Payments and Deposits (Custom Services)

Overview

When ordering a custom service on The Ghost Production, payments are split into two stages — a deposit payment (30 %) to start the project, and a final payment (70 %) once the work is approved.
This payment structure ensures fairness for both the buyer and the producer, while maintaining transparency and security throughout the order process.

This article explains how payments and deposits work, what’s refundable, and how ownership rights are transferred after completion.

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1. The Two-Stage Payment System

Stage	Amount	Purpose
Deposit Payment	30 %	Starts production. Confirms your commitment to the project.
Final Payment	70 %	Unlocks delivery of all final files and full rights transfer.

This structure protects both parties:

• The producer is compensated for their time and work.
• The buyer can preview the demo before completing the final payment.

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2. Paying the Deposit

To begin your order:

1. Choose the desired custom service and fill in the creative brief.
2. Review the total price, delivery time, and included features.
3. Pay the 30 % deposit securely through the checkout page.

After payment:

• The order status changes to In Progress.
• The producer is automatically notified to start working.
• You can track updates inside your dashboard under Orders → Custom Services.

Once the deposit is paid, production officially begins, and the deposit becomes non-refundable (see Section 12 of the Terms of Use).

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3. Non-Refundable Deposit Policy

The 30 % deposit represents a creative engagement fee.
It is non-refundable once production has started, even if you decide not to continue with the order.

Important:

• Paying the deposit does not grant you ownership or usage rights of the demo or any unfinished material.
• Rights transfer only after the final payment and delivery.
• If no work has begun, you may contact support to check eligibility for cancellation before production starts.

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4. Final Payment and Delivery

When you approve the demo, you’ll be prompted to pay the remaining 70 % balance.
Once this payment is confirmed:

• The producer uploads your full ZIP package, which includes:
  • Mastered & unmastered versions (WAV + MP3)
  • Stems & MIDI (if applicable)
  • Project file (if included)
  • Invoice
• The order status changes to Delivered and then Completed after confirmation.

You’ll also receive the final delivery and documents via email and under My Account → Orders → Select Order.

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5. Payment Methods

All payments are processed securely through Stripe and Paypal.
Available methods include:

• PayPal
• Credit / Debit Card
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay

Transactions are encrypted, and funds are held securely until delivery is confirmed.

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6. Failed or Delayed Payments

If your payment fails:

• Double-check your card or PayPal details.
• Ensure your bank allows international transactions.
• Retry payment from the order page or use an alternative method.

If issues persist, contact support and include your order ID for quick resolution.

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7. Ownership and Rights Transfer

You gain full exclusive rights only after the final payment is successfully processed.
At that point:

• The producer relinquishes all ownership of the work.
• You can release and monetize the track under your artist name.

Before full payment, demos and drafts remain the property of the producer and cannot be used, released, or shared publicly.

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8. Currency and Taxes

All prices on The Ghost Production are displayed in euros (€).
Taxes (if applicable) are automatically calculated at checkout.
You will receive an official invoice with every payment, accessible anytime in your account.

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9. Refunds and Disputes

Refunds are not issued for deposits once work has started.
Refunds for the final payment are only possible if:

• The producer fails to deliver after confirmed payment, and
• The issue is validated through an official support ticket.

Disputes are reviewed individually to ensure fairness and compliance with the Terms of Use.

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10. Summary

Payment Type	Amount	Refundable	Rights Granted	Trigger
Deposit	30 %	❌ Non-refundable after work starts	❌	Starts production
Final Payment	70 %	⚠️ Refund only if undelivered	✅ Full ownership	Unlocks delivery