Sublystic Refund and Cancellation Policy

2. Scope and Applicability

2.1 Covered Purchases

This Refund Policy applies to all monetary transactions and purchases made through Sublystic, specifically including:

2.1.1 Subscription Plans

• Pro Lite Subscription: Monthly recurring subscription at $2.99/month providing 1,000 minutes, partial cloud storage, ad-free experience, and standard AI features
• Pro Subscription: Monthly recurring subscription at $9.99/month providing 10,000 minutes, unlimited cloud storage, ad-free experience, and advanced AI features
• Annual Subscriptions: If and when offered, annual prepaid subscription plans
• Trial Conversions: Paid subscriptions following free trial periods
• Subscription Upgrades: Changes from lower to higher subscription tiers
• Subscription Renewals: Automatic recurring charges for subscription continuations

2.1.2 One-Time Booster Packs

• Small Boost: $1.99 for 300 additional processing minutes
• Creator Boost: $6.99 for 1,000 additional processing minutes
• Studio Boost: $9.99 for 2,000 additional processing minutes
• Future Booster Offerings: Any additional booster pack options introduced

2.1.3 Other Paid Features

• Any future premium features, add-ons, or one-time purchases introduced to the Service
• Special feature unlocks or enhancements requiring payment
• Enterprise or bulk purchasing arrangements (subject to separate terms)

2.2 Excluded from This Policy

The following are NOT covered by this Refund Policy:

2.2.1 Free Tier Usage

• Free accounts with 300 monthly minutes
• Referral bonus minutes earned through the referral program
• Promotional free minutes or trial periods
• Any features or services provided without monetary payment

Rationale: No payment was made; therefore, no refund is applicable.

2.2.2 Third-Party Purchases

• Purchases made through unauthorized third-party sellers or resellers
• Gift card purchases from third-party retailers
• Bundled offers from partners not directly processed by Sublystic

Rationale: Transactions not directly handled by me or my authorized payment processor cannot be controlled or refunded.

2.2.3 Previously Refunded Purchases

• Purchases for which refunds have already been issued
• Repeated refund requests for the same transaction

Rationale: Prevents duplicate refunds and abuse.

2.3 Geographic Applicability

This Policy applies to users in all countries and jurisdictions where Sublystic operates, subject to:

• Local Consumer Protection Laws: Where local laws provide greater consumer protections or refund rights, those laws take precedence
• Regional Variations: Specific provisions for regions with unique legal requirements (e.g., European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, California) are addressed in Section 19
• Currency Variations: Refunds are processed in the currency of the original purchase

2.4 Platform Applicability

This Policy applies to purchases made through:

• iOS App Store: Subject to Apple's additional policies and technical limitations
• Google Play Store: Subject to Google's additional policies and technical limitations
• Direct Web Purchases: If implemented, purchases made directly through the website
• Other Platforms: Any future platforms through which Sublystic becomes available

Important Note: Platform-specific refund processes (such as Apple or Google refund mechanisms) may run parallel to or supersede this Policy in certain circumstances. See Section 10.5 for details.

2.5 User Categories

This Policy applies equally to all user categories:

• Individual consumers using the Service for personal purposes
• Professional users using the Service for business or commercial purposes
• Educational institutions and educators
• Content creators and media professionals
• Organizations and teams using the Service

Special arrangements or enterprise agreements may have separate refund terms documented in specific contracts.

3. Definitions and Interpretation

3.1 Key Definitions

For purposes of this Refund Policy, the following terms have the meanings specified:

• "Billing Cycle" means the recurring period (typically monthly) for which subscription fees are charged, beginning on the date of initial subscription or renewal and ending on the corresponding date in the subsequent period.
• "Booster Pack" or "Booster Minutes" means non-expiring processing minutes purchased as one-time transactions that supplement monthly subscription minutes.
• "Business Day" means any day other than Saturday, Sunday, or a public holiday in India, on which banks are open for general business.
• "Consumed" or "Used" means processing minutes that have been expended for video processing, subtitle extraction, AI cleaning, translation, or other Service features that deplete the minute balance.
• "Effective Date" means the date specified at the beginning of this Policy when it comes into force.
• "Immediately Accessible" means available for use without delay upon completion of the purchase transaction.
• "Material Use" means consumption of more than the Usage Threshold (as defined below) of purchased minutes or substantial access to paid features.
• "Payment Service Provider" or "Payment Processor" means Paddle.com Market Limited or any other third-party payment processing service authorized to handle monetary transactions.
• "Processing Minutes" or "Minutes" means the unit of measurement for Service usage, representing time-based processing capacity for video subtitle extraction, AI enhancement, and related features.
• "Purchase Date" means the date and time when a transaction is completed and payment is successfully processed.
• "Refund Window" means the time period during which a refund request may be submitted, as specified in this Policy for different purchase types.
• "Service Activation" means the point at which a user gains access to paid features, cloud storage, or begins consuming purchased processing minutes.
• "Subscription" means a recurring payment arrangement providing ongoing access to Pro Lite or Pro tier features for successive billing cycles until canceled.
• "Substantial Use" means usage that exceeds minimal exploratory interaction and involves meaningful consumption of Service resources or features.
• "Unused Service" means purchased minutes, features, or subscription time that has not been accessed, activated, or consumed by the user.
• "Usage Threshold" means the maximum percentage of purchased service (typically 10% of minutes or equivalent feature usage) that may be consumed while remaining eligible for a refund.

3.2 Interpretation Rules

Unless context clearly requires otherwise:

• Singular and Plural: Words in the singular include the plural and vice versa
• Gender: References to one gender include all genders
• Including: The word "including" means "including without limitation"
• Days: References to "days" mean calendar days unless specified as "business days"
• Currency: Monetary amounts are expressed in U.S. Dollars (USD) unless otherwise specified
• Headings: Section headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation
• Calculations: Percentages and thresholds are calculated based on the total purchased quantity or value
• Timing: Time-based calculations use the timezone of the transaction or India Standard Time where ambiguous

3.3 Ambiguities

In case of ambiguity or uncertainty regarding any provision of this Policy:

• Provisions are interpreted in favor of clarity and reasonableness
• Context and purpose guide interpretation
• Customer support may provide clarification
• No interpretation shall unreasonably favor either party

4. General Refund Principles

4.1 Core Refund Philosophy

The approach to refunds is grounded in the following principles:

4.1.1 Digital Service Nature

• Fundamental Principle: Digital services are immediately accessible and consumable, making traditional return policies impractical.
• Once accessed, digital services cannot be "un-consumed" or returned
• Value is delivered instantly upon purchase
• Refunds after consumption would be inequitable to the service provider
• Industry-standard practices recognize limited refund rights for digital goods

4.1.2 Fair Balance

Balancing Interests: This Policy seeks to balance:

• User Rights: Legitimate consumer protections and recourse for genuine issues
• Business Sustainability: Prevention of abuse that would undermine service viability
• Good Faith: Presumption that both users and I act reasonably and honestly
• Practicality: Realistic policies that can be fairly administered

4.1.3 Minimal Use Standard

Usage Threshold Rationale: The 10% usage threshold represents:

• Sufficient opportunity to evaluate the service
• Reasonable allowance for initial exploration
• Protection against "buy, use, refund" abuse patterns
• Industry-standard practice for digital services
• Balance between user trial and service protection

Calculation: For processing minutes:

• 10% of 300 minutes (Small Boost) = 30 minutes
• 10% of 1,000 minutes (Pro Lite monthly or Creator Boost) = 100 minutes
• 10% of 2,000 minutes (Studio Boost) = 200 minutes
• 10% of 10,000 minutes (Pro monthly) = 1,000 minutes

4.2 Refund as Exception, Not Right

Important Understanding: Refunds are discretionary and provided as exceptions under specific circumstances, not as automatic entitlements.

4.2.1 General Rule

No Refunds After Use: The general rule is that all purchases are final once the service has been accessed or used. Refunds are exceptions to this rule granted under limited conditions.

