Refund and Cancellation Policy

Last updated: January 2025

1. OVERVIEW

This Refund and Cancellation Policy explains our refund policy for AuditsReady consulting services and under what circumstances refunds are available.

This Policy applies to all paid services. It should be read together with our Terms of Service.

2. SERVICE TYPES

Project-Based Gap Analysis:

  • One-time fee for document analysis and gap assessment
  • Payment due 100% upfront before work begins
  • Typical timeline: 48-72 hours for report delivery
  • No subscription or recurring fees

Consulting Packages:

  • Custom pricing based on scope of work
  • Defined in Statement of Work (SOW)
  • Payment terms specified per project
  • May include ongoing support (separately agreed)

3. PROJECT CANCELLATION

3.1 Cancellation Before Payment

You may cancel a project before making payment:

How to Cancel:

  • Email info@auditsready.com or simply do not submit payment
  • Subject: "Project Cancellation" (if already signed SOW)
  • Include: Your name, company name, project details

No Charge:

  • No payment required if you decline before paying
  • Free to walk away at any time before payment

3.2 Cancellation After Payment, Before Work Begins

If you've paid but we haven't started analysis yet:

How to Cancel:

  • Email info@auditsready.com immediately
  • Subject: "Refund Request - Before Work Begins"
  • Include: Your name, company name, payment details

Refund:

  • Full refund minus payment processing fees (typically 3-5% for credit card, $0 for e-transfer)
  • Refund processed within 5-10 business days
  • Example: $500 paid by credit card → $485 refunded ($15 processing fee)

3.3 Cancellation After Work Begins

Once document analysis has commenced:

  • No refunds for work already performed
  • Payment is non-refundable once work begins
  • You will receive deliverables for work completed to date
  • Pro-rated refund may be available if project cannot be completed (our fault)

3.4 Project Completion

Timeline:

  • Most gap analysis projects completed within 48-72 hours
  • Larger projects: Timeline specified in Statement of Work (SOW)

When is a project "complete"?

  • Final gap analysis report delivered via email
  • Optional: 30-minute consultation call conducted
  • All agreed-upon deliverables provided

3.5 Confirmation

You will receive an email confirmation of any cancellation or completion within 24 hours.

4. REFUND POLICY

4.1 General Rule: No Refunds After Work Begins

All fees are non-refundable once work has commenced except as stated in this Policy or required by law.

This includes:

  • Change of mind after work begins
  • Dissatisfaction with AI-generated recommendations
  • Failed ISO audits or certifications (Services are guidance tools, not guarantees)
  • Disagreement with gap analysis findings
  • Decision to use a different consultant

4.2 Exceptions: When Refunds ARE Available

4.2.1 Cancellation After Payment, Before Work Begins

  • Full refund minus payment processing fees if you cancel after paying but before we start work
  • Processing fees: 3-5% for credit card, $0 for e-transfer/bank transfer
  • Must notify us via email to info@auditsready.com immediately
  • Refund processed within 5-10 business days
  • See Section 3.2 for cancellation process
  • Note: Most customers pay and we start work same day, so this window is typically 0-24 hours

4.2.2 Service Failure (Our Fault)

If we fail to deliver agreed-upon services and do not cure within 15 days of written notice:

  • Full refund if no work delivered
  • Pro-rated refund if partial work delivered
  • Example: Paid for 10 SOPs analysis, only received 6 = 40% refund

Excludes:

  • Delays caused by incomplete or unclear documents you provided
  • Force majeure events (natural disasters, cyberattacks, etc.)
  • Changes you requested mid-project (may incur additional fees)

4.2.3 Billing Errors

If we accidentally overcharge you:

  • Full refund of the overcharged amount
  • Processing within 5 business days
  • Notification via email

4.2.4 Unauthorized Charges

If you were charged without authorization:

  • Full refund upon verification
  • Investigation may take 5-10 business days
  • You may need to provide supporting documentation

4.2.5 Legal Requirements

Refunds required by consumer protection laws in your jurisdiction:

  • EU consumers: 14-day withdrawal right (see Section 5)
  • Other jurisdictions: As required by applicable law

4.3 Refunds NOT Available

No refunds will be issued for:

  • Failed ISO certifications or audits (Services are guidance, not guarantees)
  • Change of mind after deliverables received
  • Dissatisfaction with AI accuracy (AI has inherent limitations, disclosed upfront)
  • Disagreement with our recommendations (professional opinion may vary)
  • Certification body rejection (we are not the certification body)
  • Time already spent on analysis (cannot refund completed work)
  • Switching to a competitor after receiving report
  • Economic hardship or budget changes
  • You didn't implement our recommendations

