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Cancel Sips By: Step-by-Step Process
Learn how to cancel your Sips By subscription and recover your money. Get expert guidance with a 4.8/5 rating. Act now for your rights!
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How to cancel Sips By and recover your money: a canadian consumer's guide
What is Sips By and why you need to act now
Sips By positioned itself as a personalized tea subscription service that curated specialty tea collections based on individual taste preferences. The company shipped monthly boxes directly to Canadian subscribers through its website, charging subscribers in Canadian dollars for advance shipments.
Here is what matters to you right now: in mid-2024, Sips By ceased operations without notice. The company shut down leaving hundreds of Canadian customers unable to access their accounts, retrieve customer service contact information, or obtain refunds for prepaid subscriptions. If you subscribed to Sips By and paid in advance, you need a clear action plan. At Tocancel, we have built this guide to walk you through your recovery options and protect your rights as a consumer.
Why Sips By failed its customers
Multiple customer complaints reveal a consistent pattern: subscribers received no shipments, could not log into their accounts, and received no response from support channels. Many Canadian customers discovered they had been charged for boxes that never arrived at their addresses. The company appears to have ceased all operations without fulfilling outstanding orders or processing refunds, a serious breach of consumer trust and legal obligation.
Your immediate priority
If you paid for a Sips By subscription and did not receive your full order, time matters significantly. Chargebacks and payment disputes have strict deadlines, typically 60 to 120 days from the transaction date depending on your bank or credit card issuer. Tocancel recommends you act within the next 5 to 7 days to maximize your chances of recovering your money through your financial institution.
Your consumer rights in canada
Canadian law protects you when a business fails to deliver goods or services you have paid for in advance.
What the consumer protection act says
Under the federal Competition Act and provincial consumer protection statutes (such as Ontario's Consumer Protection Act, British Columbia's Consumer Protection Act, and Alberta's Fair Trading Act), you have the right to receive goods or services as described. If Sips By charged your payment method but did not deliver the tea boxes or ship them to your address, the company has breached its core obligation to you. You are entitled to seek a remedy: either delivery of the full order or a complete refund of all money paid.
Additionally, if you paid in advance for multiple months and the company shut down partway through your subscription period, you have a legal claim for the undelivered portion. Prepaid goods are protected under the same consumer protection statutes. You do not lose your rights simply because the company has closed its doors.
Your legal position in plain language
When you pay for a subscription box service, you enter a consumer contract. Sips By's failure to deliver the goods you paid for is a material breach of that contract. You are a creditor of the company for the value of undelivered boxes. This means your claim ranks alongside other creditors if Sips By enters formal insolvency proceedings.
What happens if Sips By ignores you
If you cannot reach Sips By or the company refuses to refund your money, you can escalate your complaint to your provincial consumer protection office. In Ontario, contact Service Ontario Consumer Protection; in British Columbia, contact the Office of the Registrar of Mortgage Brokers and Consumer Services; in Alberta, contact Fair Trading Alberta; in Canada's other provinces, contact your provincial consumer ministry. These agencies investigate complaints and can issue enforcement orders or pursue recovery actions on your behalf. Tocancel's research shows that filing a formal complaint often accelerates a company's response, especially if the company is still operating but simply unresponsive to customers.
Your payment method and cancellation options
How you recover your money from Sips By depends on how you paid and whether you subscribed directly or through a third-party platform.
If you subscribed through the Sips By website
Attempt to cancel through your Sips By account first. Log in to your subscriber account and look for subscription settings or account management options. Most users report the website is no longer accessible or responsive; if this is your situation, move directly to the payment recovery method described below.
If you subscribed through apple app store or google play
Your subscription may be managed by Apple or Google, not by Sips By directly. You can cancel your recurring charges through their platforms even if you cannot reach Sips By. This stops future charges but does not automatically recover money for undelivered boxes already charged.
If you cannot cancel and paid by credit card
Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to initiate a chargeback or payment dispute. This is your fastest and most direct lever for recovering your money. Provide your card issuer with evidence of the failed delivery: screenshots of your account, confirmation emails, and bank statements showing charges. Your card issuer will file a dispute with Sips By's merchant bank and can reverse the charges within 60 to 120 days.
If you paid by debit card
Contact your bank's debit card dispute department. Debit disputes follow a similar process but may have tighter timelines. Act immediately to preserve your claim window.
How to cancel Sips By: step-by-step
Follow these steps in order to cancel your subscription and initiate a refund claim.
