Refund Policy

1. Donations

1.1 One-Time Donations

We deeply appreciate your support for our environmental journalism through donations. As a non-profit organization, we rely on contributions to maintain our operations and continue providing independent environmental news.

For one-time donations, our refund policy is as follows:

• Refunds for one-time donations may be requested within 30 days of the donation date.
• Refunds will be issued using the original payment method whenever possible.
• We reserve the right to verify the identity of the person requesting a refund to ensure it matches the original donor.
• Processing fees incurred during the donation transaction (typically 2-3%) may be deducted from the refund amount.

1.2 Recurring Donations

For recurring donations or monthly/annual memberships:

• You may cancel your recurring donation at any time through your account settings or by contacting us directly.
• Cancellation will take effect immediately, and no future payments will be processed.
• We do not typically provide refunds for past recurring donations, as these funds have already been allocated to our operations.
• In exceptional circumstances, we may consider refunding the most recent recurring donation if requested within 7 days of the payment date.

1.3 Erroneous Donations

If you made a donation in error (e.g., incorrect amount, duplicate transaction):

• Contact us immediately at donations@ecowatch-news.com with details of the error.
• Provide the transaction ID, date, amount, and explanation of the error.
• We will process refunds for erroneous donations promptly upon verification.

Please note that we may require documentation to verify claims of erroneous donations.

2. Digital Subscriptions

2.1 Cancellation of Subscriptions

For premium digital subscriptions to EcoWatch content:

• You may cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings or by contacting our customer service team.
• When you cancel, you will continue to have access to premium content until the end of your current billing period.
• No refunds are provided for partial subscription periods.
• We do not automatically renew your subscription after cancellation.

2.2 Refunds for New Subscriptions

For new subscribers who are not satisfied with our premium content:

• We offer a 14-day satisfaction guarantee for new subscriptions.
• If you request a refund within 14 days of your initial subscription purchase, we will provide a full refund.
• After the 14-day period, we do not offer prorated refunds for the remaining subscription period.

2.3 Technical Issues

If you experience persistent technical issues that prevent access to your subscription content:

• Contact our technical support team at support@ecowatch-news.com for assistance.
• We will make reasonable efforts to resolve any technical issues promptly.
• If we cannot resolve significant technical issues that prevent you from accessing our content, we may offer a prorated refund for the affected period or extend your subscription period accordingly.

3. Merchandise and Physical Products

3.1 Return Eligibility

For physical merchandise purchased from the EcoWatch store:

• Items may be returned within 30 days of delivery if they are in original, unused condition with all tags and packaging intact.
• Customized or personalized items are not eligible for return unless they arrive damaged or defective.
• Digital products, including e-books and downloadable reports, are not eligible for return once the download link has been accessed.

3.2 Damaged or Defective Items

If you receive a damaged or defective item:

• Contact us within 7 days of receipt at store@ecowatch-news.com.
• Include photos of the damaged item and packaging if possible.
• We will arrange for a replacement or full refund, including any shipping costs.

3.3 Return Process

To return an eligible item:

1. Email store@ecowatch-news.com with your order number and reason for return.
2. Our customer service team will provide a Return Authorization Number and return instructions.
3. Package the item securely with all original packaging and include the Return Authorization Number.
4. Ship the return to the address provided in the return instructions.

Please note that return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer unless the return is due to our error or a defective product.

3.4 Refund Processing

Once we receive and inspect your return:

• Approved refunds will be processed within 5-10 business days.
• Refunds will be issued to the original payment method used for the purchase.
• You will receive an email notification when your refund has been processed.
• Depending on your payment provider, it may take an additional 2-10 business days for the refund to appear in your account.

4. Event Tickets and Workshops

4.1 Cancellation by Customer

For tickets to EcoWatch events, webinars, or workshops:

• Cancellations made more than 14 days before the event date are eligible for a full refund or credit toward a future event.
• Cancellations made 7-14 days before the event date are eligible for a 50% refund or full credit toward a future event.
• Cancellations made less than 7 days before the event date are not eligible for a refund but may receive a credit toward a future event at our discretion.
• Tickets are transferable to another person at no additional cost. Please notify us of any ticket transfers.

4.2 Cancellation by EcoWatch

If we cancel or reschedule an event:

• We will offer a full refund of the ticket price or transfer your registration to the rescheduled date, at your option.
• If an in-person event is converted to a virtual event due to circumstances beyond our control, we will offer a partial refund reflecting the difference in value or allow you to transfer your registration to a future in-person event.
• We are not responsible for reimbursement of travel expenses, hotel reservations, or any other expenses incurred in connection with a canceled event.

5. Exceptions and Special Circumstances

5.1 Tax Implications

Please be aware that:

• Donations to EcoWatch may be tax-deductible in certain jurisdictions as allowed by law.
• Refunded donations will not be eligible for tax deductions.
• For significant donations, we recommend consulting with a tax professional regarding potential implications of a refund.

5.2 Unauthorized Transactions

If you discover an unauthorized transaction:

• Contact us immediately at finance@ecowatch-news.com.
• We will investigate promptly and cooperate with any fraud investigations.
• Provide any requested documentation to help verify the unauthorized nature of the transaction.

5.3 Discretionary Refunds

In certain exceptional circumstances not covered by this policy, we may consider issuing refunds on a case-by-case basis. These decisions are at the sole discretion of EcoWatch management and will take into account:

• The specific circumstances of the request
• The timing of the request
• Our relationship with the customer or donor
• Any applicable legal or financial considerations

6. How to Request a Refund

6.1 Refund Request Process

To request a refund for any type of purchase or donation:

1. Email us at refunds@ecowatch-news.com with the subject line "Refund Request"
2. Include the following information:
   • Your full name
   • Date of purchase or donation
   • Order or transaction ID
   • Amount
   • Reason for requesting a refund
3. Alternatively, you can call our customer service team at +44 583 148 0680 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm GMT).

6.2 Required Documentation

We may request the following documentation to process your refund:

• Receipt or order confirmation
• Proof of payment
• Photos of damaged items (if applicable)
• Any other relevant information to support your request

6.3 Response Time

We strive to respond to all refund requests within 2 business days. Complex cases may require additional time for review. We will keep you informed of the status of your request throughout the process.

7. Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to modify this Refund Policy at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to our website. We will notify customers of significant changes by:

• Posting a notice on our website
• Sending an email to registered users
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy

Your continued use of our services after changes to this policy constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

8. Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Refund Policy or need assistance with a refund request, please contact us at:

We are committed to fair and transparent refund practices and will work with you to resolve any issues in a timely and satisfactory manner.