Last updated: March 9, 2026
These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the Southern Maryland Shopper website and any purchase of advertising products or services offered by Vasquez Enterprises LLC d/b/a Southern Maryland Shopper (“Southern Maryland Shopper,” “Publisher,” “we,” “us”). Publisher’s representatives, contractors, vendors, affiliates, and partners may perform services on Publisher’s behalf.
By using our website, requesting an invoice, completing checkout, submitting an insertion order, or making payment, you agree to these Terms.
1) Scope and Who These Terms Apply To
These Terms apply to business advertisers (“Advertiser,” “you”) and anyone acting on behalf of a business. If you are purchasing for a business, you represent you have authority to bind that business.
2) Relationship Between These Terms and the Advertiser Agreement
For advertising purchases, you may be required to accept an Advertising Insertion Order & Terms (“Agreement”) electronically before checkout. Each advertising order becomes binding when we receive confirmed payment.
Controlling documents; priority. These Terms are incorporated into and apply to purchases as of the date of purchase. If there is any conflict between the Agreement and these Terms, the Agreement controls for that specific purchase. Otherwise, these Terms control.
3) What We Provide
Southern Maryland Shopper produces a locally curated direct-mail advertising publication (the “Mailer”) featuring paid advertisements and offers distributed via USPS Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) or similar programs.
We may offer:
Ad placements in one or more issues/editions (each an “Issue”)
Optional add-ons (e.g., QR Offer Page, front placement, category lock)
Included online advertiser directory listing / web placement (Section 12)
Optional web upgrades (Section 13)
Limited creative/design services as described below
Custom projects and marketing services (Section 14)
4) Orders, Order Summary, and Proof of Purchase
Your purchase is defined by the details shown at checkout, invoice, payment request, and/or confirmation email (your “Order Summary”), including tier/size, county/edition, Issue(s), add-ons, and total amount due.
Receipt controls. Your payment confirmation/receipt (credit card receipt or Zelle confirmation) together with the Order Summary is definitive proof of what you purchased.
5) Payment Methods and Reservation of Space
Accepted payment methods are credit card and Zelle only (as displayed at checkout/invoice).
Space is not reserved until payment is successfully received and confirmed.
6) Custom Product; ALL SALES FINAL (No Refunds / No Cancellations / No Exchanges)
Advertising in the Mailer is a custom product (roster planning, creative preparation, layout, production coordination, and USPS entry planning).
ALL SALES ARE FINAL. No refunds, cancellations, exchanges, credits, or chargebacks for any reason, including business closure, offer changes, dissatisfaction with results, timing changes, creative preferences, or failure to provide materials.
Chargebacks / payment reversals. A chargeback or payment reversal is a material breach. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we may pursue collection of all amounts due plus reasonable costs of collection/enforcement and actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred for the order, which may include (as applicable) production coordination costs, printing/production costs, and postage and USPS entry/handling/mailing-related costs incurred in connection with preparing, coordinating, and entering the Mailer into the USPS EDDM process.
7) Materials Submission Deadline (Logos, Images, Copy)
Unless stated otherwise in writing due to production timing, you must submit all ad materials—artwork, logos, photos, copy, URLs, offer terms, and disclaimers—within 24–48 hours of placing your order.
If you fail to provide materials on time, you authorize us to proceed with available information, use a basic placeholder format, or omit the ad if necessary to protect production timelines—without refund.
8) Proofing and Included Revisions
If design is included with your purchase, it includes:
1 design concept
1 revision after the first proof
48-hour proof window. You have 48 hours from the time the proof is sent by email to approve or request the included revision. Revision requests must be consolidated into one response.
No response. If you do not respond within 48 hours, you authorize us to proceed with the most recent proof provided or omit the ad if necessary to protect production timelines—without refund.
9) Additional Creative Work (Billable)
Anything beyond “1 concept + 1 revision” is optional and billable, including additional revision rounds, copy changes after approval, new concepts, resizing due to tier changes, or materially new creative requests.
Additional work is billed at $50/hour, billed in 15-minute increments, payable before additional work continues unless we agree otherwise in writing. We may pause production until paid.
10) Add-Ons, Bundles, and What’s Included
Add-ons may be offered from time to time and are included only if:
Selected in your Order Summary, or
Expressly included with the tier you purchased.
Market Leader included item. The only included add-on is the QR Offer Page when you purchase the Market Leader tier (per our specifications). No other add-on is included unless selected in the Order Summary.
11) USPS Delivery Routes, Route Selection, and Mailpiece Counts (EDDM)
USPS controls routes. All delivery routes used for distribution are USPS postal routes that are predetermined, defined, and maintained by the United States Postal Service (“USPS”). You acknowledge and agree that Southern Maryland Shopper has no rights, authority, or ability to alter, create, subdivide, merge, or otherwise change USPS routes, carrier lines, route boundaries, sequence, or delivery outcomes. Route availability and eligibility for EDDM are controlled by USPS policies and systems.
