When a cloud box subscription ends, Alibaba Cloud reclaims the hardware. If you no longer need the cloud box before it expires, you can apply for an early return. This topic covers both end-of-term reclamation and the early return process, including how refunds and price differences are calculated.
End-of-term reclamation
If you do not renew a cloud box after it expires, Alibaba Cloud reclaims the hardware.
Alibaba Cloud notifies you by email, text message, and site message in the console 30 days before expiry. Back up your data and delete it from the cloud box before the expiry date.
After expiry, Alibaba Cloud engineers coordinate with you on a removal schedule. The cloud box is then shipped to an Alibaba Cloud data center for recycling and data cleaning.
Early return
Return process
Contact Alibaba Cloud to apply for a return at any point before the subscription expires. The process has three steps:
A cloud box may contain multiple racks. Return the cloud box as a whole unit.
Contact Alibaba Cloud to apply for a return.
Calculate the refund or price difference based on the refund rules below.
Refund: Alibaba Cloud engineers coordinate with you on a removal schedule. The refund is issued within 15 business days after the cloud box is removed and shipped to an Alibaba Cloud data center.
Price difference: Alibaba Cloud engineers coordinate with you on a removal schedule. Pay the price difference within 15 business days after the cloud box is removed and shipped to an Alibaba Cloud data center.
Remove the cloud box.
Before the cloud box is removed, back up and delete your data. Alibaba Cloud performs data cleaning after the hardware is returned to an Alibaba Cloud data center.
Refund rules
The outcome depends on whether the amount you paid exceeds the fees for resources consumed during the usage period.
Refund (paid amount > consumed fees): Refund = Paid amount − Fees for consumed resources
Price difference (consumed fees > paid amount): Price difference = Fees for consumed resources − Paid amount
Key definitions:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Paid amount | The actual cash you paid for the order. Amounts offset by vouchers are excluded. |
| Fees for consumed resources | Fixed fee of the order + Monthly average price × Usage duration × Discount on usage duration |
| Monthly average price | Total order amount ÷ Usage duration in years ÷ 12 |
| Usage duration | Starts when you place the order and complete acceptance; ends when you apply for a return. If the duration is less than one month, it is rounded up to one month. |
The following table shows the discounts applied based on usage duration.
| Usage duration | Discount | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | None | ×1.0 |
| More than 1 year but less than 3 years | 15% off | ×0.85 |
| More than 3 years but less than 5 years | 30% off | ×0.70 |
Refund examples
Example 1: Partial upfront
Assume that you subscribed to a 3-year CloudBox with a partial upfront payment. The total list price for the 3-year subscription is CNY 2,897,870.40. The upfront payment is CNY 1,448,935.20. After the acceptance check, the monthly bill is CNY 40,248.20 (Monthly bill = Remaining cost / Number of subscription months), for a total of 36 installments. Assume you did not use any coupons and requested a return after 15 months. The refund is calculated as follows:
The following price calculation is for illustrative purposes only. The actual fees are based on the information displayed in the console.
Actual amount paid: The upfront payment + 14 monthly bills (starting from the month after the CloudBox acceptance check). This is CNY 1,448,935.20 + (CNY 40,248.20 × 14) = CNY 2,012,410.
Actual consumption amount: The average monthly price of CloudBox is CNY 2,897,870.40 / 3 / 12 = CNY 80,496.40. The usage duration is 15 months. For usage of 1 year or more but less than 3 years, the rate is 85% of the list price. Therefore, the actual consumption amount is CNY 50,000 + (CNY 80,496.40 × 15 × 0.85) = CNY 1,076,329.10.
Refund amount = Actual amount paid - Actual consumption amount = CNY 2,012,410 - CNY 1,076,329.10 = CNY 936,080.90.
Example 2: All upfront
Assume that you subscribed to a 3-year CloudBox with an all upfront payment. The total list price for the 3-year subscription is CNY 2,112,174.36. Assume you did not use any coupons and requested a return after 10 months. The refund is calculated as follows:
The following price calculation is for illustrative purposes only. The actual fees are based on the information displayed in the console.
Actual amount paid: The total price of CNY 2,112,174.36 was paid.
Actual consumption amount: The average monthly price of CloudBox is CNY 2,112,174.36 / 3 / 12 = CNY 58,671.51. The usage duration is 10 months. For usage of less than 1 year, there is no discount. Therefore, the actual consumption amount is CNY 50,000 + (CNY 58,671.51 × 10 × 1) = CNY 636,715.10.
Refund amount = Actual amount paid - Actual consumption amount = CNY 2,112,174.36 - CNY 636,715.10 = CNY 1,475,459.26.
For more information about CloudBox billing methods, see Billing overview.