Cancel Audiobooks.Com: Step-by-Step Guide

How to cancel Audiobooks.com in south africa: your rights and step-by-step guide

Understanding Audiobooks.com and why south africans cancel

Audiobooks.com is a subscription streaming platform offering thousands of titles across fiction, self-help, business and children's categories. You pay a monthly fee to earn credits, which you then use to purchase premium audiobooks, plus you gain access to exclusive VIP promotions. The service advertises itself as flexible and cancellable at any time, yet many South African subscribers report unexpected renewal charges, confusing trial terms and misleading promotional offers that convert to full-price subscriptions without clear warning.

If you have subscribed to Audiobooks.com and now want to leave, Tocancel has built this guide to help you cancel with confidence, protect your money and understand your legal rights under South African consumer law. Whether you signed up directly, through Apple or Google, or via another platform, you will find the exact cancellation steps here.

Why south africans choose to cancel

The most common reasons for cancellation include unexpected charges after free trial periods end, difficulty accessing or downloading content, overlapping subscriptions with competing services like Scribd or Audible, and frustration with the credit redemption system. Many subscribers also discover that the service charges in USD, and Apple or Google apply variable ZAR conversion rates, making monthly costs unpredictable and harder to budget.

Real costs of staying subscribed

Standard monthly plans begin at USD 14.95, which converts to roughly ZAR 270 to ZAR 290 depending on current exchange rates. Promotional offers marketed as "2 months for R1" frequently roll into full-price monthly subscriptions without prominent warning, trapping subscribers who forget to cancel before the trial period ends. As a result, you may face ongoing charges you did not intend to authorise.

Pricing and subscription options in south africa

This table breaks down what you will pay for each Audiobooks.com plan when accessed from South Africa.

Most South African subscribers access Audiobooks.com through Apple's App Store or Google Play, which apply their own currency conversion and payment terms. This means your actual ZAR amount may vary month to month based on USD/ZAR exchange rates.

Your consumer rights under south african law

South Africa's Consumer Protection Act No. 68 of 2008 (the "CPA") gives you specific rights when you cancel a subscription service.

What the consumer protection act guarantees you

Under the CPA, you have the right to cancel any subscription or membership at any time without penalty. The law requires that any supplier (including Audiobooks.com) must provide you with clear, transparent information about cancellation terms before you sign up. If a company makes cancellation deliberately difficult, hidden or unclear, that is a breach of the CPA. Your legal position is straightforward: you can walk away from this subscription whenever you choose, and the company must make that process simple and accessible.

Section 48 of the CPA protects you against automatic renewal traps. Any pre-authorised charge (like a monthly subscription) must be explicitly agreed to by you in writing or electronically, and the company must give you an easy, accessible cancellation method that works as quickly and simply as the sign-up process. If Audiobooks.com makes cancellation harder than sign-up, that violates the law.

If you paid for a trial or full subscription and did not receive the service you were promised, or if you were charged after cancelling, you may claim a refund under Section 48 of the CPA. The National Consumer Commission (NCC) is the enforcement body that investigates breaches of consumer rights. If Audiobooks.com refuses to refund you or ignores your cancellation request, you can lodge a complaint with the NCC free of charge.

Your right to a refund

If you cancel within a reasonable time of signing up (typically 14 to 30 days, depending on whether you purchased a trial or paid plan), you have a strong legal claim to a full refund under the CPA. If you cancel after that period, you are entitled to a refund only if the service was not delivered as promised. Therefore, if you never used your subscription or downloaded any content, document that clearly when you request your refund.

How to cancel Audiobooks.com: step-by-step

Cancellation method depends on how you signed up: directly via the Audiobooks.com website, or through Apple, Google or another platform.

Cancel if you signed up directly on Audiobooks.com

1. Log in to your Audiobooks.com account at audiobooks.com using your email and password.
   • If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot Password" and reset it via email.
2. Navigate to your account settings or "My Account" in the top menu.
   • Look for a section labelled "Subscription", "Membership" or "Billing".
3. Select "Cancel Membership" or "Cancel Subscription".
   • The platform may ask why you are cancelling; you do not have to provide a reason, but stating one (e.g., "Cost" or "Not using") helps the company improve.
4. Confirm cancellation when prompted.
   • You should receive an immediate on-screen confirmation and a cancellation email.
5. Save your confirmation email as proof of cancellation.
   • Take a screenshot of the confirmation page in case you need evidence later.
6. Verify in your next billing cycle that you were not charged.
   • Check your bank statement or credit card statement 5 to 10 days after your original cancellation date.

