Helpful Folks

Terms and Conditions

§1 Scope

(1) These General Terms and Conditions (hereinafter "Terms") govern the contractual relationship between Web- und Softwaresolutions Grimm, Vogelanger 5, 96158 Frensdorf, Germany (hereinafter "Helpful Folks" or "Operator") and the users of the platform at helpfulfolks.com (hereinafter "Platform").

(2) Users of the Platform are divided into the following categories:

  • Service Seekers (Customers): Persons who use the Platform to find a service.
  • Service Providers: Persons who offer a service through the Platform.

(3) A "Consumer" within the meaning of these Terms is any natural person who enters into a legal transaction for purposes that are predominantly outside their trade, business or profession (§ 13 BGB). An "Entrepreneur" is any natural or legal person who, when entering into a legal transaction, acts in the exercise of their trade, business or profession (§ 14 BGB).

(4) These Terms apply exclusively. Any deviating, conflicting or supplementary terms of the user shall only become part of the contract if Helpful Folks has expressly agreed to their validity in writing.

§2 Conclusion of Contract and Minimum Age

(1) The use of the Platform requires registration. Only adults (having reached the age of 18), fully legally competent natural persons may register. By registering, the user confirms that they meet these requirements.

(2) The requirement of legal age arises from the nature of the services facilitated on the Platform — in particular childcare, elderly care and household services — which require full legal capacity and independent liability of the contracting parties.

(3) By registering, the user accepts these Terms, the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy. A usage contract between Helpful Folks and the user is concluded upon completion of registration.

(4) Helpful Folks reserves the right to request proof of age and legal capacity and to suspend user accounts in the event of a breach of paragraph 1. Age verification may be carried out as part of the identity verification procedure pursuant to §6 of these Terms.

§3 Scope of Services and Platform Model

(1) Helpful Folks operates an online platform where Service Seekers can find Service Providers for household and personal services. The Platform provides the technical infrastructure for contact, communication and appointment scheduling.

(2) Helpful Folks does not charge any commissions or brokerage fees on the service prices agreed between users. The hourly rate agreed between Service Seeker and Service Provider is the final price — with no hidden fees or surcharges by the Platform.

(3) Helpful Folks is neither a contracting party nor an intermediary in the legal sense in relation to service contracts concluded between users. The contract for the provision of a service is concluded exclusively between the Service Seeker and the Service Provider.

(4) Helpful Folks does not guarantee that a successful match between a Service Seeker and a Service Provider will occur.

§4 Basic Membership (free)

(1) Upon registration on Helpful Folks, the user initially becomes a free Basic Member. The Basic Membership is unlimited in time and free of charge.

(2) The Basic Membership includes in particular:

  • Creation and maintenance of a user profile
  • Searching for Service Providers or jobs
  • Viewing profiles and reviews
  • Saving favourites

(3) The Basic Membership is subject to monthly usage limits (Credits), particularly for contacting other users and applying for jobs. The exact number of monthly available Credits is displayed in the user's account. Unused Credits expire at the end of each calendar month and are not carried over to the following month.

(4) Helpful Folks reserves the right to adjust the free scope of services and monthly usage limits at its own discretion.

§5 Premium Membership (paid)

(1) The user can extend the scope of services by purchasing a paid Premium Membership. The user is informed about the exact scope and costs before completion.

(2) The Premium Membership includes, depending on the user role, in particular:

  • Removal of monthly usage limits (unlimited contacts and applications)
  • Unrestricted access to the chat function
  • Video call introductions with other users
  • Highlighted profile in search results (Service Providers)
  • Insight into profile visitors (Service Providers)
  • Visibility in related service categories (Service Providers)

(3) The Premium Membership is purchased as a prepaid package for a fixed period. The user can choose from various durations (e.g. 1 month, 3 months or 12 months), provided these are offered at the time of booking. The total amount for the selected duration is due as a one-off payment upon booking.

(4) There is no automatic renewal or recurring payment. After expiry of the selected duration, the Premium Membership ends automatically. The user is notified in good time before expiry and can renew the Premium Membership by placing a new booking.

(5) After expiry or termination of the Premium Membership, the user reverts to Basic Member status. Already booked appointments and ongoing conversations are preserved.

(6) Helpful Folks reserves the right to offer different pricing models and durations for different user groups, booking times and promotional periods. Not all options need to be available at all times.

