1. Overview
This Payment Policy describes how FlickyTales Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (“FlickyTales,” “we,” “our”) processes payments for photography services booked through our Platform. It covers accepted payment methods, billing procedures, transaction security, Photographer payout terms, and our approach to disputed charges.
All transactions on the FlickyTales Platform are processed through PCI DSS-compliant payment gateways. We do not store raw card numbers, CVV codes, or sensitive bank credentials on our servers.
By making a payment on the Platform, you agree to this Payment Policy and our Terms of Service.
2. Accepted Payment Methods
FlickyTales accepts the following payment methods for all bookings:
2.1 UPI (Unified Payments Interface)
Pay using any UPI-enabled app including Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM, and bank UPI apps. UPI payments are processed in real-time and booking confirmation is instant upon successful transaction.
2.2 Credit & Debit Cards
We accept Visa, Mastercard, and RuPay credit and debit cards. International cards may be subject to additional verification steps as required by your issuing bank. 3D Secure (OTP-based) authentication is enforced on all card transactions per RBI guidelines.
2.3 Net Banking
Direct bank transfer via net banking is supported for 50+ banks across India, including all major public and private sector banks. Net banking transactions typically confirm within 2 to 5 minutes.
2.4 Wallets
Select digital wallets are accepted, including Paytm Wallet. Wallet availability is subject to regulatory approvals and may change from time to time.
2.5 EMI (Equated Monthly Instalments)
EMI options are available on select credit cards for bookings above INR 3,000. EMI availability and interest rates are determined by your issuing bank. FlickyTales does not charge any additional processing fee for EMI, though your bank may charge interest.
2.6 Pay Later / BNPL
Buy Now Pay Later options may be available through select payment gateway partners. Eligibility is determined by the BNPL provider and is subject to their credit assessment.
Note: FlickyTales does not accept cash payments, direct bank transfers not initiated through the Platform, or cryptocurrency. Any payment made outside the Platform voids all consumer protections and dispute resolution rights.
3. Payment Security
The security of your financial data is our highest priority. We implement the following safeguards:
- PCI DSS Level 1 Compliance: All payment processing is handled by payment gateways that maintain the highest level of PCI DSS certification. FlickyTales never stores or transmits raw card data.
- TLS 1.3 Encryption: All payment data is transmitted over encrypted HTTPS connections using TLS 1.3, preventing interception by third parties.
- Tokenization: Card details are replaced with a secure token on our side. This token cannot be used to reconstruct your card number, even in the event of a data breach.
- 3D Secure Authentication: All card-based transactions require OTP verification as mandated by the Reserve Bank of India’s guidelines on online transactions.
- Fraud Detection: Real-time transaction monitoring flags unusual patterns. Suspicious transactions may be blocked or subject to additional verification.
- RBI Compliance: All payment operations comply with applicable Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directives, including the Payment Aggregator and Payment Gateway guidelines.
4. Booking & Billing
4.1 Full Payment at Booking
The full booking amount (session fee plus applicable Platform Fee) is charged at the time of booking confirmation. No booking is confirmed until full payment is successfully processed.
4.2 Payment Holds
Funds collected from Users are held in escrow by FlickyTales until the photography session is complete and the Deliverables are accepted or the dispute window closes (7 days from delivery). This protects both parties during the transaction.
4.3 Payment Receipts
An automated email receipt is sent to your registered email address immediately after each successful payment. Receipts include the booking ID, session details, amount paid, payment method, and transaction reference number. Tax invoices are available on request.
4.4 GST & Tax Invoices
All transactions are subject to applicable Goods and Services Tax (GST). FlickyTales is registered under GST (GSTIN available on request). Tax invoices can be downloaded from your account dashboard or requested by emailing billing@flickytales.com with your booking ID.
5. Currency & Taxes
All prices displayed and transactions processed on the Platform are in Indian Rupees (INR ₹) unless explicitly stated otherwise.
If you are using an international card, your bank will convert the INR amount to your billing currency at their prevailing exchange rate. FlickyTales has no control over exchange rates or any foreign transaction fees charged by your bank.
All displayed prices include applicable GST at the current rate. The GST breakdown is available in your payment receipt and invoice. Photographer session fees may or may not be subject to GST depending on the Photographer’s individual GST registration status; this will be disclosed at checkout.
