Payment activation
The software keeps customer charges and artist transfers disabled until Stripe credentials are present and an MFA-verified owner explicitly enables real payment actions. The platform operator must complete Stripe Connect business onboarding and the final legal and tax review before activation.
Booking structure
- A 25% deposit is collected only after both parties accept the same agreement version.
- The remaining 75% is due seven days before the engagement, or immediately for bookings accepted within seven days.
- A 10% customer service fee is included in the customer total and displayed before payment.
- Card and bank credentials remain with Stripe; Gig Byte stores provider identifiers and payment status records, not complete credentials.
- Taxes, processing fees and artist payout deductions must be shown accurately before acceptance.
Delayed payout—not escrow
Stripe Connect delays the artist transfer through the post-performance review window (48 hours by default). The hirer must explicitly confirm completion and approve payment. Full payment and no unresolved dispute are also required. Silence never authorizes release: overdue approvals need owner follow-up. Resolving a dispute requires a new customer payment approval before release. Gig Byte is not presenting itself as a bank, fiduciary or licensed escrow service. Final funds flow, fee liability, refunds and chargeback responsibility must be approved before activation.
Proposed customer cancellation framework
- More than 30 days before: refund remaining customer payments except the deposit and documented nonrecoverable costs approved in the agreement.
- Eight to 30 days before: the deposit remains nonrefundable; additional cancellation amounts may reflect committed preparation identified in the agreement.
- Seven days or fewer: the full booking amount is generally due because the artist reserved the date.
- The accepted agreement controls if it contains a different counsel-approved cancellation schedule.
Artist cancellation
The customer receives unearned booking payments back. Gig Byte may assist with documented replacement efforts but does not guarantee a replacement, price, schedule or outcome.
Disputes and evidence
- Either party may open a documented dispute during the stated review period.
- Relevant agreement versions, messages, receipts and performance evidence may be reviewed.
- Automated status organizes the record; an owner makes the operational decision.
- Payment-provider rules, chargeback rights and applicable law may override a platform decision.
Refund method and timing
Approved refunds should return through the original payment method where possible. Processing time depends on Stripe and the customer’s financial institution. Gig Byte will not promise an exact bank posting date it does not control.