§6 Identity Verification and Trust System

(1) Helpful Folks operates a multi-level trust system. Users can voluntarily undergo verification to obtain trust badges. Verification includes, depending on the level:

  • Profile photo check: Verification of authenticity and appropriateness
  • Identity verification: Examination of an official identity document
  • Address verification: Examination of proof of address

(2) For certain service categories — in particular those with heightened trust requirements (e.g. care services for vulnerable persons) — verification may be a mandatory prerequisite for profile activation. Which categories require mandatory verification is determined by Helpful Folks and may be adjusted at any time. The respective requirements are communicated transparently to the user during registration.

(3) As part of the trust system, the user may be asked to provide additional documentation, in particular:

  • Insurance certificates (e.g. professional liability insurance)
  • Trade licences or business registrations
  • Qualification certificates (e.g. certifications, training certificates)

The user warrants that all documents and information submitted as part of the verification process are truthful, valid and not forged. The submission of forged, expired or third-party documents constitutes a serious breach of these Terms and entitles Helpful Folks to immediately suspend the user account and terminate the contractual relationship. Further civil and criminal claims remain reserved.

(4) Identity verification is carried out by an external service provider (see Privacy Policy). Helpful Folks only stores the verification status, not the original documents.

(5) Verified users may be given preferential display in search results. A verification status does not constitute a guarantee of the quality, reliability or suitability of a user.

§7 Video Call Introduction

(1) For certain service categories — in particular those involving personal interaction in the home or with vulnerable persons — the Platform provides for a video call introduction between Service Seeker and Service Provider before a booking can be completed. Which categories require a mandatory introduction is determined by Helpful Folks and may be adjusted at any time.

(2) The video call introduction serves the purpose of getting to know each other and building trust. No recordings of video calls are stored by the Platform.

(3) Helpful Folks provides the technical infrastructure for the video call but assumes no responsibility for technical disruptions outside the Platform's control.

§8 Booking and Pricing

(1) Booking a service is done through the Platform. The Service Provider sets their hourly rate, which is displayed to the Service Seeker as the final price.

(2) Service Providers can mark their hourly rate as negotiable. In this case, Service Seeker and Service Provider can agree on an individual price via the Platform's chat function.

(3) Helpful Folks does not charge any commission, brokerage fee or other surcharges on the agreed service price. Payment for the service is made directly between the Service Seeker and the Service Provider.

(4) All matters regarding the provision and remuneration of the service are to be settled exclusively between the users involved.

§9 Response Obligation and Anti-Ghosting

(1) Service Providers undertake to respond to incoming enquiries and messages within 72 hours — by accepting, declining or asking a follow-up question.

(2) The response rate of a Service Provider is recorded and influences their visibility in search results. A high response rate is rewarded with corresponding badges.

(3) In the event of repeated non-response, the visibility of the profile may be restricted.

§10 Payment Terms (Premium Membership)

(1) The total amount for the selected Premium duration is payable as a one-off advance payment upon booking.

(2) Payment processing is handled by a payment service provider. Helpful Folks does not store payment data (e.g. credit card numbers) of the user.

(3) The contract for the Premium Membership is concluded by confirming the order and the payment obligation by clicking the "Order with payment obligation" button.

§11 Termination

(1) Basic Membership: Basic Members can terminate their membership at any time without giving reasons.

(2) Premium Membership: The Premium Membership ends automatically after expiry of the booked duration. Early termination is not provided for, as this is a prepaid model without automatic renewal. The right of withdrawal pursuant to §18 remains unaffected.

(3) Termination of the membership can be made by the following means:

  • Via the account settings on the Platform
  • By email to: hello@agilunis.io
  • In writing by post to: Web- und Softwaresolutions Grimm, Vogelanger 5, 96158 Frensdorf, Germany

(4) Helpful Folks may terminate the usage contract at any time with reasonable notice and for objective reasons. In the event of a culpable breach of these Terms by the user, termination may also be made without notice. In this case, there is no entitlement to a refund of the Premium Membership.

(5) After termination of the membership, all personal user data is deleted unless statutory retention periods apply.

§12 Registration and User Account

(1) The user declares at registration that all information provided is truthful. Intentional or fraudulent false information may lead to immediate suspension of the account and termination of the contractual relationship.

(2) A user account is intended for sole and personal use. The user may not transfer their account to third parties or allow third parties access.

(3) The user is responsible for the security of their login credentials (email, password) and must protect them from unauthorised access.

§13 Liability of Helpful Folks

(1) Helpful Folks assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of user-generated content, profile data or registration information.

(2) Helpful Folks is not liable for the quality, reliability or suitability of the Service Providers or their services facilitated through the Platform. The verification pursuant to §6 confirms the identity of a user, not their professional qualification.

(3) For damages arising from injury to life, body or health, Helpful Folks is only liable in the event of intentional or negligent breach of duty.