Data source for route selection. When we reference or select routes based on “highest discretionary household income” or similar audience characteristics, those selections are made using route-level data and indicators displayed within the official USPS EDDM mapping/tool (or successor USPS tool) and/or USPS-authorized data presented within that tool. You acknowledge that:
such data is not created or guaranteed by Southern Maryland Shopper,
route-level indicators are generalized estimates and may change, and
the presence of any indicator does not guarantee household behavior, response, or results.
General (non-organization) mailings — geographic radius logic. For standard Issues that are not specific to an organization (i.e., general Southern Maryland Shopper editions), we select routes using a geographic radius and market-area logic intended to match:
the typical service area most participating advertisers serve, and/or
areas where customers are reasonably likely to patronize participating businesses, and/or
areas that an advertiser desires to attract (as communicated by the advertiser, if provided and feasible).
We may adjust route selections to meet production realities, roster fit, USPS availability, print/mail coordination, and EDDM operational constraints.
No guarantee that one route is “better.” Route selection is an audience-targeting strategy, not a promise. We do not guarantee that any particular route, set of routes, radius, neighborhood, carrier route type, or demographic indicator will perform better than another, or that route selection will produce any specific outcome.
Mailpiece counts; rounding; USPS rules. Mailpiece counts are based on USPS route counts and EDDM requirements. You acknowledge and agree that:
the advertised or stated mailpiece count (including counts referenced in marketing materials) may be rounded for simplicity and marketing communication purposes,
actual route counts may not equal a perfectly exact number, and
to comply with USPS EDDM guidelines and operational realities, Southern Maryland Shopper may produce and enter slightly more or slightly fewer pieces than an estimated target count, so long as the mailing is prepared and coordinated in good faith to meet the intended distribution level for the Issue as governed by the Advertiser Agreement and USPS rules.
Distribution obligation. Our distribution obligation is limited to preparing, coordinating, and entering the Mailer for USPS EDDM delivery consistent with the Issue plan and USPS requirements. Once accepted by USPS, delivery timing and completion are controlled by USPS (see Section 12).
Liability protection; third-party systems. You agree that Southern Maryland Shopper is not responsible for USPS route definitions, route data accuracy, USPS tool functionality, route eligibility changes, USPS acceptance decisions, carrier-level execution, delivery completion, or any USPS operational issues. To the maximum extent permitted by law, you waive any claim against Southern Maryland Shopper arising from or related to these USPS-controlled factors.
12) Online Advertiser Directory Listing (Included Web Presence)
Included service. For active advertisers participating in an Issue, we currently provide a basic online web presence in our advertiser directory (the “Directory Listing”) in our standard format. This is included with advertising unless stated otherwise in your Order Summary.
What is displayed. The Directory Listing will display the exact advertisement (creative) that appears in the printed Mailer for the applicable Issue, in digital form.
Linking and promotion. The Directory Listing may include an outbound link to your main website (as provided by you). We will provide the Directory Listing URL so you can promote your Southern Maryland Shopper ad through your website, email, social media, and other channels (including for backlinking).
Term and changes. The Directory Listing is tied to the Issue and may remain accessible for a period determined by us. We may update, reformat, relocate, or remove directory listings at our discretion (including for maintenance, platform changes, policy, or quality control). Temporary downtime or changes do not create any right to cancel or refund.
No performance guarantee. We do not guarantee website traffic, SEO ranking improvements, leads, appointments, calls, or measurable performance from the Directory Listing.
Accuracy is on you. You are responsible for providing accurate business information and URLs. If your link changes, breaks, or is incorrect, you must notify us. We are not responsible for lost business caused by incorrect information you provided, broken links, or your website being unavailable.
13) Optional Online Directory Upgrades (Not Included Unless Purchased)
We may offer optional upgrades that enhance your web presence. If purchased, upgrades will be described in the Order Summary and/or an addendum and may be subject to additional terms.
Examples (as available) may include: lead capture forms, downloadable offers, automated email sequences, appointment request workflows, or other digital enhancements.
Unless expressly purchased and confirmed in the Order Summary, no upgrades are included beyond the basic Directory Listing.
14) Custom Projects and Special Orders (Separate Quote; These Terms Apply)
From time to time, you may request or we may offer custom or special-order projects outside of standard Mailer advertising packages (each a “Custom Project”), including (without limitation): a custom-built website, landing page, funnel, lead capture system, automation workflow, direct mailer design, EDDM campaign build-out, copywriting, creative development, or other marketing/production services.
Separate quote required. Custom Projects require a separate written quote, scope, or proposal provided by Publisher (the “Custom Quote”), delivered via email, invoice, checkout screen, or other written/electronic confirmation.
