How to Cancel Subscription Boxes: A Complete Guide to Ending Your Recurring Deliveries
How to Cancel Subscription Boxes: A Complete Guide to Ending Your Recurring Deliveries
In today’s subscription-based economy, subscription boxes deliver everything from beauty products to meal kits right to your door. While convenient, these recurring deliveries can become financial burdens or clutter creators. This comprehensive guide will walk you through canceling popular subscription boxes effectively and without hassle.
Understanding Subscription Box Cancellation Policies
Before diving into specific cancellation methods, it’s important to understand common subscription box policies:
Cancellation Deadlines: Most subscription boxes have specific cut-off dates by which you must cancel to avoid being charged for the next shipment.
Prepaid Subscriptions: If you’ve paid for multiple months in advance, companies typically won’t issue refunds but will continue service until the prepaid period ends.
Auto-Renewal: Nearly all subscription boxes automatically renew unless you take action to cancel.
Cancellation Confirmation: Always request and save confirmation of your cancellation for future reference.
How to Cancel Popular Subscription Boxes
FabFitFun
FabFitFun delivers seasonal lifestyle boxes containing beauty products, accessories, and home goods.
To cancel FabFitFun:
Log in to your account at fabfitfun.com
Click on “My Account” in the top right corner
Select “Subscriptions & Renewals”
Click “Cancel Membership”
Follow the prompts and select your reason for cancellation
Confirm cancellation and save the confirmation page
Important deadlines:
For seasonal boxes, cancel by the last day of the month before the season starts
For annual memberships, note that FabFitFun does not offer refunds once charged
Ipsy
Ipsy delivers personalized beauty and makeup samples monthly.
To cancel Ipsy:
Log in to your account at ipsy.com
Click on your name in the top right corner
Select “Account” from the dropdown menu
Scroll to “Membership” and click “View Membership”
Select “Manage Membership”
Click “Cancel Membership”
Complete the cancellation survey
Confirm your cancellation
Important note: Ipsy requires cancellation by the end of the month to avoid being charged for the following month.
Birchbox
Birchbox provides monthly samples of beauty and grooming products.
To cancel Birchbox:
Log in to your Birchbox account
Click on your name in the top right
Select “Account Settings”
Navigate to “Subscription Status”
Select “Cancel Subscription”
Complete the exit survey
Click “Cancel Subscription” to confirm
Cancellation deadline: Cancel by the first of the month to avoid being charged for that month’s box.
BarkBox
BarkBox delivers monthly themed dog toys and treats.
To cancel BarkBox:
Email help@barkbox.com with your cancellation request
Include your account information and reason for cancellation
Alternatively, call customer service at (855) 501-BARK
Important notes:
BarkBox doesn’t offer an online cancellation option
Pre-paid subscriptions will continue until the paid period ends
Cancel at least one week before your renewal date
Hello Fresh
Hello Fresh provides meal kits with pre-portioned ingredients and recipes.
To cancel Hello Fresh:
Log in to your account at hellofresh.com
Click on your name in the top right corner
Select “Account Settings”
Click “Cancel Plan” under “Plan Settings”
Follow the prompts and provide a reason for cancellation
Click “Cancel Anyway” to confirm
Save your cancellation confirmation
Deadline: Cancel by 11:59 PM PST five days before your next scheduled delivery.
Blue Apron
Blue Apron delivers weekly meal kits with recipes and ingredients.
To cancel Blue Apron:
Log in to your Blue Apron account
Click “Manage Account” under your name
Select “Account Settings”
Click “Deactivate Account”
Follow the prompts and provide feedback
Confirm cancellation
Cancellation deadline: Cancel by noon six days before your next scheduled delivery.
Stitch Fix
Stitch Fix delivers personalized clothing selections based on your style preferences.
To cancel Stitch Fix:
Log in to your Stitch Fix account
Click on your profile icon
Select “Manage Fix Schedule”
Click “I want to skip my Fix”
Select “Cancel subscription”
Follow the prompts to confirm
Important note: Stitch Fix isn’t a traditional subscription as you can schedule deliveries on-demand, but you can cancel the auto-scheduling feature.
Tips for Successful Subscription Box Cancellation
Document Everything
Always:
Take screenshots of cancellation confirmations
Save confirmation emails
Note the date, time, and any cancellation reference numbers
Monitor Your Credit Card
After cancellation:
Check your credit card or bank statement
Look for unauthorized renewal charges
Contact customer service immediately if charged after cancellation
Be Aware of “Dark Patterns”
Many subscription services use design tactics to make cancellation difficult:
Multiple screens before actual cancellation
Buried cancellation links
Confusing language
Tempting offers to stay
Stay persistent and focused on your goal of canceling.
Alternatives to Complete Cancellation
If you’re not ready to fully cancel, consider:
Pausing Your Subscription: Many services allow you to skip a month or pause for several months.
Reducing Frequency: Switch from monthly to quarterly deliveries.
Downgrading: Some services offer lighter, less expensive subscription tiers.
When to Dispute Charges
If you’ve properly canceled but are still being charged:
Contact customer service first with your cancellation confirmation
If unresolved, contact your credit card company to dispute the charge
Provide your cancellation documentation as evidence
Final Thoughts
Canceling subscription boxes requires attention to timing and following specific processes for each company. By understanding cancellation policies and deadlines, you can effectively end unwanted subscriptions without unexpected charges.
Remember that companies design their cancellation processes to retain customers, so be prepared for multiple screens offering discounts or alternative plans. Stay firm in your decision if cancellation is truly what you want.
With proper documentation and timely action according to each company’s deadlines, you can successfully manage your subscription boxes and eliminate those that no longer serve your needs or budget.
