> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.refund.co.nz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Fees and Pricing: No Win, No Fee — Fully Explained

> Starting a case with Refund is completely free. A 25% success fee applies only if Refund saves you money — you owe nothing if it doesn't win.

Starting a case costs you nothing. There are no upfront charges, no subscription, and no fee to lodge your first claim. Refund only earns anything if it actually saves you money — and even then, the fee is a straightforward percentage of what you get back. Here's the full breakdown.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="$0 to start" icon="circle-dollar-sign">
    No upfront payment, no credit card required to lodge your case.
  </Card>

  <Card title="25% success fee" icon="percent">
    Charged only on the amount waived, reduced, or recovered — nothing more.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Nothing if we lose" icon="shield-x">
    If the case doesn't succeed, you owe Refund absolutely nothing.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

The 25% success fee is calculated on whatever Refund saves you. If your $120 parking fine is waived in full, the fee is $30. If a $200 tow fee is reduced to $80, the fee is 25% of the $120 saved — that's $30. The fee is charged automatically to the payment method you save with us, processed securely through Stripe.

<Note>
  When a success fee is charged, Refund issues an invoice automatically to the email address on your account. You'll have a clear record of exactly what was saved and what was charged.
</Note>

<Tip>
  Some matters are straightforward enough that you can handle them yourself for free — for example, a simple transport-card overcharge where the operator has an easy self-service refund path. Refund will always be upfront about that rather than take a fee on something you didn't need help with.
</Tip>

## Frequently asked questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="When exactly do I pay?">
    You pay only after the fine has been waived, reduced, or the money has been recovered on your behalf. Once the authority confirms the outcome, Stripe charges the 25% success fee to the payment method you saved when you started the case. You don't need to do anything — it's handled automatically.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if the charge fails?">
    If Stripe can't process the payment — for example, because a card has expired — Refund may contact you at your account email to arrange an alternative payment method. The fee remains owing on any matter where Refund achieved a successful outcome.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is there a minimum fee?">
    No. There is no minimum fee. The success fee is always 25% of whatever amount was actually saved, waived, or recovered — even if that's a small amount. Equally, there's no cap, so the fee scales with the saving.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  Refund is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. For complex, high-value, or unusual matters, consider consulting a lawyer or your local [Community Law Centre](https://communitylaw.org.nz) (free). Refund is not affiliated with any council or government agency.
</Warning>