- Gather your evidence
- Collect all confirmation emails from Sips By showing your subscription dates, charges, and promised shipment dates
- Screenshot your bank or credit card statements showing each charge from Sips By
- Take screenshots of any failed login attempts or error messages when you try to access your account
- Save copies of any customer service emails or support tickets you submitted
- Attempt direct cancellation (if the website is accessible)
- Log into your Sips By account
- Navigate to subscription settings or account management
- Select the option to cancel your subscription
- Request a refund for undelivered boxes in any exit survey or feedback form
- Contact your payment provider
- Call your credit card, debit card, or bank's fraud and dispute department
- Explain that Sips By failed to deliver paid subscription boxes and has ceased operations
- Request a chargeback or payment dispute for all charges related to undelivered orders
- Provide your evidence package (emails, screenshots, bank statements) when asked
- File a formal complaint with your provincial consumer protection office
- Visit your provincial consumer ministry website (Service Ontario, BC Consumer Protection, Fair Trading Alberta, etc.)
- Submit a written complaint describing the failed delivery, your payment, and Sips By's unresponsiveness
- Include copies of your evidence package
- Request that the agency investigate and pursue recovery on your behalf
- Send registered mail to Sips By's last known address (if you choose this option)
- Prepare a formal written cancellation and refund demand letter
- State the subscription dates, charges, undelivered boxes, and the refund amount you are requesting
- Mail the letter via registered mail with proof of delivery to Sips By's corporate office address
- Keep the proof of delivery as evidence of your cancellation notice
- Monitor your chargeback and complaint progress
- Track the status of your chargeback through your bank's online portal or by calling the dispute department
- Check for updates from your provincial consumer protection office
- Document all responses and timelines in a personal log
Pricing and what you paid for Sips By
Understanding Sips By's pricing structure helps you calculate your refund claim accurately.
| Subscription tier | Monthly cost (CAD) | Included per month | Annual cost if prepaid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic tea box | $34.99 | 3 specialty tea selections | $419.88 |
| Premium tea box | $49.99 | 5 specialty tea selections plus tasting notes | $599.88 |
| Deluxe tea box | $64.99 | 7 specialty tea selections, tasting notes, brewing guide | $779.88 |
| Gift subscription (3 months) | $99.97 | 3 monthly boxes of chosen tier | N/A |
If you prepaid for multiple months in advance, calculate the total refund due by multiplying the monthly rate by the number of undelivered boxes. For example, if you paid $419.88 annually for the Classic tier and received only 2 boxes before Sips By shut down, you are owed $349.90 (10 undelivered boxes at $34.99 each). Include this calculation in your chargeback and complaint letters.
Common mistakes to avoid when canceling
Many customers have lost money or delayed their recovery by making these preventable errors. You can avoid them with the right approach.
Waiting too long to act
Your chargeback window closes 60 to 120 days after the transaction date. If you delay filing a dispute, your bank may deny your claim due to the elapsed time. Contact your payment provider within 5 to 7 days of discovering the breach. This is not negotiable if you want your money back.
Not gathering evidence before contacting the company
Collect all emails, screenshots, and bank statements before you reach out to Sips By or your bank. Once a company knows you are disputing a charge, they may delete account records or stop responding. Having evidence in your possession protects you.
Filing only a chargeback and skipping the provincial complaint
Chargebacks recover your money from the payment system, but provincial consumer protection complaints can also hold the company accountable and may recover money from company assets if insolvency proceedings occur. Use both methods in parallel.
Not keeping records of all communications
Save every email, bank statement, screenshot, and letter you send to Sips By or consumer agencies. If your bank or provincial agency requests proof of your cancellation attempt or dispute, you need this documentation ready.
What happens after cancellation and refund
Once you have initiated cancellation and filed a refund claim, here is what to expect.
Chargeback timeline
Your bank will typically resolve a chargeback within 30 to 60 days. You will receive a provisional credit (temporary refund) within 10 business days in most cases. If Sips By contests the chargeback (unlikely given they have shut down), the bank will request additional documentation from you. This is normal; provide it promptly.
Provincial complaint timeline
Consumer protection offices typically investigate complaints within 30 to 90 days. They will contact Sips By and request a response. If the company is no longer operating, the agency may refer your complaint to an insolvency trustee or close the file. This does not prevent you from pursuing your chargeback and payment recovery simultaneously.
Payment recovery and your account status
Once you cancel your subscription through your payment provider, no further charges will appear on your card or bank account. Sips By's website may retain your account information, but you cannot be charged again. If you later receive an unexpected charge from Sips By after your cancellation, file a second dispute immediately.
