When buying ANYTHING digital, via online especially, you CANNOT get a refund once the files or software are in your possession, this should be for OBVIOUS reasons, but if they aren't obvious enough, I will state them:
- What's stopping you from claming a refund then still using or illegally re-distributing the software? Nothing. It'd be your word against theirs
-You'd still have access to the support forums and the client area.
Next time DON'T rush into purchasing software, research it, and research it EXTENSIVELY. Write this off as a lesson learn't and move on.
Just out of curiousity, what can't you do with IPB? There is an applications/modules/plugins system in place that should be able to take care of about 98% of your needs as far as modifications go. There really shouldn't be any need to edit any of the system's core files for any reason.