Refund Policy

This Refund Policy explains our policy regarding refunds for PartyPilotAI's credit-based service. Due to the instant digital nature of our AI generation service, refunds are handled differently than physical products.

**Core Principle**: We aim to be fair and transparent while accounting for the immediate consumption of digital services.

**Credits Are Generally Non-Refundable**
Once credits are used to generate party designs, they are consumed immediately and cannot be refunded. This is similar to how you cannot return a digital movie after watching it.

**Exceptions**
We provide refunds or credit compensation in specific circumstances detailed below.

**3.1 Technical Failures (Automatic Credit Refund)**

If design generation fails due to technical issues on our end, credits are **automatically refunded** to your account:

• Server errors or downtime
• AI service failures (Replicate, Google Gemini unavailable)
• Image generation errors (blank images, corrupted files)
• Processing timeouts exceeding 5 minutes

**Automatic Process**: No action required. Credits are restored within minutes.

**3.2 Duplicate Charges (Full Refund)**

If you are charged twice for the same credit purchase:
• Full refund to original payment method within 5-10 business days
• Contact us at support@partypilotai.com with transaction details
• Include Stripe transaction ID or receipt

**3.3 Unused Credit Packages (7-Day Full Refund)**

If you purchase a credit package and have NOT used ANY credits from that package:
• Request a refund within 7 days of purchase
• Full refund to original payment method
• Credits are removed from your account

**Conditions**:
• Zero credits from the package have been consumed
• Account must not be flagged for abuse or fraud

**3.4 Unauthorized Charges (Full Refund + Investigation)**

If your payment method was used without your authorization:
• Immediate investigation upon report
• Full refund if unauthorized use is confirmed
• Account may be suspended during investigation for security
• Contact us immediately: support@partypilotai.com

The following situations are NOT eligible for refunds:

**4.1 Used Credits**
• Credits already consumed for party design generation
• Even if you are unsatisfied with the AI-generated results

**4.2 Subjective Dissatisfaction**
• "I don't like the AI-generated design"
• "The design doesn't match my exact vision"
• "The colors/style aren't what I wanted"

**Why**: AI generates designs based on input, and results can vary. We encourage detailed prompts and using the regeneration feature.

**4.3 User Error**
• Uploaded wrong photos
• Entered incorrect party description
• Selected wrong design options

**4.4 Change of Mind**
• "I decided not to have a party"
• "I found a different planning service"
• After credits have been used

In situations where a cash refund is not applicable, we may offer **credit compensation** as goodwill:

**When We Offer Credit Compensation**
• Service degradation (slow generation times, frequent errors)
• Poor user experience due to temporary platform issues
• As apology for customer support delays

**Credit Amount**
• Typically equals the credits consumed during the problematic period
• May include bonus credits as apology (at our discretion)

**How to Request**
• Email support@partypilotai.com describing the issue
• Provide approximate dates and times of problems
• We will review and respond within 2-3 business days

**Step 1: Contact Us**
Email: support@partypilotai.com
Subject Line: "Refund Request - [Your Account Email]"

**Step 2: Provide Information**
Include in your email:
• Account email address
• Transaction ID or Stripe receipt
• Date of purchase
• Reason for refund request
• Screenshots if relevant (e.g., error messages)

**Step 3: Verification**
We may request additional information to verify:
• Account ownership
• Transaction details
• Issue details (for technical failure claims)

**Step 4: Processing**
• **Automatic Credit Refunds**: Instant (no request needed)
• **Unused Package Refunds**: 5-10 business days
• **Duplicate Charge Refunds**: 5-10 business days
• **Unauthorized Charge Refunds**: 3-5 business days after investigation

**Step 5: Confirmation**
You will receive email confirmation when:
• Refund is approved
• Refund is processed
• Refund is sent to your payment method

**Default Method**
Refunds are issued to the **original payment method** used for the purchase.

**Stripe Processing**
• All refunds are processed through Stripe
• Refund appears as a credit on your card statement
• Processing time depends on your bank (typically 5-10 business days)

**Alternative Methods**
• We do NOT offer refunds via:
- PayPal
- Bank transfer
- Check
- Store credit (except credit compensation)

**Failed Refunds**
If refund to original payment method fails:
• Contact your bank/card issuer first
• Contact us with bank response
• We may issue credit compensation as alternative

**Before Filing a Chargeback**
We strongly encourage you to contact us BEFORE filing a chargeback with your bank:
• Email: support@partypilotai.com
• Most issues can be resolved quickly and amicably

**Consequences of Chargebacks**
If you file a chargeback without attempting resolution with us:
• Your account will be immediately suspended pending investigation
• All unused credits will be forfeited
• If chargeback is found to be fraudulent or unjustified:
- Account may be permanently banned
- Future service access denied

**Legitimate Chargebacks**
If you have a legitimate reason (truly unauthorized charge, we are unresponsive):
• File chargeback with your bank
• Email us with chargeback details
• We will not penalize legitimate disputes

**Chargeback Fees**
• Unjustified chargebacks may result in chargeback fees being added to your account
• You may be liable for fees if chargeback is reversed in our favor

**One-Time Regeneration Offer**
For first-time users unsatisfied with their initial party design:
• Email us within 48 hours of first generation
• Describe what you didn't like about the design
• We will provide guidance on improving your prompt OR offer ONE free regeneration with improved prompt assistance

**Conditions**
• Only applies to first party design ever generated
• Account must be in good standing
• Cannot be combined with refunds
• Limited to one use per account

**Purpose**
This helps you learn how to use PartyPilotAI effectively and ensures you get value from the service.

**Existing Credit Balances**
If we change credit prices:
• Your existing purchased credits remain valid at full value
• You can use them even after price increases

**Example**
• You bought 200 credits when main image cost 20 credits
• We later increase main image to 30 credits
• Your 200 credits still work as 200 credits (no devaluation)

**No Refunds for Price Changes**
• If prices decrease after your purchase, we do not refund the difference
• If prices increase, your existing credits are not devalued

**Fair Pricing Commitment**
We commit to providing advance notice (minimum 30 days) before any significant pricing changes.

PartyPilotAI currently operates on a pay-as-you-go credit system with no subscriptions.

**If Subscriptions Are Introduced**
• Separate refund terms will apply
• This policy will be updated with subscription-specific refund rules
• Existing credit-based users will be notified

**Current Users**
This refund policy applies only to credit purchases.

For refund requests or questions about this policy:

**Email**: support@partypilotai.com
**Subject**: "Refund Request" or "Refund Policy Question"

**Include**:
• Account email
• Transaction details
• Clear description of issue

**Response Time**:
• Initial response: Within 24-48 hours
• Refund processing: 5-10 business days (after approval)

**Business Hours**:
We operate globally and respond to inquiries 7 days a week.