Refunds and Disputes
Although most jobs complete without issues, sometimes situations arise that require a refund or opening a dispute. This guide explains how the process works, what you can expect, and how to resolve conflicts fairly.
📋 Policy Summary
| Situation | Refund | Timeline | Process |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancellation before accepting | 100% | Immediate | Automatic |
| Cancellation >2h before | 100% | 1-5 days | Hold release |
| Cancellation <2h before | 50% | 1-5 days | 50% penalty |
| Customer no-show | 0% | - | 100% to helper |
| Helper no-show | 100% | Immediate | Automatic + penalty |
| Job poorly done | Variable | 3-10 days | Dispute + review |
| Damaged objects | Variable | 5-10 days | Dispute + evidence |
Guaranteed protection
ReciGo acts as impartial mediator. Your money is protected while we resolve any issue.
🔄 Refunds Without Dispute
Cancellation Before Accepting Helper
Situation:
- You posted the job
- You haven't accepted any helper/offer yet
Process:
- Go to your posted job
- Tap Cancel job
- Confirm cancellation
- ✅ Job canceled immediately
Consequences:
- ✅ No charge (nothing was pre-authorized)
- ✅ No penalty
- ✅ You can repost whenever you want
Cancellation >2 Hours Before Start
Situation:
- You already accepted a helper
- More than 2 hours remain until agreed window
Process:
- Go to your active job
- Tap Cancel job
- Select reason: "No longer need it / Changed plans / Other"
- Confirm cancellation
Consequences:
- ✅ Pre-authorization released (100%)
- ✅ No penalty
- ⚠️ Helper receives notification
- ⚠️ Affects your cancellation rate
Timeline:
Cancellation: Immediate
Release: Automatic
Bank reflection: 1-5 business days (depends on bank)
Cancellation rate
Canceling >3 jobs in a month may result in:
- ⚠️ Warning
- ⚠️ Lower visibility for future jobs
- ⚠️ Helpers may reject your offers
Only cancel when necessary.
Cancellation <2 Hours Before Start
Situation:
- You already accepted a helper
- Less than 2 hours remain (or helper is "on the way")
Process:
- First: Try contacting helper via chat
- If no alternative: Cancel job
- Select reason
- Confirm (you'll see penalty warning)
Consequences:
- ⚠️ 50% of agreed price is captured
- ⚠️ Helper receives compensation
- ⚠️ ReciGo collects commission on 50%
- ⚠️ Severely affects your cancellation rate
Financial example:
Agreed price: €50
Service fee: €1.49
TOTAL pre-authorized: €51.49
Cancel <2h before:
- You're charged: €25.75 (50% of total)
├─→ Helper receives: €21.25
└─→ ReciGo: €4.50 (fee + commission)
- Refunded to you: €25.74
Justified penalty
The helper rejected other jobs to accept yours. Last-minute cancellation causes them income loss. The penalty is fair for both parties.
Customer No-Show (You're Not There)
Situation:
- Helper arrived at location
- You're not present
- You don't respond to messages/calls after 15 minutes
Helper's process:
- Arrives at location
- Sends you message/calls
- Waits 15 minutes
- Marks "Customer unavailable"
- Uploads evidence photo (entrance, GPS location)
Consequences for you:
- ❌ 100% of payment is captured
- ❌ Helper receives full compensation
- ❌ Penalty on your account
- ❌ Possible suspension (if repeat offender)
Avoid by:
- ✅ Keep notifications active
- ✅ Be available during agreed window
- ✅ Notify in advance if there's a change
Helper No-Show (Doesn't Arrive)
Situation:
- Job window started
-
30 minutes have passed without contact
- Helper doesn't respond to messages
Process:
- Wait 30 minutes from window start
- Try contacting via chat (3 messages)
- Try calling through app
- Tap "Report no-show"
- ReciGo contacts the helper
Consequences:
- ✅ Pre-authorization released immediately
- ✅ Job returns to "published" (you can choose another)
- ✅ No charge to you
- ⚠️ Helper receives serious penalty
- ⚠️ Possible helper suspension
Additional compensation:
- If it caused major inconvenience: Possible €10-20 credit
⚖️ Disputes: When and How to Open Them
Situations That Justify a Dispute
🔴 Job Not Completed Correctly
Examples:
- Didn't take everything agreed (left objects)
- Didn't take it to correct destination
- Didn't recycle/dispose where they should
- Abandoned job midway
🔴 Damaged Objects
Examples:
- Broken/scratched furniture
- Damaged appliances
- Lost objects
- Inadequate packaging caused damage
🔴 Inappropriate Conduct
Examples:
- Offensive language
- Aggressive attitude
- Inappropriate behavior
- Theft
🔴 Improper Charging
Examples:
- Asked for extra payment outside app
- Price different from agreed
- Incorrect commission
Situations That Do NOT Justify Dispute
✅ Resolved via Chat
- Small misunderstandings clarified
- Delays notified in advance
- Mutually agreed changes
✅ Minor Problems
- Arrived 10 min late but notified
- Vehicle not very clean but worked well
- Little communication but completed correctly
✅ Unrealistic Expectations
- "Took 40 min, expected 20" (but completed well)
- "Wasn't as friendly as expected"
- Subjective reasons without real impact
Dispute vs Rating
- Dispute: Serious problems that justify refund
- Rating: Feedback on service quality
Don't open dispute just to complain. Use the rating system for that.
