Cancel Solidworks: The Right Way

How to cancel your Solidworks subscription and avoid losing your refund

Why you might want to cancel Solidworks

Solidworks is a powerful 3D CAD and product development platform created by Dassault Systèmes. Engineers, designers and manufacturers across New Zealand use it for everything from product prototyping to technical documentation and simulation work. However, the cost of maintaining a Solidworks licence can be substantial, and you may decide to cancel for legitimate reasons: project completion, budget constraints, switching to a competing tool, or simply needing to pause your subscription temporarily.

Whatever prompted your decision, you have clear consumer rights in New Zealand that protect you during cancellation. This guide walks you through your options, your legal position, and the exact steps to cancel without losing money or access prematurely.

How Solidworks reaches you in new zealand

Solidworks is delivered to New Zealand customers through two distinct channels, and the route you took to purchase determines how you cancel. Understanding this distinction now saves you time and frustration later.

If you purchased through a Value-Added Reseller (VAR), your licence is managed directly by that regional partner. In Auckland, DMO Solutions Ltd is the primary reseller; in Christchurch, Caliber Design Ltd handles many accounts. These reseller-based licences follow a different cancellation path than direct subscriptions.

Alternatively, if you signed up directly for a cloud-based subscription or the Solidworks Maker licence, your account lives on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform and you can manage cancellation and auto-renewal through your online dashboard.

Why acting quickly protects your money

Solidworks subscriptions renew automatically unless you actively disable them. New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 gives you statutory protection within 15 days of purchase, but only if you document your cancellation request and act before the renewal date arrives. After renewal, recovery becomes harder. Tocancel recommends you check your next renewal date immediately and plan your cancellation timing around it.

Your consumer rights under new zealand law

As a Solidworks customer in New Zealand, you are protected by the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986. These laws are your legal foundation when you cancel.

What the consumer guarantees act 1993 means for you

The Consumer Guarantees Act gives you the right to cancel a subscription within 15 days of purchase and receive a full refund, provided you have not substantially used the service. This is a statutory right; the company cannot contract you out of it. After 15 days, you may still cancel, but the company is no longer legally obliged to refund you unless you can demonstrate a material breach of contract (for example, the software does not perform as advertised).

Your legal position is clear: within 15 days, you have a near-absolute right to your money back. After 15 days, cancellation is permitted, but refunds depend on what your specific contract terms allow and whether the service has failed to meet its stated purpose.

The fair trading act 1986 and your protection

The Fair Trading Act prohibits misleading or deceptive conduct. If Solidworks or its reseller made false claims about features, pricing or refund eligibility, you can file a complaint with the Commerce Commission, New Zealand's consumer enforcement body. This Act also protects you if the company refuses to process a legitimate cancellation request or charges you after you have submitted a valid cancellation.

Keep all emails, screenshots and communications related to your cancellation. These records are your proof if you need to escalate a dispute to the Commerce Commission or seek legal remedy.

How to cancel if you subscribed via 3DEXPERIENCE

If you purchased your Solidworks subscription directly through the 3DEXPERIENCE platform (the most common route for Maker and cloud-based plans), you can cancel and disable auto-renewal from your account dashboard in just a few minutes.

Step-by-step cancellation through 3DEXPERIENCE

1. Open your web browser and navigate to www.3ds.com.
2. Sign in with your 3DEXPERIENCE account email and password.
   • If your email is corporate-owned, your IT department may manage your licence on your behalf. Check with them before proceeding, as you may not have direct cancellation authority.
3. Click your account icon in the top-right corner of the page.
4. Select "My Account" from the dropdown menu.
5. Locate the "Subscriptions" tab in your account settings.
   • If the tab does not appear, clear your browser cache or try opening the site in private/incognito mode. Browser storage sometimes hides the Subscriptions section until you refresh.
6. Find your Solidworks subscription in the list and click it to open the details.
7. Click "Disable Auto-Renewal" or the equivalent toggle to stop future charges.
   • Important: disabling auto-renewal does not immediately cancel your current paid term. You keep access until your current subscription period ends, but you will not be charged again.
8. If you are within 15 days of your original purchase date, select "Request Refund" and follow the on-screen prompts.
9. You will receive a confirmation email within 24-48 hours. Keep this email as your cancellation proof.

If you cannot find the subscriptions section

Some users report that the Subscriptions tab is missing or greyed out. This typically happens due to browser caching or language settings on your account.

