Refund Policy.

Overview

This Refund Policy governs all fee-related matters for services provided by Cyberethra Core. We have designed this policy to be fair, transparent, and reflective of the professional nature of our engagements. We believe in clear expectations — no surprises on either side.

Because our services are professional, knowledge-based, and delivered by senior practitioners, they differ fundamentally from product purchases. Time, expertise, and organizational capacity are committed at the outset of every engagement. This policy reflects that reality while protecting our clients in circumstances where Cyberethra Core does not deliver on its commitments.

Nature of Our Services

Understanding why this policy is structured as it is requires understanding what we sell. Cyberethra Core delivers professional consulting, audit, and implementation services. Unlike physical goods or software subscriptions, our deliverables represent the direct application of expert human time, judgment, and institutional knowledge.

When an engagement begins, real costs are incurred immediately: consultant time is allocated, other opportunities are declined, preparatory research is conducted, and organizational resources are committed. For this reason:

• Fees for professional time already expended are generally non-refundable regardless of the reason for termination
• The value of advisory and consulting output is subjective — disagreement with recommendations is not grounds for a refund
• Completed deliverables that have been accepted and approved by the Client are non-refundable
• Retainer fees covering an elapsed time period are non-refundable for that period
• Travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred with prior Client approval are non-refundable

This policy does not protect Cyberethra Core in cases of our own material failure. Where we have not delivered what was contractually agreed, refund consideration is appropriate and will be evaluated promptly.

Deposits

Many engagements require an upfront deposit — typically 50% of the total fixed engagement fee — before work commences. Deposits are used to reserve consultant availability, fund preliminary research and preparation, and confirm the Client's commitment to the engagement.

Deposit Refundability:

• Deposits are fully refundable if the engagement is cancelled by the Client before any work has commenced and before the engagement start date defined in the SOW
• If cancellation occurs after the engagement start date but before significant work has been performed, a partial refund of the deposit may be issued at Cyberethra Core's discretion, net of actual costs incurred
• If cancellation occurs after meaningful work has commenced, the deposit is non-refundable and may be applied against the pro-rata fees owed for work completed
• If Cyberethra Core cancels the engagement before commencement for reasons not attributable to the Client, the full deposit is refunded within 10 business days

The specific deposit amount and any customized refundability terms for a given engagement will be stated in the SOW. SOW terms supersede this general policy.

Refund Scenarios

The following table summarizes our standard refund positions across common scenarios. These represent our default positions — specific SOW terms or extraordinary circumstances may result in different outcomes evaluated case by case.

Where "Case by Case" is indicated, contact us directly. We will evaluate each situation on its merits and respond within five (5) business days.

How to Request a Refund

All refund requests must be submitted in writing. We do not accept verbal refund requests. The following process applies to all refund requests regardless of the amount involved.

• Submit your refund request in writing to support@cyberethra-core.com with the subject line: "Refund Request — [Your Organization Name]"
• Include in your request: the engagement name or SOW reference number, the specific amount you are requesting, and the reason for the request
• Attach any supporting documentation that is relevant to your request, such as the SOW, communications, or evidence of non-delivery
• We will acknowledge receipt of your request within two (2) business days
• We will provide a formal response within ten (10) business days of receipt — approving, partially approving, or declining with explanation
• If your request is approved, the refund will be processed within the timeframe described in Section 06

We approach all refund requests with good faith and genuine consideration. If you are dissatisfied with our initial response, you may escalate to legal@cyberethra-core.com for a second review before pursuing formal dispute resolution under the Terms of Service.

Processing Timeline

Once a refund has been approved in writing by Cyberethra Core, the following timelines apply based on the original payment method.

• ACH / Bank Transfer: 3–5 business days from approval date
• Credit Card: 5–10 business days from approval date, subject to card network processing times
• Corporate Check: refund check issued and mailed within 7 business days; postal delivery times vary
• Wire Transfer: 2–3 business days from approval date

Refunds are issued in U.S. Dollars via the same payment method used for the original transaction wherever possible. If the original payment method is no longer available, we will work with the Client to arrange an alternative method.

Billing Disputes

If you believe you have been charged incorrectly or that an invoice does not accurately reflect the work agreed upon or performed, you may raise a billing dispute. Billing disputes are handled separately from refund requests and follow a distinct process.

• Billing disputes must be raised in writing within seven (7) calendar days of the invoice date
• Submit disputes to support@cyberethra-core.com with the invoice number and a specific description of the discrepancy
• The undisputed portion of any invoice remains due by the original due date regardless of an active dispute
• We will investigate and respond to billing disputes within five (5) business days
• If a billing error is confirmed, a credit will be applied to your account or a corrected invoice will be issued
• If the charge is confirmed as correct, we will provide a detailed explanation with supporting documentation

We strongly discourage the initiation of credit card chargebacks without first following this dispute process. Chargebacks initiated without prior engagement with our team may result in suspension of services and will be contested with the card network using our documented records of service delivery.

Exceptions & Special Cases

We recognize that business circumstances can be complex and that rigid policy application is not always appropriate. The following categories of situations may be eligible for exception consideration at Cyberethra Core's discretion.

Force Majeure: Events beyond the reasonable control of either party — including natural disasters, government-mandated shutdowns, or critical infrastructure failures — that prevent engagement completion will be addressed individually. We will work collaboratively with affected clients to determine the most equitable resolution, which may include refunds, credits, or engagement restructuring.

Long-Standing Client Relationships: Clients with a history of multiple completed engagements with Cyberethra Core may be eligible for more favorable refund consideration in borderline cases, reflecting the value of the relationship and our mutual investment in its continuity.

Material Cyberethra Core Failure: In cases where Cyberethra Core has materially and demonstrably failed to perform the contracted scope — not simply delivered outcomes the Client disagrees with — we will consider full or partial refunds beyond what this policy strictly requires, in the interest of fairness and our professional reputation.

• Exception requests must be submitted in writing to legal@cyberethra-core.com
• We will consider exception requests on their individual merits without prejudice
• Our decision on exception requests is final and represents our good-faith professional judgment
• Exception outcomes are confidential and do not set precedent for future requests

Contact

For all refund-related inquiries, billing questions, or to initiate a formal refund request, please contact us through the channels below. We respond to all communications within two business days.