Terms of service

About the site

This website is operated by Zip Syndicate Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation doing business as Ops Czar. By using the site, you agree to use it lawfully and not interfere with its operation. Its articles and service descriptions are informational, not a project proposal, professional advice for your particular business, or a promise of a specific outcome. Site content and branding belong to Ops Czar or their respective owners; do not reproduce them without permission.

Services and agreements

We offer flat-priced scoped projects (including websites, systems, documentation, and software), monthly fractional COO engagements, and hourly consulting and support. Scope, deliverables, schedule, fees, intellectual property, confidentiality, account ownership, and any other client-specific terms are set out in a written proposal and signed Project Service Agreement. Tools and accounts used for client work belong to the client or are set up in the client’s name as provided in that agreement.

Billing and payments

• Scoped projects: typically require a non-refundable reservation payment of 50% at signing, with the remainder due at completion, Net 15. Larger projects may instead be billed in equal monthly installments, as stated in the agreement.
• Fractional COO engagements: invoiced monthly in advance at the rate agreed in writing.
• Hourly consulting and support: $200 per hour, billed in quarter-hour increments for work outside a scoped project or engagement; invoiced monthly in arrears, Net 15. Post-launch website support may have a separate agreed flat fee for a content or layout change, while small text corrections may be free.
• Expenses: approved software licenses, domains, and third-party services purchased on a client’s behalf are billed at cost and cannot be refunded once incurred.

If you pay through a Stripe-hosted payment page, Stripe handles the payment information. Do not send payment card numbers by email or through the intake form. The amounts and due dates on the signed agreement and invoice control.

Cancellations and refunds

Reservation payments for scoped projects are non-refundable because they reserve capacity and cover work begun. A client may end a scoped project in writing; the amount due for completed work, any applicable termination charge, the treatment of prepaid amounts, and delivery of paid-for work are governed by the signed Project Service Agreement. We do not assume a termination fee or a notice period unless it is expressly in that agreement.

For a prepaid discovery engagement or fixed block of hours, unearned amounts are refunded after earned hours at the agreed rate are deducted; no termination fee applies. Fractional COO engagements are month to month: the current month is not refunded, and no further months are billed after termination under the agreement’s notice terms. Hourly work can be stopped at any time; only hours worked are billed. Reimbursable expenses already incurred are not refundable.

We may end an engagement for non-payment more than 30 days past due, or for a material breach not cured within 15 days of written notice, subject to the signed agreement. Work already performed remains payable.

Invoice questions and contact

Please raise questions about an invoice within 15 days of receipt; undisputed amounts remain due. For billing, cancellations, or support, email greg@opsczar.com. The governing law, venue, and dispute process for client work are set by the Project Service Agreement.

Website availability and changes

We may update or suspend the website or revise these website terms. The site is provided as available, without a guarantee of uninterrupted access. We’ll update the date above when these terms change. Our privacy policy explains how website information is handled.