Cancel Blue Apron: The Right Way

How to cancel Blue Apron in new zealand and reclaim your money

Why you might want to cancel Blue Apron

Blue Apron is a US-based meal-kit delivery service that sends pre-measured ingredients and step-by-step recipes directly to your door. You choose your meals each week, and they arrive within 5-10 working days. The service operates in New Zealand through its global platform, billing you in NZD and delivering to most residential addresses across the country.

If you've decided Blue Apron no longer fits your needs, you're making a sensible choice. Rising costs, meals that don't suit your taste, delivery delays, or simply preferring to shop for your own groceries are all valid reasons to step away. Whatever your reason, New Zealand consumer law protects your right to cancel without penalty or justification. Tocancel has helped thousands of Kiwi consumers navigate meal-kit cancellations smoothly and recover unused credits or disputed charges.

Common reasons to cancel

Subscription fatigue is real. Many New Zealand customers cancel because the weekly cost adds up faster than expected, the meal variety becomes repetitive, or they discover cheaper grocery alternatives. Others find the service doesn't accommodate dietary restrictions, arrives damaged, or simply doesn't deliver the restaurant-quality meals promised. None of these reasons require explanation or justification when you cancel. Your decision to stop paying is enough.

Understanding your subscription type

Blue Apron offers two main subscription models in New Zealand: "Autoship" recurring weekly deliveries and "à la carte" one-off orders. If you're enrolled in Autoship, your card is charged automatically each week unless you pause or cancel. The à la carte option lets you order individual meal kits without a recurring commitment. Identifying which subscription type you hold is the first step toward cancellation, as the cancellation method differs slightly between them.

Your consumer rights and what they mean for you

New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA) and the Fair Trading Act 1986 (FTA) protect your rights when cancelling subscription services. These laws mean that any cancellation terms Blue Apron imposes must be fair, transparent, and disclosed before you commit to paying.

What the consumer guarantees act protects you

Under the CGA, you have the right to cancel a subscription service without being charged a penalty or cancellation fee. The company must not make cancellation deliberately difficult, hidden, or conditional on providing additional information beyond what's necessary to verify your identity. This means Blue Apron cannot legally hold your account hostage, demand a reason for cancellation, or charge you extra to walk away. Your legal position is clear: you own the right to stop paying, and the company must honour that right promptly.

If Blue Apron delays your cancellation, continues charging after you've requested to cancel, or makes the process unreasonably hard to complete, you can lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission, New Zealand's consumer protection authority. Tocancel recommends documenting every cancellation attempt and keeping screenshots of confirmation emails. These records become crucial evidence if a dispute arises.

What the fair trading act adds

The FTA protects you against unfair contract terms. This means Blue Apron cannot include clauses that prevent you from cancelling, impose hidden fees, or bind you to automatic renewals without clear consent. If your cancellation request is ignored or the company charges you after you've cancelled, that's a breach of the FTA. You can pursue this breach through the Commerce Commission or via the District Court if the disputed amount justifies legal action.

Your legal safety net means you can cancel with confidence. Tocancel exists to help you exercise these rights clearly and securely.

How to cancel Blue Apron step by step

Blue Apron provides several cancellation methods depending on your subscription type and whether you access the service online or via mobile. The fastest route is through your online account dashboard.

Cancel your autoship subscription online

If you're enrolled in recurring Autoship deliveries, you can cancel through your account settings in minutes. This method works on both desktop and mobile devices and generates an instant confirmation email.

1. Open the Blue Apron website (blueapron.com) or launch the Blue Apron mobile app on your phone.
   • Go to the login page and enter your registered email address and password.
   • If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot password?" and follow the reset link sent to your email.
2. Navigate to your Account settings.
   • On desktop, look for "Account" in the top-right menu or click the gear icon.
   • On mobile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom or top of the screen and select "Account".
3. Select "Subscriptions" or "Autoship and Save" from the menu options.
   • This section displays your active recurring delivery plan and its billing status.
4. Locate your active Autoship plan and select "Cancel Plan" or "Manage Subscription".
   • A confirmation dialog appears asking you to confirm your decision.
5. Review any final offer or delay option Blue Apron presents.
   • The company may offer a discount to pause your subscription temporarily or a credit to continue. You can accept this offer or skip it and proceed to final cancellation.
6. Confirm your cancellation by clicking "Yes, cancel" or tapping the final confirm button.
   • Screenshot this confirmation screen immediately for your records.
   • You will see a message stating "Your Autoship has been cancelled" or similar wording.
7. Check your registered email address within 24 hours for a cancellation confirmation email.
   • Save this email to a dedicated folder or print it. This is your proof of cancellation.

Cancel à la carte orders

If you've placed individual à la carte orders without enrolling in Autoship, you don't have a recurring subscription to cancel. However, if you've pre-paid for upcoming orders, you can request a refund by contacting Blue Apron's customer service team. Tocancel recommends sending a written cancellation request via email to ensure you have documented proof of your request.

