100USD lost for nothing
I paid $100 to BytePlus ModelArk specifically to use the Seedance 2.5 API. After payment, I discovered that I could not activate the service because BytePlus requires a VAT/GST ID to complete my Business Account. My business is not currently required to have one. BytePlus confirmed that this requirement cannot be waived. I requested a refund immediately. They refused because purchased credits are “non-refundable”. The way this system works is particularly concerning: you first deposit money into a general BytePlus credit balance, while activation of Seedance is a separate step requiring a verified account. BytePlus may argue that my credits can theoretically be spent on other BytePlus products or that there was notifications. That completely misses the point: I did not deposit $100 to randomly consume other BytePlus services. I deposited it specifically to use Seedance 2.5, which they cannot provide to me. Even more concerning, BytePlus’ own Billing documentation says: “You must complete the account setup before purchasing services, otherwise, you cannot make a purchase.” Yet they accepted my $100 for API while my account still had a mandatory verification requirement that prevents me from using the service I came for. Then their policy says purchased credits cannot be withdrawn. In my opinion, this combination — take the money first, block the intended service at a separate verification/activation stage, then refuse to return the balance — is deeply deceptive and completely untrustworthy. I strongly recommend staying away from BytePlus / ModelArk. I would not trust this company with my money or my clients.