Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
5th June 2025
📘 Key Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Seeker | A user who books virtual coffee chats to gain professional insight |
| Sharer | A collaborator who assists in delivering Cofferral's structured services |
| Coffee Bean | The virtual credit used by Seekers to confirm chat bookings |
| Coffee Cup | A reward unit issued by the Platform to Sharers for confirmed participation |
All services are provided by the Cofferral Platform, with Sharers serving in a support role. Cofferral assumes full responsibility for service quality and user experience. If you encounter an issue, please contact support directly.
🔹 General Platform Questions
Who provides the services on Cofferral?
All services are provided by the Cofferral Platform. Sharers support these services by helping deliver scheduled conversations.
Who should I contact if I have a problem with a session?
Cofferral is fully responsible for all user-facing services. Please contact info@cofferral.com for assistance.
What currency do I use on the platform?
Transactions are processed in your region's currency (e.g., USD, CAD). All prices, purchases, withdrawals, and donations are shown and settled in your local currency.
Do Coffee Beans or Coffee Cups expire?
No. Currently, neither credit type expires.
Are my personal data and documents secure?
Yes. All personal data, including CVs and identity information, are securely stored and only accessed when required for platform operations or legal compliance.
Are chats recorded? Who can access them?
Yes. All Coffee Chats are recorded (video and audio) for internal use only — to ensure service quality and resolve disputes. Recordings are not shared externally.
Are there taxes on purchases or withdrawals?
Taxes on purchases are calculated based on your billing address. Sharers may have tax reporting obligations depending on local laws.
🔹 For Seekers
When I book a chat, how is the price shown?
You see the cost in Beans. The number of Beans may vary depending on the Sharer's region and is adjusted using a platform-defined conversion rate based on exchange rates.
How much is a Bean worth?
Each Bean is priced in your region's currency (e.g., $0.80 USD or CAD per Bean). You use Beans to book Coffee Chats, one Bean per minute. The exact price is always shown before you confirm a booking.
When are Coffee Beans deducted from my account?
Beans are placed on hold after you confirm a booking. They are only deducted after the Coffee Chat is successfully completed.
What happens if I (the Seeker) cancel a confirmed Coffee Chat?
If you cancel more than 24 hours in advance, no penalty applies. Cancellations within 24 hours incur a 20% penalty, with a minimum of 6 Beans and a maximum of 12 Beans deducted. Rescheduling is not supported — you must cancel and rebook.
What happens if the Sharer cancels the chat?
Sharers may cancel at any time. Once they do, your pending Beans will be released to your available balance. If the cancellation happens within 24 hours of the scheduled time, it may affect the Sharer's performance score.
What happens if my chat request is declined by the Sharer?
No Beans are held or deducted when a request is sent. If the Sharer declines, you may freely explore and request other Sharers.
What happens if I (the Seeker) does not attend the chat?
If you are more than 15 minutes late without prior cancellation, the system marks it as a no-show. The Sharer is not required to continue waiting. A 50% penalty applies, with a minimum of 15 Beans and a maximum of 30 Beans deducted. Only the penalty portion is deducted — the remaining Beans are released to your available balance.
What happens if the Sharer does not attend the chat?
If the Sharer is absent for 15 minutes without prior notice, the system marks it as a no-show and returns your Beans automatically.
How do I request a referral?
If a Sharer allows referrals and you've completed a coffee chat with them, a referral request option will appear. You must upload a CV and submit a request. Referrals are entirely optional and not guaranteed.
Are referrals included automatically?
No. Referrals are fully optional and must be explicitly requested and accepted.
What happens after my referral request is accepted?
Once a Sharer accepts your referral request, you will receive a notification prompting you to schedule a free 15-minute follow-up chat. This session is intended to clarify referral-related questions and confirm next steps. Referral chats do not cost Beans.
How are Coffee Beans purchased, and what methods are supported?
You may use credit/debit cards via our secure third-party provider. Beans are credited once payment is confirmed.
Is there a minimum number of Beans I must purchase?
No minimum. You may purchase any amount.
