Introduction
Ever found yourself unexpectedly charged for a subscription you didn’t intend to continue? That’s exactly what happened to me with Coursera Plus. Their refund policy clearly states that monthly subscription charges, including the first payment after a free trial, are non-refundable. Despite this, I managed to get my €47 refunded, thanks to the strategic help of ChatGPT.
In this article, I’ll walk you through my real process of using ChatGPT to craft compelling emails, refine my arguments, and persistently challenge Coursera’s unfair policy. If you’re in the same situation, you’ll learn how to use AI as your personal consumer rights assistant to fight for a refund effectively.
Step 1: Realizing I Was Charged and Seeking Help
After signing up for Coursera Plus, I assumed I would receive an email warning before the trial ended. Instead, I was blindsided when PayPal notified me that I was charged €47. Annoyed and confused, I checked Coursera’s refund policy, which explicitly states:
“Monthly Coursera Plus subscription charges (including the first payment after a free trial ends) are non-refundable.”
I felt trapped, as though Coursera had intentionally structured their policy to prevent users from getting refunds. But instead of giving up, I turned to ChatGPT for advice on how to proceed.
Step 2: Asking ChatGPT for Help in Writing an Email
I started with a simple question:
“How can I request a refund from Coursera after being unexpectedly charged following a free trial?”
ChatGPT responded with a polite, firm, and structured email template. However, I knew a generic email wouldn’t be enough, so I started refining my request by adding more specific arguments. I fed ChatGPT additional details:
- I didn’t receive a notification before being charged.
- The course I wanted was of very poor quality, and I barely used the platform.
- Coursera’s refund policy seems intentionally misleading to prevent refunds.
ChatGPT then generated a stronger email that included all these arguments while maintaining a polite but firm tone.
Step 3: Sending the Email & Receiving a Bot Reply
I sent my email, feeling confident. However, Coursera quickly replied with a generic bot response, rejecting my request and quoting their refund policy.
Frustrated but not deterred, I went back to ChatGPT, asking:
“How can I respond to a bot reply that refuses my refund request?”
ChatGPT helped me escalate my request, emphasizing that I expected a real human response and that I would report this issue to consumer protection agencies and public forums if necessary. The second email was even more compelling, reinforcing:
- Their failure to notify me before charging my card.
- The poor course quality and lack of use on my part.
- The unfair nature of their refund policy, which proves many users have faced the same issue.
- That I was prepared to expose their unfair practices publicly if they did not resolve the issue.
Step 4: Success! Getting a Human Response & a Refund
This time, Coursera responded with a real customer support agent, and guess what? They agreed to refund me the full €47! 🎉 Their email stated:
“We don’t normally offer refund exceptions, but I’m glad I was able to help you today.”
Clearly, persistence and a well-crafted email worked.
Lessons Learned: How You Can Use ChatGPT to Fight Unfair Charges
If you ever get charged unexpectedly and need to formulate a convincing email, here’s what I learned:
✅ Start with a general email—ChatGPT will give you a solid foundation.
✅ Refine your arguments—add specific reasons like lack of notification, poor service quality, or deceptive policies.
✅ Anticipate rejection—if you get a bot reply, escalate your request and demand a real person.
✅ Use the right balance of politeness and firmness—be professional but make it clear you won’t accept their decision easily.
✅ Mention consumer protection agencies and public forums—companies fear bad publicity, and this can push them to act.
With the right approach, you don’t have to accept an unfair charge—and tools like ChatGPT can help you fight back! 🚀
Have You Faced a Similar Issue?
Drop a comment below if you’ve successfully fought back against unexpected subscription charges, or if you need help crafting your own refund request!