Payments, Refunds, Cancellations & Disputes Policy

1. Legal Status and Scope

This policy governs all payments made to Almah Enterprise Pty Ltd, a professional consulting and advisory firm incorporated under the laws of The Republic of South Africa (“the Firm”, “we”, “us”).

It applies to all services purchased via our website, digital store, payment links, invoices, or any electronic payment channel facilitated by our Payment Service Provider (PSP) and acquiring bank.

2. Nature of Services and Fee Structure

All services offered by the Firm are professional, intellectual, and advisory in nature. Services are delivered through analysis, judgement, research, modelling, consultation, and structured recommendations.

Fees are charged on a fixed-fee, milestone-based, or engagement-based basis, and are payable in advance unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Clients acknowledge that fees reflect:

Allocation of professional time and expertise

Opportunity cost incurred by reserving capacity

Preparatory, analytical, and intellectual work

Access to proprietary frameworks and methodologies

Fees are not contingent on outcomes, results, or third-party decisions.

3. Payment Terms

All payments must be made in full prior to the commencement of services unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Accepted payment methods may include:

Card payments

Electronic funds transfer

Any other method supported by our PSP

By submitting payment details, the client authorises the Firm to process the payment and confirms that they are authorised to use the selected payment method.

4. Commencement of Services

A service is deemed to have commenced upon the earliest occurrence of any of the following:

A kickoff call, consultation, or briefing

Initiation of research, analysis, modelling, or preparation

Allocation of professional resources or internal capacity

Provision of access to materials, documents, or intellectual property

Any form of work performed in reliance on the engagement

Once a service has commenced, it is deemed to have delivered value.

5. Refund Policy (No Automatic Refunds)

Except where required by applicable law, all fees are strictly non-refundable once services have commenced.

This includes, without limitation:

Strategic advisory work

Commercial, business, or financial analysis

Due diligence engagements

Written or verbal advice

Drafts, interim outputs, or final deliverables

The Firm does not offer refunds based on:

Dissatisfaction with advice or conclusions

Changes in client circumstances

Delays caused by the client or third parties

Commercial, financial, or strategic outcomes

6. Cancellations Prior to Commencement

If a client cancels before commencement, the Firm may, at its sole discretion, consider a partial refund.

Any such refund:

Will exclude administrative, preparatory, and opportunity costs

Is not guaranteed

Must be approved in writing by the Firm

Approved refunds will be processed using the original payment method within a reasonable timeframe.

7. Fixed-Fee and Milestone Engagements

For engagements structured by milestones:

Fees for completed or active milestones are non-refundable

Uncommenced milestones may be cancelled subject to written agreement

All work performed up to the date of cancellation remains payable

Suspension or abandonment of an engagement by the client does not negate payment obligations.

8. No Guarantees or Outcome Assurance

The Firm does not guarantee:

Business performance

Investment returns

Funding approvals

Regulatory outcomes

Third-party decisions or actions

Clients acknowledge that professional advisory services involve uncertainty and judgement, and that ultimate decisions and outcomes remain the client’s responsibility.

9. Chargebacks and Payment Disputes

Clients agree not to initiate chargebacks, reversals, or payment disputes without first engaging the Firm in good-faith discussions.

Where a chargeback is initiated:

The Firm reserves the right to contest it

Supporting evidence may include engagement records, communications, meeting logs, and proof of work performed

Administrative and dispute-handling costs may be recoverable

Abusive or unjustified chargebacks may result in termination of services.

10. Compliance with Card Scheme Rules

This policy is designed to align with applicable card scheme rules, PSP requirements, and acquiring bank standards. Clients acknowledge that advisory services are classified as non-tangible, non-returnable services once commenced.

11. Consumer Protection and Mandatory Rights

Nothing in this policy excludes any non-waivable rights a client may have under applicable consumer protection laws.

Where such rights apply, refunds will be processed strictly in accordance with statutory requirements and no further.

12. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This policy is governed by the laws of South Africa. Any disputes arising from payments or services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of South Africa, unless otherwise required by law.

13. Acceptance

By making payment for any service, the client confirms that they have:

Read this policy

Understood its terms

Agreed to be legally bound by it