RESEARCHBLEND.COM PROJECT DISPUTE RESOLUTION POLICY
Last Updated May 8, 2023
This Policy sets out the dispute process to be followed when two parties (users) who have used the ResearchBlend.com Project Payment system elect to use the Project Dispute Resolution process to resolve a dispute between them. All Users must use the Policy and Procedures outlined in this document to recover funds held by ResearchBlend.com.
The Project Dispute Team
Both parties of the Dispute case can elect to have their dispute arbitrated by the Dispute Team. The role of the Dispute Team extends to making all actions necessary to resolve the case in an impartial and evidential manner. If both parties agree to use the Project Dispute Resolution Process, You acknowledge that the verdict of the Dispute Team is final, binding, and irreversible.
User Responsiveness
Dispute Filed Against Buyer
Once a dispute is opened, a Buyer is given 14 days to respond to it. If a Buyer does not respond in 14 days, they will automatically lose the dispute and the pending Payment will be transferred to the Vendor's account.
Dispute Filed Against Vendor (Seller)
Once a dispute is opened, a Vendor is given 7 days to respond to it. If a Vendor does not respond in 7 days, they will automatically lose the dispute and the pending Payment will be returned to the Buyer's account.
Project Dispute Resolution Process
PHASE 1 - Identify the Issue
The User initiating the dispute should select the Project and the payment or payments to be disputed. A User could contest all the Payments related to a single project in one dispute.
After the items are identified, a description of the issue or issues is required. This must include an explanation of why the dispute is being initiated. Users are strongly encouraged to attach files and other evidence that could support their claims.
Lastly, the complainant must enter the amount he or she is prepared to pay for the Project (as a Buyer) or wishes to get paid for the Project (as a Vendor). The amount can be between 0and the total amount of the Payment(s) in question.
PHASE 2 – Negotiate Directly
In this stage, either party can negotiate for partial compensation or Payment, or (after 7 days) choose to declare an impasseand have ResearchBlend.com’s Dispute Team arbitrate the dispute. In this case, both parties will have the opportunity to explain their side of the dispute, submit additional information and negotiate terms to resolve the issue between themselves.
Only the party who originally initiated the dispute can cancel the dispute. If the issue cannot be resolved through direct negotiation between the two parties, either party can choose to pay the Arbitration Fee to have the dispute arbitrated by the Dispute Team. The Arbitration Fee will be refunded if the dispute is settled or canceled prior to reaching arbitration.
PHASE 3 –Final Negotiations
Once one of the involved parties has paid the Arbitration Fee, the other party has 5 days to also pay the fee. Either party still has the option in this period to negotiate with the other party and settle their differences prior to PHASE 4’s Arbitration.
In the event that one of the parties of the Dispute has paid the Arbitration Fee, the other party will be given 5 days to pay the Arbitration Fee to move into Arbitration. Failure to pay the Arbitration fee within 5 days will close the dispute by default, in favor of the party who initiated Phase 4, with the arbitration fee initially paid refunded.
If a solution is found before PHASE 4 begins, the party who paid the Arbitration Fee will be refunded this fee. Once both parties pay the Arbitration Fee, PHASE 4 begins.
PHASE 4 – Arbitration Part 1: Final Evidence
At the beginning of Phase 4, both parties will have 2 days to submit anyfinal evidence to support their position. After Phase 4, the involved parties are no longer allowed to submit documents or other supporting evidence.
Once the dispute has proceeded to Phase5, further evidence will no longer be accepted.
PHASE5– Arbitration Part 2: Final Decision
The dispute between the Users will be resolved based upon all the evidence provided through the Dispute System, or that is otherwise available to the Dispute Team, such as the project description and correspondence between the parties.
At Phase 5, the Dispute Team will review all evidence and other information provided to reach a final decision (typically within 48 hours). Dispute verdicts are final, binding, and irreversible. The party who wins the dispute will be refunded their Arbitration Fee.
Evidential Requirements for Your Dispute
Should you elect to have the Dispute Team arbitrate your dispute, you agree to allow to the following;
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The Dispute Team may read all correspondence made on the Site.
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The Dispute Team can download or access, and test (if the Dispute Team deems it necessary), all uploaded files, programs, and websites related to the dispute for the sole purpose of having your dispute resolved.
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The Dispute Team may review any other items it deems necessary or helpful to resolve the dispute.
Both parties are highly encouraged to submit all the documents that would support your claims on your dispute.
Submit e-mail correspondences as screenshots or as PDF files. If submitting screenshots, ensure that the "To", "From", and the "Date" bar is visible. For proof of external correspondence, users should provide PDF orscreenshots of their entire unedited conversation.
IM (instant messenger) conversations should be submitted as PDF’s or screenshots of the conversation from the IM software.
Provide the products, contracts, and other files relating to the project and the dispute.
The following items are not acceptable or admittable as part of the dispute.
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E-mail correspondence sent in *.txt or *.doc or any word processing software will not be honored.
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Correspondence sent in *.txt, *.doc, or any word processing software will not be honored.
ResearchBlend.com will do its best to retain the confidentiality of the project and the privacy of the involved users and will not release the collected information to any party unless required by law.
Fees
The fee for a Project dispute is $50.00 USD or 5%, whichever is greater, payable by each party. The fee will then be refunded to the winner of the dispute. See the Fees and Charges page for details.