4.4 How Refunds Are Processed

Refund Method:

  • Refunds issued to the original payment method
  • Credit card refunds: 5-10 business days
  • Bank transfers: 7-14 business days (depending on bank)
  • No cash refunds

Refund Amount:

  • Fees paid less any applicable processing fees (if stated at purchase)
  • Currency: Same currency as original purchase

After Refund:

  • All deliverables must be deleted and not used (we will request confirmation)
  • All Customer Data will be available for download for 30 days
  • After 30 days, data may be permanently deleted

5. EU CONSUMER RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL (GDPR)

5.1 14-Day Withdrawal Right

If you are a consumer in the European Union, you have the right to withdraw from your purchase within 14 days without giving any reason, subject to Section 5.2.

How to Exercise:

  • Send an email to info@auditsready.com
  • Subject: "EU Right of Withdrawal"
  • Include: Purchase date, project details, account email
  • Within 14 days of purchase (payment date)

Refund Processing:

  • We will process your refund within 14 days of receiving your withdrawal notice
  • Refund issued to original payment method

5.2 Loss of Withdrawal Right

You lose your 14-day withdrawal right if:

  • You expressly requested Services begin immediately upon purchase
  • The Services have been fully performed during the 14-day period (deliverables provided)

Consent Language at Purchase:

"By submitting this request, you agree that Services begin immediately and you waive your 14-day EU withdrawal right once we provide the complete gap analysis report."

Note:

Most projects complete within 48-72 hours, often before the 14-day period expires. If you receive deliverables and then request withdrawal, you may only receive a partial refund (pro-rated for work not yet performed).

6. CHARGEBACKS AND DISPUTES

6.1 Contact Us First

Before disputing charges with your bank or credit card company, please contact us:

  • Email: info@auditsready.com
  • Phone: +1-403-404-4643
  • We will work with you to resolve any billing issues

6.2 Chargeback Consequences

If you dispute a charge without contacting us first:

  • Your account may be immediately suspended or terminated
  • We will provide evidence to the bank/credit card company
  • If the chargeback is found invalid, you remain liable for the charges plus any chargeback fees
  • We may pursue collection for valid charges

6.3 Fraudulent Chargebacks

Initiating fraudulent chargebacks (disputing valid charges) may result in:

  • Permanent account termination
  • Legal action to recover amounts owed
  • Reporting to fraud prevention databases

7. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

Instead of requesting a refund, you may:

Request Project Modifications:

  • If you're unsatisfied with deliverables, request revisions (within reason)
  • We will clarify any unclear recommendations at no extra charge
  • Limited to 1 revision round per project (additional revisions may incur fees)

Schedule Follow-Up Consultation:

  • 30-minute call to discuss implementation questions
  • Clarification on gap analysis findings
  • May be included with project or charged separately

Request Partial Deliverables:

  • If project scope was too large, we can deliver partial results
  • Pro-rated refund for undelivered portions
  • Useful if budget constraints arise mid-project

Postpone Project Completion:

  • If you need more time to gather documents, we can pause
  • Pause for up to 30 days with no additional charges
  • After 30 days, may require restarting project (new fees apply)

Contact us at info@auditsready.com to discuss alternatives.

8. DATA AFTER PROJECT COMPLETION

8.1 Data Retention

After project completion or cancellation:

  • 90 days: Customer Data (documents submitted) retained for reference
  • After 90 days: Data permanently deleted from our systems
  • Payment records: Retained for 7 years (tax/accounting requirements)

Why 90 days?

  • Allows time for follow-up questions about your gap analysis
  • Gives you time to implement recommendations and ask for clarification
  • Meets regulatory data retention requirements

8.2 Early Deletion Request

You may request immediate deletion of Customer Data by emailing info@auditsready.com with "Data Deletion Request" in the subject line.

Note: We may retain some data longer if required by law:

  • Payment records for tax purposes (7 years)
  • Billing information for accounting compliance
  • Correspondence related to disputes or legal matters

9. CONTACT

For cancellation or refund requests:

AuditsReady

Email: info@auditsready.com

Phone: +1-403-404-4643

Website: https://auditsready.com

Response Time: We aim to respond to all cancellation and refund requests within 1-2 business days.

10. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

We may update this Policy at any time by posting revised terms on our website. Changes do not affect existing projects or agreements unless required by law.

Material changes will be communicated via email to all active customers.