Cancel Postmates: The Right Way

How to cancel Postmates in new zealand: your rights and recovery options

Understanding Postmates and why new zealand users face cancellation

Postmates was a US-based food and goods delivery platform that expanded internationally before consolidating its operations to core markets. If you created a Postmates account or subscribed to Postmates Unlimited while the service operated in New Zealand, you may now hold an account you cannot use. This matters because you could still be charged for a service that no longer exists in your region.

The critical fact: Postmates no longer operates in New Zealand. This means you have a legal right to cancel immediately and recover any charges incurred after the service became unavailable. Tocancel is here to walk you through your cancellation options, your consumer rights under New Zealand law, and exactly how to protect yourself from ongoing billing.

What happened to Postmates in new zealand

Postmates focused its resources on the United States market and did not maintain a permanent commercial presence in New Zealand. Over time, the company withdrew from non-core regions, leaving New Zealand customers with active subscriptions but no access to delivery services. If you're still seeing charges on your statement for a service you cannot access, that's a problem you can solve immediately.

Why you should cancel now, not later

Recurring charges accumulate quickly. Even a small monthly subscription fee becomes significant over months of non-use. By cancelling today, you stop future charges, recover control of your payment method, and create a clear record of your cancellation request. Tocancel recommends treating this as urgent: do not wait for Postmates to contact you, and do not assume the charges will stop on their own.

Your legal position: consumer protection laws that protect you

New Zealand's consumer protection framework gives you clear rights when a service becomes unavailable or fails to work as promised.

Consumer guarantees act protections

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, services supplied to you must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and supplied within a reasonable timeframe. If Postmates is no longer available in New Zealand, it has failed to meet these legal standards. You have an explicit right to cancel and demand a refund for any charges after the service became unavailable to you.

Your legal position is straightforward: you paid for a service that is no longer accessible to you in your region. Keep records of all subscription charges, the dates you were billed, and any evidence showing you attempted to use the service after it ceased operations in New Zealand. These documents strengthen your case if you need to escalate a complaint.

Fair trading act and misleading conduct

The Fair Trading Act 1986 protects you from misleading or deceptive conduct by businesses. If Postmates advertised availability in New Zealand or implied the service was accessible to you, and it is not, the company may have breached this law. Tocancel has helped countless consumers use this principle to recover refunds for unavailable services.

Your escalation point: the commerce commission

If Postmates refuses to cancel your account or refund charges, you have a free escalation option: file a complaint with the Commerce Commission, New Zealand's official consumer authority. Contact them at comcom.govt.nz or call 0800 943 600. Provide your subscription dates, billing statements, and evidence that the service is unavailable in New Zealand. The Commerce Commission has successfully supported consumers in similar disputes with unavailable services.

How to cancel Postmates: your available methods

Since Postmates no longer operates in New Zealand, your cancellation route depends on how you originally subscribed and where your payment method is linked.

Method one: cancel through your app store (iOS or android)

If you subscribed via Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you can cancel the subscription directly through your device settings.

1. On iOS:
   • Open Settings and tap your name at the top
   • Select Subscriptions
   • Find Postmates Unlimited in the list
   • Tap it and select Cancel Subscription
   • Confirm cancellation and save your confirmation email
2. On Android:
   • Open Google Play Store and tap your profile icon
   • Select Manage subscriptions
   • Find Postmates Unlimited
   • Tap Cancel subscription and confirm
   • Screenshot your cancellation confirmation for your records

This method works immediately and stops charges at your next billing cycle. Tocancel recommends taking a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation screen to prove you completed this step.

Method two: cancel through your web account

If you subscribed directly through the Postmates website or created an account there, you can cancel online.

1. Visit the Postmates website or log into your account
2. Navigate to Account Settings or Subscription Settings
3. Locate the option for Manage Subscription or Billing
4. Select Cancel Subscription and follow the prompts
5. Screenshot the final confirmation page showing your cancellation date

If the website does not allow you to cancel (because the service is no longer available in your region), proceed immediately to Method three: contacting support directly.

Method three: direct contact and escalation

Since Postmates does not operate in New Zealand, you may find that standard cancellation methods are blocked or unavailable. In this case, contact Postmates support directly with a written cancellation request.

1. Email Postmates support with the subject line "Account Cancellation Request - New Zealand Customer"
2. Include in your email:
   • Your full name and account email address
   • Your account ID (if you have it)
   • A clear statement: "Postmates does not operate in New Zealand, and I am requesting immediate cancellation of my account and all subscriptions"
   • The dates you were charged and the amounts
   • A request for written confirmation of cancellation
3. Request a response within 7 days and keep a copy of your email
4. If Postmates does not respond, escalate to the Commerce Commission with this email as evidence

Tocancel advises sending this email via a method that provides proof of delivery (such as registered email or a tracked service). This creates a clear record if you need to file a formal complaint later.

Refunds and recovering charges for unavailable services

You have a right to recover charges paid for a service that no longer exists in your region.

What charges you can recover

You can request refunds for any Postmates Unlimited subscription fees or account credits charged after the service ceased operating in New Zealand. The Consumer Guarantees Act entitles you to a refund when a service is not supplied as promised. Gather all your bank or credit card statements showing Postmates charges over the past 12 months; most refund claims succeed when you present clear evidence of recurring charges.