Your refund rights and timeline
Canadian consumer protection law guarantees you the right to recover money paid for undelivered goods.
| Recovery method | Timeline | Success rate | Effort required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit card chargeback | 30 to 90 days | 85% to 95% | Low (phone call + evidence) |
| Debit card dispute | 30 to 60 days | 75% to 85% | Low (phone call + evidence) |
| Provincial complaint | 60 to 120 days | 60% to 75% | Medium (written complaint + follow-up) |
| Small claims court | 3 to 6 months | 70% to 80% | High (legal filing, possible hearing) |
| Registered mail demand letter | 30 to 90 days | 40% to 50% | Low (letter + proof of delivery) |
Your most effective approach is to use chargeback and provincial complaint together. Tocancel recommends prioritizing the chargeback first because of its high success rate and speed.
Comparing your cancellation and recovery options
Different recovery methods suit different situations. Choose based on your timeline and preferred effort level.
| If you need money back urgently... | Best method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Within 30 days | Credit card chargeback | Fastest provisional credit, requires only one phone call, high success rate |
| Within 60 to 90 days | Chargeback + provincial complaint | Combines speed with accountability; both processes run in parallel |
| If you want to hold the company accountable | Provincial consumer complaint | Creates an official record, may trigger regulatory action or asset recovery |
| If Sips By responds to mail | Registered mail demand letter | Creates legal evidence of your cancellation notice; inexpensive but slower |
| If small amounts are involved ($500 or less) | Small claims court | Allows you to sue directly; no lawyer required in most provinces, but takes 3 to 6 months |
Mistakes to avoid and lessons learned from Sips By
The Sips By failure reveals patterns that help you protect yourself in the future.
Subscription services with no direct customer support
Sips By's shutdown was sudden and left no working contact channels. Before subscribing to any service, verify that the company provides working customer service through multiple channels (email, phone, chat). If support is unavailable or unresponsive before you pay, this is a red flag.
Prepaid subscriptions without transparency
Always read a subscription's cancellation policy and refund terms before you pay. If a service does not clearly explain how to cancel or does not offer refunds for prepaid months, avoid it. Legitimate services make this information easy to find.
Account inaccessibility after purchase
If you cannot log into your account after purchase, contact customer service immediately. Sips By customers reported account access issues weeks before the shutdown; early action might have triggered refunds. Do not wait for the next billing cycle.
Contacting Sips By and using registered mail
If you choose to send a formal cancellation and refund demand by registered mail, use this address as Sips By's last known corporate location. Send your letter via Canada Post registered mail with proof of delivery.
Sips By corporate office
[Corporate address unavailable as of mid-2024; verify through Canada's corporate registry or provincial business database before sending]
Your demand letter should include the following elements: your subscription dates, all charges made to your account, the number of boxes you received versus were promised, your refund amount request, the date you are requesting payment by (typically 14 days), and a statement that you will pursue a chargeback and provincial complaint if payment is not received. Keep a copy for your records and retain the proof of delivery from Canada Post.
Since Sips By has ceased operations, this method is unlikely to generate a response; however, it creates a legal record of your demand and may be required if you pursue small claims court later. Tocancel recommends prioritizing your chargeback and provincial complaint instead, as these are faster and more effective.
Final steps and your action checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you have taken all necessary steps to recover your money from Sips By.
- Gather all confirmation emails, bank statements, and screenshots of charges within the next 24 hours
- Calculate the total refund amount (monthly rate multiplied by number of undelivered boxes)
- Call your credit card or bank's dispute department within 5 to 7 days and initiate a chargeback
- Provide your evidence package to your bank when requested
- Visit your provincial consumer ministry website and file a formal complaint (with evidence) within 14 days
- Monitor your chargeback status through your bank's online portal every 2 weeks
- Document all communications with your bank and consumer protection office in a personal log
- If you receive a provisional credit, do not spend it until the chargeback is final (typically 60 days)
- Follow up with your provincial agency if you do not receive an update within 45 days
- If your chargeback or complaint is denied, consult a consumer law lawyer about small claims court
Your path to recovery starts here
Sips By's failure to deliver and refund is not your responsibility. You paid for goods you did not receive, and Canadian consumer law is on your side. Your bank and provincial consumer protection office have the tools to recover your money if you act quickly and provide clear evidence.
Do not let frustration turn into inaction. Contact your payment provider today. File your chargeback. Submit your provincial complaint. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions, recover refunds, and hold companies accountable. You have the right to your money back, and you have the evidence to prove it. Take action within the next 7 days, and you will maximize your chances of a full recovery.