4.2.2 Exceptions

Refunds may be granted when:

• Minimal usage threshold is met
• Technical failure prevented service delivery
• Unauthorized transaction occurred
• Duplicate charging error happened
• Material misrepresentation of service features
• Legal requirement mandates refund
• Exceptional circumstances warrant discretionary refund

4.2.3 Discretionary Authority

• Final decision-making authority is reserved on refund requests
• Each request is evaluated on its individual merits
• Precedent from one case does not establish entitlement in others
• Good faith judgment guides discretionary decisions
• Abuse or bad faith forfeits refund consideration

4.3 Transparency and Communication

Clear Expectations: There is a commitment to:

• Clearly communicating refund policies before purchase
• Providing detailed explanations for refund decisions
• Processing legitimate refund requests fairly and promptly
• Maintaining consistent application of policy provisions
• Updating policies transparently when changes occur

4.4 Prevention Over Refunds

Preferred Approach: Rather than relying on refunds, users are encouraged to:

• Free Tier Evaluation: Test the Service thoroughly on the free tier before purchasing
• Small Initial Purchase: Start with smaller booster packs or Pro Lite before committing to Pro
• Customer Support: Contact support with questions or concerns before requesting refunds
• Feature Understanding: Review documentation and tutorials to understand Service capabilities
• Realistic Expectations: Understand AI limitations and digital service characteristics

4.5 No Refunds for Dissatisfaction

Subjective Quality: Refunds are generally not provided for:

• Subjective dissatisfaction with AI subtitle quality
• Preference for different features or functionality
• Changed mind after purchase
• Disappointment with results (when service functioned as described)
• Comparison dissatisfaction with competitor services
• User error or misunderstanding of features

Rationale: Quality perception is subjective, and the free tier is provided for testing to evaluate service quality before purchasing.

4.6 Partial Refunds

Proportional Refunds: In certain circumstances, partial refunds may be offered:

• Prorated refunds based on unused portion of subscription
• Partial refunds for unused booster minutes (subject to conditions)
• Adjusted refunds accounting for service value already received
• Discretionary partial refunds as compromise resolutions

Calculation: Partial refunds are calculated based on:

• Proportion of service period unused (for subscriptions)
• Percentage of minutes unconsumed (for boosters)
• Value of features accessed versus not accessed
• Fair compensation for the specific circumstances

5. Subscription Refund Policy

5.1 Monthly Subscription Refunds

5.1.1 Initial Subscription Purchase

Refund Window: Within 7 days of initial subscription purchase (first-time subscribers only)

Eligibility Criteria:

• Less than 10% of monthly minutes allocation has been consumed
• No substantial use of premium features (cloud storage, advanced AI)
• Account in good standing with no violations
• No previous refunds for subscription purchases
• Request submitted within refund window

Example Scenarios:

• Eligible:
  • User subscribes to Pro Lite ($2.99), uses 50 minutes of 1,000 allocated, requests refund on day 3
  • User subscribes to Pro ($9.99), explores features briefly using 500 minutes of 10,000, requests refund on day 5
• Ineligible:
  • User subscribes to Pro Lite, uses 150 minutes (15%), requests refund
  • User subscribes, uses service for 10 days, then requests refund
  • User has previously received subscription refund

5.1.2 Subscription Renewals

General Rule: Subscription renewal charges are NOT refundable except in cases of technical error or unauthorized charges.

Rationale:

• Users are notified of upcoming renewals
• Cancellation options are clearly provided
• Continued subscription implies acceptance of charges
• Renewal charges occur for continued service provision

Limited Exceptions:

• Eligible for Refund:
  • Renewal charged despite subscription being canceled more than 24 hours before renewal date (technical error)
  • Duplicate renewal charges due to payment processing error
  • Renewal charged after account deletion
• Ineligible for Refund:
  • User forgot to cancel before renewal
  • User changed mind after renewal
  • User intended to cancel but failed to complete process
  • Renewal occurred as scheduled and disclosed

Cancellation to Prevent Future Renewals: See Section 12 for cancellation procedures.

