I was just going to say, I checked steam in the program, from my phone app, and via the website. It says Early Access in big letters and references the beta in numerous spots..

Your also forgetting if you wait it out hopefully you will get the game for $25. If this true then you paid less now than later for a cheaper price. Eventually when it comes out it is playable. 

Stardock should probably update the page where you bought the game. Do you remember where you clicked ? If you bought it directly through the Steam website, I don't know how you could have missed the words Beta 4 which is prominently displayed on the right side and the words EARLY ACCESS right in the middle. 

Good luck with your refund.

Caveat emptor, Buwahahaha!

Just kidding...

Here's the problem for the OP.  I believe him when he comments about the little splash image on the front page of Steam not warning about it being an Early Access game.  From what I recall, it was a little thumbnail (well, maybe 20% of the normal size) with something like 50% off well displayed.

So, yeah.  It didn't say it there.  Probably. I don't remember for sure, tbh.

Problem is, well, two things.  One, that's on Steam (presumably) who made the banner, not Stardock.  Secondly, clicking on those banners.... takes one to the Store Page for the game.  And, as has been noted on more than one occasion, it is displayed fairly prominently that this is Early Access.

What I think happened is somewhat Rashomon-like, however.  The OP clicked on the banner on the Steam Homepage, landed on the Store Page for GC III.... And then didn't scroll down to see all of the huge warnings about Early Access.

The classic case of The Dangers of Click Through, sadly.  How he added to his cart without seeing the HUGE WARNING about Early Access that is right above the buy button, I'm not as sure of.  Looking at other Early Access games on Steam, it seems fairly hard to do.  But maybe he found a way to do it.  Or he just didn't notice.  It could happen.  Sadly, none of that is really the fault of Stardock who has, near as I can tell, done everything they can to tell people this is Early Access before it is possible to buy it.

So, at worst, Lesson Learned about the Dangers of Click Through.  Given what can happen when what can happen with computers and Click Through, it's not much of a loss, all things considered.  Especially since the game will be out of beta relatively soon.

So, yeah, one can try to plead one's case with Steam.  But I kinda doubt they are going to listen. But, hey, what's the worst they gonna do?  Say, "No?".

It is a lesson to watch a few let's plays or read a few reviews before buying any game. This is not meant to be a criticism, just something I hope that avoids you some aggravation in the future. Also to have a good read of the comments and page itself, before you buy anything.

I will say that I personally took issue with the term beta instead of alpha, and I don't think that helped early perception of galciv 3. I realise we can argue terminology, but modern day use has drifted now towards beta meaning all core features are in. It is a separate but related point that I hope the devs take note of for the next release, and support the use of, just because we need these kinds of defining terms for EA to work, so people know what they are getting.

Anyway all that said EA and Beta is clearly displayed on the store page, so getting a refund might be troublesome, but also the devs here have a long history of making excellent products that start with EA and end well. They were doing this before EA was really a thing, so don't worry, your final product will be a well polished experience.