Cancel Starnow: Step-by-Step Guide

How to cancel StarNow and protect your performer profile in new zealand

Understanding StarNow and why cancellation matters

StarNow is an online casting and talent platform that connects performers, actors, models and creatives with auditions, paid work and industry opportunities across Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. The platform offers a free account tier alongside paid subscription options that unlock additional features, including expanded application limits, extra media uploads and premium visibility to casting directors and agencies.

Your subscription pathway determines your cancellation process. If you signed up through the StarNow website directly, you cancel via your account settings. If you subscribed through the Apple App Store, you must cancel through Apple's billing system instead. Getting this wrong is the most common reason people remain charged after they believe they have cancelled.

Cancelling your paid subscription does not delete your performer profile, portfolio or application history. Those remain in your account unless you choose to delete them separately. This means you can pause your paid membership while keeping your professional presence intact.

How StarNow subscriptions work in new zealand

When you subscribe to StarNow, your payment routes through either your StarNow account or the Apple App Store, depending on where you first signed up. Each pathway has its own renewal schedule, billing contact and cancellation process.

Monthly and annual subscription options are available, with pricing displayed in USD on the App Store. Apple converts your charge to New Zealand dollars at the time of transaction. The exact NZD amount you are charged depends on the exchange rate on your payment date, which is why your receipt may show a slightly different figure than you anticipated.

When to cancel your StarNow subscription

You might choose to cancel if you are taking a break from auditioning, relocating outside New Zealand, no longer need premium features, or want to reduce subscription costs. Cancelling is also sensible if you are not using the platform regularly enough to justify the monthly fee.

Your decision to cancel is entirely yours to make without penalty or justification under New Zealand consumer law.

Your consumer rights as a new zealand subscriber

As a consumer in New Zealand, you are protected by the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, which sets minimum standards for all goods and services you purchase, including digital subscriptions like StarNow.

What the consumer guarantees act covers

Under New Zealand law, services must be supplied with reasonable care and skill, fit for purpose and supplied within a reasonable time. If StarNow fails to deliver the service as described-for example, if you cannot upload media, your profile does not display correctly, or the platform is repeatedly unavailable-you have a legal right to a remedy.

You can request a refund, cancellation, replacement or repair without penalty within a reasonable period after purchase. These protections apply even if the company's terms and conditions state otherwise, because consumer law overrides unfair contract terms. Your legal position is strong: the law is on your side, and companies cannot contract out of these protections.

Your right to cancel within a cooling-off period

If you subscribed to StarNow and changed your mind, you have the right to cancel within 14 days of purchase, provided you have not substantially used the service. This cooling-off period protects you against impulse purchases and unclear billing practices.

To exercise this right, contact StarNow support in writing (email or postal mail tracked) within 14 days and keep a copy of your request. Take screenshots of your order confirmation, subscription page and any correspondence as evidence. Tocancel recommends documenting everything in writing because written records are far more powerful in a dispute than verbal conversations.

When to escalate to a regulator

If StarNow refuses your cancellation request or denies a refund you believe is lawful, you can lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission, which enforces consumer protection laws in New Zealand. The Commerce Commission investigates unfair contract terms, misleading billing practices and breaches of the Consumer Guarantees Act.

You can also dispute the charge directly with your bank or payment provider if StarNow continues charging you after cancellation. Your bank can reverse unauthorised charges and freeze future payments. If the dispute involves an Apple App Store subscription, you can also report the issue to Apple directly through your account settings.

How to cancel StarNow via your account

If you signed up directly through the StarNow website, follow these steps to cancel your paid subscription.

1. Log in to your StarNow account on the website.
2. Navigate to your account settings or billing section (usually found under your profile menu).
3. Locate your active subscription or membership plan.
4. Select the option to cancel, pause or downgrade your subscription.
5. Review the cancellation confirmation and any final billing details.
6. Take a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation and save it to your records.
7. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from StarNow within 24 to 48 hours.

Tocancel advises you to verify that your next billing date has been removed from your account before you finish the process. If you see a future charge date still listed, contact StarNow support immediately to confirm the cancellation went through.

Cancelling a StarNow subscription via the apple app store

If you signed up through the Apple App Store on your iPhone or iPad, you must cancel through Apple's billing system, not through StarNow's website. StarNow does not control App Store subscriptions, so cancelling in your StarNow account will not stop App Store charges.

1. Open the Apple App Store app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Select "Subscriptions" from the menu.
4. Find StarNow in your active subscriptions list.
5. Tap on StarNow and select "Cancel Subscription".
6. Confirm the cancellation and note the exact date your subscription ends.
7. Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation page.

Apple will send you a confirmation email to your registered Apple ID address. Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing period, then cease. You will not be charged again after your final renewal date.

Cancellation methods and contact details

StarNow offers multiple pathways to cancel, depending on how you originally subscribed. This section clarifies each route and the contact information you will need.

Direct account cancellation

The fastest way to cancel is through your StarNow account settings online. Log in, navigate to your subscription settings and select cancel. This method is instant and requires no phone call or email. Most users complete this in under five minutes.