5.1.3 Subscription Upgrades

Upgrade Refunds: When upgrading from Pro Lite to Pro:

• No refund of previous tier fees
• New tier pricing applies immediately
• Prorated credit may be applied for unused time on lower tier (at discretion)
• Upgraded features available immediately

Downgrade Refunds:

• No refunds for downgrading from Pro to Pro Lite
• Change takes effect at end of current billing cycle
• No retroactive refunds for higher tier already used

5.1.4 Prorated Refunds for Cancellation

Mid-Cycle Cancellation:

• General Rule: No refunds or prorated credits for mid-cycle subscription cancellation.
• Rationale:
  • Monthly fee covers entire billing cycle
  • Services remain accessible until cycle end
  • No unused service if canceled mid-cycle
• Service Access: Upon cancellation:
  • Subscription features remain active until end of current billing cycle
  • Unused monthly minutes remain available until cycle end
  • No refund provided as service remains accessible
• Exception: Voluntary prorated refunds may be offered at my sole discretion in exceptional circumstances such as:
  • Death or incapacity of subscriber
  • Service failure lasting majority of billing cycle
  • Catastrophic technical issues preventing service use
  • Other extraordinary circumstances evaluated case-by-case

5.2 Annual Subscription Refunds

If Annual Plans Are Offered:

5.2.1 Annual Subscription Terms

• Prepaid for entire year at discounted rate
• Non-refundable after 14 days from purchase
• Prorated refunds within first 14 days only
• No refunds for remaining months after 14-day period

5.2.2 Annual Refund Eligibility

Within 14 Days of Purchase:

• Less than 10% of annual minute allocation consumed
• Prorated refund for unused months (minus processing fee)
• Minimum usage requirements still apply

After 14 Days:

• No refunds under any circumstances except technical failure or unauthorized charge
• Cancellation prevents next year's renewal but no refund for current year
• Service remains active through end of annual period

5.3 Trial Period Conversions

Free Trial to Paid Subscription:

5.3.1 Trial Terms

• Free trials (if offered) provide full access for limited period
• No payment required during trial
• Automatic conversion to paid subscription at trial end (if payment method provided)
• Cancellation anytime during trial prevents charges

5.3.2 Post-Trial Refunds

First Billing After Trial:

• Treated as initial subscription purchase
• 7-day refund window applies
• Usage threshold (10%) calculated from first paid billing cycle only (trial usage not counted)

Example:

• User completes 7-day free trial using 500 minutes
• Subscription converts to paid on day 8
• Uses additional 80 minutes in days 8-10
• Requests refund on day 10
• Eligible: Only 80 minutes (8%) used during paid period

Trial Cancellation:

• No refund necessary if canceled during trial (no charge occurred)
• Cancel before trial end to avoid charges

5.4 Subscription Refund Process

Steps to Request Subscription Refund:

1. Submit Request:
   • Email: sublystic.helpdesk@gmail.com
   • Subject: "Subscription Refund Request"
   • Include: Account email, subscription tier, purchase date, reason for refund
2. Verification:
   • Subscription details and usage will be verified
   • Eligibility confirmed against policy criteria
   • Additional information or clarification may be requested
3. Decision:
   • Review completed within 5-7 business days
   • Decision communicated via email
   • Explanation provided if refund denied
4. Processing:
   • Approved refunds processed within 7-10 business days
   • Refund issued to original payment method
   • Subscription access terminated upon refund processing

6. Booster Pack Refund Policy

6.1 Nature of Booster Packs

Key Characteristics:

• One-Time Purchase: Single transaction, not recurring
• Non-Expiring Minutes: Remain in account indefinitely
• Supplemental to Subscription: Used only after monthly minutes exhausted
• Immediately Available: Minutes credited to account instantly upon purchase
• Flexible Usage: Can be consumed over any timeframe

6.2 Booster Pack Refund Eligibility

6.2.1 General Refund Criteria

Refund Window: Within 14 days of purchase

Usage Threshold: Less than 10% of purchased booster minutes consumed

Additional Requirements:

• Minutes have not been substantially used for processing
• No significant AI feature usage (cleaning, translation) with booster minutes
• Account in good standing
• No pattern of repeated booster purchases followed by refund requests

Calculation Examples:

6.2.2 Scenario-Based Eligibility

Scenario 1: Immediate Purchase Regret

User purchases Creator Boost ($6.99, 1,000 minutes), realizes they don't need extra minutes, has used 0 minutes from booster, and requests refund 2 hours after purchase. Result: ELIGIBLE (within window, under threshold).

