Community Guidelines

TOOLBUD COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

1. NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS

ToolBud exists so neighbors can help each other by sharing tools. Every interaction on ToolBud should reflect this spirit: generosity, mutual respect, and good faith.

Tool sharing on ToolBud is free. There are no rental fees. Lenders share because they want to help, and borrowers respect that generosity.

2. RETURN IT BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT

When you borrow a tool, take care of it. Clean it before returning. Replace any consumables you used (drill bits, sandpaper, blades) when practical.

Return tools on time. If you need more time, message the lender early and coordinate a new return date together.

If something goes wrong — a tool breaks, gets damaged, or is lost — communicate honestly and promptly with the lender.

3. RESPECTFUL COMMUNICATION

Treat every ToolBud user the way you would treat a neighbor standing at your door.

• Be courteous and responsive in messages
• Respond to borrow requests in a timely manner
• Communicate schedule changes as early as possible
• Keep conversations on-topic and respectful

Harassment, threats, discriminatory language, or abusive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in immediate account suspension.

4. ACCURATE LISTINGS

When you add a tool to your MyToolBox:

• Use an accurate name and description
• Provide a clear, current photo
• Set availability honestly
• Note any known defects, missing parts, or special requirements

Do not list tools you do not own or do not have the right to lend.

5. SAFE AND APPROPRIATE TOOL SHARING

Share tools that are in safe, working condition. If a tool has a known safety issue, do not list it as available.

Borrowers should inspect tools at pickup. If a tool appears unsafe, do not use it — communicate with the lender.

Do not list:

• Items that are not tools or tool-adjacent equipment
• Firearms, ammunition, explosives, or their components
• Stolen property, or anything you do not have the right to lend
• Items that require a professional licence to operate, unless the borrower holds that licence
• Regulated chemicals, hazardous materials, or pressurized gas cylinders

6. HONORING COMMITMENTS

When you approve a borrow request, follow through. When you agree to a return date, honor it.

Lenders: be available for pickup and return as agreed. If plans change, communicate promptly.

Borrowers: return tools on time and in the agreed-upon condition. Use the return process in the app to document the return.

Repeated no-shows, last-minute cancellations, or failure to return tools will affect your standing in the community.

7. HONEST EVIDENCE AND DISPUTE CONDUCT

ToolBud provides checkout photos, return photos, and a way to report an issue on a session, so that both lenders and borrowers have a shared record of what happened.

• Document tool condition honestly at checkout and return
• Do not submit misleading or manipulated photos
• If you report an issue, provide accurate information
• Do not abuse the reporting process to harass other users

ToolBud keeps the record. ToolBud does not decide who is right, and does not pay for damaged or unreturned tools — working that out is between the two neighbors involved.

For questions about a dispute record: support@toolbudapp.com

8. TRUST AND COMMUNITY INTEGRITY

ToolBud's trust model depends on real people using real accounts. Members verify a phone number, join a community that a server controls, and build a reputation record other members can see.

• Do not create fake accounts
• Do not misrepresent your community membership or address
• Do not share your account credentials
• Do not attempt to manipulate the trust or verification systems

9. PROHIBITED CONDUCT

The following conduct is prohibited on ToolBud:

• Impersonation: creating an account under a false identity, pretending to be another user, or misrepresenting your community membership
• Scams or fraudulent listings: listing tools you do not own, listing items that do not exist, or attempting to deceive other users for personal gain
• Harassment: threatening, intimidating, bullying, or repeatedly contacting a user after being asked to stop
• Misrepresentation of tool condition: deliberately concealing defects, damage, or safety issues when listing or returning a tool
• Theft or failure to return: keeping a borrowed tool beyond the agreed period without communication or intent to return
• Abuse of platform features: manipulating disputes, ratings, or verification systems
• Sharing other users' personal information outside the platform
• Using ToolBud for commercial purposes, fee-based rentals, or any activity inconsistent with free neighbor-to-neighbor tool sharing

10. ENFORCEMENT

ToolBud takes guideline violations seriously. Enforcement actions are proportional to the severity and frequency of the violation.

Possible enforcement actions include:

• Educational message or warning
• Temporary restriction of borrowing privileges
• Temporary restriction of lending privileges
• Removal of specific tool listings
• Temporary account suspension
• Permanent account termination

ToolBud reserves the right to take action at its discretion to protect community safety and trust. Enforcement decisions are made based on available evidence, including session records, messages, photos, and dispute history.

Users who believe an enforcement action was made in error may contact: support@toolbudapp.com

11. REPORTING

If you encounter behavior that violates these guidelines, use the Report a Problem feature in Help & Support or contact:

support@toolbudapp.com