Refund Policy

This Refund Policy applies to all services and products offered by Lightning AI Solutions, including:

Business Services (B2B):
- Custom AI/automation development projects
- LLM fine-tuning services
- Voice AI agent development
- Consulting and technical services

Consumer Products (B2C):
- Astro AI WhatsApp subscription service
- Any other subscription-based products

By engaging our services or purchasing our products, you agree to this policy.

2.1 Service Types

Our refund policy varies based on engagement type:

Fixed-Price Projects: Projects with defined scope and deliverables
Time & Materials: Hourly or daily rate engagements
Retainer Agreements: Ongoing monthly engagements

2.2 Deposits and Initial Payments

Project Deposit: Most projects require a 30-50% deposit before work begins.

Non-Refundable After Work Starts: Deposits are non-refundable once any work has commenced (research, planning, setup, or development).

Refundable Window: Deposits are fully refundable if you cancel before any work begins AND within 7 days of payment.

Purpose: The deposit secures your project slot and compensates for initial research, planning, and setup work.

Milestone-Based Billing: Projects are typically billed at milestones (e.g., 30% deposit, 30% at midpoint, 40% at completion).

Completed Work Policy:
- You pay only for completed and approved milestones
- If you cancel mid-project, you are responsible for completed work plus any work-in-progress
- Approved milestones are non-refundable

Refund Calculation:
- If you've paid for a milestone not yet completed, we will refund the portion not yet earned
- Work-in-progress will be charged proportionally
- No refunds after final deliverables are provided and accepted

Example:
Project cost: ₹100,000 (50% deposit, 50% on completion)
- Deposit paid: ₹50,000
- Project 70% complete when cancelled
- You owe: ₹70,000 total
- Refund: ₹0 (you've paid ₹50,000, owe ₹20,000 more)

Hourly/Daily Billing: You pay only for actual time worked.

No Refunds Needed: Since billing is for actual work done, refunds typically don't apply.

Cancellation Process:
1. You may cancel at any time
2. Provide 7 days' notice to wrap up current tasks
3. Final invoice covers all hours worked up to cancellation
4. You receive all work completed to date

Transparency: Regular timesheets and progress updates ensure you know exactly what you're paying for.

Monthly Billing: Retainers are billed monthly in advance for a set number of hours or deliverables.

Cancellation Policy:
- 30 days' written notice required
- Current month is non-refundable if work has started
- Notice period allows us to wrap up ongoing work

Pro-Rated Refunds:
- If you cancel mid-month and we haven't used your full hours, you may receive a pro-rated refund
- Calculation: (Unused days / Total days) × Monthly fee - Work completed

Minimum Commitment: Some retainers have 3-6 month minimum terms as specified in your agreement.

Unused Hours: Typically don't roll over month-to-month unless specified in your contract.

6.1 Astro AI WhatsApp Subscription

Available Plans:
- Monthly: ₹299/month
- Quarterly: ₹799/3 months (11% savings)
- Yearly: ₹2,999/year (17% savings)

6.2 Money-Back Guarantee

7-Day Full Refund:
- Request full refund within 7 days of first payment
- No questions asked
- Full amount refunded to original payment method
- Service access revoked upon refund

How to Request:
1. WhatsApp: +91 9426154668
2. Email: support@lightningaisolutions.in
3. In-app: "Request Refund" option in settings
4. Provide: Order ID, reason (optional)

6.3 After 7-Day Period

No Refunds:
- After 7 days, subscriptions are non-refundable
- You can cancel anytime to stop future billing
- Current subscription period remains active until expiry

Cancellation Process:
- Cancel through WhatsApp or in-app settings
- Takes effect at end of current billing period
- No partial month refunds

6.4 Multi-Month Subscriptions

Quarterly (3 months):
- 7-day money-back guarantee applies
- After 7 days: Pro-rated refund only in exceptional cases
- Must have used service less than 10% of total queries

Yearly (12 months):
- 7-day money-back guarantee applies
- After 7 days: Pro-rated refund only for:
* Technical service failure lasting 7+ days
* Service permanently discontinued
- Must request within 30 days of issue

Pro-Rated Calculation:
Refund = (Unused months / Total months) × Subscription price - Processing fee (10%)

You ARE Eligible for Refund If:

For B2B Services:
- We fail to deliver agreed services without valid reason
- We materially breach our service agreement
- Both parties mutually agree to cancel
- Force majeure makes completion impossible
- Deliverables don't meet agreed specifications (subject to review)

For B2C Products:
- Within 7-day money-back guarantee period
- Technical service failure lasting 7+ days (pro-rated)
- Service permanently discontinued (pro-rated)
- Charged incorrectly (full refund of incorrect charge)

You Are NOT Eligible for Refund If:

For B2B Services:
- You change requirements after work begins
- You fail to provide necessary information/materials
- You're dissatisfied with work that meets agreed specs
- You cancel without valid reason after work starts
- Delays caused by your actions

For B2C Products:
- Beyond 7-day guarantee period (unless exceptional case)
- You violated Terms of Service
- You simply changed your mind after 7 days
- You used significant portion of service already

We understand that unique situations arise. We may consider refunds outside standard policy for:

Service Failures:
- Extended downtime (7+ consecutive days)
- Critical features not working as advertised
- Data loss or security breach on our end

Personal Circumstances:
- Medical emergencies
- Financial hardship (case-by-case)
- Death of subscriber (full refund of unused period)

How to Request Exception:
1. Contact: umang@lightningaisolutions.in
2. Explain your situation with documentation
3. We'll review within 5 business days
4. Decision is final but fair