Scenario 2: Partial Usage

User purchases Studio Boost ($9.99, 2,000 minutes), uses 150 minutes over 5 days, decides service doesn't meet needs, and requests refund on day 6. Result: ELIGIBLE (within window, 150 < 200 threshold).

Scenario 3: Exceeded Threshold

User purchases Small Boost ($1.99, 300 minutes), uses 50 minutes in first day, and requests refund on day 3. Result: INELIGIBLE (50 > 30 minute threshold).

Scenario 4: Outside Window

User purchases Creator Boost, uses only 20 minutes, and requests refund 20 days after purchase. Result: INELIGIBLE (outside 14-day window).

6.3 Multiple Booster Purchases

6.3.1 Separate Evaluation

• Each booster pack purchase evaluated independently
• Separate usage tracking for each transaction
• Separate refund windows for each purchase

Example: Day 1: Purchase Small Boost (300 min). Day 5: Purchase Creator Boost (1,000 min). Day 8: Request refund for Small Boost only. Evaluation based on Small Boost usage only, not combined usage.

6.3.2 Refund Limitations

• Maximum One Booster Refund Per 90-Day Period: To prevent abuse
• Multiple simultaneous booster refunds evaluated with scrutiny
• Pattern of buy-use-refund behavior results in refund denial and potential account restrictions

6.4 Booster Minutes and Subscription Interaction

6.4.1 Usage Priority

System Design:

• Monthly subscription minutes used first
• Booster minutes consumed only after monthly allocation exhausted
• Oldest booster minutes depleted first (FIFO - First In, First Out)

6.4.2 Refund Implications

Determining Booster Usage: When requesting booster refund, whether booster minutes were actually consumed is assessed.

Example: Pro Lite subscriber: 1,000 monthly minutes. Purchases Creator Boost: 1,000 additional minutes. Total available: 2,000 minutes. Uses 800 minutes total in billing cycle. Requests Creator Boost refund. Analysis: Monthly minutes cover first 1,000 used. 0 booster minutes actually consumed. Result: ELIGIBLE (booster unused).

Counter-Example: Uses 1,200 minutes total. Monthly 1,000 exhausted. 200 booster minutes consumed. Result: INELIGIBLE (200 > 100 threshold for Creator Boost).

6.5 Booster Pack Non-Refundable Situations

Automatic Ineligibility:

• More than 14 days since purchase
• More than 10% of booster minutes consumed
• Multiple previous booster refunds
• Suspicious usage patterns (rapid use followed by refund request)
• Violation of Terms and Conditions
• Account suspension or termination
• Purchase made with promotional or discount code (unless otherwise stated)

6.6 Booster Refund Process

Request Submission:

• Email: sublystic.helpdesk@gmail.com
• Subject: "Booster Pack Refund Request"
• Include: Account email address, Specific booster pack purchased (Small, Creator, or Studio), Purchase date and transaction ID (if available), Brief explanation of refund reason, Confirmation of minute usage awareness

Processing:

• Verification: 3-5 business days to verify purchase and usage
• Decision: Email notification of approval or denial with explanation
• Refund Processing: 7-10 business days if approved
• Minute Deduction: Corresponding minutes removed from account upon refund

Important: Once refund is processed, booster minutes are immediately deducted from your account, potentially reducing your available minutes below current usage.

7. Refund Eligibility Criteria

7.1 Comprehensive Eligibility Requirements

For any purchase to be eligible for refund, ALL of the following criteria must be satisfied:

7.1.1 Temporal Requirements

• Within Refund Window: Subscriptions: Within 7 days of initial purchase (renewals generally not refundable); Booster Packs: Within 14 days of purchase
• Request Timing: Refund request must be submitted within the applicable window, not just consideration of refund
• Calculation: Days calculated from purchase date/time to refund request submission; Based on calendar days, not business days; Time zones: Transaction time or India Standard Time

7.1.2 Usage Requirements

• Minimal Consumption: Usage Threshold: Less than 10% of purchased minutes consumed; Feature Access: Minimal or no access to premium features beyond basic exploration; Processing Activities: Limited subtitle creation, AI cleaning, or translation activities
• What Counts as Usage: Video processing and subtitle extraction, AI-powered subtitle cleaning or enhancement, Subtitle translation, Cloud storage upload or synchronization (Pro features), Export of subtitle files, Substantial time spent using premium features
• What Doesn't Count: Account setup and profile creation, Reading documentation or tutorials, Browsing the App interface, Opening the App without processing content, Customer support inquiries

