Refund Policy

Refund Policy

Learn about our refund eligibility, cooling-off periods, and conditions for subscription and one-time purchases.

17
Sections
2026
Effective Date
1.0
Version
View Terms of Service

Podacium SARL

Registered Limited Liability Company (SARL) in Algeria

Language Notice

The official legal version of this document is in Arabic. Translations are provided for convenience only.

Address

PC38+5MV, Bir El Djir, Oran, Algeria

Email

podacium@gmail.com

Phone

+213 792 913 873

Website

www.podacium.com.dz

Effective Date

1 January 2026

Last Updated

1 January 2026

Version

1.0

1. Introduction

Important

Overview and language notice

1.1 Policy Explanation

This Refund Policy governs all refund requests for products and services purchased through the Podacium platform, operated by Podacium SARL, an Algerian limited liability company registered in Algeria.

1.2 Language Notice

⚠️ IMPORTANT: This Refund Policy is available in Arabic, French, and English. An official Arabic translation will be published as the authoritative legal version. Upon publication, the Arabic version shall prevail in the event of any conflict or inconsistency between versions.

1.3 Multi-Pillar Ecosystem

Podacium operates a multi-pillar digital ecosystem comprising Education Platform (online courses, learning paths), Subscription Services (Student tiers, Business Intelligence access), Freelancing Marketplace (project-based services with optional escrow), and Digital Wallet System (payment processing and escrow services).

1.4 Relationship to Terms of Service

2. General Refund Principles

Important

Core principles governing all refunds

2.1 Digital Content Consumption Barrier

Once digital content is accessed (video viewed, document downloaded, quiz attempted, lesson completed), it is considered delivered and consumed. Refunds are not available for accessed content unless the content is materially defective or not as described.

Digital Content Barrier

Accessed content is considered delivered and consumed

Service Fee Protection

Platform commissions are non-refundable after services rendered

2.2 Service Performance vs. Product Delivery

Platform services (infrastructure access, payment processing, user matching, dispute resolution) are distinct from content or products purchased. Service fees, including marketplace commissions, are non-refundable once rendered, regardless of user satisfaction with outcomes.

2.3 Consumer Protection Rights

Nothing in this Refund Policy excludes or limits your mandatory rights under Algerian Law 09-03 on Consumer Protection (as amended by Law 18-09), including your rights to accurate product information, safe and quality services, redress for defective services, and filing complaints with consumer protection authorities.

Consumer Protection Rights

Your rights under Algerian Law 09-03

3. Education Platform Refunds

Refunds for courses and educational content

3.1 Individual Course Purchases

You may request a full refund for an individual course purchase within 7 days of purchase if: You have not accessed any course content (0% progress), No certificate has been issued, The request is submitted through official channels.
  • 0% progress
  • No certificate issued
  • Within 7 days

7-Day Cooling-Off Period

Full refund if no content accessed within 7 days

3.2 Course Bundles and Learning Paths

If you have accessed 1-30% of course content within the 7-day window, a refund may be granted at Podacium's discretion if you can demonstrate that the course content is materially different from the published description or specific advertised features are missing.

3.3 Live and Instructor-Led Courses

No refunds are available if: You have consumed more than 30% of course content, More than 7 days have passed since purchase, You have downloaded course materials or completed assessments, A certificate has been issued.
No refunds after certificate issuance

3.4 Certificates and Completion Credits

For live courses: Full refund available up to 48 hours before the scheduled start time. No refund within 48 hours of start time due to instructor scheduling and capacity commitments.

4. Subscription Service Refunds

Important

Refunds for subscription plans

4.2 First 72 Hours (Cooling-Off Period)

Within the first 72 hours of a new subscription or tier upgrade, you may request a full refund if: You have not accessed any premium features or content, This is your first subscription to this tier.

4.3 Thirty-Day Minimum Commitment

The first 30 days of each billing cycle are non-refundable (except during the 72-hour cooling-off period). This ensures platform sustainability and prevents systematic subscription cycling.