Process for All Refund Requests:

Step 1: Contact Us
- Email: umang@lightningaisolutions.in
- WhatsApp: +91 9426154668 (for Astro AI)
- Subject: "Refund Request - [Order/Project ID]"

Step 2: Provide Information
- Your name and contact details
- Order ID or project reference
- Service/product purchased
- Reason for refund request
- Supporting documentation (if applicable)

Step 3: Review
- B2B Services: Response within 5 business days
- B2C Products: Response within 48 hours
- We may ask for additional information

Step 4: Processing
- Approved refunds processed within 10 business days
- Refund to original payment method only (same method used for payment)
- We do not issue cash refunds or refunds to alternate payment methods
- UPI/Card: 5-7 business days
- Bank transfer: 7-10 business days

Step 5: Confirmation
- You'll receive email confirmation
- Refund reference number provided
- Can track refund status

For B2B Projects:
If we've delivered part of a project:
- You receive and own all completed work
- Pay only for work delivered and accepted
- Pro-rated refund for incomplete portions

For B2C Subscriptions:
If service partially delivered:
- Monthly: No partial refunds (you got access for the month)
- Quarterly/Yearly: Pro-rated for unused full months only
- Daily breakdown not provided

Example (B2C):
- Yearly subscription: ₹2,999
- Used 2 months, cancelled in month 3
- Eligible refund: (10 unused months / 12 months) × ₹2,999 = ₹2,499
- Less 10% processing: ₹2,249 refund

If You Disagree with Refund Decision:

Step 1: Contact Us
- Email: umang@lightningaisolutions.in
- Clearly explain why you disagree
- Provide any new information

Step 2: Review
- We'll review your case again
- Provide detailed written response
- Explain decision reasoning

Step 3: Escalation
- If still unresolved, request escalation to founder
- Founder review within 7 business days
- Final decision made

Step 4: Mediation
- For amounts over ₹50,000, we may suggest mediation
- Both parties bear equal mediation costs
- Mediation in Anand, Gujarat, India

Step 5: Legal
- Last resort only
- Jurisdiction: Anand, Gujarat, India
- Governed by Indian consumer protection laws

Our Position on Chargebacks:

Please Contact Us First:
- 95% of issues are resolved through direct communication
- Chargebacks hurt small businesses with fees
- We're reasonable and want to make things right

If You File a Chargeback:

For B2B Services:
- Immediate suspension of all services
- Withholding of deliverables and source code
- May pursue legal action for payment recovery
- Relationship termination

For B2C Products:
- Immediate account termination
- Loss of access to service
- Refund request should be made directly first

Legitimate Disputes:
- Fraudulent charge: File chargeback immediately
- Unauthorized use of card: Contact us + bank
- We'll cooperate fully with legitimate fraud cases

After Chargeback:
- If you win: Matter closed
- If we win: You owe original amount + chargeback fees
- No future services until resolved

Refund Amounts:
- Refunds are for service cost only
- Payment processing fees (2-3%) are non-refundable
- Bank charges or currency conversion fees not refunded

Taxes (India):
- GST (18%) included in B2C prices or added to B2B invoices
- If you've claimed tax input credit, you must reverse it
- We'll provide credit notes for B2B refunds

International Taxes:
- Prices displayed in INR (Indian Rupees)
- Your bank handles currency conversion at current rates
- You're responsible for applicable taxes in your country:
* VAT (European Union)
* GST (Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, etc.)
* Sales Tax (USA - varies by state)
* Any other local taxes or duties
- We don't collect taxes outside India - you must self-report if required

Currency Conversion:
- Charged by your payment provider/bank
- Conversion rates vary daily
- We have no control over exchange rates
- Refunds processed in INR; your bank converts back
- Refund amount may differ due to rate changes between payment and refund

International Payment Fees:
- Your bank may charge international transaction fees (typically 2-3%)
- These fees are NOT refundable
- Check with your bank for their fee structure

Subscriptions (If Paid Through App Stores):
- Apple App Store/Google Play (if applicable in future): Their refund policy applies
- Processing fees deducted from refunds
- International payments: No currency conversion refund

Instead of Refund, We May Offer:

For B2B Clients:
- Credit toward future services
- Extended support period
- Additional features at no cost
- Priority support access

For B2C Subscribers:
- Free month extension
- Upgrade to higher tier
- Credits for premium features
- Bonus queries or sessions

Why Accept Credit:
- Often more value than refund
- Maintains service relationship
- Faster resolution
- Flexibility in usage

Your Choice:
- We may suggest credit but never force it
- You can always request cash refund if eligible
- Credit doesn't expire for 12 months

Policy Updates:
- We may update this policy to reflect business changes
- Changes posted on website with "Last Updated" date
- Significant changes communicated via email

Existing Contracts:
- B2B: Governed by policy at engagement start
- B2C: Current policy applies to new purchases
- Active subscriptions: 30 days notice for policy changes

Your Rights:
- Don't like new policy? Cancel subscription
- B2B contracts: Original terms apply

For Refund Requests or Questions:

Lightning AI Solutions

Email: umang@lightningaisolutions.in

Phone/WhatsApp: +91 9426154668

Address:
6/A Chinar Gulnar
Anand Vidhyanagar Road
Anand, Gujarat, India - 388001

Business Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM IST
Sunday: Closed (Emergency support available)

Response Time:
- Astro AI refunds: Within 48 hours
- B2B service refunds: Within 5 business days
- Emergencies: Within 24 hours

Best Method:
- Astro AI: WhatsApp for fastest response
- B2B Services: Email with full project details