cancellation & Refund Policy
Our Policy
Thank you for considering Skillseed as a course provider and partner. We invite interested parties to review our terms and conditions prior to contacting us so that we can embark on our partnership with confidence.
Background - The ‘Why’ behind our Terms
Cash flow is critically important to us and our community stakeholders, as a lot of work starts way before each course actually takes place. Payment upon completion of the course with long credit term conditions means delaying disbursements to our community partners and their stakeholders for months. Such delays could severely compromise our communities’ well-being. Therefore, to be fair to our community partners and our staff, we may, depending on the specific situation, decline to work with clients who do not or cannot place an upfront deposit, and/or pay the full amount prior to the trip departure dates.
Skillseed prides ourselves in channeling funds to our community partners in a timely manner. This is not just a business for us – this is about supporting livelihoods. To this end, we believe we have a fair cancellation and refund policy, and welcome any suggestions on how we can improve. We thank you for respecting the way we work, and for supporting our commitment to fair and ethical practices that place community first.
What Potential Partners Need to Know
Skillseed generally does not participate in GeBIZ for our overseas courses. Please contact us via email if you would like to explore alternatives.
We do not purchase flight tickets on behalf of our partners, as there are agencies that can execute this at a greater cost saving to you.
If we are required to invoice individual participants, we can do so at an additional administrative charge of $10 (in trip’s currency) per individual.
These Terms and Conditions stated here are considered acknowledged and agreed to by the School or Organization when an Award Notice is given or when a Purchase Order (or any form of written course acceptance) is issued to Skillseed (the Company).
For All Tiers of Trips (Exposure, Project-Based Exposure and Skilled Volunteerism)
Path A (Recommended and most beneficial to all stakeholders)
The School/Organization already has a group of students or participants for a proposed trip
The School contacts Skillseed at least 6 months in advance to select the theme of the trip and provide us with their preferred dates to check availability
With this information and an estimated group size, the Company will issue an invoice for a non-refundable deposit (20% of the estimated total fees). This deposit is to secure our availability and that of our community partners, as well as to arrange for accommodations and other logistics in advance.
This deposit is mandatory for customized trips that require ground-up development.
If the School decides to cancel the entire course, the deposit will be non-refundable.
The remaining 80% of the fees will be billed 1 month prior to the trip departure date.
Once an invoice is issued by Skillseed, any subsequent changes (such as cancellations by the School or the Participants) will be subject to Skillseed’s Cancellation and Refund Policy terms as detailed in Section B below, even if payment has not been received by Skillseed yet.
All payment is to be completed before the trip’s departure date. Organizations will be provided with up to 30 days credit terms while individuals will be provided with up to 5 days credit terms, at an additional administrative charge of $10 per individual.
Please note that this Path also provides the greatest cost savings to clients.
Only for Exposure Courses
Path B (Incurs higher costs)
The School/Organization is unable to provide a deposit and needs to recruit students.
For this path, Skillseed will only provide sample itineraries for outreach purposes. Details will only be worked out after the minimum number of participants has been met and payment is completed.
We require Schools to inform us of the confirmed number of participants latest 3 months prior to intended trip departure dates.
We will not be able to guarantee availability of our team, stakeholders or critical logistics of the trip if we receive notice less than 3 months prior to the trip
Once we receive the confirmed number of participants, Skillseed will invoice the School for 100% of the fees due.
Once an invoice is issued by Skillseed, any subsequent changes (such as cancellations by the School or the Participants) will be subject to Skillseed’s Cancellation and Refund Policy terms as detailed in Section B below, even if payment has not been received by Skillseed yet.
All payment is to be completed before the trip’s departure date. Organizations will be provided with up to 30 days credit terms while individuals will be provided with up to 5 days credit terms, at an additional administrative charge of $10 per individual.
Please note that this Path incurs higher costs compared to Path A due to increasing costs of logistics (e.g. accommodations) closer to the intended trip dates, as well as increasing opportunity costs of blocking our time and that of our stakeholders without any guarantee.
For Schools based outside of Singapore: In order for the Company to proceed to confirm the booking and to reduce transaction fees, the full payment (100%) of the course fees will be required once a Purchase Order or a written acceptance of the course is issued to Skillseed.
Cancellation & Refund Terms
The course fees for each course are based on a minimum number of participants. Prices may be adjusted if there is any decrease in the number of participants below the stated minimum requirement.
