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What is ClickBank’s refund policy?
ClickBank has a refund policy designed to allow customers to request refunds on products they’ve purchased, and it also affects affiliates’ commissions. Here’s an overview of ClickBank’s refund policy:
1. Refund Period:
ClickBank typically offers a 60-day refund period for most products purchased through the platform. This means customers can request a refund for most products within 60 days of the original purchase date. However, the exact refund period may vary depending on the vendor’s policy (the product creator or seller), and some vendors may offer a shorter or longer refund period.
2. Refund Process for Customers:
- Requesting a Refund: If a customer is not satisfied with a product, they can request a refund directly from ClickBank by submitting a refund request through the ClickBank Customer Support page or by contacting the vendor directly (depending on the vendor’s policy).
- Refund Issuance: Once a refund is requested, ClickBank processes the refund and credits the customer’s payment method. The refund is typically processed within 48-72 hours, though it can take longer in some cases.
3. Refunds and Vendor Policies:
- While ClickBank provides a default 60-day refund policy, individual vendors may have their own refund policies, which could be longer or shorter than ClickBank’s default. For example, some vendors might offer a 30-day refund policy or a 90-day policy.
- Vendors are required to clearly state their refund policy on the product’s sales page, so customers are aware of the terms before making a purchase.
4. Impact of Refunds on Affiliates:
- Commission Reversal: When a refund is issued, ClickBank reverses the commission that was initially paid to the affiliate who referred the customer. This means that the affiliate’s earnings will be deducted if a customer requests a refund for a product purchased through their affiliate link.
- Refund Deduction: If a refund is processed after the affiliate has already received a payment, the refunded amount will be deducted from the affiliate’s future commissions.
- Negative Balance: If the refund amount exceeds the available commission balance, the affiliate’s ClickBank account could go into a negative balance, meaning future commissions will first be applied to cover the negative balance before additional payouts are made.
5. Refund Reporting:
Affiliates can track refunds through their ClickBank account. The Reporting section in the ClickBank dashboard shows both sales and refunds associated with the affiliate’s links. Affiliates can monitor the status of commissions and ensure that refunds are properly accounted for.
6. Refunds and Digital vs. Physical Products:
- Digital Products: Most of the products on ClickBank are digital, and these generally have a refund policy that aligns with ClickBank’s default 60-day period. Digital products are often subject to instant refunds for customers if they are dissatisfied or encounter technical issues.
- Physical Products: If the vendor is selling a physical product, refunds may be subject to additional conditions (e.g., return shipping requirements or restocking fees). Physical products generally have a more complex refund process compared to digital ones.
Summary of ClickBank’s Refund Policy:
- Standard Refund Period: Typically 60 days for most products, but this can vary by vendor.
- Process: Customers request a refund through ClickBank’s support page or the vendor, and ClickBank processes the refund within 48-72 hours.
- Effect on Affiliates: Affiliates lose the commission if a refund occurs. Refunds are deducted from the affiliate’s earnings in future payouts.
- Tracking: Affiliates can track refunds in the ClickBank Reporting section.
It’s important for affiliates to be aware of the refund policy for each product they promote, as refunds can directly affect their earnings.
