To use my Goodnotes subscription on my Windows laptop, I need to request a refund from Apple so that I can resubscribe on the Goodnotes website itself as I had bought a subscription
vs.
It was not a subscription
As you can see I am confused. ;-)
I do so wish I knew exactly what the message said, but in general Apple can refuse refunds except in a few countries or except an item is unvailable or defective (Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple). If Apple refuses to issue a refund you are welcome to contact them about this. This is a customer to customer support site so apart from what is in Apple's support documentation all we know is what other customers tell us. Refer to this page for Apple Support for different countries ➔
Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support
Select your country (if you do not see your country, also look for "other" in regions; e.g., "Other Africa"), then "Choose a product". Click the "show" item under each category for more selections. If you don't see one that handles your issue then keep experimenting with selections until you reach one that gets you a chat session or a telephone call and get the representative to redirect you.