A.Cancellation & Refund Policy by the Company
The Company reserves the sole right to cancel any course due to insufficient number of participants or due to factors beyond the reasonable control of the Company such as, but not limited to, natural disasters, epidemics, pandemics, labour strikes, war, civil unrest and disorders, etc. In the unlikely event of a tour cancellation, the Company shall endeavor to notify the School at the soonest possible time, especially if the cancellation is due to factors beyond the reasonable control of the Company. The Company shall therefore attempt to recommend or provide alternatives for your consideration but should you decide not to accept the alternatives, you shall be entitled to a refund of all monies paid by you to the Company after deducting expenses incurred (if any) for visa/s, travel insurance or other applications made on your behalf. If air ticketing is involved, there are cancellation and amendment fees to abide by and these charges will be borne by the School. Neither party shall have any claims against the other thereafter
B. Cancellation by the School
The School may cancel the reservation at any time provided notice of cancellation is given in writing. As the Company would have gone ahead to make the necessary arrangements for your trip as agreed upon earlier, the following cancellation charges and cancellation fees must be borne by the School and the travelling party:
For cancellations received at least 31 days prior to departure – 20% of the package cost or the deposit amount, whichever is higher
For cancellations received at least 15 – 30 days prior to departure – 50% of the package cost or the deposit amount, whichever is higher
For cancellations received less than 14 days prior to departure or No Show – 100% of the package cost
For any cancellations, an administrative fee of 20 dollars per student or teacher shall apply
In the event that tour arrangements were confirmed with a supplier using a different set of cancellation/booking terms (for example, low cost carriers), from those stated above, the stricter terms will be applicable.
In any situation where the Ministry of Health or Ministry of Education, or Government authorities, issues a travel advisory/restriction to the destination, the standard cancellation fees will still apply. No refund will be made and the school/organization will be invoiced for the cancellation fees. It is at the Company’s discretion to amend the cancellation fees on a case-by-case basis.
The Company cannot be held responsible for the non-recoverable expenses or miscellaneous surcharges incurred by the School/s in preparation for the trip. Such expenses (by the School/s) include the advance purchase of air tickets, visa fees, medical checks or medications/ vaccinations, gear/equipment etc.
C. Travel Insurance
For Singapore-based schools: With effect from July 14 2015, Singapore Tourism Board has imposed an additional licensing condition. STB encourages outbound consumers to purchase travel insurance that insures them against travel agent insolvency. Such insurance should insure consumers against any failure or disruption in the provision of the travel product arising from travel agent insolvency. As such, all guests are required to advise the decision of purchasing insurance by completing an attached form (will be emailed to the school and/or individual travellers) before collection of first payment.
D. Refund of Unused Services During Course of Trip
Should the School/s decide not to utilize the accommodation, meals, transportation, land tours, or other services already included in the package tour during the course of the tour, no refund or exchange shall be allowed. Any additional costs due to transportation, meals and/or accommodation, will be borne by the School.
E. Changes, Transfers & Deviations
The Company shall make every effort possible to avoid changes in the itinerary but should changes be necessary due to factors beyond the reasonable control of the Company including (but not limited to), war, civil disorder, viral outbreaks, changes in airline schedules, weather or local conditions, the Company shall be entitled to do so subject to notice being given as soon as possible. The Company shall endeavour to substitute a suitable arrangement of similar standard, and the School shall have no entitlement to compensation of any form. Please note that additional charges may apply for alternative packages.
F. Changes Initiated by the School
The School is requested to minimize any changes or deviations after a trip reservation has been made as it may impact the agreements made by the Company. Whilst the Company will endeavour to accommodate any proposed requests for a change made by you (provided that adequate prior notice in writing is given), the Company reserves to itself, the right to impose an administrative charge (of min S$20/pax/change) for these services. If changes are made less than 30 days (but up to 14 days) prior to departure, a higher administrative fee will be imposed, subject to the type of changes that the School is making to the programme. Amendments to your reservation can only be made up to 14 days prior to departure from Singapore.
If the proposed change or deviation results in a cancellation of a booking or part thereof, the cancellation charges shall be borne by the School.
G. Conditions of Carriage
In all cases, where a component of the tour includes travel on scheduled flights in aircrafts or schedule routes in all other modes of travel (be it by train or bus), your attention is drawn to the fact that the Company has no direct control over the changes in the schedules or the manner in which these services are provided and performed, and hence, you, the School, agree that you will not hold the Company responsible for the same.
H. Company Acting as Agent
In all cases where the Company acts as an agent for a principal such as in cases of flight, vehicle-hire or hotel reservations, the Company will not accept any responsibility for any default, delay or deficiency on the part of the principal. In such events, you expressly agree to seek recourse against the principal directly and to the extent as may be allowed by law, you expressly waive all rights against the Company.
I. Third Party Providers
We incorporate and rely on the services of airlines, transport companies and other third party service providers for our courses. These Terms and Conditions and all arrangements or bookings relating to the course are additionally subject, in every respect, to any terms and conditions that may be imposed by these third party service providers. Whilst we will endeavour to render reasonable assistance to our Customers wherever possible, we have no control over these third party service providers and shall not be liable, in any way, for any changes made by or acts or omissions on the part of such third party service providers in connection with any course.
