Refund Policy

Refund Policy

# Refund & Cancellation Policy

This Refund & Cancellation Policy (“Policy”) forms an integral part of all proposals, quotations, invoices, work orders, and agreements executed between Confluence Solutions (“Company”) and the Client.

By engaging our services or making any payment, the Client agrees to be legally bound by this Policy.

1. Nature of Services

Confluence Solutions provides customized digital services including but not limited to:

* Website Design & Development
* E-commerce Development
* Digital Marketing Services
* SEO & Paid Advertising
* Branding & Creative Services

All services are customized, intellectual, and time-based in nature. Therefore, payments made are primarily towards time, skill, consultation, technical implementation, and intellectual effort.


2. Non-Refundable Advance

1. All advance payments are strictly non-refundable once:

* Project work has commenced, OR
* Design concepts / development access / staging links have been shared, OR
* Technical setup has begun.

2. Any amount paid as booking confirmation, token, or project initiation fee is non-refundable under all circumstances.

3. Refund Eligibility (Exceptional Circumstances Only)

Refunds may be considered strictly at the sole discretion of Confluence Solutions under the following limited conditions:

* The Company fails to initiate the project within 30 working days from receipt of full onboarding requirements (excluding client delays).
* The Company expressly admits in writing that the delivered work is materially inconsistent with the mutually approved scope of work AND is technically non-rectifiable.

Refund shall not exceed the unutilized portion of the project value after deducting:

* Hours already invested
* Design and development costs
* Consultation time
* Server usage
* Licensing fees
* Administrative charges (minimum 25%)

4. Strict No-Refund Scenarios

Refund shall NOT be applicable in the following cases:

1. Change of mind after project commencement.
2. Business closure or financial issues of client.
3. Delay in providing:

* Content
* Images
* Payment gateway credentials
* Hosting access
* Third-party integration details
4. Refusal to allow rectification opportunity.
5. Project completed as per approved scope.
6. Subjective dissatisfaction without documented scope deviation.
7. Project hosted on client's server environment where full access has been provided.
8. Client engages third-party developer during dispute period.
9. Client uses delivered design, structure, code logic, layout, or development methodology partially or fully.
10. Attempt to obtain refund after accessing backend/admin panel.

5. Scope Limitation & Third-Party Dependencies

Certain components require client participation, including but not limited to:

* Payment gateway activation (KYC & merchant approval)
* Shipping API credentials
* Domain & hosting access
* SMTP configuration
* Legal policy content

Delay or non-provision of such requirements does NOT constitute deficiency of service.

6. Intellectual Property Protection

1. All source code, layouts, structure, design methodology, backend logic, and configuration remain the intellectual property of Confluence Solutions until full and final payment clearance.
2. If a refund (full or partial) is processed:

* All usage rights stand automatically revoked.
* Client must permanently delete all files, copies, backups, and derivative work.
* Continued use will constitute copyright infringement under the Copyright Act, 1957.

3. Reverse engineering, replication, or reuse of development structure without full payment may attract legal remedies including civil and criminal action.

7. GST & Statutory Compliance

1. All payments must be made to the official bank account of Confluence Solutions.
2. Any request to avoid GST, split payments unofficially, or suppress invoice generation is unlawful under the CGST Act, 2017.
3. The Company shall not be liable for disputes arising out of payments made through unofficial channels at the insistence of the Client.
8. Partial Refund Adjustment Formula

If refund is exceptionally approved:

Refundable Amount = Total Amount Received
Minus:

* 25% Administrative & Project Initiation Charges (Non-refundable)
* Development hours billed @ standard rate
* Third-party costs
* License fees
* Server usage charges

9. Chargebacks & Payment Disputes

If the client initiates:

* Chargeback
* Bank reversal
* Payment dispute after delivery

The Company reserves the right to:

* Suspend hosting/services immediately
* Revoke access
* Initiate recovery proceedings under the Indian Contract Act, 1872
* Claim damages for business interruption

10. Dispute Resolution & Jurisdiction

1. Parties shall first attempt amicable settlement within 15 days of written notice.
2. Failing which, disputes shall be subject to:

* Arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
* Seat & Jurisdiction: [Insert Your City], India

3. Consumer complaints filed without exhausting arbitration clause shall be treated as premature.


11. Limitation of Liability

Under no circumstances shall Confluence Solutions be liable for:

* Indirect damages
* Loss of business
* Loss of profits
* Reputational harm
* Server outages beyond control

Maximum liability shall not exceed the amount actually received from the client.

12. Acceptance Clause

By making payment, approving proposal, or engaging services, the Client:

* Confirms understanding of this Policy
* Waives any claim contrary to these terms
* Agrees that digital services are effort-based, not outcome-guaranteed