6. Failed Payments
A payment may fail due to several reasons, including insufficient funds, incorrect card details, bank rejection, network issues, or 3D Secure authentication failure.
If your payment fails:
- No booking is created and no amount is charged to your account.
- If an authorization hold was placed, it will be released within 3 to 5 business days (this is controlled by your bank, not FlickyTales).
- You will receive an in-app notification and email with the failure reason (as provided by the payment gateway).
- You may retry the payment with the same or a different payment method.
If you notice a charge on your bank statement for a failed booking, please contact us at billing@flickytales.com with your transaction reference number. We will investigate and confirm the status within 2 business days.
7. Chargebacks & Disputes
A chargeback is a reversal of a transaction initiated through your bank or card issuer. While you have the right to dispute transactions with your bank, we strongly encourage you to contact us first:
- Email: disputes@flickytales.com
- In-app: Go to your Booking → Report an Issue
We can typically resolve payment disputes within 3 to 5 business days — much faster than the bank chargeback process, which can take 45 to 90 days.
In the event of a chargeback, FlickyTales reserves the right to:
- Suspend the account associated with the chargeback pending investigation.
- Provide evidence to the issuing bank to contest fraudulent or unfounded chargebacks.
- Recover amounts from Photographers’ pending payouts if a chargeback is upheld.
- Permanently suspend accounts that abuse the chargeback process.
8. Photographer Payouts
8.1 Payout Schedule
Photographers receive payment after:
- The photography session is completed.
- Deliverables have been uploaded to the Platform.
- The 7-day dispute window has closed without any open disputes.
Standard payout processing takes 3 to 5 business days after the above conditions are met.
8.2 Payout Methods
Payouts are transferred directly to the Photographer’s linked bank account via IMPS/NEFT. Photographers must maintain a valid Indian bank account registered in their name (or business name) with KYC completed.
8.3 Platform Fee Deduction
FlickyTales deducts the applicable Platform Fee (10%–20% depending on tier) from the total session fee before processing the Photographer’s payout. The exact fee is disclosed during onboarding and on each payment summary.
8.4 TDS Deduction
As required by the Income Tax Act, 1961, FlickyTales deducts Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) at the applicable rate on Photographer earnings. TDS certificates (Form 16A) are issued quarterly. Photographers are responsible for complying with their own GST and income tax obligations.
8.5 Payout Holds
Payouts may be held in the following circumstances: active dispute on the Booking, suspected fraud or policy violation, pending KYC verification, or court/regulatory orders. FlickyTales will notify the Photographer of any hold and its expected duration.
9. Fraud Prevention
We take payment fraud seriously. The following actions are strictly prohibited and may result in immediate account suspension and referral to law enforcement:
- Using stolen, cloned, or unauthorized payment credentials.
- Creating fake accounts to exploit promotional credits or referral bonuses.
- Initiating false chargebacks after receiving legitimate services.
- Colluding to create fake bookings or transactions to manipulate Photographer ratings or earnings.
- Attempting to bypass or circumvent our payment system.
If you suspect fraudulent activity on your FlickyTales account, contact us immediately at security@flickytales.com or call our fraud hotline. We will investigate and, where confirmed, reverse any unauthorized transactions within 5 business days.
10. Changes to This Policy
FlickyTales may update this Payment Policy to reflect changes in payment gateway capabilities, regulatory requirements, or platform features. We will provide at least 14 days’ notice of material changes via email and platform notifications.
Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any change constitutes acceptance of the revised Payment Policy.
11. Contact
For all payment-related queries, please reach out to:
- Billing inquiries: billing@flickytales.com
- Disputes & chargebacks: disputes@flickytales.com
- Fraud & security: security@flickytales.com
- Photographer payout queries: payouts@flickytales.com
- Response time: Within 4 business hours on weekdays (9 AM – 8 PM IST)
Registered address: FlickyTales Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Level 5, WeWork BKC, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051, India
Nodal Officer (Payment Grievances): In accordance with RBI guidelines on payment aggregators, our Nodal Officer for payment-related grievances can be reached at nodal@flickytales.com. Unresolved payment grievances may also be escalated to the Reserve Bank of India’s Ombudsman scheme.