Payment & Billing Policy

1. Purpose

This Payment & Billing Policy explains how fees, invoices, deposits, expenses, taxes, disputes, and overdue balances are handled for remote consulting services provided by Clear Summit Strategies. It forms part of the applicable proposal or service agreement.

2. Starting Prices and Quotes

Prices displayed on the website are starting prices in United States dollars and are provided for general planning only. They do not constitute a binding offer or fixed quote. The final fee depends on the confirmed objective, number and complexity of workflows, quantity of materials, number of stakeholders, required meetings, deliverable format, requested schedule, and other project dependencies.

A written proposal or invoice will identify the approved fee and may include a fixed project fee, session fee, milestone schedule, or other agreed structure. Work outside the confirmed scope requires written approval and may be billed separately.

3. Deposits and Project Start

A project may require an initial payment before work is scheduled or begins. Unless the proposal states otherwise, the initial payment is applied against the total project fee and confirms the client’s commitment to the reserved scope and schedule. A proposed start date is not secured until required approvals, information, and payment have been received.

If the client delays payment, the start date and later milestones may move according to current availability. Clear Summit Strategies is not responsible for a missed target date caused by late payment or another missing client dependency.

4. Invoices and Due Dates

Invoices are issued electronically and are payable by the due date shown. If no due date is stated, payment is due within seven calendar days of issue. The client must review the business name, billing contact, scope reference, amount, and payment instructions promptly and report an administrative error before the due date.

Milestone invoices may be tied to the beginning of a phase, delivery of a draft, scheduled training, or completion of the agreed service. Payment is not conditioned on a particular business result, adoption outcome, third-party tool performance, or financial return.

5. Payment Methods and Security

Available payment methods are identified on the invoice or through an authorized payment provider. The website does not collect complete card details through the project request form. Card or bank information entered into a third-party payment system is processed by that provider under its own security and privacy terms.

The client is responsible for using accurate payment details and an authorized payment method. Clear Summit Strategies may verify unusual payment activity or decline a method that presents a fraud, chargeback, sanctions, compliance, or security concern.

6. Taxes, Currency, and Charges

Unless expressly included, fees exclude sales, use, value-added, withholding, and similar taxes. The client is responsible for taxes legally imposed on the purchase, except taxes based on the business’s net income. If law requires withholding, the client must provide documentation and, where lawful, ensure the net amount received equals the invoiced service fee.

Invoices are denominated in United States dollars unless otherwise agreed. The client is responsible for currency conversion, intermediary bank, wire, and payer-side processing charges.

7. Expenses and Third-Party Costs

Remote delivery generally avoids travel expenses. Software subscriptions, third-party licenses, usage charges, paid data, vendor implementation fees, advertising, hardware, and other outside costs are not included unless the proposal expressly says so. No material reimbursable expense will be incurred without client approval.

8. Late Payment and Suspension

An unpaid balance may result in delayed meetings, withheld final deliverables, suspension of work, cancellation of reserved time, or termination under the applicable agreement. Where permitted by law and stated on the invoice or agreement, overdue amounts may accrue a reasonable late charge not exceeding the maximum lawful rate.

The client remains responsible for undisputed fees for work performed and approved expenses incurred before suspension or termination. Reasonable collection costs may be sought where permitted by law.

9. Billing Questions and Disputes

A billing question must be raised in writing within seven calendar days after the invoice date and should identify the invoice, disputed amount, and specific reason. The parties will review the issue in good faith. The client must pay any undisputed portion by the original due date. Silence, delayed internal approval, or dissatisfaction unrelated to the agreed scope does not cancel a valid invoice.

Chargebacks should not be used as a substitute for direct dispute resolution. A knowingly false or abusive chargeback may lead to immediate suspension and recovery of associated costs, subject to applicable law.

10. Credits and Refunds

Refund eligibility is governed by the Cancellation & Refund Policy and the specific proposal. Payments for completed work, delivered sessions, reserved time already used, approved expenses, and nonrecoverable third-party costs are not refundable. Any approved credit applies only as stated in writing and has no cash value unless required by law.

11. Records

Invoices, payment confirmations, credits, and related communications may be retained for accounting, tax, contract administration, fraud prevention, insurance, and legal compliance. The client should maintain its own copies for internal records.