If the "Cancel" button does not appear or the website redirects you elsewhere, contact Audiobooks.com support directly by email at [email protected] or via their contact form on the website.

Cancel if you subscribed through apple (iOS or mac)

1. On your iPhone, iPad or Mac, open the Settings app (iOS/iPadOS) or System Preferences (Mac).
   • On Mac, click the Apple menu, then "System Settings" (macOS 13+) or "System Preferences" (earlier versions).
2. Tap or click your name at the top of the screen, then select "Media & Purchases".
   • On older iOS versions, this section may be called "iTunes & App Store".
3. Tap or click "Subscriptions".
   • A list of all your active subscriptions will appear.
4. Find "Audiobooks.com" in the list and select it.
   • If you do not see it, scroll down; it may be under "Other Subscriptions".
5. Tap or click "Cancel Subscription".
   • Apple will ask you to confirm; select "Confirm Cancellation".
6. Check your email for Apple's cancellation confirmation from your registered Apple ID email address.
   • Keep this email as proof that you cancelled.

You retain access to Audiobooks.com until the end of your current billing period. After that date, your subscription ends and you will not be charged again.

Cancel if you subscribed through google (Android or play store)

1. On your Android device, open the Google Play Store app.
   • On a computer, visit play.google.com in your web browser.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner, then select "Payments and subscriptions".
   • On desktop, click "Manage purchases" instead.
3. Tap or click "Subscriptions".
   • A complete list of your active subscriptions will appear.
4. Find "Audiobooks.com" and tap or click on it.
   • If it is not visible, make sure you are in the "Active" subscriptions tab, not "Expired".
5. Tap or click "Cancel Subscription".
   • Google will prompt you to confirm; proceed with the cancellation.
6. Look for a cancellation confirmation email from Google Play.
   • This may take up to 24 hours to arrive; save it when it does.

Your subscription will end at the end of your current billing cycle. Google Play will not charge you after that date.

Cancel if you subscribed through another platform

If you signed up through Audible, Scribd, a library app, or another third-party reseller, you must cancel through that platform, not directly via Audiobooks.com. Tocancel recommends contacting that platform's support team to walk through their specific cancellation steps. Most platforms follow a similar process to Apple or Google: log in, find subscriptions, select Audiobooks.com and cancel.

What happens after you cancel

Cancelling Audiobooks.com does not immediately delete your account or remove your library; instead, it stops future charges and freezes your membership.

Access after cancellation

You will retain access to any audiobooks you downloaded to your device until your current billing period ends. After that final billing date, you can no longer stream or download new titles, though any files already on your device will remain playable indefinitely. If you later decide to resubscribe, your library and reading history will be intact.

Refunds and credits

If you cancel mid-cycle (before your next billing date), most subscription services do not offer pro-rated refunds for unused time. However, under the Consumer Protection Act, if you cancel within 14 days of sign-up and have not used the service meaningfully, you have a legal right to a refund. Contact Audiobooks.com directly at [email protected] or via their website contact form with evidence of your cancellation and a clear statement that you are claiming a refund under Section 48 of the CPA.

Any unused credits in your account do not roll over to a future subscription, and Audiobooks.com will not refund credits for undownloaded titles. If you have credits remaining and want to use them before cancellation becomes final, download your books now.

Common cancellation mistakes and how to avoid them

Many people attempt to cancel but end up still being charged because they miss a critical step or misunderstand how the platforms work. This section will help you sidestep these traps.

Mistake 1: deleting the app without cancelling the subscription

Removing the Audiobooks.com app from your phone does not cancel your subscription. The app and the subscription are separate. You must cancel the subscription through your device's settings (Apple or Google) or through the Audiobooks.com website. Deleting the app only removes it from your home screen; charges continue automatically. Confirm your cancellation by checking your account settings one week after you submit the cancellation request.

Mistake 2: not saving your cancellation confirmation

If Audiobooks.com or Apple later claims you never cancelled, you will have no evidence. Screenshot the confirmation page immediately and save the confirmation email. If a dispute arises, forward these screenshots to Tocancel or the National Consumer Commission as proof. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers win refund disputes simply by producing a dated confirmation screenshot.

Mistake 3: cancelling on the wrong platform

If you signed up through Apple, cancelling on the Audiobooks.com website will not stop Apple from charging you. You must cancel through the same platform where you signed up. Check your bank statement or credit card statement to see which app store (Apple, Google, etc.) charged you, then cancel through that platform's settings.

