Cancel Sittercity: The Right Way

How to cancel Sittercity in new zealand and protect your rights

What is Sittercity and why you might cancel

Sittercity is an online platform that connects New Zealand parents with caregivers, including babysitters, nannies, and pet sitters. You can browse caregiver profiles, read reviews, and contact providers directly through a paid Premium Membership that renews automatically each billing cycle.

Many parents value the searchable database and safety features. However, if you're no longer using the service or want to stop recurring charges, you need to know exactly how to cancel before your next billing date arrives. Tocancel exists to help you understand your cancellation rights and take confident action.

Free and paid membership tiers

Sittercity offers a free Basic account that lets you browse profiles and read reviews without contact features. Premium Membership unlocks direct messaging with caregivers and full contact details, and it renews automatically each month, quarter, or year depending on your chosen plan.

This is critical: if you purchased through the Apple App Store or Google Play, Apple or Google handles your billing and cancellation, not Sittercity directly. Cancelling your Sittercity account does not stop app store charges. You must cancel through the app store itself to avoid unwanted renewal fees.

Why parents cancel Sittercity

You might decide to cancel because you found a caregiver and no longer need the search function, your childcare needs changed, you discovered cheaper alternatives, or you simply want to reduce subscription costs. Whatever your reason, you have the right to cancel without penalty or pressure.

The key is understanding when your next charge occurs and which cancellation method applies to your account.

Your consumer rights in new zealand

New Zealand law protects your rights as a consumer, even when buying services online.

The consumer guarantees act and your protections

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, every service sold in New Zealand must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and delivered with due care and skill. If Sittercity fails to meet these standards-for example, if the search function is broken, profiles are outdated, or you cannot access promised features-you have the right to remedies including refunds or cancellation without penalty.

Sittercity's terms state that membership fees are non-refundable and no credits apply for unused time. However, this clause does not override your legal rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act if the service fails to deliver what was promised.

Your legal position: if you dispute a charge or believe Sittercity failed to deliver, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission or your local Citizens Advice Bureau. Keep all receipts, screenshots, and email correspondence as evidence. This protection applies regardless of what Sittercity's terms claim.

Auto-renewal disclosure rules

New Zealand's Fair Trading Act requires that any automatically renewing subscription be clearly disclosed before you pay, and that cancellation be as easy as signing up. If you were not clearly told about auto-renewal, or if cancellation is deliberately hidden or complicated, you have grounds to dispute the charges through your bank or credit card provider.

Document everything: take screenshots of the signup page showing (or not showing) auto-renewal warnings, save your billing statements, and keep copies of any customer service responses. This evidence protects you if you need to file a dispute or escalate through the Commerce Commission.

Pricing and plan overview

Understanding what you're paying helps you decide whether cancellation makes financial sense.

Sittercity membership costs in new zealand

Sittercity publishes prices in US dollars; New Zealand dollar amounts vary depending on exchange rates and current promotions. The following table shows typical pricing:

Contact Sittercity support directly for current New Zealand pricing, as rates fluctuate with currency exchange rates and promotional offers.

Should you cancel? weighing the decision

Before you cancel, consider whether the service still delivers value or if cancellation is the right choice for your situation.

Reasons to keep Sittercity

Keep your membership if you actively search for caregivers, value the reviews and safety features, plan to hire again soon, or use the platform to communicate with existing caregivers. The cost is modest if you use the service regularly, and cancelling means you'll lose access to the database and messaging.

Reasons to cancel Sittercity

Cancel if you've found a caregiver and no longer need the search function, your childcare needs have ended, you're switching to a cheaper alternative, or the subscription no longer fits your budget. You should also cancel if you believe the service is not delivering acceptable quality as promised.

The decision is yours. Tocancel supports either choice-our job is to help you cancel confidently and on time if that's what you decide.

How to cancel Sittercity: step-by-step methods

Your cancellation method depends on where you bought the subscription and how you're billed.

