upon
• You agree to make payments in good faith
• You understand that Gruby is only providing a calculation tool

4.2 Making Payments

Actual payments must be made outside of Gruby using methods such as:

• Cash
• Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, or other payment apps
• Bank transfers
• Any other method agreed upon by participants

Gruby is not responsible for any issues with these external payment methods.

4.3 Marking Payments as Complete

Participants can mark payments as complete within Gruby for tracking purposes. This is a record-keeping feature only and does not:

• Verify that payment was actually made
• Transfer any funds
• Create a legally binding receipt

5. DISPUTES

5.1 Dispute Resolution Between Users

If disputes arise regarding cost-splitting or payments:

• Participants should attempt to resolve disputes directly with each other
• The Gathering chat can be used for discussion
• Gruby does not mediate or arbitrate financial disputes between users
• Gruby cannot force users to make payments

5.2 When to Contact Gruby

You should contact Gruby if:

• A user is using Gatherings to commit fraud or scams
• A user is engaging in harassment within Gatherings
• There are technical issues with the cost-splitting calculations
• A user is violating our Terms of Service or Community Guidelines

5.3 Legal Disputes

For significant financial disputes that cannot be resolved between parties:

• These are matters between the involved parties
• Small claims court may be an option for smaller amounts
• Gruby may provide records upon valid legal request
• Gruby is not a party to your financial agreements

6. SAFETY AND CONDUCT

6.1 In-Person Safety

When attending in-person Gatherings:

• Only attend Gatherings with people you know and trust
• Meet in public places for first-time meetups
• Tell someone where you are going
• Trust your instincts about safety
• Do not share exact locations with strangers

6.2 Food Safety

Hosts and participants should:

• Communicate about food allergies and dietary restrictions
• Follow proper food safety practices
• Store and transport food at safe temperatures
• Disclose all ingredients in prepared foods
• Not serve food that may be unsafe

Gruby is not responsible for any foodborne illness or allergic reactions at Gatherings.

6.3 Prohibited Uses

You may NOT use Gatherings for:

• Illegal activities
• Fraudulent schemes or scams
• Commercial food service without proper licensing
• Harassment or stalking
• Any activity unrelated to cooking and food
• Money laundering or financial fraud

7. DATA AND RECORDS

7.1 Gathering Data Retention

• Gathering details are retained for the duration of the Gathering plus 90 days
• Gathering chat messages are retained for the duration plus 90 days
• Cost-splitting records are retained for 7 years for financial record-keeping

7.2 Your Records

We recommend that you:

• Keep your own records of payments made and received
• Use payment methods that provide receipts
• Screenshot cost-splitting breakdowns if needed
• Communicate payment confirmations outside the app

8. DISCLAIMERS AND LIMITATIONS

8.1 No Guarantee of Payments

GRUBY DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT ANY USER WILL PAY THEIR CALCULATED SHARE. YOU PARTICIPATE IN COST-SPLITTING AT YOUR OWN RISK.

8.2 Calculation Accuracy

While we strive for accuracy in cost calculations:

• Calculations depend on data entered by users
• Price estimates from Kroger may differ from actual prices
• Rounding may result in minor discrepancies
• Always verify calculations before agreeing to amounts

8.3 Limitation of Liability

Gruby is not liable for:

• Unpaid amounts between users
• Disputes over cost-splitting
• Injuries or damages at in-person Gatherings
• Foodborne illness or allergic reactions
• Actions or conduct of Gathering participants
• Accuracy of price estimates
• Any losses arising from use of Gatherings or cost-splitting features

9. CHANGES TO THESE TERMS

We may update these terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated through the app or via email. Your continued use of Gatherings and cost-splitting features after changes constitutes acceptance.

10. CONTACT US

If you have questions about Gatherings or cost-splitting, please contact us:

Gruby Support Team
Email: support@gruby.app

For Safety Concerns
Email: safety@gruby.app