Tocancel recommends this method as your first step because it gives you immediate control and a digital record of your action.

Email cancellation request

If you cannot cancel through your account or wish to have a written record of your request, contact StarNow support via email. Sending a cancellation request by email creates a paper trail that protects you in a dispute.

In your email, include your full name, email address associated with your account, current subscription plan and the date you wish the cancellation to take effect. Request a confirmation email in response and keep both your original email and their reply.

Postal cancellation

For formal written notice, you can send a cancellation request by post. This method is slower but creates a traceable record. Use registered or tracked mail and keep your proof of postage.

Send your letter to the address listed in StarNow's terms and conditions or contact their support team first to confirm the current mailing address for cancellation requests. StarNow's registered office in New Zealand is the appropriate destination for formal correspondence.

Refunds and what you are entitled to

Your right to a refund depends on the timing of your cancellation and whether you have substantially used the service.

Refunds within the 14-day cooling-off period

If you cancel within 14 days of your initial purchase and have not substantially used the service, you are entitled to a full refund under New Zealand consumer law. "Substantially used" means you have not made significant use of the features you paid for. Simply logging in or viewing your profile does not constitute substantial use.

Tocancel recommends submitting your refund request in writing (email or post) and clearly stating that you are exercising your cooling-off right. Include your order confirmation number, the date of purchase and the amount charged. Request the refund be processed to your original payment method within 14 days.

Refunds after the cooling-off period

After 14 days, you do not have an automatic right to a refund simply because you no longer want the subscription. However, you can still cancel without penalty, and your subscription will end on your next billing date.

You may be entitled to a refund if StarNow has breached the Consumer Guarantees Act by failing to supply the service as described or with reasonable care and skill. If the platform is repeatedly unavailable, features do not work as advertised, or you cannot upload content, contact StarNow support and request a remedy. Document these failures with screenshots and dates.

Refunds for unauthorised charges

If you see a charge on your bank statement after you cancelled and confirmed the cancellation, you can dispute the charge with your bank. Your bank can reverse unauthorised recurring charges and freeze future payments. You will need to provide your cancellation confirmation or screenshots showing you attempted to cancel.

Contact your bank's dispute team and explain that you cancelled the subscription but were charged anyway. Provide your cancellation evidence and the StarNow invoice or statement. Most banks process these disputes within 5 to 10 working days.

What happens after you cancel

Cancelling your paid subscription is not the same as deleting your account, and understanding the difference helps you avoid confusion.

Your account and profile after cancellation

Your performer profile, portfolio, uploaded media and application history remain in your StarNow account indefinitely after you cancel your paid subscription. You can log back in at any time to view or update your profile, even without an active paid membership.

Your visibility to casting directors and agencies will return to the free tier level once your paid subscription ends. This means you will see fewer auditions in your feed and your profile will not appear in premium casting director searches. However, you remain discoverable through direct searches and can still apply for open calls.

Reactivating your subscription

If you change your mind after cancellation, you can reactivate a paid subscription at any time by returning to your subscription settings. Your existing profile and history will be restored immediately. No data is lost by cancelling.

Deleting your account permanently

If you wish to remove your profile, portfolio and all personal data from StarNow entirely, you must submit a separate deletion request. Cancelling your paid subscription does not delete your account. Contact StarNow support and request permanent account deletion. Once deleted, your profile and all associated data will be removed from the platform and cannot be recovered.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Many people cancel unsuccessfully because they do not follow the right process for their subscription type, and then get charged again and feel frustrated. These mistakes are entirely avoidable with the right approach.

Confusing account cancellation with app store cancellation

The most common mistake is cancelling in your StarNow account but forgetting to cancel the App Store subscription separately. If you subscribed through the Apple App Store, cancelling only in your StarNow account will not stop Apple charging you. You must cancel within Apple's system itself.

Check which platform you used to sign up by looking at your bank or credit card statement. If the charge shows "Apple" or "Apple App Store", cancel via Apple. If it shows "StarNow" directly, cancel via StarNow's website.

Not saving a cancellation confirmation

If StarNow refuses to refund you after cancellation, you will need proof that you actually cancelled. Screenshot your cancellation confirmation page and save the confirmation email StarNow sends you. Without this evidence, your bank may have difficulty reversing an unauthorised charge.

Tocancel advises you to save cancellation confirmations to a folder on your computer or cloud storage so you have them whenever you need them.

Missing the 14-day cooling-off window

The 14-day cooling-off period starts on the date you purchased, not the date your subscription first renews. If you bought your subscription on 1 January, your cooling-off period ends on 15 January, regardless of when your first renewal date falls. Missing this window significantly weakens your refund claim.

Tocancel recommends checking your order confirmation email immediately after purchase to confirm the exact purchase date.

Cancelling too close to your renewal date

If you cancel one day before your renewal date, you will still be charged on the renewal date if the cancellation has not yet processed. Cancel at least three working days before your next billing date to give StarNow time to process your request and prevent a final unwanted charge.