Cancelling if you subscribed via sittercity's website

If you bought your Premium Membership directly through Sittercity.com and pay by credit card or bank transfer, follow these steps to cancel your account:

1. Log in to your Sittercity account using your email and password
   • Visit Sittercity.com and click "Sign In" at the top right
   • Enter your registered email address and password
2. Navigate to your account settings
   • Click your profile icon or name in the top right corner
   • Select "Account Settings" or "My Account" from the dropdown menu
3. Find the membership or subscription section
   • Look for "Membership", "Subscription", "Billing", or "Payment" in your settings
   • This section shows your current plan and next billing date
4. Select "Cancel Membership" or "Cancel Subscription"
   • Click the cancellation button or link in the membership section
   • Sittercity may ask why you're cancelling-this is optional, but your feedback helps
5. Confirm your cancellation
   • Review the confirmation screen showing your cancellation is complete
   • Take a screenshot of this confirmation for your records
6. Check for a confirmation email
   • Sittercity should send you an email confirming cancellation within 24 hours
   • If you don't receive it within 24 hours, contact Sittercity support to verify

Cancelling if you subscribed via apple app store

If you purchased your Sittercity Premium Membership through the Apple App Store on iPhone or iPad, Apple manages your billing. You must cancel through the App Store, not through the Sittercity app itself.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
   • Do not open the Sittercity app
   • Tap "Settings" on your home screen
2. Tap your Apple ID name at the top
   • Your Apple ID appears in the first row of Settings
   • Tap it to expand your account options
3. Select "Subscriptions"
   • You'll see a list of all active subscriptions managed through Apple
   • Find Sittercity in the list
4. Tap "Sittercity" to view your subscription details
   • The screen shows your renewal date and billing history
   • Tap "Cancel Subscription" or "Edit Subscription"
5. Confirm the cancellation
   • Apple asks if you want to cancel-tap "Confirm"
   • You'll see a confirmation with an end date for your access
   • Take a screenshot of this confirmation
6. Verify your cancellation in your email
   • Apple sends a cancellation confirmation email within minutes
   • Check this email to confirm the cancellation is complete

Cancelling if you subscribed via google play

If you purchased through the Google Play Store on Android devices, Google manages your subscription. Cancellation happens through Google Play, not the Sittercity app.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device
   • Look for the coloured Play Store icon on your home screen
   • Tap it to open the Play Store
2. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner
   • Your account picture or initial appears in the top right
   • Tap it to open the menu
3. Select "Payments and subscriptions"
   • Choose "Subscriptions" from the menu
   • Google displays all active subscriptions on your account
4. Tap "Sittercity" to open your subscription details
   • You'll see your renewal date and billing information
   • Tap "Cancel subscription" at the bottom of the screen
5. Confirm the cancellation
   • Google asks why you're cancelling (optional feedback)
   • Tap "Cancel subscription" again to confirm
   • You'll see a confirmation with an end date for your access
6. Look for a confirmation email
   • Google sends a cancellation confirmation to your registered Gmail address
   • This arrives within a few minutes
   • Keep this email as proof of cancellation

Timeline and when your cancellation takes effect

Understanding the timing of your cancellation prevents unwanted charges.

When does access end after cancellation?

Your Sittercity access ends on your next scheduled billing date. If you cancel mid-cycle, you keep your Premium access until that date, then your account reverts to the free Basic tier. You do not receive a refund for the unused portion of your current billing period.

Example: If you're on a monthly plan and your next billing date is 15 November, cancelling on 1 November means you have access until 15 November, then access stops. No refund is issued for those remaining 14 days.

What to do if you're charged after cancellation

If you see a charge on your bank statement or credit card after your cancellation date has passed, contact Sittercity support immediately with your cancellation confirmation screenshot. If Sittercity does not issue a refund within 7 days, contact your bank or credit card provider to dispute the charge. You have the right to a refund for charges incurred after your cancellation took effect.

