Refund Policy

1. Overview

This Refund Policy explains our practices regarding refunds for services provided by Stone Buy and Sell. It is important to understand the distinction between:

• Platform Fees: Payments made to Stone Buy and Sell for premium subscriptions, enhanced listings, or other platform services
• User-to-User Transactions: Payments made directly between buyers and sellers for stone products and materials

Stone Buy and Sell only has control over refunds for Platform Fees. We do not process or have any involvement in payments between users.

2. Refunds for Platform Fees

2.1 Subscription Services

For premium subscription services (monthly or annual plans):

After the 30-day period:

• Monthly subscriptions: No refunds for partial months; you may cancel to prevent future charges
• Annual subscriptions: Pro-rated refunds may be considered on a case-by-case basis for unused months

2.2 Featured Listings and Advertising

For one-time purchases such as featured listings, banner advertising, or promotional placements:

• Before Publication: Full refund available if requested before the listing/ad goes live
• After Publication: No refunds once the listing or advertisement has been published and displayed
• Performance Issues: If technical issues on our end prevent your listing from displaying correctly, we will either fix the issue, extend the listing period, or provide a pro-rated refund

2.3 Non-Refundable Items

The following are generally non-refundable:

• Subscription fees for periods where services were available and accessible
• Setup fees or one-time activation fees
• Custom development or design work completed at your request
• Services terminated due to violation of our Terms of Service

2.4 Refund Processing

When a refund is approved:

• Refunds are processed within 5-10 business days
• Refunds are issued to the original payment method
• Your bank or credit card company may take additional time to post the refund
• You will receive email confirmation when the refund is processed

3. User-to-User Transactions

3.1 Our Role

Stone Buy and Sell serves as a directory and communication platform only. We:

• Do NOT collect payment for products sold between users
• Do NOT hold funds in escrow
• Do NOT have the ability to issue refunds for user transactions
• Do NOT guarantee any products or services offered by users

3.2 Requesting Refunds from Sellers

If you need a refund for a product or service purchased from another user on our platform:

1. Contact the Seller Directly: Use the contact information provided by the seller or our messaging system to reach out
2. Reference Your Agreement: Refer to any terms, invoices, or agreements established when you made the purchase
3. Document Everything: Keep records of all communications, agreements, and transaction details
4. Use Payment Provider Protection: If you paid via credit card or payment service with buyer protection, you may be able to dispute the charge through them

3.3 Establishing Refund Terms

We strongly recommend that buyers and sellers establish clear terms BEFORE completing any transaction, including:

• Refund and return conditions
• Timeframes for requesting refunds
• Who pays return shipping costs
• Restocking fees, if any
• Process for handling damaged or defective products
• Dispute resolution procedures

3.4 Reporting Issues

While we cannot process refunds for user transactions, we do take reports of fraudulent or deceptive behavior seriously. If you believe a user has acted fraudulently, please contact us at [email protected]. We may:

• Investigate the reported user
• Suspend or terminate accounts that violate our Terms of Service
• Assist with providing transaction records if legally required

However, we cannot compel users to issue refunds or resolve financial disputes between parties.

4. How to Request a Refund (Platform Fees)

To request a refund for Stone Buy and Sell platform fees:

We will review your request and respond within 5 business days. If your refund is approved, we will process it according to the timelines described in Section 2.4.

5. Exceptions and Special Circumstances

5.1 Technical Failures

If you experience technical issues that significantly prevent you from using paid services, we may offer:

• Service credits or extensions
• Pro-rated refunds for the affected period
• Full refund if the issue cannot be resolved

5.2 Billing Errors

If you were charged incorrectly due to a billing error on our part, we will:

• Issue a full refund for any erroneous charges
• Correct the billing issue to prevent future errors

5.3 Account Termination by Us

If we terminate your account due to violations of our Terms of Service, no refund will be provided for any unused subscription period.

5.4 Chargebacks

If you initiate a chargeback or payment dispute with your bank or credit card company without first contacting us:

• Your account may be suspended pending resolution
• We reserve the right to dispute the chargeback with evidence of service delivery
• Repeated chargebacks may result in permanent account termination

We encourage you to contact us first to resolve any billing issues before initiating a chargeback.

6. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Refund Policy or need to request a refund for platform services, please contact us:

We aim to respond to all refund inquiries within 5 business days.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Refund Policy from time to time. When we make changes, we will update the "Effective Date" at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.