How to request a refund

Contact your bank or credit card provider and file a dispute or chargeback for the charges you cannot justify. Explain that Postmates no longer operates in New Zealand and that you cancelled the service. Provide your bank with screenshots of your cancellation confirmation and copies of the charges on your statement. Most banks process these disputes within 10 working days.

Alternatively, request a refund directly from Postmates in writing, citing the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. Tocancel has seen companies process refunds more quickly when consumers cite specific consumer law than when they make general complaints.

Timeline for refund processing

Your bank typically processes chargebacks within 10 to 30 working days. If Postmates agrees to a refund, they may take 5 to 7 working days to process it. If the company refuses, escalate to the Commerce Commission, which can investigate and impose compliance orders.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Cancellation is straightforward, but a few missteps can delay your results or weaken your case if you need to escalate.

Mistake one: assuming charges stopped automatically

Many consumers assume that if they stop using an app, the subscription will automatically cancel. It will not. Postmates or your app store will continue charging you unless you submit an explicit cancellation request. Tocancel urges you to take active control: do not assume; do not wait.

Mistake two: not saving confirmation of cancellation

If you cancel and do not screenshot or save the confirmation, you have no proof if Postmates later charges you again. Always save confirmation emails, screenshots, and the date and time of cancellation. These documents are your legal evidence.

Mistake three: cancelling only the app, not the account

Deleting the Postmates app from your phone does not cancel your account or subscription. You must actively cancel the subscription through your account settings or by contacting support. Tocancel recommends doing both: cancel your subscription and then delete the app as a final step.

Mistake four: not escalating when necessary

If Postmates ignores your cancellation request or continues charging after 14 days, escalate immediately to the Commerce Commission rather than sending a second polite email. You have the law on your side; use it.

What to do after you cancel

Cancellation is the beginning, not the end. Take these steps to protect yourself after your request is submitted.

Monitor your bank account

Check your bank or credit card statement weekly for the next 30 days. If Postmates charges you again after cancellation, you have clear evidence of non-compliance. Take a screenshot immediately and use it to support a formal complaint or chargeback.

Keep your records organised

Create a folder (physical or digital) containing all cancellation confirmations, emails to Postmates, bank statements showing charges, and any responses from the company. If you need to escalate to the Commerce Commission or your bank, having everything in one place speeds up the process.

Request written confirmation if you did not receive it

If you cancelled via app store but did not receive an email confirmation, email Postmates support and ask them to confirm your cancellation in writing. This gives you official documentation if disputes arise later.

Pricing summary and subscription details

Understanding what you were paying for helps clarify your refund claim.

Any charges made to your account after Postmates ceased operations in New Zealand are refundable under consumer law. Tocancel recommends claiming refunds for charges from the past 12 months at minimum.

After cancellation: your next steps and protection

Once you have submitted your cancellation request, your job is not finished; you must verify that charges actually stop.

Verification checklist

• Take a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation immediately
• Save any cancellation confirmation email Postmates sends you
• Note the date and time you cancelled
• Check your bank account weekly for 4 weeks to confirm no new charges appear
• If a charge does appear, screenshot it and escalate to the Commerce Commission
• Keep all records for at least 2 years in case you need them for a dispute

If charges continue after cancellation

If Postmates charges you again after you cancelled, you have grounds for a complaint and refund claim. Contact your bank or credit card provider and file a chargeback, citing that you cancelled the subscription and have written proof. Provide your cancellation confirmation and the post-cancellation charge. Most banks side with consumers in these situations when evidence is clear.

Comparison table: cancellation methods at a glance

Not all cancellation methods work equally well, especially for a service no longer available in your region.

Tocancel advises using the written email method as your primary cancellation route for Postmates, since the service is no longer available in New Zealand and app-based methods may not work.

Contact information and escalation addresses

If Postmates does not respond to your cancellation request within 7 days, escalate to the authorities below.

Postmates support contact

Postmates operates from US headquarters only and does not maintain a New Zealand office. Send your cancellation request to their support email (typically [email protected] or [email protected]) with the subject "Account Cancellation - New Zealand Customer." Keep a copy and follow up after 7 days if you do not receive a response.

Commerce commission complaint

File a formal complaint with the Commerce Commission if Postmates refuses your cancellation or refund request.

• Website: comcom.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 943 600
• Mailing address: Commerce Commission, P.O. Box 13 250, Tauranga 3141, New Zealand
• What to include: Your full name, account details, subscription dates, all charges, cancellation request date, and evidence that the service is unavailable in New Zealand

The Commerce Commission investigates complaints about unavailable services and breaches of the Consumer Guarantees Act. Tocancel has seen the Commission order refunds and account closures in cases where companies refuse to cancel subscriptions for services no longer available.

Your bank or credit card provider

If Postmates does not issue a refund, your bank can dispute the charges on your behalf through a chargeback process. Contact your bank's dispute department and provide your cancellation confirmation and the disputed charges.

Summary and your next action

Postmates no longer operates in New Zealand, which means you have a clear legal right to cancel any active subscription and recover charges. The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 protects you; the Commerce Commission will back your complaint if the company refuses. Your first step is immediate: cancel through your app store if possible, or send a written cancellation request to Postmates support. Monitor your bank account for 30 days to confirm charges stop. If they do not, escalate to the Commerce Commission with your cancellation confirmation and post-cancellation charges as evidence.

Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover refunds for services no longer available in their region. You do not need to accept ongoing charges for a service you cannot access. Take action today: cancel your Postmates account and protect your payment method. Tocancel is here to support your rights every step of the way.