📝 How to Open a Dispute
Deadline: 24 Hours
You have 24 hours from when the job was marked "completed" to open a dispute.
After 24h:
- ❌ You cannot open a dispute
- ❌ Payment is final
- ✅ You can report the helper (suspension) but no refund
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Access the Dispute
From the app:
- Go to Jobs → History
- Select the completed job
- Tap ⚠️ I have a problem / Open dispute
From email:
Subject: Your job with Miguel was completed
[...content...]
Any problem? [Open dispute]
Step 2: Select Reason
Choose the category that best describes the problem:
Available categories:
- 📦 Job not completed correctly
- 💥 Damaged or lost objects
- 🚫 Job not performed (abandoned)
- 😠 Inappropriate conduct
- 💰 Billing problem
- 🔧 Other (specify)
Step 3: Describe the Problem
Text field (200-1,000 characters):
What to include:
- 📅 What happened (chronological)
- 🎯 What you expected vs what you received
- 💰 How much refund you're requesting (partial/full)
- 📷 Mention you'll upload evidence
Example of good description:
The helper was supposed to take 5 boxes + 1 sofa to
the recycling center. Only took 4 boxes and left
the sofa in my lobby. Said it "didn't fit" even though
his profile said 3m³ van. The sofa measures ~2m³.
I have photos of sofa still in my lobby (1 hour after
"completing") and his van half empty. Requesting 50%
refund since only did half the work.
Step 4: Upload Evidence
Types of evidence:
📸 Photos (up to 6):
- Object damage (close-up)
- Objects not collected (with timestamp)
- Incorrect location
- Vehicle (if relevant)
- Chat screenshots (if promised something)
💬 Chat Screenshots:
- Prior agreements
- Admission of error
- Unfulfilled promises
📄 Documents:
- Repair receipts (if there was damage)
- Quotes
- Original condition photos
🕐 Timeline:
- Photos with visible time
- Geolocation if relevant
Evidence quality = Dispute success
Disputes with good evidence (clear photos, coherent timeline) resolve in 1-3 days in your favor.
Disputes without evidence take longer and depend on each party's word.
Step 5: Review and Submit
Summary screen:
Reason: Damaged objects
Description: [Your text]
Evidence: 3 photos attached
Requested refund: €25.75 (50%)
[Submit dispute]
Confirm:
- Tap Submit dispute
- ✅ Dispute created
- You receive case number:
#DSP-2026-01234
What Happens After Opening Dispute?
Typical Timeline
Day 0 (immediate):
🔔 Dispute opened
- Your payment is held
- Helper receives notification
- Has 48h to respond
Day 1-2 (helper response):
📝 Helper responded
- Sent their version
- Uploaded their evidence
- ReciGo begins review
Day 3-5 (ReciGo investigation):
🔍 Team reviewing case
- Analyzing evidence from both sides
- Reviewing chat/photos/timeline
- May request additional information
Day 5-7 (resolution):
✅ Dispute resolved
- Final decision
- Refund processed (if applicable)
- Ratings unlocked
🏆 Dispute Resolution
Possible Outcomes
Full Refund (100%)
When:
- Job clearly not completed
- Helper didn't respond / has no evidence
- Serious unacceptable conduct
What happens:
- ✅ You receive 100% back (€51.49)
- ❌ Helper receives nothing (€0)
- ⚠️ Helper receives account penalty
- 📊 Affects their rating and visibility
Timeline: 5-10 business days in your account
Partial Refund (50-70%)
When:
- Job partially completed
- Minor damage to objects
- Both parties have some point
What happens:
- ✅ You receive percentage back (e.g., €25.75 of €51.49)
- ⚠️ Helper receives the rest (€21.25)
- ⚠️ Both receive notes on profile
Example:
Price: €50 + €1.49 fee = €51.49 total
Decision: 50% refund
- You receive: €25.75
- Helper receives: €21.25 (€50 × 42.5%)
- ReciGo: €4.49 (fee + commission)
No Refund (0%)
When:
- Job completed correctly according to evidence
- Your expectations weren't realistic
- No evidence of your claim
What happens:
- ❌ You receive nothing back
- ✅ Helper receives full payment
- ⚠️ Note on your profile (if abuse pattern detected)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
✅ Best Practices
To Avoid Needing Disputes
- Choose helpers carefully (rating, reviews)
- Communicate clearly in chat before accepting
- Take photos of objects before job
- Be present during job when possible
- Review photos helper uploads in real-time
If You Need to Open Dispute
- Act quickly (remember: 24h deadline)
- Gather evidence before opening
- Be factual (avoid emotional language)
- Be specific about what went wrong
- Request reasonable refund amount
- Respond promptly to ReciGo questions
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Last updated: January 31, 2026