4.4 Pro-Rata Refunds (After 30 Days - Discretionary)

After the first 30 days of a billing cycle, pro-rata refunds for unused subscription periods may be granted at Podacium's discretion, subject to Algerian consumer protection law requirements.

4.6 Subscription Pause Feature

You may pause your subscription for up to 3 months (90 days) through your Account settings. Pausing is not a refund – your payment obligation is suspended during the pause period. No refunds are issued for paused subscriptions.

Subscription Pause

Pause subscription for up to 3 months

5. Freelancing Marketplace Refunds

Refunds for freelancing services

5.1 Escrow-Protected Contracts

STATUS NOTICE: The Freelancing Marketplace is under development and will launch within 3-6 months of the Education Platform MVP launch. This section will become effective upon Marketplace launch.
When no work has been delivered and a cancellation is requested: Client receives full escrow amount refunded, Freelancer receives nothing, Platform commission is retained (matching and infrastructure services were delivered).

Escrow Protection

Recommended for all freelancing projects

5.3 Platform Commission Non-Refundability

Platform commissions (0-10% based on freelancer tier and project value) are never refundable under any circumstances. Commissions are payment for user matching, payment processing, dispute resolution, and platform security services delivered at transaction time.

6. Technical Issues and Platform Unavailability

Refunds for technical problems

6.1 Platform Downtime

Platform downtime <24 hours cumulative per month: No refunds issued, Subscription access periods automatically extended to compensate for downtime.

6.2 Technical Defects in Content

If purchased content contains technical defects (broken videos, inaccessible files, non-functional quizzes): Report within 30 days with evidence, Podacium investigates within 7 days, Choose full refund, replacement course, or 120% Platform credit.
  • Broken videos
  • Non-functional quizzes
  • Corrupt downloads

7. Force Majeure and Extraordinary Events

Refunds during exceptional circumstances

7.1 Interruptions Less Than 14 Consecutive Days

Force majeure interruptions less than 14 consecutive days: No refunds issued, Access periods and subscription billing automatically suspended during event, Time lost is added to your access period.

7.2 Interruptions Exceeding 14 Consecutive Days

Force majeure interruptions exceeding 14 consecutive days: Podacium offers access period extension (2× downtime), Platform wallet credit (pro-rata), or cash refund (pro-rata) at Podacium's discretion.

8. Payment Processing and Currency

How refunds are processed

8.1 Refund Method

Refunds are processed using the original payment method unless: Original payment method is no longer valid, User explicitly requests Platform wallet credit, Payment processor does not support refunds.

8.2 Refund Processing Time

Standard timeline: 5-10 business days from approval to funds availability. Wallet refunds: Immediate (credited within 24 hours).

8.3 Currency and Exchange Rates

Algerian users: All transactions and refunds in Algerian Dinars (DZD). International users: Refunds in original transaction currency at original exchange rate. Platform credits issued in DZD for all users.

9. Platform Credits as Alternative to Cash Refunds

Using credits instead of cash refunds

9.1 Credit Bonus Program

For eligible refund requests, Podacium may offer Platform credits as alternative to cash refunds with bonus incentives: 110% credit bonus for refunds required by law or policy, 120% credit bonus for discretionary refunds.

Platform Credits

Receive 110-120% bonus when choosing credits

9.2 Credit Terms and Conditions

Platform credits: Valid for 12 months from issuance, Can be used for course purchases, subscriptions, freelancing services, May be gifted to other users, Cannot be converted back to cash, Expire after 12 months.
  • Valid for 12 months
  • Used for all platform services
  • Can be gifted to others
  • Cannot be converted to cash

10. Fraud, Abuse, and Chargebacks

Important

Preventing refund abuse

10.1 Refund Abuse Prevention

Podacium reserves the right to deny refunds and suspend Accounts for systematic abuse including: More than 2 refund requests within 6 months, Refund requests on more than 30% of total purchases, High content consumption before refund request.

10.2 Large Refund Identity Verification

Refunds exceeding 10,000 DZD require identity verification to comply with Algerian anti-money laundering regulations, fraud prevention protocols, and tax compliance requirements.