7.1.3 Account Standing

• Good Standing Requirement: No violations of Terms and Conditions; No history of refund abuse (multiple refunds, patterns suggesting exploitation); No fraudulent activity or suspicious behavior; No chargebacks or payment disputes; Verified account with accurate information
• Disqualifying Factors: Account suspension or termination; Multiple previous refunds (discretionary limit); Evidence of service abuse; Violation of Acceptable Use Policy; Fraudulent payment information

7.1.4 Transaction Validity

• Valid Purchase: Purchase made through authorized channels (official App stores, website); Payment successfully processed and confirmed; No payment disputes or chargebacks initiated; Original payment method available for refund; Proof of purchase available (receipt, transaction ID)

7.1.5 No Previous Refunds for Same Type

• Limitation: Subscriptions: No prior subscription refunds in past 12 months; Boosters: Maximum one booster refund per 90 days; Combined: Pattern of multiple refund requests across different purchase types may disqualify
• Rationale: Prevents systematic abuse where users repeatedly purchase, use, and refund.

7.2 Discretionary Factors

Beyond strict eligibility criteria, discretionary factors are considered:

7.2.1 Positive Considerations

Factors Supporting Refund Approval:

• First-time refund request
• Clear technical failure or service issue
• Genuine misunderstanding or confusion
• Minimal usage with valid reason for refund
• Long-term user with history of legitimate use
• Honest and transparent communication
• Reasonable explanation for refund request

7.2.2 Negative Considerations

Factors Against Refund Approval:

• Multiple refund requests
• Significant usage before refund request
• Delayed refund request near end of window
• Vague or implausible refund reasoning
• Hostile or abusive communication
• Pattern suggesting service exploitation
• Previous policy violations

7.3 Burden of Proof

• User Responsibility: User bears burden of demonstrating eligibility; Must provide accurate information about usage; Must respond to verification requests promptly; Misrepresentation disqualifies from refund and may result in account consequences
• Verification: All eligibility criteria are verified through system records; Usage data, timestamps, and feature access are logged; Discrepancies between user claims and system records investigated; Final determination based on objective data

7.4 Ineligible Refund Reasons

Refunds Will Not Be Granted For:

7.4.1 Subjective Dissatisfaction

• "I don't like the results"
• "AI quality isn't as good as I expected"
• "I found a better service"

Rationale: Free tier allows quality evaluation before purchase.

7.4.2 User Error or Misunderstanding

• "I didn't understand what I was buying"
• "I made a mistake purchasing"

Rationale: Purchase information is clearly displayed; user responsibility to understand purchases.

7.4.3 Changed Circumstances

• "I no longer need the service"
• "My project was canceled"

Rationale: Personal circumstances don't negate service delivery.

7.4.4 Economic Reasons

• "I can't afford it anymore"
• "Financial hardship"

Rationale: While sympathetic, economic circumstances don't justify refunds after service consumption.

7.4.5 Comparative Dissatisfaction

Rationale: Competitive research should occur before purchase.

7.4.6 Expected but Unrealistic Results

• "AI didn't produce perfect subtitles"
• "Still required some manual editing"

Rationale: AI limitations are inherent to technology; perfection is not guaranteed.

8. Non-Refundable Circumstances

8.1 Absolute Non-Refundable Situations

Under the following circumstances, refunds will NOT be provided under any conditions:

8.1.1 Excessive Usage

Definition: Consumption of more than 10% usage threshold. Rationale: Substantial consumption of Service resources demonstrates receipt of value.

8.1.2 Outside Refund Window

Time Limits: Subscriptions: 7 days from initial purchase; Boosters: 14 days from purchase. Rationale: Reasonable time provided for evaluation; prevents indefinite refund liability.

8.1.3 Completed Services and Delivered Value

Non-Refundable When: Subtitles successfully generated and downloaded; AI processing completed as described. Rationale: Service was delivered as promised; value was received.

