TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION IN COURSES
This document establishes the terms and conditions applicable to the registration and participation of students in the courses, workshops, and training programs offered by El Profe de Café (hereinafter, “the Provider”). By registering and/or making the corresponding payment, the student (hereinafter, “the Participant”) declares that they have read, understood, and fully accepted these terms.
1. Registration and Payment Conditions
Securing a Spot: To secure a spot in any course, the Participant must make an initial payment equivalent to 30% of the total course value. The spot will not be considered reserved until said payment has been confirmed by the Provider.
Balance Settlement: The total value of the course must be paid in full before the start of the first session. The remaining balance (70%) must be settled before the start date. Alternative payment agreements will only be valid if they are made in writing and have been expressly approved by the Provider.
Failure to Pay: The Provider reserves the right to release the Participant's spot if the balance is not paid within the established deadline, without this generating any right to a refund of the initial payment.
Exclusions: Published prices do not include additional materials, third-party certifications (SCA, CQI, or others), transportation, accommodation, or meals, unless expressly stated otherwise.
Payment Methods and Surcharges
Payments can be made via bank transfer, PSE, or other means agreed upon with the Provider.
Payments made by credit card will incur a 5% surcharge on the amount to be paid, corresponding to the applicable bank commission. This surcharge will be disclosed to the Participant in advance and must be covered by them.
2. Cancellations by the Participant
In the event that the Participant decides to cancel their registration, a cancellation fee will be applied to the total value of the course, calculated based on how close the cancellation date is to the course start date, as follows:
Cancellation more than 30 calendar days in advance: Cancellation fee of 10% of the total course value. The remaining 90% of the amount paid will be refunded.
Cancellation between 5 and 30 calendar days in advance: Cancellation fee of 30% of the total course value.
Cancellation less than 5 days in advance or non-attendance (“no-show”): No refund will be issued. 100% of the amount paid will remain with the Provider.
Note: The initial 30% payment referred to in Clause 1 is part of the total value of the course for the purposes of calculating these fees and does not constitute an additional or independent amount.
3. Refund Policy
Processing Time: Any refunds due under Clause 2 will be processed within a maximum period of fifteen (15) business days from the confirmation of the cancellation, using the same method of payment used by the Participant, unless otherwise agreed between the parties.
Net Deductions: The refunded amount will be the net amount actually received by the Provider, deducting the applicable cancellation fees under Clause 2, as well as any bank commissions, transfer costs, or other financial expenses incurred as a result of the refund. Such financial costs will be borne by the Participant.
Post-Start Policy: No refunds will be issued once the course has started, regardless of the Participant's partial or full attendance, except in duly proven cases of force majeure or acts of God, which will be evaluated by the Provider on a case-by-case basis.
Provider Cancellations: In the event of cancellation or rescheduling of the course by the Provider, the Participant will be entitled, at their choice, to a 100% refund of the amount paid—without deduction of financial costs—or to have their spot relocated to a later date, free of charge.
Rescheduling Request: The Participant may, only once and with at least 8 calendar days' notice, request to transfer their registration to another available date for the same course instead of canceling, subject to spot availability.
4. SCA and CQI Certifications
No Guarantee of Passing: Course participation and/or completion does not, by itself, guarantee the issuance of a certificate or credential awarded by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), or any other corresponding certifying body. The issuance of these certificates is subject to meeting the academic, practical, and/or assessment requirements defined by the respective certifying entity, which are independent of the Provider's control.
Role of the Provider: The Provider acts exclusively as an authorized training entity (AST/Authorized Trainer, as applicable) and facilitator of the evaluation process, but not as a certifying body. The results of the assessments, as well as the final decision regarding the issuance of the certificate, rest exclusively with the SCA, CQI, or the corresponding entity.
Additional Fees: Membership, registration, assessment, or certificate issuance fees for the SCA, CQI, or other entities are not included in the course price, unless expressly stated otherwise in the commercial offer.
Failed Assessments: In the event that the Participant does not pass the corresponding assessment, no refund of the course price will be granted, without prejudice to the possibility of retaking the assessment in accordance with the policies of the certifying body and the Provider.
5. Participant Obligations
The Participant agrees to:
Attend scheduled sessions punctually and meet the minimum attendance percentage required by the course and, if applicable, by the certifying entity.
Provide truthful and complete information at the time of registration.
Comply with safety regulations, equipment handling protocols, and the code of conduct within the facilities where the course is taught.
Make proper use of the materials, green coffee, roasted coffee, and equipment provided during the course.
6. Teaching Materials and Intellectual Property
No Digital Distribution: The Provider does not provide PDF or digital copies of presentations, manuals, or other materials used during the course. The projected or displayed material is for educational purposes and exclusive use within the context of the course.
Photography & Commercial Ban: The Participant is prohibited from taking photographs of the projected material. It is expressly forbidden to use this material—in whole or in part—to teach, facilitate, reproduce, or support courses, workshops, training, or other third-party activities, whether for profit or non-profit, without the prior written authorization of the Provider.
Copyright Notice: All educational content, methodologies, course structures, and other elements developed by the Provider are the intellectual property of El Profe de Café. Unauthorized use may lead to corresponding legal actions under Law 23 of 1982 and other copyright regulations in Colombia.
7. Modifications, Instructor Changes, and Force Majeure
Operational Adjustments: The Provider may modify the location, schedule, instructor, or dates of the course for operational reasons, and must inform the Participant with as much advance notice as possible.
Exemption of Liability: The Provider will not be liable for non-performance of its obligations when it originates from events of force majeure or acts of God, including, but not limited to, natural disasters, health emergencies, government regulations, or other events beyond its reasonable control.
8. Processing of Personal Data
Personal data provided by the Participant will be processed in accordance with Law 1581 of 2012 and other related regulations on personal data protection in Colombia, with the exclusive purpose of managing registration, providing the educational service, and, when applicable, processing certification with the SCA, CQI, or other entities.
9. Applicable Law and Dispute Resolution
This document is governed by the laws of the Republic of Colombia. Any dispute arising from its interpretation or execution will be resolved, in the first instance, through direct dialogue between the parties. If an agreement is not reached, it will be brought before the competent judges and courts in the city of Bogotá D.C.
10. Acceptance
Registration for the course, whether through a physical or digital form or by paying the initial 30% value, constitutes the Participant's express and unconditional acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.