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Overview: This Refund Policy outlines the terms and conditions for refunds related to any products or services that may be offered through Island Hopping Japan. Please read this policy carefully before making any purchases.
1. Nature of Our Services
1.1 Information Services
Island Hopping Japan primarily provides:
- Free travel information and guides
- Blog content and travel stories
- Planning resources and itineraries
- General travel advice and tips
These free services are not subject to refunds as they are provided at no charge.
1.2 Potential Paid Services
Should we offer paid services in the future, they may include:
- Downloadable digital travel guides or e-books
- Premium content or membership subscriptions
- Consultation services or personalized itinerary planning
- Online courses or workshops
- Affiliate partnerships or booking commissions
This Refund Policy applies to any such paid services.
2. Refund Eligibility
Important: Refund eligibility depends on the type of product or service purchased and the circumstances of your request. Please review the specific conditions below.
2.1 Digital Products (E-books, Guides, Downloads)
| Condition |
Refund Eligibility |
| Technical issues preventing download |
Full refund or replacement |
| Product materially different from description |
Full refund within 14 days |
| Duplicate purchase (error) |
Full refund if reported within 48 hours |
| Change of mind after download |
No refund (digital goods policy) |
| Product accessed/used |
No refund (consumption of digital goods) |
2.2 Subscription Services
If we offer subscription-based premium content:
- Trial periods: Cancel anytime during free trial with no charge
- Monthly subscriptions: Refundable within 7 days of initial charge if no content accessed
- Annual subscriptions: Pro-rated refund available within 30 days, minus usage
- Auto-renewal: Manage in account settings; contact us if charged in error
2.3 Consultation Services
For personalized travel planning or consultation services:
- Before service delivery: Full refund if cancelled 48+ hours before scheduled consultation
- 24-48 hours before: 50% refund
- Less than 24 hours: No refund (preparation time invested)
- After service delivery: No refund (service completed)
- Service quality issues: Case-by-case review; partial refund possible
2.4 Online Courses or Workshops
If we offer educational content:
- Before course start: Full refund if cancelled 7+ days before start date
- Within 7 days of start: 50% refund if no content accessed
- After accessing content: No refund (consumption of educational materials)
- Course quality issues: Report within 14 days for review
3. Non-Refundable Items and Situations
The following are generally NOT eligible for refunds:
3.1 Third-Party Bookings
- Transportation tickets (flights, ferries, trains) booked through external providers
- Hotel or accommodation reservations made through booking platforms
- Tour or activity bookings through third-party operators
- Any services purchased directly from external vendors
Important: Island Hopping Japan is not responsible for refunds on third-party services. Contact the service provider directly for their refund policies.
3.2 Affiliate Commissions
If you make a purchase through our affiliate links:
- We earn a small commission but do not process your payment
- Refunds must be requested from the merchant, not from us
- Each merchant has their own refund policy
- We can assist by providing contact information but cannot issue refunds
3.3 Change of Mind After Consumption
- Digital products that have been downloaded and accessed
- Subscription content that has been viewed or used
- Consultation services that have been delivered
- Course materials that have been accessed
3.4 Violations of Terms
- Account termination due to Terms and Conditions violations
- Fraudulent or abusive refund requests
- Copyright infringement or content misuse
4. Refund Request Process
Step 1: Contact Us
To request a refund, contact us with the following information:
- Email: info@cookhomestyle.com
- Subject Line: "Refund Request - [Order Number]"
- Include:
- Your full name and email address used for purchase
- Order number or transaction ID
- Date of purchase
- Product or service name
- Reason for refund request
- Supporting documentation (if applicable)
Step 2: Review Period
- We will acknowledge your request within 2 business days
- Refund requests are reviewed within 5-7 business days
- We may request additional information or clarification
- Complex cases may require up to 14 days for review
Step 3: Decision Notification
- You will receive an email with our decision
- If approved, refund processing timeline will be provided
- If denied, explanation and alternatives (if any) will be offered
Step 4: Refund Processing
If your refund is approved:
- Processing time: 5-10 business days from approval
- Method: Refund to original payment method
- Bank processing: Additional 3-5 business days for funds to appear
- Confirmation: You will receive an email when refund is processed
5. Partial Refunds
In certain situations, we may offer partial refunds:
- Pro-rated subscriptions: Based on unused portion of subscription period
- Service quality issues: Compensation based on severity of issue
- Late cancellations: Percentage based on cancellation timeframe
- Bundle purchases: Refund for unused components only
6. Refund Alternatives
Instead of a refund, we may offer:
6.1 Exchange or Replacement
- Exchange for different product of equal value
- Replacement copy if technical issues occurred
- Access to alternative content or services
6.2 Account Credit
- Store credit for future purchases
- Extended subscription period
- Bonus content or premium features
6.3 Corrective Action
- Technical support to resolve issues
- Additional consultation time
- Supplementary materials or resources
7. Special Circumstances
7.1 Technical Issues
If you experience technical problems:
- Contact us immediately with details of the issue
- We will work to resolve technical problems within 48 hours
- Full refund available if issue cannot be resolved
- Replacement or alternative access may be provided
7.2 Erroneous Charges
If you were charged in error:
- Report within 48 hours for immediate resolution
- Full refund processed within 3-5 business days
- No questions asked for clear billing errors
7.3 Unauthorized Purchases
If your account or payment method was used without authorization:
- Contact us immediately
- Provide evidence of unauthorized access
- We will investigate and cooperate with authorities if needed
- Refund processed upon verification
8. Refund Limitations
8.1 Time Limits
Refund requests must be submitted within specified timeframes:
- Digital products: 14 days from purchase
- Subscriptions: 7 days for monthly, 30 days for annual
- Consultations: Before service delivery
- Courses: Before or within 14 days of start date
8.2 One Refund Per Customer
To prevent abuse:
- Generally, one refund per customer per product type
- Multiple refund requests may be declined
- Pattern of refund abuse may result in account restrictions
8.3 Geographic Restrictions
Refund policies may vary based on your location due to:
- Local consumer protection laws
- Payment processing limitations
- Currency exchange considerations
9. Chargebacks and Disputes
Please Contact Us Before Filing a Chargeback
We encourage you to contact us before initiating a chargeback with your bank or payment provider. Chargebacks can result in account suspension and additional fees.
If you file a chargeback:
- Your account may be immediately suspended
- Access to purchased products/services will be revoked
- We will provide transaction evidence to your payment provider
- Chargeback fees may be passed to you if claim is invalid
- Future purchases may be restricted
10. Modifications to Refund Policy
We reserve the right to modify this Refund Policy at any time:
- Changes will be posted on this page with updated date
- Significant changes will be announced on our website
- Changes apply to purchases made after the effective date
- Previous purchases remain under the policy in effect at time of purchase
11. Questions and Assistance
If you have questions about our Refund Policy or need assistance:
12. Consumer Rights
This Refund Policy does not affect your statutory rights under applicable consumer protection laws. Depending on your location, you may have additional rights including:
- Cooling-off periods for certain purchases
- Rights to refunds for defective or misrepresented products
- Protection against unfair business practices
- Right to dispute resolution through consumer protection agencies
If our policy conflicts with applicable laws, the law takes precedence.
Fair Treatment Commitment
Island Hopping Japan is committed to treating all customers fairly and resolving refund requests in good faith. We value your satisfaction and will work with you to find reasonable solutions to any issues you may encounter.
Effective Date: January 1, 2025
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