1. Overview
This Subscription and Refund Policy governs all paid subscriptions on the Empirq platform available at empirq.com and any related websites, applications, products, and services operated by Empirq LLC (collectively, the "Platform"). By purchasing a subscription, you agree to the terms of this policy, the Empirq Terms of Service, and the Privacy Policy.
2. How Subscriptions Work
2.1 Subscription Model
Empirq allows readers to subscribe to individual writers' publications for access to premium content. Each writer sets their own subscription price, subject to Platform minimums and maximums.
2.2 Subscription Plans
Subscriptions are available in the following billing intervals:
- Monthly: Billed once per calendar month
- Annual: Billed once per year (where offered by the writer)
The specific pricing and available plans are displayed on each writer's profile page at the time of purchase.
2.3 What You Get
A paid subscription grants you access to all subscriber-only content published by that writer for the duration of your active subscription. It also includes access to any subscriber-only features the writer may offer (e.g., comments, community features).
3. Payment Processing
3.1 Payment Processor
Payments for subscriptions are processed through Stripe and related payment services we use to administer billing on the Platform. By purchasing a subscription, you also agree to any applicable terms of those payment providers. Empirq does not directly store your full credit card or bank account information.
3.2 Accepted Payment Methods
We accept the payment methods supported by Stripe, which typically include major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and other methods as available in your region.
3.3 Currency
All prices are displayed and charged in USD. If your payment method is denominated in another currency, your bank or card issuer will convert the charge at their prevailing exchange rate, and additional fees may apply.
3.4 Failed Payments
If a payment fails, Stripe will automatically retry the charge according to its retry schedule. If payment cannot be collected after retries, your subscription may be canceled. You will receive email notifications of failed payments and impending cancellation.
4. Auto-Renewal
4.1 Automatic Renewal
All subscriptions renew automatically at the end of each billing period (monthly or annually, as applicable) unless you cancel before the renewal date. By purchasing a subscription, you authorize recurring charges to your selected payment method by Empirq and the payment providers we use to administer billing at the then-current price for the applicable subscription until you cancel.
4.2 Renewal Notice
You will receive a renewal reminder email when required by applicable law or when Empirq otherwise chooses to send one. For annual subscriptions, this reminder will be sent at least 14 days before the renewal date. For monthly subscriptions, renewal reminders may not be sent before every renewal.
4.3 Cancellation of Auto-Renewal
You may cancel auto-renewal at any time through your account settings under "Subscriptions," or by contacting [email protected] if you are unable to access your account settings. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period, and you will continue to have access to subscriber content until your current period expires.
5. Price Changes
5.1 Writer-Initiated Price Changes
Writers may change their subscription prices, subject to Platform rules. If a price increase affects your subscription:
- You will be notified by email at least 30 days before the new price takes effect for your next renewal
- Your current billing period will not be affected
- The new price will apply starting with the first renewal that occurs after the notice period ends
5.2 Your Options
Upon receiving notice of a price increase, you may:
- Continue your subscription at the new price (no action required)
- Cancel your subscription before the next renewal to avoid the new price
6. Refund Policy
6.1 Eligibility
You may request a refund within 14 days of a charge by contacting [email protected]. Refunds are not guaranteed. Except where required by applicable law, or where Empirq determines that a charge was erroneous, unauthorized, duplicated, or incurred after a valid cancellation, refund requests are reviewed case by case at Empirq’s sole discretion.
6.2 Grounds for Refund
Refunds are more likely to be granted in the following circumstances:
- Technical issues prevented you from accessing subscriber content
- You were charged in error (e.g., duplicate charge, charge after cancellation)
- The writer's account was deleted, suspended, or terminated, or their paid content was removed from the Platform
- You subscribed unintentionally and did not access subscriber content
6.3 Grounds for Refund Denial
Refunds may be denied in the following circumstances:
- The request is made more than 14 days after the charge
- You have accessed a significant portion of the subscriber content during the billing period
- You have a history of repeated refund requests across multiple subscriptions
- The request appears to be an abuse of the refund system
Empirq reserves the right to grant or deny refunds, in whole or in part, at its sole discretion, subject to applicable law and measures intended to prevent fraud and abuse.
6.4 How to Request a Refund
To request a refund, contact us at:
Email: [email protected]
Include the following in your request:
- Your account email address
- The writer/publication name
- The date and amount of the charge
- The reason for your refund request
We aim to respond to refund requests within 5 business days.
6.5 Refund Method
Approved refunds will be credited to your original payment method. Refunds typically take 5–10 business days to appear on your statement, depending on your bank or card issuer.
6.6 Prorated Refunds
If a refund is approved mid-billing-period, it may be prorated based on the time remaining in the billing period, the amount of subscriber content accessed, and any other relevant circumstances.
7. Free Trials
7.1 Trial Offers
Some writers may offer free trial periods. During a free trial, you will have access to subscriber content at no charge. If you do not cancel before the trial period ends, the trial will automatically convert to a paid subscription, and you authorize recurring charges to your selected payment method by Empirq and the payment providers we use to administer billing at the applicable subscription price unless and until you cancel.
7.2 Trial Eligibility
Free trials are typically available only to first-time subscribers of a given writer. Empirq reserves the right to limit trial eligibility.
8. Account Deletion and Subscriptions
If you delete your Empirq account as a subscriber:
- All active subscriptions associated with that account will be set not to renew, effective immediately
- You will not be charged for future billing periods
- Deleting your account does not automatically entitle you to a refund for the current billing period, but you may request one under Section 6
If account deletion results in immediate loss of access to subscriber content or Platform features before the end of a billing period, any refund for the unused portion of that billing period will be determined under Section 6 unless otherwise required by applicable law.
If a writer deletes their account or is suspended or terminated:
- Your subscription to that writer will be canceled and will not renew for any future billing period
- You will not be charged for future billing periods
- A prorated refund or other account credit for the unused portion of the current billing period may be issued where Empirq determines it is appropriate or where required by applicable law
9. Chargebacks
If you believe a charge was made in error, please contact us first at [email protected] so we can attempt to resolve the issue. If you nevertheless initiate a chargeback or payment dispute through your bank, card issuer, or payment provider:
- Your Empirq account or access to paid features may be temporarily suspended while the dispute is under review
- We may provide transaction records and other relevant information to our payment providers, your payment provider, or other parties involved in the dispute process to respond to and contest unwarranted chargebacks.
- Repeated, abusive, fraudulent, or unwarranted chargebacks may result in restriction or permanent termination of your account, subject to the Terms of Service
We encourage you to contact [email protected] before filing a chargeback, and we will work in good faith to resolve payment issues fairly and promptly.
10. Changes to This Policy
Empirq may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated by email and/or through the Platform at least 30 days before taking effect. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, changes will apply prospectively and will not affect charges already processed before the updated policy becomes effective. Your continued purchase or use of paid features after changes are effective constitutes acceptance.
11. Contact
For subscription or billing questions:
Email: [email protected]