Mistake 4: ignoring the final billing date

Cancellation does not take effect immediately; you will be charged one final time on your next scheduled billing date, then no more. If you cancel on the 15th and your billing date is the 20th, you will be charged once more on the 20th. Plan your cancellation accordingly, and mark your calendar to verify the final charge appeared and nothing extra was deducted.

Mistake 5: not requesting a refund when entitled

If you signed up for a free trial, were charged immediately, and cancelled within 14 days without using the service, you are legally entitled to a refund under the CPA. Many people accept the charge as final and do not ask. Instead, email [email protected] citing the Consumer Protection Act and request a refund. Keep records of your request and response dates; if the company ignores you, escalate to the National Consumer Commission.

If Audiobooks.com refuses to cancel or refund

If you have cancelled but are still being charged, or if the company ignores your cancellation request, you have legal options.

Step 1: document everything

Gather all relevant evidence: your cancellation confirmation (email or screenshot), your bank or credit card statements showing the charges, any support emails you sent, and screenshots of your account settings showing the cancellation was processed. This documentation is essential if you need to escalate the complaint.

Step 2: contact Audiobooks.com support

Email [email protected] with the subject line "Cancellation dispute and refund request". Attach your cancellation confirmation and state clearly: "I cancelled my subscription on [date]. I have been charged again on [date]. Under Section 48 of South Africa's Consumer Protection Act, I am entitled to a refund. Please refund R [amount] to my account within 10 business days." Most companies respond within 5 to 7 business days.

Step 3: escalate to the payment provider

If Audiobooks.com does not respond or refuses your refund, contact your bank or credit card company and request a chargeback or reversal. Explain that you cancelled the subscription and were charged without authorisation. Your bank will investigate and often reverse the charge within 10 to 30 days. This is free and does not require legal action.

Step 4: file a complaint with the national consumer commission

If all else fails, lodge a formal complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC). You can do this free of charge at nccc.org.za or by visiting your nearest NCC office. Provide your documentation and explain the breach of the Consumer Protection Act. The NCC will investigate and can order the company to refund you and pay a penalty. This process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks but has a high success rate for clear-cut cases like refusal to cancel.

Comparison: Audiobooks.com versus competing services

If you are considering switching to another audiobook platform after cancelling, this table outlines the main alternatives available in South Africa.

If cancellation ease is your priority, Libby (a free library app) eliminates subscription concerns altogether, though availability depends on your local library. If you want a low-cost alternative with straightforward cancellation, Scribd offers both at a slightly lower monthly price.

Quick cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you have cancelled correctly and protected yourself against future charges.

• Identified where you signed up (Audiobooks.com website, Apple, Google or other platform)
• Logged into the correct platform and found the subscription settings
• Clicked "Cancel" and confirmed the cancellation
• Received and saved a cancellation confirmation (email or screenshot)
• Noted your final billing date (when you will be charged one last time)
• Marked your calendar to check your bank statement 5 to 10 days after cancellation
• Downloaded any audiobooks you wanted to keep before the subscription ended
• Verified you were not charged after the final billing date
• Kept all cancellation proof for at least 12 months in case of disputes

Contact details and escalation address

If you need to contact Audiobooks.com directly to request a refund or dispute a charge, use the following address, which is registered in the company's official terms of use as the primary cancellation address.

Audiobooks.com (Mailing Address)
1430 Avenue Road
Burlington, Ontario L7R 3Y6
Canada

A secondary mailing address is also listed in third-party cancellation guides:

Audiobooks.com (Alternative Address)
P.O. Box 1234
Buffalo, NY 14240-1234
United States

For immediate support, email [email protected] or use the contact form on the Audiobooks.com website.

National Consumer Commission (South Africa)
Toll-free: 0800 13 2428
Website: nccc.org.za
Complaint form: nccc.org.za/complaint-form

Final takeaway: take action and protect your rights

Cancelling Audiobooks.com in South Africa is straightforward once you understand which platform you used to sign up and follow the correct cancellation steps for that platform. Under the Consumer Protection Act, you have an absolute right to cancel at any time, and the company must make that process simple and accessible. If they do not, you have legal recourse through the National Consumer Commission.

The most important action you can take right now is to follow the step-by-step cancellation method for your sign-up platform, save your confirmation, and verify your next bank statement. Tocancel has guided South African consumers through thousands of subscription cancellations, and the ones who succeed are those who document each step and keep their proof. If Audiobooks.com has charged you unfairly or refused to cancel, Tocancel encourages you to file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission; you will not regret advocating for your rights. Take action today, protect your wallet, and move forward with confidence.