Refund Policy
The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology (IJCEO) maintains transparency in all financial transactions related to Article Processing Charges (APCs). This refund policy explains the conditions under which APCs may be refunded or deemed non-refundable.
General Principles
- APCs cover editorial handling, peer review, production, hosting, and archiving costs.
- Refunds are only considered in specific and exceptional circumstances.
- Refund requests must be made in writing to the editorial office with supporting documentation.
When Refunds Are Applicable
- Duplicate Payment: If an author accidentally pays twice for the same article, the extra payment will be refunded in full.
- Technical Errors: If a payment error occurs due to banking or transaction issues, refunds will be processed once verified.
- Article Rejection Before Publication: If an article is withdrawn or rejected before peer review begins, APCs may be refunded minus administrative charges.
When Refunds Are Not Applicable
- After Peer Review: APCs are non-refundable once peer review has commenced, as costs have already been incurred.
- Accepted and Published Articles: No refunds are issued after final acceptance or online publication.
- Author Withdrawal: If authors withdraw their article after peer review or acceptance, APCs will not be refunded.
Partial Refunds
In exceptional circumstances, partial refunds may be considered (e.g., withdrawal before acceptance due to unavoidable reasons). Such cases are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the editorial board.
Processing Refunds
Approved refunds are processed within 30 business days via the same payment method used. Bank charges or transfer fees may be deducted from the refunded amount.
Disputes and Appeals
Authors who disagree with refund decisions may appeal by submitting a formal request with additional justification. Appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and the publisher, and the final decision is binding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a refund if my article is rejected?
If your article is rejected before peer review, a partial refund may be granted. Once peer review starts, APCs are non-refundable.
What if my payment was made twice?
In cases of duplicate payment, the extra payment will be refunded in full.
How long does it take to process a refund?
Refunds are typically processed within 30 business days once approved.