Can I refund Coffee Beans after purchase?
No. All purchases are final and non-refundable.
🔹 For Sharers
How do I become a Sharer?
Start your application via My Account > Join Sharers. Connect LinkedIn, complete your profile, set availability, and select topics. Approval usually takes 24 hours.
Am I considered a service provider?
No. You support Cofferral's services as a qualified collaborator. The Platform defines service structure, pricing, and user experience.
Do I have to accept every chat request?
No. You may choose based on availability and interest.
How quickly should I respond to chat requests?
We recommend responding within 24 hours. Requests expire automatically after 5 days.
What happens if I forget to respond to a chat request?
Expired requests won't impact your record, but frequent unresponsiveness may reduce your visibility.
What happens if I (the Sharer) cancel a confirmed Coffee Chat?
You may cancel at any time. However, cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled start time may negatively impact your performance score and reduce your visibility on the platform.
What happens if I (the Sharer) do not attend a scheduled Coffee Chat?
If you are more than 15 minutes late without cancellation, the chat is marked as a no-show. This session will not count toward your Coffee Cup rewards. Repeated no-shows may negatively impact your visibility, performance rating, and may lead to temporary suspension of your Sharer status.
What happens if the Seeker does not show up for the chat?
If the Seeker is more than 15 minutes late without cancellation, the system marks it as a no-show. You are not required to wait beyond that point. The system will count 50% of the originally scheduled chat duration toward your Coffee Cup rewards, with a minimum of 15 minutes and a maximum of 30 minutes credited. This ensures your time is fairly recognized, even if the conversation doesn't happen.
How is my star rating calculated as a Sharer?
Your rating is based on reviews left by Seekers. To make things fair, the system starts you with 10 hidden perfect ratings (5.0) behind the scenes. Each real review you get replaces one of the defaults, until your score reflects only real ratings after the first 10.
Am I required to provide referrals?
No. Referrals are completely optional and at your discretion.
When can I view a Seeker's CV?
Only after they submit a referral request. CV access is revoked if the request is declined, expires, or is not followed by a scheduled referral chat.
When do I earn Coffee Cups?
Every two weeks, based on your total completed chat minutes and performance ratings.
What is the value of each Coffee Cup?
Each Cup you earn is paid out based on your region's currency (e.g., $3.00 USD or CAD per Cup). Your final earnings depend on how many Cups you receive after your performance is factored in. You can withdraw, donate, or convert them into Coffee Beans.
Are there fees for withdrawals, donations, or conversions?
Yes. While we don't charge any additional platform fees, you may be responsible for processing fees charged by third-party providers. For example, payout services like PayPal or bank transfers may apply a small transaction fee.
How are withdrawals processed?
Withdrawals are made to your linked PayPal or bank account. Funds typically arrive within 1–3 business days.
Is there a minimum withdrawal amount?
No. You may withdraw any amount.
What tax documents are required for Canadian Sharers?
If annual earnings exceed CAD $500, a SIN is required. The platform issues a T4A form to report income to CRA.
Do Sharers outside Canada need to submit tax forms?
No. You are responsible for self-reporting income based on local rules. We do not collect or report international tax IDs.
🔧 Technical & Administrative
I can't log in. What should I do?
Try resetting your password. If that doesn't work, contact support.
Can I change my region after signing up?
Not directly. Contact support and provide documentation if your region has changed.
How do I update my email, password, or sign-in method?
Go to My Account > Account Security. You can update your email, change your password, or manage linked sign-in methods like Google or LinkedIn.
How do I report a bug or technical issue?
Contact info@cofferral.com with a detailed description and screenshot.
Can I deactivate or delete my account?
Yes. Contact support to initiate deactivation or permanent deletion.
What happens if I violate platform rules?
Repeated violations (e.g., harassment, no-shows, fraud) may result in account suspension and forfeiture of balances. Occasional, minor issues are reviewed with understanding.
Why is my withdrawal function disabled?
If you're a Canadian Sharer and exceed CAD $500 in earnings without submitting your SIN, withdrawal access will be temporarily blocked until submission is complete.