1. Clear your browser cache and cookies, then sign back in. You can also try opening www.3ds.com in a private or incognito window.
2. Check your account language setting. Change it to "English (United States)" if it is set differently, then refresh the page.
3. If the Subscriptions section still does not appear, contact Solidworks support directly at the email address provided in your most recent invoice. Explain that you wish to cancel and request they process your cancellation manually.

How to cancel if you purchased through a reseller

If you bought your Solidworks licence through DMO Solutions Ltd, Caliber Design Ltd, or another Value-Added Reseller, you must contact that reseller to arrange cancellation. Dassault Systèmes (the parent company) does not manage reseller-sold licences directly through their customer portal.

Cancelling through DMO solutions ltd in auckland

1. Locate your original purchase invoice or account confirmation email from DMO Solutions Ltd.
2. Note your licence serial number or order reference number from the invoice.
3. Contact DMO Solutions Ltd by email or phone to request cancellation. Include your licence details and the date you wish the cancellation to take effect.
4. Ask for a written confirmation of the cancellation request, including the cancellation date and any refund eligibility timeline.
5. If you are within 15 days of purchase, explicitly state that you wish to invoke your right to a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.
6. Allow 5-7 business days for the reseller to process your request and confirm that auto-renewal has been disabled.

Cancelling through caliber design ltd in christchurch

If your account is registered with Caliber Design Ltd, follow the same process: gather your invoice and licence details, contact the reseller in writing, and request a cancellation confirmation with a clear refund eligibility statement. Tocancel advises you to always get written acknowledgement from your reseller before assuming your cancellation is active.

What to include in your cancellation email

When you contact your reseller, include the following information to avoid delays:

• Your full name and the email address associated with your Solidworks account.
• Your licence serial number or order reference number.
• The current subscription renewal date or the date your next payment is due.
• A clear statement: "I request immediate cancellation of my Solidworks licence effective [date]. Please confirm cancellation in writing and disable auto-renewal."
• If within 15 days: "This cancellation is submitted within 15 days of purchase. I am requesting a full refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993."

Refund eligibility and timelines

Your refund rights depend on when you cancel and what the law says about your specific situation.

The 15-day refund window

New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 gives you an automatic right to a refund if you cancel within 15 calendar days of purchase, provided you have not substantially used the software. "Substantially used" means more than testing or trial use; if you have used Solidworks for active design work or production, the company may argue you have lost refund eligibility.

To secure this refund: (1) cancel within 15 days, (2) submit your cancellation request in writing, (3) retain proof of the submission (email confirmation, support ticket number, or reseller acknowledgement), and (4) follow up within 2-3 days if you do not receive a refund confirmation.

Refunds after 15 days

After the 15-day window closes, you can still cancel, but the company is no longer obliged to refund you unless you can demonstrate that Solidworks failed to meet the terms of your contract. This might include a major software defect, features that do not work as advertised, or service downtime that makes the tool unusable for extended periods.

If you believe the software has failed to perform as promised, document the issue (take screenshots, record error messages, email support records) and submit a written claim to your reseller or Solidworks support. Reference the Fair Trading Act 1986 and request a refund or credit based on the software's non-performance.

Cancellation and service termination timeline

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation does not happen instantly. Understanding the post-cancellation timeline helps you avoid paying twice or losing access when you expect it.

Immediate steps after cancellation

Once you have submitted your cancellation request, you should immediately receive a confirmation email from either 3DEXPERIENCE or your reseller. Check your inbox (including spam and promotions folders) and save this confirmation. If you do not receive one within 24 hours, follow up with a second email asking for confirmation and a cancellation reference number.

Access to Solidworks typically continues until the end of your current billing period, even after cancellation. This is standard practice; you have paid for that time, so the company allows you to use the software until the period expires.

Check your next renewal date

Log into your 3DEXPERIENCE account or contact your reseller to confirm that your next renewal payment has been cancelled. Look for an updated subscription status that reads "Active until [date], then cancels" or "Auto-renewal disabled." This is your proof that future charges will not occur.

Monitor for unexpected charges

Watch your bank account and credit card statements for 30-60 days after your cancellation. If Solidworks or the reseller charges you again despite your cancellation, contact your bank immediately and dispute the charge as unauthorised. You have evidence (your cancellation confirmation email) that you requested cancellation.

If a charge goes through after you have cancelled, Tocancel recommends you escalate to the Commerce Commission if the company refuses to refund the erroneous charge. Keep all documentation of the charge and your cancellation request.

