Cancellation & Refund Policy

01. Philosophy & Scope

This Cancellation and Refund Policy applies to all digital services, website development packages, custom software development, performance marketing retainers, social media management, and recruitment services provided by Pathway Media, operating from SCO 319, First Floor, Mughal Canal, Karnal, Haryana – 132001, India.

We strive to maintain complete commercial transparency. We invest dedicated engineering, design, and management resources into every client engagement. This policy delineates the rights of clients and Pathway Media in the event of project alterations, cancellations, or refund requests.

02. Project-Based Services (Websites & Software)

For custom software development, mobile application builds, and website design packages (Starter, Business, Premium tiers):

• Cancellation Within 24–48 Hours (Pre-Kickoff): If a client requests cancellation in writing within 24 to 48 hours of booking and prior to the initiation of design wireframes, code scaffolding, or dedicated resource assignment, a 100% refund of the advance deposit will be issued, minus standard payment gateway transaction fees (typically 2% to 3%).
• Cancellation During Active Development (Post-Kickoff): If cancellation is requested after design sprints or technical coding has actively begun, the refund will be prorated. Pathway Media will compute the hours logged, design mockups generated, and non-recoverable infrastructure provisioned. Any remaining unutilized balance from the advance deposit will be remitted back to the client.
• Post-Staging Approval / Deployment Handover: Once the client has reviewed and approved the staging build, or once final production files, live source code, and administrative credentials have been transferred, fees paid are non-refundable.

03. Monthly Retainer Services (SMM, SEO, Paid Ads)

• 15-Day Written Notice: Monthly retainer agreements (including Social Media Management, Monthly SEO optimization, and Paid Advertising management) operate on monthly billing cycles and may be cancelled at any time by providing a minimum of 15 business days’ written advance notice prior to the subsequent monthly billing date.
• Current Billing Cycle: Payments made for the ongoing monthly billing cycle are non-refundable, as creative shoot schedules, copy production, graphic asset reserves, and campaign management continue actively throughout the contracted month.
• Non-Renewal: Upon timely notice, no subsequent monthly retainer will be billed, and all completed creative assets produced up to the end of that cycle will be delivered to the client.

04. Corporate Recruitment & Staffing Guarantee

For corporate recruitment, IT talent acquisition, and executive search services, Pathway Media provides a robust 60-Day Candidate Replacement Guarantee:

• If a selected candidate placed by Pathway Media voluntarily resigns or is terminated for verified non-performance within sixty (60) calendar days of joining, Pathway Media will source, interview, screen, and provide a qualified replacement candidate at zero additional placement agency fee.
• Recruitment search fees are non-refundable once an offered candidate joins the client organization; the replacement guarantee serves as the sole remedy.

05. Non-Refundable Items & Third-Party Costs

The following categories of expenditures are strictly non-refundable under all circumstances:

• Third-Party Ad Spend: Media budgets spent on Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram), Google Ads, or YouTube Ads are consumed directly by those advertising networks and cannot be refunded by Pathway Media.
• Third-Party Licenses & Registrations: Domain name registrations, premium SSL certificates, paid software plugins, commercial APIs, and cloud server hosting fees procured directly on behalf of the client.
• Custom Physical Print Goods: Printed marketing collateral, branded merchandise, or event banners that have already undergone printing following client digital proof approval (refer to Shipping & Exchange Policy for damaged goods replacement).

06. Refund Request Process & Banking Timelines

To initiate a formal cancellation and refund review, please follow these steps:

• Submit Formal Written Request: Email our management desk at info@pathwaymedia.in with CC to pathwaymedia6@gmail.com. Please include your Project Title, Invoice Number, registered contact details, and the specific reason for cancellation.
• Review & Assessment: Our leadership team (Ishant Chhabra and Ramandeep Kaur) will review the milestone logs and respond within 2 business days with a transparent accounting breakdown.
• Refund Initiation: Once approved, the refund will be initiated within 5 to 7 business days.
• Bank Account Reflection: Depending on the client's bank, card issuer, or UPI payment gateway clearing cycle, the credited funds will reflect in the client's original payment method or verified bank account within 7 to 10 working days.
• Refund Method: Refunds are processed strictly back to the original source account (UPI, Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking) or via NEFT/RTGS wire transfer. Cash refunds are not issued.

07. Refund & Escalation Support Desk

For any questions or urgent escalations regarding a billing transaction or refund status, contact our corporate desk directly: