Refund Policy
This Refund Policy governs the circumstances, process and timelines under which fees paid to Studio998 may be refunded, and clarifies the distinction between service fees and end-consumer payment disputes.
Last updated: 3 September 2026 · Applies to: Studio998 services and studio998.com
- Studio998 is not the merchant of record for end-consumer transactions; merchant refunds are the client's responsibility.
- Service fee refunds are assessed case-by-case; setup fees and consumed advisory hours are non-refundable.
- Subscription cancellations require 30 days' written notice; the current billing period is not refunded.
- Approved refunds are processed within 10 business days to the original payment method.
- Chargeback disputes must be raised within 120 days of the transaction date.
1. Scope
This Refund Policy addresses two distinct categories:
- Service fees paid by clients to Studio998 — including setup fees, monthly retainers, transaction-based fees, advisory fees and infrastructure hosting charges.
- End-consumer payments processed through Studio998 infrastructure — where a client's customer seeks a refund for goods or services purchased from the client's business.
The rules governing each category differ substantially and are addressed separately below.
2. Merchant of Record
In the majority of engagements, Studio998 acts as a technology and operations service provider, not as the merchant of record. The client (or the client's designated legal entity) is the merchant of record and bears sole responsibility for: issuing refunds to end consumers in accordance with the client's own refund policy; handling consumer complaints and dispute resolution; complying with card network rules regarding refund timelines and documentation; and maintaining adequate reserves to fund consumer refunds.
Where Studio998 is expressly designated as merchant of record in a signed Service Order, a separate addendum will define refund responsibilities, liability allocation and consumer dispute procedures.
3. Service Fee Refunds
Refunds of service fees paid directly to Studio998 are considered in the following circumstances:
- Duplicate billing — where an invoice was issued in error or a payment was processed twice, the duplicate amount will be refunded in full.
- Service failure — where Studio998 fails to deliver a defined milestone within the agreed timeline and does not cure the failure within 15 business days of written notice, Client may request a pro-rata refund of prepaid fees for the undelivered portion.
- Overpayment — amounts paid in excess of the invoiced total will be credited to the next invoice or refunded upon written request.
Fees for services already rendered, advisory hours consumed, and transaction processing costs incurred are not refundable.
4. Subscription and Retainer Cancellation
Recurring service subscriptions and retainers may be canceled by either party with 30 days' prior written notice to Service@studio998.com. Upon cancellation:
- Services continue through the end of the then-current billing period; no partial-month refund is issued for the canceled period.
- Prepaid fees for future billing periods (if any) are refunded pro-rata within 15 business days of the cancellation effective date.
- Outstanding invoices for services already delivered remain due and payable per standard terms.
5. Chargebacks and Payment Disputes
For transactions processed through Studio998 payment infrastructure, the following applies:
- Chargeback claims must be initiated within 120 days of the original transaction date, consistent with Visa and Mastercard rules.
- The merchant is responsible for compiling and submitting compelling evidence (delivery confirmation, service logs, communication records, signed contracts) within 7 business days of receiving a chargeback notification.
- Studio998 may debit the merchant's settlement account or reserve for chargeback amounts plus applicable fees ($15 per dispute or as specified in the Service Order).
- If a merchant's chargeback ratio exceeds 1% of monthly transaction volume or 100 disputes per month, Studio998 may impose a rolling reserve, suspend processing or terminate the account.
6. Non-Refundable Items
The following are categorically non-refundable:
- One-time setup and onboarding fees, once the onboarding process has commenced.
- Advisory and consulting hours already delivered.
- Transaction processing fees on completed settlements.
- Compliance screening and KYC/AML review costs.
- Monthly minimum fees for the period in which cancellation notice is given.
- Third-party pass-through costs (e.g. bank wire fees, FX conversion spreads, card network assessments).
7. How to Request a Refund
To request a refund of service fees, submit a written request to Service@studio998.com including:
- Your account or company name and account ID.
- The invoice number(s) and transaction reference(s) in question.
- The amount claimed and the reason for the refund request.
- Supporting documentation (e.g. evidence of duplicate charge, written communication regarding undelivered scope).
Studio998 will acknowledge receipt within 5 business days and provide a determination within 15 business days of receiving a complete request. Approved refunds are processed within 10 business days to the original payment method.
8. Refund Timelines by Payment Method
| Payment Method | Processing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Credit / Debit Card | 5–10 business days | Dependent on issuing bank posting speed |
| ACH / Bank Transfer (US) | 3–5 business days | Refunded to originating account |
| International Wire | 7–15 business days | Intermediary bank fees may be deducted |
| Local Rails (SEPA, FPS, etc.) | 3–7 business days | Varies by corridor and receiving institution |
9. Currency and FX
Refunds are issued in the same currency as the original payment. Where currency conversion is required, Studio998 applies the prevailing exchange rate at the time of refund processing. Studio998 does not compensate for exchange rate fluctuations between the original transaction date and the refund date. Any FX spread or intermediary bank charges are borne by the refund recipient.
10. Exceptions and Goodwill
Studio998 may, at its sole discretion, issue goodwill credits or partial refunds in circumstances not covered by this Policy — for example, where a service interruption materially impacted client operations or where a first-time client experienced an onboarding issue. Goodwill accommodations do not establish precedent and are not an admission of liability.
11. Changes to This Policy
Studio998 may update this Refund Policy to reflect changes in service offerings, regulatory requirements or industry practice. Material changes will be communicated to active clients by email at least 30 days before taking effect. The "Last updated" date above indicates the most recent revision.
12. Contact
For refund requests, billing disputes or questions about this Policy, contact:
Studio998
Riverview, Florida, United States
Email: Service@studio998.com
Please reference your account ID and the relevant invoice number in all communications to expedite processing.
Other Policies
- Terms of Service — the full contractual terms governing your use of Studio998 services.
- Privacy Policy — how we handle personal data across our services.
- Cookie Policy — our tracking-free approach to cookies and similar technologies on studio998.com.