Common mistakes that delay or prevent cancellation

Many customers unwittingly make cancellation harder by skipping a single step. Here are the pitfalls to avoid.

Assuming auto-renewal is already off

Never assume your subscription will not renew automatically. Many users believe that cancelling one project or stopping use of the software will trigger auto-cancellation. It will not. Auto-renewal remains active unless you explicitly disable it in your account settings or tell your reseller to do so. Check your account now if you are uncertain; Tocancel has found this is the most common reason customers get charged unexpectedly.

Missing the 15-day refund window

The 15-day Consumer Guarantees Act window is absolute. After day 15, your refund rights shift dramatically. Count from the date you received access to the software, not the date you signed up. If you purchased on day 1 but did not receive login credentials until day 3, your 15-day window runs from day 3.

Cancelling verbally or via chat without written confirmation

If you tell a support agent you want to cancel but do not get a confirmation email, the cancellation may not actually be processed. Tocancel advises always requesting written confirmation in email form. Chat logs can disappear or be disputed; an email confirmation with a reference number is your proof.

Not including all required information in your cancellation request

Resellers sometimes claim they cannot process a cancellation because you did not provide your licence number or account ID. Always include this information upfront to eliminate excuses for delay.

Failing to distinguish between "cancel" and "disable auto-renewal"

These are not the same thing. Disabling auto-renewal stops future charges but allows your current term to run. Requesting cancellation ends your subscription (though you keep access until the current period ends). Be explicit about which action you want.

Pricing and subscription types in new zealand

Understanding what you are paying for helps you make a cancellation decision and negotiate a refund if necessary.

Solidworks subscription types

Exact pricing varies based on your reseller, your location within New Zealand, and any discounts applied to your account. Contact your reseller for a definitive quote if you are uncertain what you are currently paying.

Should you cancel or keep Solidworks

Before you submit your cancellation, weigh the genuine reasons to stay against the cost.

Reasons to keep your subscription

• You have active projects that depend on Solidworks and no immediate replacement tool is ready.
• You are locked into a multi-year reseller contract that includes penalties for early termination.
• You use Solidworks intermittently but will need it again within 6-12 months; pausing may cost you as much as continuing.
• Your company subsidises the cost and cancellation would require manager approval anyway.

Reasons to cancel

• You have completed your projects and have no planned work requiring Solidworks.
• The cost is no longer justifiable for your current workload.
• You are switching to an open-source or lower-cost alternative like Fusion 360, FreeCAD or Onshape.
• You purchased to trial the software and have decided it is not the right fit.
• You are experiencing technical issues or poor support and want to try a competitor.

If you are on the fence, consider disabling auto-renewal first (rather than full cancellation). This preserves access through your current paid period while preventing automatic charge on renewal, giving you time to reassess.

Common traps and how to avoid them

Solidworks and reseller arrangements include several structural traps that catch unsuspecting customers. Knowing them protects you.

The reseller licence trap

If you purchased through a reseller, you cannot cancel directly with Dassault Systèmes or through 3DEXPERIENCE. You must go back to the reseller. Some resellers are slow to process cancellations, hoping you will forget or give up. Tocancel advises you to send your cancellation request in writing (email) and follow up within 72 hours if you do not receive a response. Document every interaction.

The contract lock-in trap

Some resellers sell Solidworks on multi-year contracts with termination fees. These fees are legal but must be clearly disclosed in your purchase agreement. Check your original contract; if there is a termination fee, factor it into your cancellation decision. You may decide it is cheaper to keep the subscription until the contract expires than to pay the exit fee.

The auto-renewal reminder trap

You should receive a renewal reminder email from Solidworks or your reseller 30-60 days before your subscription renews. Many customers miss this email or ignore it. Set a calendar reminder for 45 days before your next renewal date and check your account settings. If you do not see a renewal reminder, contact the company proactively to confirm your renewal date.

The regional reseller trap

If you purchased through DMO Solutions Ltd in Auckland but later move to Christchurch or another region, you may find it harder to cancel because your licence is tied to a specific reseller. The company is not obliged to transfer your account to a different reseller. You must work with the original reseller to arrange cancellation, even if it is now inconvenient. Plan for this if you are relocating.

Your cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you do not miss any step and can prove your cancellation was submitted correctly.

