Cancel Sittercity: The Right Way

How to cancel Sittercity and stop paying for childcare you don't use

What Sittercity is and why cancellation matters

Sittercity is an online marketplace that connects South African families with vetted caregivers-babysitters, nannies, and pet sitters. The platform operates on a freemium model: you can browse caregiver profiles at no cost on the Basic plan, but you'll pay a Premium Membership fee to unlock direct contact details and messaging. Once you've hired your caregiver or found alternative childcare, that recurring Premium charge becomes money you don't need to spend. Tocancel recognises that cancelling subscription services early saves you hundreds of Rand every year, and Sittercity is no exception.

The key challenge is that Sittercity's support documentation and billing system are US-focused, even though South African customers access the platform through the App Store and Google Play. This creates confusion around refunds and cancellation rights under South African law. That's where your consumer protections come in-and Tocancel is here to walk you through them.

When you should cancel Sittercity

Cancel your Premium Membership if you've already hired a caregiver and no longer need to search the platform, if subscription fees are piling up without use, or if you've switched to a different childcare solution entirely. The sooner you act, the sooner that recurring charge stops. There's no penalty for cancelling early in South Africa-the law protects you, not the company.

The south african context for Sittercity users

Sittercity does not publish Rand (ZAR) pricing on its main website, which is US-based. When you subscribe through your South African App Store or Google Play account, the charge appears in Rand-but Sittercity's terms of service, billing support, and refund policies are written for US customers. This mismatch matters for your refund rights and dispute resolution. South African consumer law overrides Sittercity's US-centric terms, and Tocancel ensures you understand exactly where you stand.

Your consumer rights under south african law

Before you take action, understand the legal protections that apply to you as a South African consumer.

The 14-day cooling-off period

South Africa's Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 grants you the right to cancel an online purchase within 14 calendar days of concluding the agreement-provided you haven't substantially used the service. This cooling-off period is your strongest legal lever and applies regardless of what Sittercity's terms claim. If you're within 14 days of your Premium Membership purchase and have barely used the platform, you can demand a full refund in writing. Your legal position is clear: the Consumer Protection Act overrides company policy. Document your purchase date, take a screenshot of your proof of purchase, and send a written cancellation request to Sittercity (email counts as written notice). Tocancel recommends keeping these records until the refund is processed-typically within 14 days of your cancellation request.

Protection against misleading billing

If Sittercity charged your card without explicit, upfront consent, or if renewal charges appeared without a clear reminder before deduction, you have grounds to dispute the transaction. The Consumer Protection Act prohibits deceptive billing and requires companies to obtain your clear, informed consent before each recurring charge. If Sittercity's renewal screens were confusing, the reminder was unclear, or you were never notified of an upcoming charge, take screenshots and lodge a formal complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC). The NCC can investigate and order Sittercity to refund unauthorised charges.

Your escalation path: the national consumer commission

If Sittercity refuses a legitimate refund or ignores your cancellation request, you can escalate immediately. Contact the National Consumer Commission at www.ncc.org.za or phone 0860 010 016. You can also dispute the charge with your bank or credit card issuer-most South African banks will reverse fraudulent or unauthorised recurring charges within 30 days of your dispute request. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers recover refunds by following this escalation sequence: direct request to company, complaint to NCC, then bank chargeback if needed.

Step-by-step: how to cancel Sittercity

Sittercity allows you to cancel via the web platform, iOS app, or Android app, depending on where you purchased your subscription.

Cancel via web (desktop or mobile browser)

Use this method if you subscribed on the Sittercity website (www.sittercity.com) or if you want to manage your subscription on a larger screen.

1. Open www.sittercity.com in your browser and log in with your email address and password.
2. Navigate to your Account Settings by clicking the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) or a gear icon in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Select Membership, Subscription, or Billing from the account menu.
4. Locate your current Premium Membership plan and click "Cancel Membership" or "Change Plan".
5. Sittercity will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may offer you a discount to stay. Ignore this upsell and confirm the cancellation.
6. You should see a confirmation message: "Your membership has been cancelled." Screenshot this page and note the date.
7. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Sittercity within 24 hours. If you don't receive it, log back in and verify the cancellation went through.