Keep all cancellation confirmations and billing statements until you're certain no further charges occur.

Refunds and what to expect

Understanding Sittercity's refund policy helps you know what to expect after you cancel.

Sittercity's refund policy

Sittercity's stated policy is that membership fees are non-refundable and no credits apply for unused time. If you cancel mid-cycle, you do not receive a refund for the remaining days or weeks of your current billing period. This policy applies to all membership tiers purchased directly through Sittercity.

When you may be entitled to a refund

Even though Sittercity claims fees are non-refundable, you may be entitled to a refund in these situations:

• The service failed to meet acceptable quality standards under the Consumer Guarantees Act (for example, the search function was broken, profiles were inaccessible, or you could not contact caregivers as promised)
• You were not clearly informed about auto-renewal before purchase, in violation of the Fair Trading Act
• Cancellation was deliberately obscured or made unreasonably difficult, breaching Fair Trading Act requirements
• You cancelled within 14 days of your initial purchase and can demonstrate you were misled about key features or terms

If any of these apply, contact Sittercity support in writing with evidence (screenshots, billing statements, and a clear explanation). If Sittercity refuses, escalate to the Commerce Commission or file a dispute through your bank.

Refunds for app store purchases

If you purchased through Apple App Store or Google Play, refund requests go to Apple or Google, not to Sittercity. Apple typically allows refunds within 14 days of purchase; Google's window is also 14 days. Contact Apple Support or Google Play Support directly with your order receipt and reason for the refund request.

Tocancel recommends keeping all purchase receipts and order confirmation emails so you can request refunds quickly if needed.

Common mistakes when cancelling Sittercity

Cancellation sounds straightforward, but small errors can leave you subscribed and charged. Here's what to watch out for.

Mistake 1: deleting the app instead of cancelling the subscription

Removing the Sittercity app from your phone does not cancel your subscription. Your account remains active and your membership renews on schedule, generating new charges. You must cancel through Sittercity's website or your app store subscription settings before deleting the app.

Mistake 2: cancelling the wrong account or service

If you use multiple apps or have multiple accounts, verify you're cancelling the correct Sittercity subscription. Log in to confirm the email address and billing method match the subscription you want to cancel. This prevents accidentally keeping a charge on the wrong account.

Mistake 3: cancelling through Sittercity when you subscribed via an app store

Many people try to cancel by logging into Sittercity.com or the Sittercity app. This does not work if you subscribed through Apple App Store or Google Play. You must cancel through the app store itself. Cancelling in the Sittercity app or website does nothing; your app store subscription remains active and renews.

Mistake 4: ignoring the confirmation step

Cancellation requires confirmation. If you click "cancel" but skip the final confirmation step, your subscription remains active. Always complete the confirmation step and look for a confirmation email within 24 hours.

Mistake 5: not checking your next billing date before cancelling

Know when your next charge occurs before you cancel. If your billing date is tomorrow and you cancel today, you'll still be charged (and won't receive a refund for the unused period). If avoiding the charge is important, cancel well before your renewal date, or contact Sittercity support to request a voluntary refund if you cancel very close to the billing date.

Tocancel emphasises the importance of taking a screenshot of every cancellation confirmation. This single action protects you if a dispute arises later.

After cancellation: what happens next

Once your cancellation is complete, your access changes gradually, and you may see charges process.

Your access after cancellation

After you cancel, your Premium features (direct messaging and caregiver contact details) remain available until your current billing period ends. On your renewal date, your account automatically downgrades to the free Basic tier. You'll still be able to browse profiles and read reviews, but you can't message caregivers or access full contact information without upgrading again.

Final billing cycle charges

Your final charge occurs on your scheduled billing date (the day your membership was set to renew). After this charge, no further charges should occur. If you see charges after your renewal date has passed, contact Sittercity support immediately to report unauthorised billing.