J. Responsibility
In respect of these services provided, the Company only accepts responsibility for such services over which it has full and direct control. The Company does not accept liability of responsibility for any acts, omissions or defaults of other service providers unless the same could have been reasonably avoided by the Company or unless the same is caused directly by the negligence of the Company, its servants or agents.
K. Limitations & Exclusions
The Company shall be entitled to rely upon and invoke all limitations and exclusions of liability under all appropriate international conventions and nothing herein contained shall operate to defeat or diminish the Company’s rights in that respect.
L. Force Majeure
The Company does not accept any responsibility whether in contract or in tort for any injury, damage, loss or expenses caused directly or indirectly by force majeure or other events which are beyond the reasonable control of the Company or which are unavoidable by the exercise of due diligence on the Company’s part including but not limited to war, strike, industrial action, civil disorders, floods, earthquakes, severe weather conditions, outbreak & spread of viral diseases, acts of God, acts of Government (local or overseas) or any other authorities.
M. Rights, Disclaimers and Indemnity Relating to Courses
Without limiting any other provision of these Terms and Conditions, to the fullest extent permitted by law, we shall not be responsible or assume any liability to any participant or teacher for: (a) any injury, damage, loss or delay affecting any person or property not arising from our own negligence or breach; (b) any loss, damage, cost, expense or delay suffered or incurred due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to: (i) actions or omissions of third parties (including any applicable third party service providers); (ii) mechanical breakdowns; (iii) a Force Majeure Event; (iv) a failure by the participant or teacher to comply with any of his or her obligations hereunder; (v) a failure by the participant or teacher to possess, obtain or maintain any travel documentation required for the course (e.g. health certificates, visas, valid passports, etc.); (vi) a failure by the participant or teacher to follow reasonable instructions, including but not limited to noting and complying with specified check-in and check-out and/or meeting places and times. To the fullest extent permitted by law, our maximum liability to any participant or teacher for any loss, damage, cost and/or expense shall in no event exceed the amount of the Package Course fare paid to and received by us in respect of such Customer or traveller. In no event shall we be liable for any punitive, special, indirect or consequential loss or damage, including loss of production, profit, revenue or contract or loss of or damage to goodwill or reputation. We reserve the right to withdraw any itinerary or any reservation made and/or to decline or refuse any individual as a member of the course, if it appears to us, in our absolute discretion, that such individual is likely to endanger the health or safety, or impair the comfort and enjoyment of the other members of the course. The School agrees to indemnify us, our affiliates and our respective facilitators, directors and employees, immediately on demand, against all claims, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees (on a full indemnity basis), arising out of any breach of these Terms and Conditions by the School and its representatives and students.
N. Security and Safety Concerns
As different departure points and arrival destinations would have varying security requirements, the School/traveling group is required to comply with the said requirement and the Company shall not be responsible if the School/traveling group should be delayed or refused entry by any country or authorities for any reason whatsoever. For the safety of all members of the tour group, the Company, through its representative/s shall be empowered to deal with any tour member (in consultation with the organizer/teacher in charge) in an appropriate manner (including requiring the said tour member to exercise restraint or leave the group) if such a person should act or misbehave in a manner which is unreasonable, violent or detrimental to the enjoyment, interest and safety of the other tour members. In such a situation, the Company shall not entertain any claims for refund or compensation.
O. Third Party Rights
For the purposes of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act and notwithstanding any other provisions set forth in this document, this Agreement is not intended to, and does not, give any person who is not a party to it, any right to enforce any of its provisions.
P. Confidentiality and Privacy
We will comply with all relevant obligations under the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (“PDPA”) governing the collection, use, disclosure and care of your personal data in accordance with our privacy statement.We may take photographs and videos of travellers participating in our courses for our advertising and publicity materials (e.g. course catalogue) and by joining our courses, all travellers shall be deemed to have consented to such collection and/or use on our part. Notwithstanding, any traveller who wishes to withdraw his or her consent to our collection or use of any photographs or videos that may feature such traveller, may notify us at info@skillseed.sg, whereupon we will endeavour, as soon as reasonably practicable, to remove any reference to such participant from our advertising and publicity materials and/or related media programmes; provided always that we shall not be liable to recall or change any such materials or media programmes which have been produced, publicly distributed or disseminated by us prior to receiving such notice.
Q. Claims & Dispute Resolution
Should the School have any complaints, it is desirable that the same be notified to the Company immediately so that action/s may be taken to resolve the complaint expeditiously. The School’s complaint should be in writing (either by letter or email) and forwarded to the Company no later than 7 days upon completion of the trip.
R. Severability of Terms & Conditions
Each provision herein is intended to be separate and independent of the others and in the event should any of the provisions herein be determined or adjudged to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions herein shall be unimpaired and shall continue to apply.
S. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Republic of Singapore and the parties expressly submit themselves to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Singapore.