Identity Verification

Required for refunds over 10,000 DZD

10.3 Chargeback Policy

Filing a chargeback waives your right to standard refund processing. Contact support before involving your bank. Most issues can be resolved faster through direct communication.

11. Special Cases and Exceptions

Unique refund scenarios

Gift Purchases

Refund rights belong to the original purchaser only

Duplicate Purchases

Full refund for accidental duplicates within 48 hours

Account Deletion

Pro-rata refunds for active subscriptions only

Deceased Users

Refunds available for authorized family members

12. Refund Request Procedures

How to request a refund

12.1 How to Request a Refund

Request refunds via: Platform Dashboard (Account Settings → Purchase History), Email to podacium@gmail.com, Phone during business hours (+213 792 913 873).
Platform Dashboard
Email support
Phone support

12.3 Processing Timeline

Acknowledgment: 24-48 hours, Review and decision: 3-5 business days, Complex investigations: 7-14 business days, Refund processing: 5-10 business days to payment method.
  • Acknowledgment: 24-48h
  • Review: 3-5 days
  • Complex: 7-14 days
  • Processing: 5-10 days

13. Dispute Resolution and Appeals

Important

Resolving refund disputes

13.1 Internal Appeals Process

If refund request denied: Submit appeal within 14 days via email, Include reference number and detailed explanation, Senior reviewer assesses appeal, Final decision within 7 business days.

13.3 Voluntary Mediation

Before legal action, both parties may agree to voluntary mediation: Select mutually agreed mediator, Costs split equally, Typically concluded within 30-45 days, Non-binding unless both parties agree.

Voluntary Mediation

Resolve disputes amicably before legal action

14. Policy Updates and Amendments

How this policy may change

14.4 Grandfathering Provision

Purchases made before policy change are governed by policy in effect at time of purchase, unless change is legally required, provides greater protections, or both parties agree to new terms.

Grandfathering Provision

Purchases governed by policy at time of purchase

15. Contact Information

How to contact us about refunds

Email

podacium@gmail.com

Phone

+213 792 913 873

Address

PC38+5MV, Bir El Djir, Oran, Algeria

Website

www.podacium.com.dz

15.2 Response Time Commitments

Email inquiries: 24-48 hours, Refund requests: 3-5 business days decision, Appeals: 7 business days, Phone support: Immediate during business hours.
  • Email: 24-48h
  • Decision: 3-5 days
  • Appeals: 7 days

16. Quick Reference Refund Table

Summary of refund eligibility

Legend: Full Refund - Automatic eligibility, Conditional/Discretionary - Requires evidence or review, No Refund - Not eligible, Alternative Compensation - Access extension or credit
Product/ServiceScenarioRefund StatusTimeline
Individual Course (Standard)0% accessed, within 7 daysFull Refund5-10 days
Individual Course (Conditional)1-30% accessed, within 7 daysConditional/Discretionary10-17 days
Individual Course (No Refund)>30% accessed or >7 daysNo RefundN/A
New Subscription (72h Cooling-off)First 72 hours, no usageFull Refund5-10 days
Subscription (First 30 Days)First 30 daysNo RefundN/A
Freelancing Service (Escrow)0% work completionFull Refund5-10 days
Technical Issues / Platform Downtime<24 hours/month downtimeAlternative CompensationAutomatic
This table is a summary only. Refer to specific sections above for complete details and conditions.

17. Acknowledgment

Important

Acceptance of terms

By making a purchase on Podacium Platform, you acknowledge that: You have read and understood this Refund Policy, You agree to be bound by its terms, You understand refund eligibility criteria, You accept certain purchases are non-refundable, You understand your consumer rights, You agree to attempt internal resolution first.

Language Version

This Refund Policy is published in English. An official Arabic version will be published as the authoritative legal version in accordance with Algerian regulations. In case of any discrepancy between language versions, the Arabic version shall prevail.

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Thank you for choosing Podacium. We are committed to providing fair and transparent refund processes in accordance with Algerian consumer protection laws.

Last Updated: 1 January 2026 • Version: 1.0 • Effective Date: 1 January 2026

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