What to do if charges continue

If charges appear on your statement after your cancellation date, take these steps immediately:

1. Gather your cancellation confirmation (screenshot or email)
2. Compare the confirmation date and end date with the charge date on your bank statement
3. Contact Sittercity support with this evidence, requesting a refund for the unauthorised charge
4. If Sittercity doesn't respond within 7 days, contact your bank or credit card provider to dispute the charge
5. File a complaint with the Commerce Commission if the issue is not resolved within 30 days

You have the right to recover funds charged after your cancellation took effect.

Cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you've completed every step correctly.

• Identify where you subscribed (Sittercity website, Apple App Store, or Google Play)
• Note your current billing date and the renewal date
• Log in to your account using the correct method (website, Apple Settings, or Google Play)
• Navigate to subscriptions or membership settings
• Click the "cancel" or "cancel subscription" button
• Complete the confirmation step
• Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation screen
• Look for a cancellation confirmation email within 24 hours
• Save this email and the screenshot for future reference
• Monitor your bank statement on your renewal date to confirm no charge occurs
• If a charge appears after your end date, gather evidence and contact support
• If support doesn't respond, dispute the charge with your bank within 60 days

Comparing cancellation across platforms

The method you use depends on where you bought your subscription. This table compares the three options:

Contact information for escalation

If Sittercity doesn't respond to your cancellation request or refund claim, use these contacts to escalate your complaint.

Sittercity customer support

Contact Sittercity support through their website contact form or in-app help centre. Sittercity maintains U.S. corporate mailing addresses for formal complaints, though no New Zealand-specific postal address is publicly available. For urgent matters, request contact details from Sittercity's customer service team or file a complaint with the Commerce Commission referencing Sittercity's company details.

New zealand consumer protection authorities

If Sittercity refuses to address your complaint:

• Commerce Commission: File a complaint at comcom.govt.nz. The Commission investigates breaches of the Fair Trading Act and Consumer Guarantees Act.
• Citizens Advice Bureau: Visit cab.org.nz or call 0800 800 169 for free advice on consumer rights and dispute resolution.
• Your bank or credit card provider: Dispute unauthorised charges directly with your bank within 60 days of the charge.
• Apple Support: applesupport.apple.com for refund disputes on App Store purchases.
• Google Play Support: support.google.com/googleplay for refund disputes on Google Play purchases.

Dispute resolution process

If you need to escalate beyond Sittercity, follow this sequence:

1. Contact Sittercity support in writing with your cancellation confirmation and refund request
2. Wait 7 days for a response; if none arrives, contact again
3. If Sittercity refuses or doesn't respond within 14 days, contact your bank to dispute the charge
4. File a complaint with the Commerce Commission if the dispute is not resolved
5. Request free mediation through Citizens Advice Bureau if both parties agree

New Zealand law protects you throughout this process. You have the right to dispute charges and demand refunds for services that fail to meet acceptable standards or for charges incurred in breach of the Fair Trading Act.

Summary and next steps

Cancelling Sittercity in New Zealand is straightforward once you understand which method applies to your subscription and what rights protect you. Your decision to cancel is yours alone, and New Zealand consumer law backs your right to cancel without penalty or pressure.

Here's what to remember: identify where you subscribed, use the correct cancellation method (website, Apple, or Google), take a screenshot of your confirmation, watch your bank statement on your renewal date, and escalate immediately if unexpected charges appear. Keep all evidence-screenshots, emails, and billing statements-until you're certain no further charges will occur.

If Sittercity refuses to honour your cancellation or disputes a refund claim, escalate to the Commerce Commission or your bank. You have legal protection under the Consumer Guarantees Act and Fair Trading Act, and enforcement agencies exist to ensure companies honour your rights.

Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions confidently and reclaim control of their recurring charges. Whether you're cancelling Sittercity today or managing another subscription, Tocancel at tocancel.com stands ready to guide you through each step. Your cancellation is valid, your rights are protected, and your decision will take effect on schedule when you follow these steps.