8.1.4 Data Loss or Technical Issues (User Responsibility)

Non-Refundable Scenarios: User deleted own projects; Device failure; User error in file management. Rationale: Users are warned and advised to back up important data.

8.1.5 Third-Party or External Factors

Non-Refundable When Caused By: Internet connectivity issues on user's end; Device incompatibility; Third-party service interruptions. Rationale: Factors beyond my control don't warrant refunds.

8.1.6 Promotional and Discounted Purchases

General Rule: Non-refundable unless promotion terms specifically state otherwise. Rationale: Discounted pricing offered as consideration for final sale.

8.1.7 Policy Violation or Account Termination

Non-Refundable When: Account terminated for Terms and Conditions violations; Fraudulent activity; Abuse of service. Rationale: Users forfeit refund rights when violating agreements.

8.1.8 Repeated Refund Requests

Pattern of Abuse: Multiple refund requests within 6-month period; History of purchase-use-refund cycles. Rationale: Protects against systematic exploitation of refund policy.

8.1.9 Unauthorized Resale or Transfer

Non-Refundable When: Subscription or booster purchased from unauthorized reseller; Account credentials shared or sold. Rationale: Violates Terms and Conditions.

8.2 Limited or Conditional Refund Situations

Circumstances Where Refunds May Be Considered Despite General Non-Eligibility:

8.2.1 Technical Service Failures

When Refunds May Be Offered: Complete service outage lasting majority of subscription period; Critical features non-functional for extended period. Typical Resolution: Service credits or extensions rather than cash refunds.

8.2.2 Cloud Storage Failures (Pro Users)

Covered Issues: Infrastructure failure causing data loss; Cloud synchronization errors resulting in lost projects. Typical Resolution: Attempted data recovery; Extended subscription as compensation.

8.2.3 Unauthorized Charges (Fraud)

Legitimate Fraud Claims: Account compromised and unauthorized purchases made; Payment information stolen and used fraudulently. Requirements for Refund: Prompt notification; Cooperation with investigation.

8.2.4 Duplicate Charges or Billing Errors

Automatic Refund Eligibility: Duplicate subscription charges in same billing cycle; Multiple charges for single booster pack purchase. Process: Notify immediately; Refund issued promptly for confirmed errors.

8.2.5 Misrepresentation or False Advertising

If Material Misrepresentation Occurred: User Must Demonstrate: Specific misrepresentation; Reliance on false information. Response: Offer refund if material misrepresentation confirmed.

8.3 Consumer Protection Law Exceptions

Legal Rights Override Policy: Certain jurisdictions provide mandatory consumer rights that cannot be contractually waived.

8.3.1 European Union Consumer Rights Directive

14-Day Withdrawal Right: EU consumers may have right to cancel within 14 days. Right may be waived if service is fully performed with consent.

8.3.2 Australian Consumer Law

Consumer Guarantees: Services must be fit for purpose and match descriptions. Major failures entitle refund.

8.3.3 UK Consumer Rights Act

Digital Content Rights: Must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. 30-day right to refund for faulty digital content.

8.3.4 Other Jurisdictions

Compliance with mandatory consumer protection laws in all jurisdictions where operations occur. If local law provides greater rights than this Policy, those rights apply.

9. Refund Request Process

9.1 How to Request a Refund

9.1.1 Official Request Channels

Primary Method: Email to sublystic.helpdesk@gmail.com. Subject Line Format: "Subscription Refund Request" or "Booster Pack Refund Request".

9.1.2 Required Information

Include: Account Email, Full Name, Purchase Details (type, date, amount), Reason for Refund, and awareness of usage.

9.2 Verification and Review Process

Process includes initial acknowledgment, account and usage verification, and potential requests for additional information. Standard review time is 3-10 business days.

9.3 Decision Notification

You will receive an email with the decision. Approvals will detail the refund amount and timeline. Denials will provide a clear explanation based on this policy.

9.4 Appeal Process

If you disagree with a denial, you have one opportunity to appeal within 10 days by emailing with the subject "Appeal: Refund Request [Reference Number]" and providing new information.