• Identify your purchase channel: Did you buy through 3DEXPERIENCE directly or through a reseller? (DMO Solutions in Auckland, Caliber Design in Christchurch, or other VAR?)
• Locate your account details: Gather your licence serial number, order reference, and account email address.
• Check the date: Count backward 15 days from today to confirm if you are still within the Consumer Guarantees Act refund window.
• Check your next renewal date: Log into your account and note when your next payment is due.
• Submit your cancellation request: Use the method for your channel (3DEXPERIENCE dashboard or reseller email).
• Request written confirmation: Do not accept a verbal confirmation. Ask for email confirmation with a cancellation reference number.
• Save all emails: Keep copies of every email you send and receive related to cancellation.
• Follow up: If you do not receive confirmation within 24-48 hours, send a follow-up email.
• Verify auto-renewal is disabled: Log back into your account after 3-5 days and confirm that auto-renewal now shows as "off" or "disabled."
• Monitor your payment method: Check your bank and credit card statements for 60 days to ensure no charges occur after cancellation.

If Solidworks refuses to cancel or refund you

If the company ignores your cancellation request or denies your refund despite you being within the 15-day window, you have legal recourse.

Step 1: write a formal letter

Send a registered letter (or email with read receipt) to Solidworks support and your reseller. State that you are invoking your Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 rights and requesting a full refund within 15 days. Include copies of your original purchase invoice, your cancellation request email, and the cancellation reference number (if one was provided). Set a deadline: "I expect a refund by [date, 7 days from now]."

Step 2: file a complaint with the commerce commission

If the company does not respond or refuses, file a complaint with the Commerce Commission, New Zealand's consumer protection authority. You can do this online at www.beehive.govt.nz/commerce or by contacting the Commerce Commission directly. Explain the situation, attach all your evidence, and describe the financial loss. The Commerce Commission investigates breaches of the Consumer Guarantees Act and Fair Trading Act and can compel refunds.

Step 3: seek legal advice if the amount is substantial

If your Solidworks subscription cost more than NZD 15,000, you may want to consult a consumer law specialist. They can advise you on formal legal action or arbitration. Most consumer lawyers offer a free initial consultation.

Your legal position is strong if you have a written cancellation request, evidence that you submitted it, and proof that you are within 15 days. Tocancel has guided many users through this process successfully; do not let a difficult company stop you from pursuing your rights.

Key takeaways and your next steps

Cancelling Solidworks in New Zealand is straightforward if you follow the correct process. Your consumer rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 are robust, and you have multiple enforcement options if the company refuses to cooperate.

What you now know

• You have a legal right to cancel and get a full refund within 15 days of purchase.
• If you bought through a reseller (DMO Solutions in Auckland or Caliber Design in Christchurch), you must contact that reseller, not Dassault Systèmes directly.
• If you subscribed via 3DEXPERIENCE, you can cancel from your account dashboard in under 5 minutes.
• Auto-renewal does not stop automatically; you must disable it explicitly or your subscription will renew and charge you.
• Always get written confirmation of your cancellation. Verbal or chat-based confirmations are not proof.
• If the company refuses to refund you within 15 days, escalate to the Commerce Commission.

Action items for today

If you have decided to cancel Solidworks, start now by identifying whether you purchased through a reseller or 3DEXPERIENCE. Locate your confirmation invoice and your next renewal date. Then follow the step-by-step guide in this article that matches your purchase channel. Tocancel recommends submitting your cancellation request within the next 24 hours to protect your refund eligibility and prevent an unexpected charge at renewal.

Thousands of New Zealand customers have successfully cancelled their Solidworks subscriptions using the methods outlined here. Tocancel has helped many of them navigate reseller complications, recover refunds, and avoid duplicate charges. You have the right to cancel without penalty, and this guide empowers you to exercise that right confidently. If you encounter resistance or have questions during the cancellation process, refer back to the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Commerce Commission as your legal backup.

Contacting Solidworks resellers in new zealand

DMO Solutions Ltd (Auckland): Contact your account manager or search for "DMO Solutions Solidworks Auckland" for current contact details. Request cancellation in writing by email.

Caliber Design Ltd (Christchurch): Contact your account manager or search for "Caliber Design Solidworks Christchurch" for current contact details. Request cancellation in writing by email.

3DEXPERIENCE support (for direct subscriptions): Visit www.3ds.com and use the "Contact Support" link in your account menu, or cancel directly from your Subscriptions dashboard.

Tocancel is your independent guide to cancelling subscriptions with confidence. Whether you are cancelling Solidworks or any other service, Tocancel provides step-by-step instructions, legal backing, and customer support to ensure you keep your money and protect your rights. Start your cancellation today, and reach out to Tocancel if you need further guidance.