Cancel via iOS (iPhone or iPad)

If you subscribed through the Apple App Store, you must cancel through your iPhone or iPad settings, not through the Sittercity app itself.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your name (Apple ID) at the top of the screen.
3. Select "Subscriptions".
4. Find and tap Sittercity in the list of active subscriptions.
5. Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm the cancellation.
6. You should see a message: "Subscription cancelled." Apple will send you a cancellation confirmation email.
7. Screenshot this confirmation and save the email for your records.

Cancel via android (Google play)

If you subscribed through Google Play, cancel through the Google Play app or website.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device or visit play.google.com in your browser.
2. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select "Manage apps & device".
3. Go to the "Manage" tab and find Sittercity in your list of installed apps.
4. Tap Sittercity and select "Unsubscribe" or "Cancel Subscription".
5. Google Play will ask you to confirm the cancellation. Tap "Cancel Subscription" again to confirm.
6. You will receive a confirmation message and an email from Google Play.
7. Save this confirmation-it's your proof of cancellation.

Refunds and what happens after you cancel

Cancellation and refunds are two separate processes; understanding the difference protects your money.

Immediate cancellation vs. billing cycles

When you cancel Sittercity, the cancellation takes effect immediately-you will not be charged again. However, you will retain access to your Premium Membership until the end of your current billing cycle (usually monthly). If you paid for a month on the 15th and cancel on the 20th, you keep access until the 15th of the next month. After that date, your account reverts to the free Basic plan. This is standard practice and is not unfair, provided Sittercity honours your cancellation and stops future charges. Verify that no new charges appear on your bank statement after your cancellation date.

Requesting a refund for unused time

If you cancel mid-cycle and believe you're entitled to a refund for unused days, you can request a pro-rata refund. Send a written request to Sittercity's support team, stating your cancellation date, your billing cycle dates, and the number of unused days. Include a calculation of the pro-rata refund you're claiming. Tocancel recommends being specific: "I paid R150 for 30 days (15 July to 15 August). I cancelled on 20 July, leaving 26 unused days. I'm requesting a pro-rata refund of R130." This clarity increases your chances of approval. If Sittercity refuses, you can pursue the refund through the NCC or your bank's chargeback process.

Refunds within the 14-day cooling-off period

If you're within 14 days of your initial Premium purchase and haven't substantially used the service, you have a legal right to a full refund under the Consumer Protection Act. Send a written cancellation and refund request to Sittercity, referencing the 14-day cooling-off period. State your purchase date, the date of your refund request, and confirm that you've made minimal or no use of the service. Keep a copy of this email. Sittercity must process the refund within 14 calendar days. If they refuse or delay beyond 14 days, escalate to the NCC immediately.

Sittercity pricing and what you're cancelling

Understanding what you're paying for helps you decide if cancellation is the right move and strengthens any refund claim you make.

If you're on the Annual plan, cancellation with a pro-rata refund is your priority. Tocancel advises requesting the unused portion immediately after cancellation; most companies honour these claims when pressed.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Sittercity

We understand the frustration of discovering you've been charged for a service you no longer use-many South Africans have been there. Avoid these traps to protect your refund eligibility.

Delaying your cancellation request

Every day you wait is another day the subscription could renew. If you've decided to cancel, submit your request immediately through the web, iOS, or Android method above. Don't assume the company will stop charging you once you stop using the service-they won't. Even if you've neglected the platform for weeks, you may still be liable for charges during that time. Act now: the sooner you cancel, the sooner the charges stop.

Forgetting to verify the cancellation

After you submit a cancellation request, log back into your Sittercity account within 24 hours and confirm that your Premium Membership status has changed. If it still shows as "Active" or you see no confirmation, resubmit the cancellation through the same method. Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation and check your email for a confirmation message from Sittercity. Without this proof, you'll struggle to dispute a charge if it appears later. Screenshot everything.