10. Refund Processing and Timelines

10.1 Refund Methods

Refunds are issued to the original payment method. We cannot change the refund destination. In some cases, service credits may be offered as an alternative.

10.2 Processing Timeline

Once approved, refunds are initiated within 1-2 business days. It may take 7-14 business days for the funds to appear in your account, depending on your bank or card issuer.

10.3 Currency and Amounts

Refunds are processed in the original transaction currency. We are not responsible for exchange rate fluctuations.

10.4 Account Status After Refund

A subscription refund will immediately cancel the subscription and revert your account to the Free tier. A booster pack refund will deduct the corresponding minutes from your account.

10.5 Platform-Specific Refunds

For purchases made through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you may need to request a refund directly through their platforms as they control the transaction.

11. Payment Service Provider Policies

Our payment processor is Paddle.com Market Limited. All transactions are subject to both this policy and Paddle's terms. We absorb standard processing fees on refunds, but you should avoid chargebacks.

12. Subscription Cancellation Policy

12.1 Distinction Between Cancellation and Refund

Cancellation stops future billing but allows you to use the service until the end of the current paid period. Refund returns your payment and immediately ends service access.

12.2 How to Cancel Subscriptions

You can cancel your subscription at any time through the in-app settings (Settings > Account > Subscription Management) or via your platform's subscription management (Apple App Store or Google Play Store).

12.3 Cancellation Timing and Effects

Cancellation is effective immediately in stopping future renewals. Your premium access continues until your current billing cycle ends, after which your account reverts to the Free tier.

13. Free Trial Refund Policy

If a free trial is offered, you will not be charged if you cancel before the trial period ends. If the trial converts to a paid subscription, the first charge is treated as an initial subscription purchase and is eligible for a refund under the 7-day/10% usage policy. Trial usage does not count towards the refund eligibility threshold.

14. Promotional and Discount Refunds

Purchases made with promotional discounts are typically non-refundable unless specified otherwise in the promotion's terms. If a refund is granted, it will be for the actual amount paid, not the standard price.

15. Chargebacks and Disputed Transactions

You must request a refund through our official channels before initiating a chargeback with your bank. Unjustified chargebacks may result in immediate account termination and a ban from future use of the service. We will contest fraudulent chargebacks.

16. User Responsibilities and Obligations

You are responsible for understanding this policy before purchase, managing your subscription renewals, and maintaining backups of your data. You must be honest in your refund requests and communicate respectfully. Ignorance of the policy is not grounds for a refund.

17. Data Retention After Refund

After a refund, your account reverts to the Free tier. Your cloud-stored projects and data will be deleted. Basic account and transaction information is retained for legal and fraud prevention purposes as outlined in our Privacy Policy.

18. Regional and Legal Compliance

This policy is intended to comply with all applicable consumer protection laws. Where local laws in your jurisdiction provide greater refund rights, those laws will take precedence over this policy.

19. Consumer Protection Rights

Nothing in this policy is intended to limit your statutory consumer rights. This policy outlines our standard procedures, but does not waive any non-excludable rights you have under laws like the EU Consumer Rights Directive, Australian Consumer Law, or UK Consumer Rights Act.

20. Exceptional Circumstances and Discretionary Refunds

I reserve the right to grant refunds or service credits in exceptional circumstances at my sole discretion, even if the standard eligibility criteria are not met. Such cases are evaluated on an individual basis and do not set a precedent.

21. Technical Issues and Service Failures

If a major technical failure prevents you from using the service, you may be eligible for a refund or service credit. You must report the issue promptly and cooperate with troubleshooting efforts. Minor bugs or temporary downtime do not typically qualify for refunds.

22. Modification of This Policy

I reserve the right to modify this Refund and Cancellation Policy at any time. Changes will be effective upon posting the updated policy on the Sublystic website. Your continued use of the service after a change constitutes acceptance of the new policy.

23. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from this policy that cannot be resolved through the appeal process will be handled in accordance with the dispute resolution clause in the Sublystic Terms and Conditions.

24. Contact Information

For all refund-related inquiries, please contact me at: sublystic.helpdesk@gmail.com.

25. Acknowledgment and Agreement

By making a purchase on Sublystic, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms of this Refund and Cancellation Policy.