Introduction and operator
Bloom is a software service provided under the Plainspoken brand. Plainspoken is a trading brand operated by [LEGAL_ENTITY_NAME], registration number [COMPANY_REGISTRATION_NUMBER]. In these documents, 'we', 'us' and 'our' mean [LEGAL_ENTITY_NAME] trading under the Plainspoken brand. 'Bloom' means the Bloom software service, website, applications and associated services. These terms form the agreement between us and the person or business that opens or uses a Bloom account. Read the linked Privacy Policy and, for business client data, the Data Processing Addendum as well.
Acceptance, eligibility and accounts
By creating an account or using Bloom you accept these terms. You must be at least 18 and authorised to act for your business. The business is responsible for its staff and other authorised users, their permissions and lawful use. Supply accurate details, protect credentials, use individual accounts and tell us promptly about suspected compromise. Invitation links are for their intended recipient only.
The service
Bloom helps beauty businesses manage bookings, clients, services, treatments, recorded payments and everyday administration. Features and availability may change; we will give reasonable notice of material changes where practical. Experimental features may be changed or withdrawn and will be identified where offered. We aim to provide a reliable service but do not promise uninterrupted uptime. Planned maintenance, third-party outages and urgent security work can affect access.
Your content and client data
Your business retains ownership and control of information it enters, including its customer lists. You grant us only the limited permission needed to host, process, back up, transmit, display and secure that information to provide Bloom and comply with law. You must have authority to collect and enter client data, keep it accurate, and meet your own POPIA duties, including notices, permissions and marketing choices. For salon-client information you generally act as responsible party and we act as operator on your instructions, as described in the DPA. We may act as responsible party for account, billing and service-security information collected directly by us.
Software rights and acceptable use
We and our licensors retain rights in Bloom, its design, software and branding. We give you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable right to use the service during your account term. Do not resell the service, infringe rights, bypass security, access another tenant, introduce malware, overload or scrape the service, or reverse engineer it except where applicable law allows. The Acceptable Use Policy forms part of these terms.
Plans, payment and renewal
Available plans, prices, taxes, intervals and any trial are shown before checkout. Paid monthly or annual plans renew for the selected interval unless cancelled. PayFast processes subscription payments where selected; Bloom records payment status but does not store full card details. Salon-client payments entered in Bloom are records, not card transactions processed by Bloom. Failed payment may lead to reminders, a grace period or restricted paid access. You can schedule cancellation in Billing settings for the end of the current period. Plan changes, credits and refunds follow the Billing and Refund Policy. We will give reasonable notice of price changes before they apply. Nothing here removes non-waivable rights under South African law, including the Consumer Protection Act where it applies.
Security, confidentiality and third parties
We use reasonable safeguards described on the Security page and keep non-public business information confidential except to provide the service, with authorised providers, or where law requires disclosure. You should export important records regularly. We run backups for recovery, but an export is your portable copy. External links, payment, email and other integrations have their own terms and availability. Report vulnerabilities responsibly to security@plainspoken.co.za.
Suspension, termination and data
We may proportionately suspend access for serious misuse, security threats, non-payment or legal requirements, with notice where reasonable. You may cancel renewal in account settings. Account deletion is a confirmed request, not instant erasure: we review legal, financial, fraud and security retention duties and the rights of other users. Owners can export business data while access is available. After termination we retain and delete data under the Data Retention Policy, including backup lifecycles and lawful recordkeeping.
Disclaimers and liability
Bloom is an administration tool, not legal, medical, tax, accounting or professional business advice. To the extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect or consequential loss, lost profits or lost business opportunities. Our aggregate liability for ordinary contractual claims is limited to fees paid for Bloom in the 12 months before the event, or R1,000 if no fees were paid. This limit does not apply where law forbids it, or to fraud, wilful misconduct or rights that cannot legally be excluded. You remain responsible for unlawful content or misuse you cause and will indemnify us for third-party claims to the extent law permits.
General terms
Events beyond reasonable control may delay obligations. We may assign this agreement with reasonable notice; you may not transfer an account without our consent. An unenforceable clause is severed without affecting the rest. Delay in enforcing a right is not waiver. These terms and linked policies are the entire agreement for Bloom unless a signed agreement says otherwise. Material changes will be notified by email or in-product before taking effect, and renewed acceptance can be required. Notices may be sent electronically to your registered email and to legal@plainspoken.co.za. South African law governs; disputes should first be raised with us in good faith and may then be taken to a competent South African court or applicable consumer authority. Statutory consumer remedies remain available.