Terms of service

Last updated: August 2026

OVERVIEW Black Sands Studios ("we," "us," or "our") operates the online store The Ten Minute Rule, including this website and all related content, features, products, and services (the "Services"). Our Services are powered by Shopify, which provides us the platform to sell our products to you.

These Terms of Service (the "Terms") describe your rights and responsibilities when you use the Services. Please read them carefully, as they include important information about your legal rights, including warranty disclaimers and limitations of liability.

By visiting, browsing, or purchasing from our store, you agree to be bound by these Terms and by our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Services.

ELIGIBILITY AND ACCOUNT By using the Services, you confirm that you are at least the age of majority in your state or province of residence. You are responsible for providing accurate, current, and complete information when placing an order and for keeping any account information secure. We reserve the right to refuse service, cancel orders, or limit quantities at our discretion.

PRODUCTS AND PRICING We sell books and related products, including the Signed Limited Edition, Hardcover, and Paperback editions of The Ten Minute Rule. We make every effort to display our products and prices accurately, but we do not guarantee that colors, images, or descriptions are error-free, and screens may display colors differently. Prices are listed in U.S. dollars and are subject to change without notice. Limited and signed editions are sold in limited quantities and are subject to availability.

ORDERS AND PAYMENT When you place an order, you are making an offer to purchase. We reserve the right to accept or decline your order, in whole or in part. Payment is processed securely through Shopify and its payment providers; we do not store your full payment card details. You agree to provide a valid payment method and authorize us to charge it for the total amount of your order, including applicable taxes and shipping.

PRE-ORDERS Some products are offered as pre-orders before their general release. When you place a pre-order, your payment method is charged at the time of purchase to reserve your copy. Pre-orders are expected to ship on or around October 30, 2026, ahead of the November 6, 2026 launch. Ship dates are estimates and may change; we will notify you of any significant delays. You may cancel a pre-order for a full refund at any time before it ships by contacting us at hello@andrew-balfour.com.

SHIPPING AND RETURNS Shipping timelines, methods, and costs are described in our Shipping Policy. Returns, refunds, and cancellations are governed by our Return and Refund Policy. Both policies are incorporated into these Terms by reference.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY All content associated with the Services — including the text, cover art, illustrations, design, logos, and the contents of the book The Ten Minute Rule — is the property of Black Sands Studios or its licensors and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from this content without our prior written permission. Purchasing a book grants you a copy of that book for personal use; it does not transfer any intellectual property rights.

ACCEPTABLE USE You agree not to use the Services for any unlawful purpose, to interfere with or disrupt the Services, to attempt to gain unauthorized access to any systems, or to infringe the rights of others. We may suspend or terminate your access to the Services if you violate these Terms.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES The Services and all products are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY To the fullest extent permitted by law, Black Sands Studios and its owners, employees, and affiliates will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues, arising from your use of the Services or products. Our total liability for any claim arising out of or relating to the Services or a product will not exceed the amount you paid for the product at issue.

INDEMNIFICATION You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Black Sands Studios and its owners, employees, and affiliates from any claims, damages, or expenses arising out of your breach of these Terms or your misuse of the Services.

THIRD-PARTY SERVICES Our store runs on Shopify and may use third-party apps and service providers to process payments, fulfill orders, and operate the Services. Your use of those services may be subject to their own terms and privacy practices.

GOVERNING LAW These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in California.

CHANGES TO THESE TERMS We may update these Terms from time to time. The most current version will always be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the Services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

CONTACT Questions about these Terms of Service can be sent to us at hello@andrew-balfour.com.

Black Sands Studios 440 N Barranca Ave #6535 Covina, CA 91723