(4) For other damages, Helpful Folks is only liable for breach of material contractual obligations (cardinal obligations) or in the event of intentional or grossly negligent breach of duty. In the case of breach of material contractual obligations, liability is limited to the foreseeable, contract-typical damage.

(5) Helpful Folks is not liable for unauthorised access to personal user data by third parties (e.g. hacking attacks), provided that Helpful Folks has taken reasonable technical and organisational protective measures.

(6) Helpful Folks reserves the right to review user-generated content and uploaded files for legality and to delete them in whole or in part if necessary.

§14 Availability

(1) Helpful Folks aims for a platform availability of 97% on an annual average.

(2) Scheduled maintenance work, offline backups and interruptions due to force majeure or circumstances beyond the control of Helpful Folks are not included in the calculation of availability.

§15 User Obligations

(1) The user is solely responsible for the content of their registration, profile and all information provided. The user warrants that all information is truthful.

(2) The user undertakes to use contact details and information of other users obtained via the Platform only within the scope of the intended use of the Platform. Commercial use or distribution for advertising purposes is prohibited.

(3) The user grants Helpful Folks a revocable, non-exclusive, royalty-free right to use, display and distribute the content provided by the user within the scope of Platform operations.

(4) The user undertakes not to misuse the Platform, in particular:

  • not to distribute defamatory, offensive, illegal, pornographic, racist or inciting content,
  • not to threaten, harass or violate the rights of other users,
  • not to use any mechanisms, software, scripts or other tools that impair the functionality of the Platform,
  • not to send unsolicited messages (spam), chain letters or non-purpose-related offers.

(5) The user undertakes to treat emails and messages from other users confidentially and to make them accessible to third parties only with the express consent of the sender.

(6) The user indemnifies Helpful Folks against all claims by third parties arising from culpable, improper use of the Platform by the user, including reasonable legal costs.

(7) The user is responsible for informing themselves about the legal provisions relating to household and personal services (in particular tax, social security and employment law provisions) and for complying with them. Helpful Folks expressly distances itself from undeclared work.

(8) Violations of these obligations may lead to suspension of the user account, termination of the contractual relationship and civil or criminal consequences.

§16 Involvement of Third Parties

Helpful Folks is entitled to commission third parties with the provision of parts or all of the service spectrum.

§17 Jurisdiction

(1) For disputes with users who are entrepreneurs, legal entities under public law or special funds under public law, the place of jurisdiction is the registered office of Helpful Folks (Frensdorf, Germany).

(2) For disputes with consumers, the place of jurisdiction is determined by statutory provisions.

§18 Right of Withdrawal

Right of Withdrawal

Consumers have the following right of withdrawal:

You have the right to withdraw from this contract within fourteen days without giving any reason.

The withdrawal period is fourteen days from the day of the conclusion of the contract.

To exercise the right of withdrawal, you must inform us by means of a clear statement (e.g. a letter or email) of your decision to withdraw from this contract. Please address it to:

Web- und Softwaresolutions Grimm
Vogelanger 5
96158 Frensdorf, Germany
Email: hello@agilunis.io
Phone: +49 151 42879017

To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning the exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.

Effects of Withdrawal

If you withdraw from this contract, Helpful Folks shall reimburse to you all payments received from you without undue delay and at the latest within fourteen days from the day on which we received notification of your withdrawal from this contract. For the reimbursement, we will use the same means of payment that you used for the original transaction; you will not be charged any fees for this reimbursement.

If you requested that the services should begin during the withdrawal period, you shall pay us an amount which is in proportion to what has been provided until you have communicated to us your withdrawal from this contract, in comparison with the full coverage of the contract.

Model Withdrawal Form

(If you wish to withdraw from the contract, please fill in this form and return it.)

To:
Web- und Softwaresolutions Grimm
Vogelanger 5
96158 Frensdorf, Germany
Email: hello@agilunis.io

I/We (*) hereby withdraw from the contract concluded by me/us (*) for the provision of the following service:

Ordered on (*) / received on (*):

Name of consumer(s):

Address of consumer(s):

Signature of consumer(s) (only for paper notification):

Date:

(*) Delete as applicable.

§19 Final Provisions

(1) The law of the Federal Republic of Germany applies, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. For consumers, this choice of law applies only insofar as mandatory provisions of the law of the state in which the consumer has their habitual residence do not conflict.

(2) Should individual provisions of these Terms be or become wholly or partially invalid, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions. An effective provision shall take the place of the invalid provision that comes closest to the economic purpose of the invalid provision.

(3) The European Commission provides a platform for online dispute resolution (ODR): https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr. Helpful Folks is neither willing nor obliged to participate in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration board.

Last updated: 25 March 2026