In today’s subscription-based economy, subscription boxes deliver everything from beauty products to meal kits right to your door. While convenient, these recurring deliveries can become financial burdens or clutter creators. This comprehensive guide will walk you through canceling popular subscription boxes effectively and without hassle.
Understanding Subscription Box Cancellation Policies
Before diving into specific cancellation methods, it’s important to understand common subscription box policies:
- Cancellation Deadlines: Most subscription boxes have specific cut-off dates by which you must cancel to avoid being charged for the next shipment.
- Prepaid Subscriptions: If you’ve paid for multiple months in advance, companies typically won’t issue refunds but will continue service until the prepaid period ends.
- Auto-Renewal: Nearly all subscription boxes automatically renew unless you take action to cancel.
- Cancellation Confirmation: Always request and save confirmation of your cancellation for future reference.
How to Cancel Popular Subscription Boxes
FabFitFun
FabFitFun delivers seasonal lifestyle boxes containing beauty products, accessories, and home goods.
To cancel FabFitFun:
- Log in to your account at fabfitfun.com
- Click on “My Account” in the top right corner
- Select “Subscriptions & Renewals”
- Click “Cancel Membership”
- Follow the prompts and select your reason for cancellation
- Confirm cancellation and save the confirmation page
Important deadlines:
- For seasonal boxes, cancel by the last day of the month before the season starts
- For annual memberships, note that FabFitFun does not offer refunds once charged
Ipsy
Ipsy delivers personalized beauty and makeup samples monthly.
To cancel Ipsy:
- Log in to your account at ipsy.com
- Click on your name in the top right corner
- Select “Account” from the dropdown menu
- Scroll to “Membership” and click “View Membership”
- Select “Manage Membership”
- Click “Cancel Membership”
- Complete the cancellation survey
- Confirm your cancellation
Important note: Ipsy requires cancellation by the end of the month to avoid being charged for the following month.
Birchbox
Birchbox provides monthly samples of beauty and grooming products.
To cancel Birchbox:
- Log in to your Birchbox account
- Click on your name in the top right
- Select “Account Settings”
- Navigate to “Subscription Status”
- Select “Cancel Subscription”
- Complete the exit survey
- Click “Cancel Subscription” to confirm
Cancellation deadline: Cancel by the first of the month to avoid being charged for that month’s box.
BarkBox
BarkBox delivers monthly themed dog toys and treats.
To cancel BarkBox:
- Email help@barkbox.com with your cancellation request
- Include your account information and reason for cancellation
- Alternatively, call customer service at (855) 501-BARK
Important notes:
- BarkBox doesn’t offer an online cancellation option
- Pre-paid subscriptions will continue until the paid period ends
- Cancel at least one week before your renewal date
Hello Fresh
Hello Fresh provides meal kits with pre-portioned ingredients and recipes.
To cancel Hello Fresh:
- Log in to your account at hellofresh.com
- Click on your name in the top right corner
- Select “Account Settings”
- Click “Cancel Plan” under “Plan Settings”
- Follow the prompts and provide a reason for cancellation
- Click “Cancel Anyway” to confirm
- Save your cancellation confirmation
Deadline: Cancel by 11:59 PM PST five days before your next scheduled delivery.
Blue Apron
Blue Apron delivers weekly meal kits with recipes and ingredients.
To cancel Blue Apron:
- Log in to your Blue Apron account
- Click “Manage Account” under your name
- Select “Account Settings”
- Click “Deactivate Account”
- Follow the prompts and provide feedback
- Confirm cancellation
Cancellation deadline: Cancel by noon six days before your next scheduled delivery.
Stitch Fix
Stitch Fix delivers personalized clothing selections based on your style preferences.
To cancel Stitch Fix:
- Log in to your Stitch Fix account
- Click on your profile icon
- Select “Manage Fix Schedule”
- Click “I want to skip my Fix”
- Select “Cancel subscription”
- Follow the prompts to confirm
Important note: Stitch Fix isn’t a traditional subscription as you can schedule deliveries on-demand, but you can cancel the auto-scheduling feature.
Tips for Successful Subscription Box Cancellation
Document Everything
Always:
- Take screenshots of cancellation confirmations
- Save confirmation emails
- Note the date, time, and any cancellation reference numbers
Monitor Your Credit Card
After cancellation:
- Check your credit card or bank statement
- Look for unauthorized renewal charges
- Contact customer service immediately if charged after cancellation
Be Aware of “Dark Patterns”
Many subscription services use design tactics to make cancellation difficult:
- Multiple screens before actual cancellation
- Buried cancellation links
- Confusing language
- Tempting offers to stay
Stay persistent and focused on your goal of canceling.
Alternatives to Complete Cancellation
If you’re not ready to fully cancel, consider:
- Pausing Your Subscription: Many services allow you to skip a month or pause for several months.
- Reducing Frequency: Switch from monthly to quarterly deliveries.
- Downgrading: Some services offer lighter, less expensive subscription tiers.
When to Dispute Charges
If you’ve properly canceled but are still being charged:
- Contact customer service first with your cancellation confirmation
- If unresolved, contact your credit card company to dispute the charge
- Provide your cancellation documentation as evidence
Final Thoughts
Canceling subscription boxes requires attention to timing and following specific processes for each company. By understanding cancellation policies and deadlines, you can effectively end unwanted subscriptions without unexpected charges.
Remember that companies design their cancellation processes to retain customers, so be prepared for multiple screens offering discounts or alternative plans. Stay firm in your decision if cancellation is truly what you want.
With proper documentation and timely action according to each company’s deadlines, you can successfully manage your subscription boxes and eliminate those that no longer serve your needs or budget.