It's common for users to overlook billing matters until they encounter an unexpected charge, such as an automatic subscription renewal. This guide provides a clear understanding of how refunds work through the National Genealogical Society, outlining who is eligible for a refund and the straightforward steps to request your money back efficiently. We aim to make this process as smooth as possible so you can focus on your genealogy research without worry.
What You Should Prepare Before Applying For Refund
Account Information: Ensure you have your member account details, including your username and registered email address.
Transaction ID: Locate the transaction ID associated with your purchase, typically found in your confirmation email.
Purchase Receipt: Have a digital or printed copy of the receipt or confirmation email for the service or product you wish to refund.
Reason for Refund: Prepare a clear explanation for the refund request, detailing the reason and any relevant issues or discrepancies.
Membership Status: Verify your membership status and whether any specific refund policies apply based on your membership level.
Documentation of Correspondence: Gather any communication you’ve had with customer service related to your refund request.
Service/Product Details: Clearly outline the details of the service or product, including the name and date of purchase.
Refund Policy Review: Familiarize yourself with the National Genealogical Society's refund policy to ensure your request aligns with their guidelines.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Refund?
Payment method
How long it takes*
Credit/Debit Card
3-5 working days
PayPal
3-7 working days
Check/Money Order
2-4 weeks
*Working days are Monday to Friday, and don't include public holidays.
What are my Rights? Am I eligible for a Refund from National Genealogical Society
The National Genealogical Society (NGS) offers various products and services, including memberships, educational resources, and event registrations, tailored to support genealogical research. Users engaging with NGS should understand their rights concerning refunds, which depend on the specific service or product purchased. Here are key situations that might qualify for a refund or billing clarification:
Membership Cancellation: If a membership is canceled shortly after renewal, users may explore options for a refund of the unused portion of their membership fee.
Event Registration Issues: Participants who face unforeseen circumstances that prevent attendance at registered events may inquire about a potential refund, subject to the society's event cancellation policy.
Digital Resources Access: Users who encounter technical issues preventing access to purchased digital resources, which remains unresolved, may be eligible for support or refund options.
Merchandise Returns: If a physical product, such as a book or publication, is found to be defective or not as described upon receipt, users might qualify for a refund based on the return policy specified by NGS.
Service Satisfaction: Users who feel that a purchased service did not meet their expectations can contact NGS to discuss their experience and explore available resolution options that might include refunds, depending on the circumstances.
It is recommended that users refer to the specific terms and conditions on the NGS website or contact their customer service directly to clarify eligibility for refunds related to these scenarios.
Step-by-Step Process to Request Your National Genealogical Society Refund Like a Pro
If you purchased through National Genealogical Society:
Visit the ngsgenealogy.org website.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Contact Us.
Choose the Membership Support option from the dropdown.
Fill out the form with your details, including your membership ID.
In the message section, mention that you are requesting a refund due to inactivity or a renewal without notice.
Submit the form and wait for a confirmation email.
If you purchased through Apple:
Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen.
Select Subscriptions.
Find and select your National Genealogical Society subscription.
Scroll down and tap Report a Problem.
Choose Request a Refund and select the reason as the account was unused.
Complete the process by providing any necessary details.
If you purchased through Google Play:
Open the Google Play Store app on your device.
Tap on the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner.
Select Subscriptions.
Find your National Genealogical Society subscription in the list.
Tap on it and choose Cancel Subscription. This may be necessary before requesting a refund.
After cancellation, go back to Menu and select Account.
Scroll down to the Purchase History, find the transaction, and tap Report a Problem.
Select Request a Refund and mention that the renewal was unexpected.
If you purchased through Roku:
Go to the Roku website and log into your account.
Navigate to the Manage Account section.
Find the Subscriptions section.
Locate your National Genealogical Society subscription.
If cancellation is necessary, click on Cancel Subscription.
After cancellation, seek out the option to Request a Refund or select Contact Support for further assistance.
In your message, note that the service was not used or the charge was unexpected.
Disclaimer
Chargeback is an independent consumer resource that provides educational information to help users understand how to cancel, manage, or request refunds for various subscriptions. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of the companies mentioned on this site. All trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners.
The information we provide is based on publicly available sources and user reports and may contain inaccuracies or become outdated over time. Our guides are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as official company instructions or legal advice.
Consumers are solely responsible for reviewing their own contracts, terms of service, and refund or cancellation obligations before taking any action. Nothing on this site should be interpreted as legal, financial, or contractual guidance.
Chargeback does not encourage or condone disputing valid charges, misrepresenting transactions, or taking any action that could violate a company's terms, service agreement, or applicable laws. We promote fair, transparent, and lawful communication between consumers and businesses.
Get help with your refund
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Draft email to National Genealogical Society for Refund
Script
Copy
Subject: Refund Request – National Genealogical Society Account [Your Email]
Dear National Genealogical Society Team,
I hope this message finds you well.
