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@section('title','FAQ | PLOCAL')
@section('description','Find answers about PLOCAL evaluations, payment, Profiles, voting, Awards, and safe local business discovery.')
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    <section class="plocal-faq-hero" aria-labelledby="faq-title"><div class="container plocal-faq-container"><nav class="plocal-faq-breadcrumb" aria-label="Breadcrumb"><ol><li><a href="{{ url('/') }}">Home</a></li><li aria-current="page">FAQ</li></ol></nav><div class="plocal-faq-hero-content"><p class="plocal-faq-eyebrow">Questions &amp; answers</p><h1 id="faq-title">How PLOCAL works.</h1><p>Explore straightforward answers about finding evaluated businesses, requesting an Evaluation, reading results, and using PLOCAL safely.</p></div></div></section>
    <section class="plocal-faq-section" aria-labelledby="faq-content-title"><div class="container plocal-faq-container"><div class="plocal-faq-heading"><p class="plocal-faq-eyebrow">PLOCAL explained</p><h2 id="faq-content-title">Answers for your next decision.</h2><p>Open a question to learn more. If you need help with a specific situation, our <a href="{{ url('/contact.html') }}">Contact page</a> is the best place to start.</p></div><div class="plocal-faq-grid">
        <div class="plocal-faq-column"><h3 class="plocal-faq-group-title">Getting started</h3><details open><summary>What is PLOCAL?<i class="far fa-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></summary><p>PLOCAL is a nationwide platform that evaluates local businesses so customers can review public information and make more informed decisions.</p></details><details><summary>How do I find a business?<i class="far fa-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></summary><p>Use Find Businesses to filter published Profiles by category, state, city, or ZIP code. Results are presented in a neutral order rather than ranked by payment.</p></details><details><summary>Is PLOCAL the service provider?<i class="far fa-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></summary><p>No. Listed businesses are independent providers. PLOCAL presents evaluation information but does not perform their services, set prices, or guarantee a job.</p></details><details><summary>Are all businesses in the directory evaluated?<i class="far fa-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></summary><p>Public Profiles and directory results reflect businesses that have reached the applicable published state in the PLOCAL evaluation lifecycle.</p></details></div>
        <div class="plocal-faq-column"><h3 class="plocal-faq-group-title">Evaluations &amp; results</h3><details><summary>What does an Evaluation measure?<i class="far fa-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></summary><p>The current evaluation considers Digital, Service, and Trust. Each dimension uses the current 0–10 scale and contributes to the public-safe PLOCAL Score.</p></details><details><summary>How long does an Evaluation take?<i class="far fa-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></summary><p>After successful paid activation, the Evaluation window runs for exactly 96 elapsed hours. The public Profile shows the authoritative status and result when available.</p></details><details><summary>Does payment guarantee a result or Award?<i class="far fa-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></summary><p>No. Businesses pay for the Evaluation service. Payment does not guarantee a score, ranking, qualification, badge, nomination, recognition, or Award.</p></details><details><summary>Can I see unfinished evaluator notes?<i class="far fa-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></summary><p>No. Draft D/S/T values, reviewer assessments, staff notes, and internal decision information are not part of the public result.</p></details></div>
        <div class="plocal-faq-column"><h3 class="plocal-faq-group-title">Voting &amp; recognition</h3><details><summary>What is public voting used for?<i class="far fa-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></summary><p>Where voting is open, customers may share a public signal during the active Evaluation. PLOCAL applies its qualification and decision process separately.</p></details><details><summary>How are Awards decided?<i class="far fa-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></summary><p>Business of the Day, Month, and Year are official PLOCAL recognition decisions. They are not purchased and are not determined by a business payment.</p></details><details><summary>What do PLOCAL badges mean?<i class="far fa-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></summary><p>Badges identify an official recognition or a specific published signal. Read them together with the full Profile; a badge is not a universal guarantee.</p></details><details><summary>Can recognition change?<i class="far fa-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></summary><p>Public business information and recognition may change as authoritative records are updated. Review the current Profile and recognition information for the latest state.</p></details></div>
        <div class="plocal-faq-column"><h3 class="plocal-faq-group-title">Payments &amp; safety</h3><details><summary>What does the Evaluation fee cover?<i class="far fa-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></summary><p>The $250 USD base fee plus applicable taxes covers the PLOCAL Evaluation service and related processing shown during submission. It does not purchase an Award or outcome.</p></details><details><summary>What should I do before hiring?<i class="far fa-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></summary><p>Confirm scope, price, timing, availability, credentials, and contact details directly with the provider. Use the Trust &amp; Safety guidance when something feels suspicious.</p></details><details><summary>How do I report a suspicious claim?<i class="far fa-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></summary><p>Keep the message or invoice and contact PLOCAL through the official Contact page. Do not share passwords, payment details, or security codes in response to an unexpected request.</p></details><details><summary>How can I contact PLOCAL?<i class="far fa-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></summary><p>Use the <a href="{{ url('/contact.html') }}">Contact PLOCAL</a> page or email <a href="mailto:info@plocal.com">info@plocal.com</a>.</p></details></div>
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