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Payments, Prizes & Refunds

Goal Gauntlet uses Stripe for secure payment processing. Here's how money works in the app.

Entry Fees (Goal Gauntlet)​

How Entry Fees Work​

  1. Organizer sets the entry fee when creating a gauntlet ($5-$100 typical)
  2. You pay when you join
  3. Fees go into the prize pool
  4. At the end, winners split the pool based on final rankings

Payment Methods​

We accept:

  • Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover)
  • Apple Pay (iOS)
  • Google Pay (Android)

Processing Fee​

A small processing fee (approximately 3%) covers Stripe transaction costs. You'll see the total before confirming payment.

Prize Payouts​

How Winners Get Paid​

  1. Challenge ends at the scheduled time
  2. Final leaderboard is locked
  3. Prizes are calculated based on payout structure
  4. Winners receive payout within 3-5 business days

Payout Structure​

The organizer sets how prizes are distributed. Common structures:

Winner takes all:

  • 1st place: 100% of prize pool

Top 3 split:

  • 1st place: 50%
  • 2nd place: 30%
  • 3rd place: 20%

Top 10%:

  • All participants in top 10% share the pool equally

Setting Up Payouts​

To receive prize money, you need to connect a payout method:

  1. Go to Settings → Payments
  2. Tap Add Payout Method
  3. Enter your bank account or debit card details
  4. Verify your identity (required by regulations)

Note: First-time setup requires identity verification. Have your ID ready.

Payout Minimum​

There's a $1 minimum payout. Smaller amounts roll over to your next win.

Refunds​

Before the Gauntlet Starts​

You can get a full refund (minus processing fees) anytime before the challenge begins:

  1. Open the gauntlet
  2. Tap the menu (⋮) → Leave Gauntlet
  3. Confirm cancellation
  4. Refund processes within 5-7 business days

After the Gauntlet Starts​

Once a challenge begins, refunds are not available. This ensures fairness - everyone is committed for the duration.

Exceptions:

  • Technical issues preventing participation (contact support)
  • Challenge cancelled by organizer (automatic full refund)

Refund Timeline​

SituationRefund AmountTimeline
Cancel before startFull minus ~3% processing5-7 business days
Organizer cancels100% refund5-7 business days
After challenge startsNot available-

Fundraising Gauntlet Payments​

How Pledges Work​

  1. Supporters pledge an amount per mile, step, or activity unit
  2. Your activity during the challenge accumulates pledges
  3. At the end, supporters are charged for their total pledge
  4. Donations go directly to the selected charity

Example: Someone pledges $1/mile. You walk 26.2 miles. They donate $26.20.

Pledge Caps​

Supporters can set a maximum donation cap to control their total contribution.

Charity Payouts​

100% of donations (minus payment processing) go to the charity. Goal Gauntlet does not take a cut from fundraising.

Virtual Journey Payments​

Virtual Journeys are free to join! No entry fees or payments required.

Some organizers may create premium journeys with entry fees in the future.

Troubleshooting​

Payment declined​

  • Verify card details are correct
  • Check you have sufficient funds
  • Try a different payment method
  • Contact your bank if issues persist

Payout not received​

  1. Check Settings → Payments → Payout History
  2. Verify your payout method is set up correctly
  3. Allow 3-5 business days for processing
  4. Contact support if not received after 7 days

Refund not processed​

  1. Check your original payment method
  2. Refunds take 5-7 business days
  3. Some banks take additional time to show the credit
  4. Contact support if not received after 10 days

Security​

  • Payments processed by Stripe (PCI DSS compliant)
  • Card details never stored on our servers
  • Two-factor authentication available for payouts
  • Fraud protection on all transactions

Common Questions​

Q: Is my payment information secure? A: Yes. All payments are processed by Stripe, a leading payment provider. We never see or store your full card number.

Q: Can I change my payout method? A: Yes. Go to Settings → Payments → Payout Methods to add, remove, or update.

Q: What happens if a challenge is cancelled? A: Everyone receives a full refund automatically within 5-7 business days.

Q: Are there any hidden fees? A: No hidden fees. The only fees are Stripe's standard processing fee (~3%) shown before you pay.

Q: Can I pay with PayPal? A: Not currently. We support cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

Q: Do I pay taxes on winnings? A: Prize winnings may be taxable income. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.