SPECD Refund & Billing Policy

Effective date: July 27, 2026

This Policy explains billing for paid features on SPECD and how SPECD credits work. It is part of the Terms of Service. Specific terms shown at the point of purchase control if they conflict with this Policy.

1. Payments and processor

Payments are processed by our third-party payment processor, Stripe. By purchasing, you authorize us and Stripe to charge your selected payment method. We do not store full payment card numbers. You are responsible for keeping your payment method valid and for any taxes.

SPECD supports several kinds of payment, and how the money moves differs by type:

Marketplace build payments are collected by SPECD as a single charge covering the parts (sold by SPECD — see the Shipping & Returns Policy) and the installation labor (the shop's accepted bid). The labor share, minus SPECD's platform fee, is automatically passed through to the shop's Stripe connected account on every charge.
Sponsorships are routed so the money goes **directly to the vehicle owner** through their Stripe connected account, with SPECD's platform fee taken out. SPECD does not hold these funds.
Advertising-slot charges are billed by SPECD to the advertiser and are retained by SPECD as advertising revenue.

Each is described in Sections 6–8. The specific terms shown at the point of purchase control if they conflict with this Policy.

2. Prices, receipts, and changes

Prices are shown before purchase and may change prospectively. Changes do not affect an already-purchased term until renewal.
We provide a receipt/confirmation for each charge.

3. Subscriptions and automatic renewal (if offered)

If you buy a subscription, we clearly disclose the price, billing frequency, and renewal terms before you purchase.
Subscriptions renew automatically at the then-current price until you cancel, unless stated otherwise.
You may cancel anytime before the next renewal in your account settings or by contacting lancefenderson@specd.studio. Cancellation stops future renewals; it does not retroactively refund the current term unless required by law or stated here.
We will provide any renewal reminders and cancellation methods required by applicable law.

4. Refunds

Unless required by law or stated otherwise at purchase, fees are non-refundable once the paid feature/term has been provided.
Money routed to another party. For payments that go directly to a shop or a vehicle owner (build payments and sponsorships), the funds are the recipient's, not SPECD's. SPECD cannot unilaterally refund them. Any refund of those amounts is between you and the recipient, subject to their terms and applicable law; SPECD's platform fee on a completed transaction is separately non-refundable except as required by law or stated at checkout.
We may, at our discretion, offer refunds or credits for amounts **SPECD actually holds** (for example, an advertising charge), or for a billing error or a failure on our side.
To request a refund, contact lancefenderson@specd.studio with your account email and transaction details.

Consider a clear, simple stated policy (e.g., a defined trial or a money-back window). Ambiguity causes chargebacks and complaints. Decide the exact rule with your attorney and restate it at checkout.

5. SPECD credits and virtual items

SPECD credits, competition-entry credits, and any other virtual items are a limited license to use features within the Service. They **have no cash value, are not money, currency, or stored value, are not redeemable for cash, and are non-transferable** except as we expressly allow.
Credits may expire, and we may modify, revoke, or discontinue credits or their functionality. We are not liable for lost or expired credits except as required by law.
Do not treat credits, entries, or prizes as a way to gamble, wager, or move money. Paid competitions and prizes are subject to the Event & Competition Rules and additional legal review.

6. Marketplace build payments

When a vehicle owner accepts a shop's bid, the owner pays the shop for the work on a layaway schedule (a down payment plus monthly installments). These payments, the autopay authorization, the 7% platform fee, missed-payment handling, and refunds are governed by the Build & Payment Agreement together with this Policy and the Terms. The money is charged directly to the shop through Stripe and SPECD does not hold it.

7. Advertising slots (brands)

Brands may bid on and hold monthly "SPECD Advertising Pick" slots.

How it's billed. To bid, a brand adds a card on file. A brand that holds a slot for a calendar month is charged that month's slot price. This charge is billed by SPECD and is retained by SPECD as advertising revenue (it is not routed to any other user, and no platform fee is split out).
Binding after rollover. Bids are public and may be withdrawn until the month rolls over; the winning bid for a month is binding once the month begins, and the card on file is charged for that month.
Content review. SPECD reviews a winning ad before it is shown to owners. Holding the slot and the obligation to pay are not contingent on that review; a slot you hold is billable whether or not the ad has been approved for display.
Renewals. If you enable auto-renew and are not outbid, your slot renews and is billed again the next month until you stop holding it.
Non-refundable. Monthly advertising charges are non-refundable once the month has begun, except as required by law or as we state. Paid placements are disclosed per the Acceptable Use Policy and applicable advertising law.

8. Sponsorships (brand to owner)

A brand may offer to sponsor a vehicle owner. If the owner accepts a paid offer, the brand pays through Stripe and the money is routed to the owner's connected account, with SPECD's platform fee (currently 7%) taken out; the rest is the owner's. The brand's offer terms are between the brand and the owner. SPECD is not a party to the sponsorship, does not guarantee performance by either side, and — because the funds go to the owner, not SPECD — cannot unilaterally refund a completed sponsorship. No-cost ("handshake") offers move no money.

9. Payouts to shops, owners, and hosts

Users who receive money on SPECD (shops, sponsored owners, and event hosts) are paid through Stripe Connect and must complete Stripe's payout onboarding (identity and bank details) before they can be paid. Funds land in your Stripe balance and pay out to your linked bank automatically on Stripe's schedule; new accounts may have an initial hold, and payout timing is set by Stripe. SPECD never holds your money and is not your bank. You are responsible for the accuracy of your payout details and for any taxes on amounts you receive. Stripe's own terms govern your connected account.

10. Failed and missed payments

If a build installment cannot be collected, the schedule moves per the Build & Payment Agreement.
If an advertising charge fails, we notify you and you may lose the slot or have the ad withheld; you remain responsible for amounts owed for a slot you held.
Keep a valid payment method on file. We may retry failed charges and may suspend paid features for unpaid balances.

11. Chargebacks

If you dispute a charge with your bank without first contacting us, we may suspend your account while we investigate. Because many payments go directly to another user, a chargeback may also affect that user; please contact lancefenderson@specd.studio first — most issues are resolved quickly.

12. Contact

Billing questions: lancefenderson@specd.studio.