Terms of Services & Client Agreement
Effective Date: January 5, 2026
These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of the Northern Michigan Travel Guide website and services. By purchasing, booking, or using any service from Northern Michigan Travel Guide (“NMTG,” “we,” “us,” “our”), you (“Client,” “you”) agree to these Terms.
1) Who We Are
Northern Michigan Travel Guide provides virtual travel guidance and trip-planning support for Northern Michigan, with a focus on Charlevoix and Emmet Counties, and may also include nearby communities such as Boyne Falls, Boyne City, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor, Charlevoix, East Jordan, Walloon Lake, and surrounding areas (“Service Area”).
NMTG is a planning and guidance service. We are not a travel agency, tour operator, transportation provider, lodging provider, booking agent, or event venue.
2) Services Offered
NMTG may offer one or more of the following services:
A. Rapid Fire — Quick Local Picks (Email-Based)
A fast-turnaround, email-delivered set of up to three (3) curated local recommendations based on the details you provide (timing, location, preferences).
B. Ask a Local — Northern Michigan Advice
Email-based guidance for specific travel questions (e.g., where to stay, what town fits your goals, weather/crowds considerations, seasonal suggestions).
C. Custom Northern Michigan Itineraries (PDF)
A personalized itinerary delivered as a PDF, designed around your group, travel dates, season, and preferences. Custom itineraries start at $129.00 unless otherwise stated on the product page.
D. Local Connections & Planning Support (Referral + Research Support)
We may, upon request, provide introductions or guidance toward third-party service providers (e.g., wedding coordinators, photographers, transportation, mobile bar services, lodging options, venues, dining). Any request involving additional research, coordination, on-the-ground support, or extensive communication is not complimentary and will be quoted in advance.
3) What We Do Not Do
To avoid confusion, NMTG does not:
Guarantee availability, pricing, or quality of third-party businesses
Provide legal, medical, financial, or safety guarantees
Provide emergency services or real-time monitoring
Make reservations or bookings unless explicitly agreed to in writing (and may still require you to book directly)
Act as an agent for any third party unless expressly stated in a separate written agreement
4) Client Responsibilities
You agree to provide accurate, complete information, including (when relevant):
Travel dates or timeframe
General location/town(s)
Group type (family, couples, friends, wedding group, etc.)
Preferences, constraints, mobility needs, and budget considerations
Any relevant “must-do” items or limitations
You understand that incomplete or incorrect information may reduce the usefulness of guidance, and may require additional paid time to revise.
5) Response Times and Delivery
Unless otherwise stated on the product page or in writing:
Rapid Fire: delivered by email within 12 hours (often sooner), during normal operating conditions.
Ask a Local: delivered by email within 24–48 hours.
Custom Itineraries: delivery timeline depends on scope and will be communicated after intake; typical delivery is discussed at time of purchase or via follow-up email.
Business days do not include major holidays. Response times may vary during peak season, severe weather events, or high request volume.
6) Fees, Pricing, and Scope Changes
All prices are listed in U.S. dollars. Taxes may apply.
Custom itinerary pricing:
Starts at $129.00 for a standard scope (example: a typical weekend or short trip with normal complexity).
Requests involving expanded planning, multiple locations, large groups, high customization, specialized needs, or additional research/coordination may require an additional quote before work continues.
If scope changes after purchase (e.g., added days, added towns, multiple versions, major preference changes), you agree that additional fees may apply and will be discussed before extra work is performed.
7) Refund Policy (Read Carefully)
Because NMTG provides time-based, personalized services, the following refund policy applies:
A. Rapid Fire — No Refunds
Rapid Fire is non-refundable once purchased. You are purchasing time and custom curation. Even if you choose not to use the recommendations, no refunds or reimbursements will be provided.
B. Ask a Local — No Refunds After Delivery
Ask a Local is non-refundable once guidance has been delivered. If we have not yet responded and you request cancellation within a reasonable timeframe, we may consider a cancellation on a case-by-case basis.
C. Custom Itineraries
Because custom itineraries require planning time and personalized work, refunds are not guaranteed. If you request cancellation before work begins, we may offer a partial refund at our discretion. Once planning has begun or a draft/itinerary is delivered, the service is non-refundable.
8) Satisfaction and Revisions (Clear Expectations)
NMTG aims to provide high-quality, practical guidance. However, travel preferences are subjective and outcomes depend on external factors.
Rapid Fire: includes one (1) clarification follow-up by email if you need a small adjustment due to missing details (e.g., “we’re actually in Petoskey, not Boyne City”). It does not include ongoing back-and-forth planning.
Ask a Local: includes one (1) reasonable follow-up question/clarification tied to the original request.
Custom Itineraries: includes one (1) round of minor edits (e.g., swap a suggestion category, adjust pacing). Major changes or added days/towns may require additional fees.
9) Referrals, Affiliates, and Third-Party Providers
NMTG may mention, recommend, or refer you to third-party providers (e.g., coordinators, photographers, transportation companies, mobile bars, caterers, venues, lodging, restaurants). These are provided as guidance, not guarantees.
You acknowledge:
Third parties are independent businesses and set their own availability, pricing, and terms.
You are responsible for confirming details directly with the provider.
NMTG is not liable for third-party performance, cancellations, service quality, safety, or disputes.
If NMTG receives any referral fee/affiliate commission in the future, we will disclose that clearly.
10) No Guarantees; Assumption of Risk
Travel involves inherent risks (weather, road conditions, closures, staffing shortages, seasonal changes, crowd levels, and more). Recommendations may become unavailable due to circumstances outside our control.
You understand and agree:
We do not guarantee specific results, experiences, satisfaction outcomes, pricing, or availability.
You assume responsibility for your final decisions and bookings.
11) Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, NMTG will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including lost profits, travel costs, cancellations, injuries, delays, or third-party failures.
If NMTG is found liable for any reason, our total liability will not exceed the amount you paid for the specific service that gave rise to the claim.
12) Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless NMTG from any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) arising out of your use of our services, your travel decisions, or your interactions with third-party providers.
13) Intellectual Property
All content produced by NMTG (itineraries, PDFs, written guidance, templates, and site content) is for your personal use only. You may not reproduce, resell, redistribute, or publish it without written permission.
14) Privacy
We collect basic information needed to provide services (name, email, trip details). We do not sell your personal data. We may use service providers (e.g., Squarespace) to process payments and manage forms.
For full details, see our Privacy Policy: [link]
15) Payment Processing
Payments are processed through Squarespace and/or its payment partners. You agree to any applicable processor terms. Chargebacks or payment disputes may result in service refusal and/or documentation of work performed.
16) Communications
By purchasing or contacting us, you consent to receive emails related to your order, service delivery, and necessary follow-up. Marketing emails are optional and require opt-in.
17) Termination / Refusal of Service
We may refuse or terminate service if:
You provide abusive/harassing communications
You request illegal or unsafe activity
You repeatedly demand work outside the purchased scope without paying for added scope
You initiate a chargeback after receiving deliverables
18) Governing Law; Venue
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Michigan, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes will be brought in the appropriate state or federal courts located in Michigan, unless both parties agree to an alternative dispute resolution process.
19) Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. The version posted on our site at the time of purchase applies to that purchase.
20) Contact
Northern Michigan Travel Guide
Email: knox@northernmichigantravelguide.tips
Service Area: Northern Michigan (Charlevoix & Emmet Counties and surrounding areas)