Ignoring a charge after cancellation

If a charge appears on your bank statement after your confirmed cancellation date, contact Sittercity's support team immediately with your cancellation confirmation and ask them to reverse the erroneous charge. If they refuse or don't respond within 7 business days, escalate to your bank or credit card issuer and request a chargeback. Do not ignore the charge-acting quickly maximizes your chances of recovery.

Not requesting a refund when you're entitled

If you cancelled within 14 days of purchase, you have a legal right to a full refund. Don't assume Sittercity will offer it unprompted-you must request it explicitly and cite the Consumer Protection Act. Be direct: "Under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, section 16, I am entitled to cancel this agreement within 14 days. I request a full refund to my original payment method." Tocancel has found that citing the specific law significantly increases approval rates.

After cancellation: what to expect and monitor

Cancelling is one step; making sure it stuck is another. Here's what happens next and what you should watch for.

Your access after cancellation

Once you cancel, you keep access to your Premium Membership until the end of your current billing cycle. After that, your account automatically downgrades to the free Basic plan, and you can no longer contact caregivers or view their direct details. This is normal. If you decide to return, you can upgrade back to Premium at any time-but there's no penalty if you don't.

Monitoring for unexpected charges

Check your bank statement or credit card bill for 30 days after your cancellation. If Sittercity was set to renew monthly, you should see no charge in the first month after cancellation. If a charge appears, it's an error or a failed cancellation-contact Sittercity and your bank immediately. Tocancel recommends setting a phone reminder for 15 days after cancellation to review your statement; this habit catches billing mistakes early.

Requesting a refund for the period after cancellation

If you successfully cancelled before your renewal date but were still charged, you're entitled to a refund. Contact Sittercity with proof of your cancellation (screenshot or email confirmation) and demand a reversal. If Sittercity resists, file a dispute with your bank within 30 days of the charge. Banks in South Africa typically side with the consumer on unauthorised recurring charges if you provide clear evidence of cancellation.

Comparison: Sittercity vs. other south african childcare platforms

Before you cancel, consider whether a competitor platform better suits your needs.

If you've already hired your caregiver through Sittercity, you don't need to stay on Premium to maintain contact-move the relationship off-platform and cancel. If you're still searching, a local Johannesburg or Cape Town nanny agency may offer better value without recurring fees. Tocancel's mission is to help you keep your money, so explore these options before deciding.

How to contact Sittercity for cancellation support

If you encounter difficulty cancelling through the app or website, use these official contact methods to reach Sittercity directly.

Sittercity corporate mailing address

Send cancellation requests and refund demands in writing to:

Sittercity, Inc.
875 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 3100
Chicago, IL 60611
USA

Include your full name, account email, membership type, cancellation date, and a reference to the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (Section 16, cooling-off period). Send this via registered mail or email to their support address (check the website for the current support email). Keep proof of posting.

Escalation to the national consumer commission

If Sittercity doesn't respond within 14 days or refuses your cancellation or refund:

National Consumer Commission (NCC)
Telephone: 0860 010 016
Website: www.ncc.org.za
Email: [email protected]

File a formal complaint referencing the Consumer Protection Act. The NCC can investigate Sittercity's billing and refund practices and order compensation.

Your next step: cancel Sittercity today

You now understand your legal rights, the exact steps to cancel via web or app, and how to pursue a refund if you're within 14 days. You've also learned what to monitor after cancellation and where to escalate if Sittercity refuses. Tocancel recognises that subscription services count on consumer inertia-most people don't cancel because the process feels unclear or they assume they'll lose money. The truth is the opposite: South African law protects you, and cancellation is fast. Follow the step-by-step method for your platform (web, iOS, or Android), screenshot the confirmation, and monitor your bank statement for 30 days. If a charge appears after cancellation, escalate to your bank or the NCC. Tocancel has helped thousands of South African consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover refunds-and the platform you choose to use is entirely up to you. Start your cancellation now: log in to Sittercity, navigate to your account settings, and click cancel. Your next payment depends on it.