ResearchBuddy offers a 7-day free trial on eligible labs before any payment is required. Refunds after payment are limited to the specific circumstances below — not general dissatisfaction or change of mind.
When a Refund Applies (after verification)
• You were charged in error — duplicate charge, incorrect amount, or unauthorized charge
• A technical failure prevented access — verified platform error, unresolved within a reasonable time after being reported
• A verified, serious objection about your supervisor
Lab Shift as an Alternative to Refund
If a supervisor complaint is verified, the user may request a lab transfer instead of a refund.
• Lab shift requests must be made within the first 15 days of the active subscription period
• If no service was received from the current lab (no sessions held, no supervisor engagement) — user receives a full month of access to the new lab
• If service was received (at least one session or meaningful supervisor engagement occurred) — user receives access to the new lab for the remaining days of the current subscription period only
Verification Process
1. User submits request with details of the issue
2. Team reviews the claim — may include checking lab activity, communication records, and speaking with the supervisor
3. If verified, user is offered a refund, a lab shift, or both, depending on the issue and timing (lab shift only within first 15 days)
4. If not verified, request is declined with an explanation
5. Refunds and lab shifts are only granted after review — not automatic upon request
When a Refund Does Not Apply
• Change of mind after subscribing
• Unverified dissatisfaction with supervisor/lab content, after the trial period was available to evaluate this
• Lack of usage or attendance during a subscription period
• Requests made after converting from a free trial, where the trial was used to evaluate the lab
• Partial months — non-prorated
• Lab shift requests made after the first 15 days of the subscription (a refund request, if eligible, may still apply)
Cancelling vs. Refunding
Cancelling does not refund the current period already paid for. Access continues until the end of the paid period.
How to Request a Refund or Lab Shift
1. Contact info@researchbuddy.tech within 7 days of the charge/incident, and within 15 days of subscription start for a lab shift
2. Include registered email, lab name, and description of the issue
3. Request goes through verification
4. Response within 5 business days
Processing Approved Requests
Approved refunds go to the original payment method (5–10 business days). Approved lab shifts are processed immediately upon confirmation, with access duration per the service-received rule above.
Legal Compliance
This policy adheres to Bangladesh's consumer protection standards, including the Consumer Right Protection Act 2009. We guarantee refunds where services fail to meet promised standards or where required by law.
Policy Changes
Updates to this policy will be posted on our website. Significant changes will be communicated via email or in-app notifications.