Agreed investment; proof of purchase controls. The investment for a Custom Project is the amount set forth in the Custom Quote and/or invoice/payment request as accepted by you. Your purchase becomes binding when we receive confirmed payment. The definitive proof of what was purchased and the agreed investment is the paid receipt/payment confirmation together with the applicable order, invoice, or written confirmation (the “Custom Order Record”), which is incorporated by reference.
These Terms apply. Unless we expressly agree otherwise in a signed writing, these Terms apply to Custom Projects, including (as applicable) payment requirements, deadlines, refusal rights, limitation of liability, dispute resolution/arbitration, and no guarantee of results.
15) Special Organization Editions (Associations, Chambers, Churches, Nonprofits, Schools, Etc.)
From time to time, we may curate a customized premium Mailer for an organization’s membership (an “Organization Edition”).
Organization not a party. Unless we provide a separate written agreement signed by us and the organization, the organization is not a party to your advertising purchase and we have no obligations to any organization under your order.
Organization-specific arrangements. Any special terms (sponsorship structure, member benefits, route focus, mailpiece targets, or discounts) must be confirmed in writing by us to be effective.
USPS routes still control; mailpiece count fulfillment. Any specific arrangement made between Southern Maryland Shopper and an organization will use USPS postal routes and USPS EDDM eligibility to fulfill the stated mailpiece count and distribution plan consistent with the Advertiser Agreement and USPS guidelines. Southern Maryland Shopper does not control USPS routes, route boundaries, or carrier execution.
Mailpiece counts; rounding; USPS rules apply. Mailpiece counts for Organization Editions may be communicated as an estimated or rounded number. Because USPS route counts may not match an exact figure and because EDDM requirements govern what may be entered, Southern Maryland Shopper may produce and enter slightly more or slightly fewer pieces than a stated target in order to comply with USPS policies while fulfilling the intended distribution level in good faith.
Advertisers still bound. Every advertiser participating in an Organization Edition remains fully bound by the Agreement and these Terms (including deadlines, proof windows, refusal rights, USPS/EDDM delivery realities, and the no-refunds/no-cancellations policy).
No authority to modify terms. No organization or representative may modify our terms or policies unless we confirm the modification in writing.
Publisher control. We retain final editorial, production, scheduling, and distribution control for Organization Editions; our decisions are final.
16) Advertiser Responsibilities: Rights, Accuracy, and Compliance
You are responsible for timely submission of accurate, lawful content (offer terms, disclaimers, pricing, redemption rules, contact info, images/logos, URLs). You represent you own or have permission to use all submitted materials and that your ad and materials comply with applicable laws. You are responsible for all claims and offer fulfillment.
17) Right to Refuse; Final Decisions
We reserve the right to refuse, reject, or require edits to any advertisement, category, vertical, Directory Listing, Custom Project deliverable, or participation on a case-by-case basis in our discretion, including to comply with law and maintain standards. If changes are required, we may omit the ad or pause/stop work as necessary to protect production timelines—without refund.
All final decisions are with Southern Maryland Shopper and those acting on our behalf, and those decisions are final.
18) No Guarantee of Results
We do not guarantee leads, calls, appointments, revenue, response rate, website traffic, SEO outcomes, delivery completion, or business results.
19) License to Use Content
You grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use your submitted content to produce, print, distribute, and display the ad and Directory Listing, and to perform and deliver Custom Projects, including use as examples/portfolio unless you opt out in writing.
20) Indemnification
You will defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Southern Maryland Shopper (Vasquez Enterprises LLC) and its owners, employees, contractors, vendors, affiliates, and partners from claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from your ad content, directory content, Custom Project materials you provide, offers, products/services, alleged IP infringement, or regulatory/consumer complaints.
21) Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability related to any Issue or Custom Project will not exceed the amount you paid for that specific Issue or Custom Project. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages.
22) Disputes; Mandatory Arbitration; Maryland Law
The parties will attempt to resolve disputes through good-faith written discussion. If unresolved, disputes will be resolved by binding arbitration in Maryland administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its applicable commercial rules, before one arbitrator. These Terms (and any purchase) are governed by Maryland law.
23) Electronic Communications and E-Sign
You consent to receive communications electronically (email, invoices, proofs, approvals, notices). Electronic records and signatures are valid and enforceable.
24) Changes to These Terms (Subject to Change)
These Terms are subject to change. We may update or modify these Terms at any time in our discretion. Changes are effective when posted on our website unless a different effective date is stated.
Unless we explicitly require re-acceptance, the Terms in effect at the time you submit payment (as reflected by the “Last updated” date) generally apply to that specific Order Summary or Custom Order Record. Continued use of the website and/or future purchases after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
25) Contact
Questions about these Terms or an order should be directed to:
[email protected]