Refund Policy

1. Scope

This Policy explains how and when escrowed funds held by Saharix are returned to a buyer. It forms part of our Terms of Service. Where this Policy and a dispute decision conflict, the dispute decision governs the specific transaction.

2. When You Can Get a Refund

Escrowed funds are refundable in the following situations:

• A contract or milestone is canceled before work starts, meaning the seller has not uploaded evidence and has not requested release;
• Both parties agree to cancel and refund;
• A dispute is decided in the buyer's favor, in full or in part;
• A seller confirms in writing within the Platform that they cannot deliver.

In each case the money goes back to the buyer from the escrow balance; the seller does not need to send anything.

3. When Escrowed Funds Are Not Refundable Through This Policy

• Funds that have already been released to a seller are not refundable by Saharix, because the release transfers ownership to the seller.
• Where work has started, evidenced by an upload or a release request, disagreements go through the Dispute Policy rather than a direct refund.
• A buyer who simply changes their mind after a seller has started work should discuss an equitable outcome with the seller or open a dispute.
• Payment provider processing fees for the original payment, where any were charged by the provider, may be deducted from the refunded amount by that provider. Saharix does not refund the platform fee component attributable to payment processing in provider-refund cases where the provider does not return it.

4. How to Request a Refund

• For a milestone where no work has started, the buyer can request a refund directly from the contract screen using the refund action. The request cancels the milestone and returns the escrowed amount to the buyer's original payment method.
• In every other case, open a dispute or contact support@saharix.com with the contract reference.

5. How Long a Refund Takes

• Once a refund is approved or a cancellation is processed, the escrow ledger is updated immediately and the return payment is initiated to the original payment method.
• Card and account refunds through Paystack typically settle within 5 to 10 business days.
• Refunds through Flutterwave typically settle within 3 to 10 business days.
• Timings are controlled by the payment provider and the bank, not by Saharix.

Where a refund to the original method is not possible, for example a closed account, we will contact you to arrange an alternative verified route.

6. Cancellation Fees

• Saharix does not charge a cancellation fee.
• If a transaction is canceled before any delivery, the buyer gets the full escrowed amount back, and the seller is not charged.
• Where a provider has already charged a processing fee for the original payment, that provider's policy determines whether it is returned; any unreturned provider fee is borne by the parties as described in section 3.

7. Failed and Reversed Payments

If a payment into escrow fails, reverses, or is charged back by the payer's bank, the corresponding escrow funding may be reversed and any related contract may be suspended or canceled until the matter is resolved. A buyer remains liable to Saharix for the shortfall if a chargeback reverses money that was later released to a seller.

8. Contact

Refund questions can be sent to support@saharix.com with the contract reference. Questions about this Policy can be sent to legal@saharix.com.