I am writing to you regarding a recent billing situation. [describe reason]
I would like to request a refund for the amount of [Amount].
If applicable, I have attached documentation that may assist with my request.
I would appreciate your confirmation of this request within 3-5 business days.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Phone Number]
Common refund statuses
Status
Meaning
What It Means for You
Pending
The refund request has been submitted but is not yet processed.
You will receive a notification once the request is reviewed.
Processing
The refund is currently being processed by our team.
You can expect the refund to be completed within 5-7 business days.
Refunded
The refund has been successfully processed and issued back to your original payment method.
Funds should appear in your account within 3-5 business days.
Partially Refunded
A portion of your original payment has been refunded.
You will receive a confirmation email detailing the amount refunded.
Completed
The refund process is fully complete.
You will receive a final confirmation email, and no further action is required.
Canceled
The refund request has been canceled by you or our team.
If you believe this is incorrect, please contact us for clarification.
Real User Scenarios: When and How Refunds Were Successfully Claimed
In order to illustrate how users have effectively claimed refunds from the National Genealogical Society (NGS), we present several realistic scenarios that highlight common interactions and inquiries.
Subscription Upgrade Clarification: A member decided to upgrade their subscription plan mid-year, believing they would not incur additional charges until the renewal date. After noticing a charge the following month, they contacted NGS for clarification and were informed about the timing of the upgrade. The society promptly issued a refund for the mistaken charge.
Event Registration Changes: A user registered for the NGS annual conference but later found they could not attend due to a scheduling conflict. After reaching out to customer service, the user explained their situation and requested a refund for the registration fee. NGS offered the user a full refund due to the advance notice given.
Online Course Accessibility: A member signed up for a series of online genealogy courses but experienced technical difficulties that prevented them from accessing the material as promised. After discussing the issues with the support team and expressing their dissatisfaction, NGS agreed to refund the course fee, prioritizing customer satisfaction.
Library Resource Subscription: A researcher subscribed to a library resource but found that the specific materials they needed were no longer included. After reviewing their options with NGS staff, they chose to cancel the subscription and received a refund for the unused portion of their annual fee.
The Easiest Way to Get a National Genealogical Society Refund
If you're frustrated trying to get a refund from National Genealogical Society—or if you didn't even realize you were being charged—Chargeback can help. Chargeback is a personal subscription manager that automatically detects hidden, recurring charges like Netflix, Hulu, and hundreds of others. With one click, we can cancel unwanted subscriptions, flag suspicious billing, and even initiate refund requests on your behalf. No more waiting on hold or navigating confusing help pages. Just connect your bank or card account, and we'll take care of the rest.
How to Track Your Refund Status Efficiently
Tracking your refund status with the National Genealogical Society (NGS) is a straightforward process, ensuring you stay informed about your transaction. Here’s how to efficiently monitor the status of your refund:
Check Your Email: NGS sends out email notifications regarding refund updates. Look for emails with the subject line "Refund Processed" or similar to get timely information.
Visit Your Account Dashboard: Log in to your NGS account and navigate to the Order History section. Here, you can view the status of your refund requests and any applicable notes regarding processing times.
Billing Section Insights: Within the Billing section of your account settings, you can find detailed information about your payment history and any current refunds in progress.
In-App Notifications: If you are using the NGS mobile app, enable notifications to receive real-time updates about your refunds directly on your device.
Confirmation of Refund Amount: When your refund is processed, the communication from NGS will typically include the refund amount and the reason for the refund, giving you clarity and assurance.
Customer Support: If you cannot track your refund through the above methods, don’t hesitate to reach out to NGS customer support, who can provide the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding your refund status.
FAQ
Refunds for memberships or services at the National Genealogical Society are typically not issued if the cancellation is not completed by the set deadline. We recommend checking the specific terms of service for details on your membership and any associated policies regarding cancellations and refunds.
Refunds from the National Genealogical Society are typically processed within 4 to 6 weeks. The timeline can vary based on the payment method used and the financial institution involved. Please be assured that the NGS strives to complete all refunds as promptly as possible.
If you see a charge but do not have an active subscription, please review your account details on the National Genealogical Society website to verify your subscription status. If you've confirmed that you do not have an active subscription, contact our customer support team for assistance in resolving the issue.
If you are unable to obtain a refund directly from the National Genealogical Society, consider reaching out to their customer service team again for further clarification. You may also wish to escalate the matter within their support system or review your account details to ensure all information is accurate. Exploring these options can provide additional avenues for resolution.
If your refund request is not approved by the National Genealogical Society, you may want to review their refund policy for additional insights on eligibility and process. It can also be helpful to reach out to their customer support team again for clarification or further assistance. Additionally, double-checking your account details and any communication regarding the transaction may provide further understanding.
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¹ Total savings is calculated based on internal annualized estimates of savings for customers. ² Average requests times may vary depending on volume of requests
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