1. Log in to your Blue Apron account and navigate to "Orders" or "Order History".
   • Identify any upcoming orders that haven't been dispatched yet.
2. Click on the upcoming order and select "Cancel Order" if this option appears.
   • Blue Apron will immediately cancel the order and email you a refund confirmation.
3. If no cancel option is visible, contact Blue Apron's customer service via email (see contact section below).
   • State your order number, the date of the order, and the reason for cancellation.
   • Request confirmation in writing that the order has been cancelled and any payment will be refunded.

Cancel by contacting customer service

If the online cancellation method isn't working, your account is locked, or you've encountered a technical error, contact Blue Apron's customer service team directly. Written contact leaves a clear audit trail, which is especially important if you later need to dispute a charge with your bank or the Commerce Commission.

1. Send an email to Blue Apron's customer service address (contact details in the final section of this guide).
   • Include your full name, email address, and account number or the email associated with your account.
   • Write: "I request immediate cancellation of my Blue Apron Autoship subscription effective immediately. Please confirm this cancellation in writing and confirm that no further charges will be applied to my account."
2. Request a written cancellation confirmation by email.
   • Ask for the date your cancellation takes effect and confirmation that your next delivery has been cancelled.
3. Save the email you send and any reply you receive.
   • Forward these to a safe location (like your personal email or a document folder) immediately.
4. Wait for a reply within 5-7 working days.
   • If Blue Apron doesn't reply or continues charging after you've cancelled, escalate your complaint to the Commerce Commission (see below).

Refunds and what you're entitled to

Your right to a refund depends on when your cancellation becomes effective and what charges have already been applied to your account. Understanding this timeline protects you from unexpected final charges.

When refunds are issued

If you cancel before your next weekly billing cycle closes, Blue Apron will not charge you for that upcoming delivery. No refund is required because no charge was made. However, if your cancellation request arrives after your payment has already been processed, you're entitled to a full refund for that delivery. This is a consumer guarantee under the CGA, and Tocancel advises documenting the timing carefully.

Check your last billing date on your account. If you cancel more than 24 hours before your next payment is due, you've successfully stopped the cycle and no refund is needed. If you cancel within 24 hours of a scheduled charge or after a charge has been processed, you have the right to request a refund for that delivery. Blue Apron should process this refund to your original payment method within 10-15 working days.

Unused credits and account balances

If you've pre-paid for meal kits or have a credit balance on your Blue Apron account, you can request a refund of that balance when you cancel. The CGA requires companies to return unused payments within a reasonable timeframe. Request this refund explicitly when you cancel. Include your request in your cancellation email or ask the customer service representative for a refund form.

Tocancel suggests following up in writing if a refund hasn't appeared in your bank account within 15 working days. Send a second email referencing your original cancellation request and asking for a status update with a specific deadline for the refund.

Pricing and what you're paying for

Understanding Blue Apron's cost structure helps you see why cancellation might be the right choice and clarifies what refunds you should expect.

These prices are approximate and may change based on seasonal promotions and delivery location within New Zealand. Additional delivery fees may apply depending on your address. When calculating whether to cancel, multiply your weekly commitment by 52 to see your annual spend, then compare that to your grocery budget. Many New Zealand customers find they save money by cancelling and shopping at local supermarkets.

After cancellation: what happens next

Once your cancellation is confirmed, you've successfully stopped recurring charges. However, a few important steps follow to ensure the cancellation sticks and no surprise charges appear.

Monitor your bank account for unexpected charges

After you cancel, keep an eye on your bank statements for the next 2-3 billing cycles. A small percentage of cancellations fail to process due to timing issues or technical glitches. If Blue Apron charges you after you've cancelled, contact your bank immediately and ask them to reverse the charge. Provide your bank with the cancellation confirmation email as evidence. This is called a chargeback dispute, and your bank will investigate whether the charge was authorised. Under the Fair Trading Act, continuing to charge after a valid cancellation request is an unfair practice, and your bank will likely rule in your favour.

Delete your saved payment method (optional but recommended)

Once you've cancelled, consider logging into your Blue Apron account one final time and deleting your saved credit card or payment method. This adds an extra layer of protection against accidental recharges if Blue Apron's system encounters a glitch. You can always add a payment method again if you decide to re-subscribe later.

Unsubscribe from promotional emails

Blue Apron will likely continue sending you promotional emails offering discounts or special offers to encourage you to resubscribe. If you don't want these emails, click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any promotional email, or log into your account settings and disable marketing communications. This doesn't affect your cancellation, but it clears your inbox of temptation.

Common mistakes when cancelling

Cancelling a subscription can feel confusing, especially when companies design the process to be harder than signing up. You're not alone if you've struggled with this before. Tocancel has seen customers repeat the same avoidable errors, so learning from them now protects you.

Pausing instead of cancelling

Blue Apron's account settings sometimes show a "Pause subscription" option alongside the cancel button. Pausing temporarily stops deliveries but keeps your subscription active and your payment method on file. If you don't return to cancel after pausing, the company will automatically resume billing after your pause period ends. Always select "Cancel" not "Pause" unless you genuinely plan to resume within a specific timeframe.