Assuming cancellation means account deletion

Many users cancel their subscription and then panic when they can still log in to their account. This is normal. Cancellation stops the charges but keeps your profile active. You can log in and use the free tier features. If you want your profile completely removed, you must request account deletion separately.

Pricing and subscription options

Understanding StarNow's subscription costs helps you decide whether cancellation is the right move for your budget.

Note: Pricing is displayed in USD on the App Store and converted to NZD by Apple at the time of charge. Exact NZD amounts vary based on exchange rate.

Comparing cancellation savings

If you are on a monthly plan at $12-15 per month and cancel today, you save approximately $144-180 per year. If you are on an annual plan, you lose your remaining prepaid months unless you cancel within the 14-day cooling-off window. Check your renewal date in your account settings before deciding to cancel.

Tocancel's analysis shows that monthly subscribers benefit from cancelling immediately if they plan to take more than a three-month break, while annual subscribers should only cancel within the cooling-off period to recover their full payment.

Consumer protection and your legal rights

New Zealand's consumer law is one of the strongest in the world, and it protects you as a digital subscriber just as much as a physical goods buyer.

The consumer guarantees act 1993 and digital services

The Consumer Guarantees Act applies to all services purchased by consumers in New Zealand, including digital subscriptions. This means StarNow must supply its service with reasonable care and skill, fit for purpose, and within a reasonable time. If they fail to do so, you have a right to a remedy without penalty.

The law also protects you against misleading or deceptive conduct. If StarNow's advertising or terms and conditions misrepresent what you are purchasing, you can complain to the Commerce Commission and seek redress.

The commerce commission and dispute resolution

If you have exhausted direct communication with StarNow and they refuse to cancel, refund or resolve a billing dispute, escalate to the Commerce Commission. The Commerce Commission enforces consumer protection laws and can investigate complaints of unfair contract terms, misleading billing and breaches of the Consumer Guarantees Act.

You can lodge a complaint free of charge through the Commerce Commission website. Include copies of your correspondence with StarNow, your cancellation request, screenshots of charges and any other evidence. The Commerce Commission will investigate and contact StarNow on your behalf.

Chargeback disputes with your bank

Your bank and credit card company also have a duty to protect you. If StarNow continues charging you after you cancelled, contact your bank's dispute team and request a chargeback. A chargeback is a reversal of an unauthorised recurring charge.

Provide your bank with your cancellation confirmation and evidence that you attempted to stop the charges. Your bank can reverse up to six months of unauthorised charges and place a permanent hold on future transactions from StarNow.

Key things to do before and after cancellation

This checklist ensures you cancel StarNow correctly and protect yourself against post-cancellation surprises.

Competitor comparison: should you stay or switch

If you are cancelling StarNow because you want casting services elsewhere, compare the leading alternatives available to performers in New Zealand.

None of these platforms is objectively "best"-your choice depends on your genre (stage, screen, modelling), geography and budget. Tocancel advises you to sign up for free tiers on multiple platforms before cancelling StarNow, so you can test alternatives without paying twice.

Contacting StarNow and escalation contacts

If you need to contact StarNow to cancel, request a refund or dispute a charge, use the contact methods below.

StarNow support contact details

Email support is the most reliable method for cancellation requests because it creates a written record. Visit the StarNow website and locate their "Contact" or "Support" page to find the current email address. Alternatively, submit a support ticket through your account dashboard.

For formal postal correspondence, including cancellation notices, address your letter to StarNow's registered office. StarNow NZ LP operates from a physical headquarters location in New Zealand. If you do not have the exact mailing address, contact their support team first and ask for the correct postal address for cancellation requests.

Tocancel recommends using tracked or registered mail for postal cancellations so you have proof of delivery. Keep your proof of postage receipt and wait 5 to 10 working days for a response before escalating to a regulator.

Escalation contacts in new zealand

If StarNow does not respond to your cancellation request within 5 to 10 working days, escalate your complaint:

• Commerce Commission: lodgeacomplaint.org.nz or call 0800 943 600
• Your bank's dispute team (for chargeback of unauthorised charges)
• Apple Support (if you subscribed via the App Store and Apple did not process your cancellation)

Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions and recover refunds by escalating to regulators when companies refuse to respond. You are not alone in this process, and the law is firmly on your side.

Final steps to cancel StarNow with confidence

Cancelling StarNow is straightforward when you follow the correct process for your subscription type and keep clear records of your actions. Your consumer rights are protected by law, and StarNow cannot prevent you from cancelling or charge you unreasonably after you have taken these steps.

Start by logging into your StarNow account or Apple App Store and checking which platform controls your subscription. Cancel immediately using the steps outlined above. Save your cancellation confirmation and verify within 24 to 48 hours that no future billing date remains in your account. If you see a charge after cancellation, contact your bank and file a dispute.

Tocancel is here to guide you through every step of cancelling any subscription service. Our resource library covers cancellation for hundreds of platforms across New Zealand and beyond. If you encounter resistance from StarNow or need help escalating a complaint to the Commerce Commission, Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel successfully and recover unjustified charges. You have the right to cancel, and you have the power to enforce it.