Assuming cancellation happened without confirmation

Don't rely on memory or assumption. Many customers click what they think is a cancel button, see a vague confirmation message, and assume they're done. Then a charge appears on their statement weeks later. Always wait for an email confirmation and save it. If no email arrives within 24 hours, contact customer service to verify that your cancellation was processed. This single step prevents 90% of post-cancellation billing disputes.

Missing the cancellation deadline

Blue Apron processes payments on your billing day each week. If your billing day is Thursday and you attempt to cancel on Thursday evening, your payment may have already been processed. The company will then bill you for the following week's delivery as well. To avoid this, cancel at least 24-48 hours before your scheduled billing day. Check your account to see when your next payment is due, then cancel well before that date.

Not keeping records of communication

If you cancel via customer service email, the customer service representative might acknowledge your request verbally or vaguely. Always ask for a written confirmation email that includes your cancellation date, confirmation that no future charges will be applied, and your account number or email. This written record is your legal protection. Without it, you have no proof if the company disputes that you cancelled.

Escalation: what to do if Blue Apron refuses to cancel

In rare cases, Blue Apron might claim your account is ineligible for cancellation, charge you after you've cancelled, or simply ignore your cancellation request. If this happens, you have legal avenues to resolve the dispute. Tocancel recommends a structured escalation approach that documents every step.

Step one: send a formal cancellation notice

If casual contact hasn't worked, send a formal letter or email marked "Cancellation Notice" to Blue Apron's customer service address. In this letter, state:

• Your full name and account email address
• Your account number (if you have it)
• The date you first requested cancellation
• The cancellation method you used (online, email, phone)
• A request for immediate cancellation effective that day
• A demand for confirmation in writing within 5 working days
• Notice that continued billing will be treated as a breach of the Fair Trading Act and reported to the Commerce Commission

Send this letter via email with read receipt enabled, or post it via registered mail. Keep a copy for your records.

Step two: lodge a complaint with your bank

If Blue Apron continues charging after your cancellation request, contact your bank and request a chargeback for any unauthorised charges. Provide your bank with your cancellation confirmation email, your formal cancellation notice, and your bank statements showing the disputed charges. Your bank will investigate and typically side with you because the company cannot prove you authorised charges after you formally withdrew consent.

Step three: escalate to the commerce commission

If your bank chargeback is unsuccessful or if Blue Apron's response is unsatisfactory, file a formal complaint with the New Zealand Commerce Commission. The Commission investigates breaches of the Consumer Guarantees Act and Fair Trading Act. You can lodge a complaint online at beehive.govt.nz or call 0800 943 600. Provide the Commerce Commission with:

• Your cancellation confirmation email
• Your formal cancellation notice letter
• Copies of all disputed charges on your bank statement
• Any correspondence from Blue Apron (or proof that they didn't respond)
• A summary of what resolution you're seeking (refund, credit removal, etc.)

The Commerce Commission will contact Blue Apron on your behalf and work to resolve the dispute. This is a free service, and the Commission has significant power to enforce compliance with New Zealand consumer law.

Cancellation checklist: before and after

Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation is complete and protected.

Why tocancel exists and how we can help

Cancelling subscriptions shouldn't require a law degree or hours of frustration. Yet companies like Blue Apron deliberately make cancellation harder than signup, hoping you'll give up and keep paying. Tocancel exists to level that playing field. We've helped thousands of consumers across New Zealand cancel meal-kit subscriptions, streaming services, gym memberships, and insurance policies. Every guide, checklist, and escalation strategy we provide is grounded in New Zealand consumer law and tested with real customers facing real companies.

Your cancellation is your right. Tocancel is here to make sure you exercise it confidently.

Contact information for Blue Apron

Use these details to cancel or dispute charges.

Customer service email

Send cancellation requests to: [email protected]

In your email subject line, write: "Cancellation Request for [Your Email Address]"

Mailing address for formal correspondence

If you need to send a formal cancellation notice or dispute letter:

Blue Apron
New York, NY 10013
United States

Note: Blue Apron is US-based and manages New Zealand subscriptions remotely. Your cancellation request via email is the fastest method. Only use the mailing address if you've exhausted email contact and need to send a formal legal notice.

Complaint escalation

If Blue Apron doesn't respond or refuses to cancel, file a complaint with the Commerce Commission:

Commerce Commission New Zealand
Phone: 0800 943 600
Website: www.comcom.govt.nz
Online complaint form: Available on the Commerce Commission website

Tocancel recommends keeping a record of your Commerce Commission complaint number for future reference.

Summary: take action today

Cancelling Blue Apron is your right under New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act and Fair Trading Act. The company must not charge you after you cancel, and they cannot make the cancellation process unreasonably difficult. You've now learned every cancellation method, understood your legal protections, and seen exactly what to do if the company refuses to cooperate.

The next step is simple: log in to your Blue Apron account, navigate to your subscription settings, and click "Cancel". Screenshot the confirmation, wait for an email, and monitor your account for the next two billing cycles. If you encounter any resistance, refer to the escalation steps outlined above. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions exactly like this one, and you can too. Your money is yours to keep, and your decision to cancel deserves respect.