Cancel Oberlo: Step-by-Step Guide

How to cancel Oberlo and take control of your shopify store again

Understanding Oberlo and why you might want to cancel

Oberlo was a dropshipping application designed to help Shopify store owners import products from suppliers and automate order fulfillment. If you're reading this, you likely have Oberlo installed on your store and want to understand your options for removing it or stopping the recurring charges.

What Oberlo was and its current status

Oberlo functioned as a product-import tool that synced supplier inventory directly into your Shopify admin dashboard. The application allowed you to manage thousands of products simultaneously, automate order workflows, and track shipments from a single interface. Dropshipping, the business model Oberlo promoted, lets you sell products without holding inventory yourself.

In June 2022, Shopify discontinued Oberlo entirely. The app is no longer actively maintained, and Shopify is not developing new features for it. If you're still using Oberlo, you're paying for unsupported legacy software that receives no updates and no customer support.

Why you should consider canceling Oberlo

When Shopify discontinued Oberlo, your subscription became outdated. You're paying recurring fees for an app that no longer receives updates, bug fixes, or improvements. Your Shopify store may be charged monthly or annually for features that no longer meet modern dropshipping standards. At Tocancel, we've helped thousands of South African retailers understand that staying with discontinued services locks you into dead-end subscriptions and prevents you from switching to better, actively maintained alternatives.

Your consumer rights in south africa

South African law protects you when dealing with subscription services and digital products, and understanding these rights strengthens your position if Shopify resists your cancellation request.

The consumer protection act and your cancellation rights

South Africa's Consumer Protection Act (CPA) requires all suppliers, including Shopify and its operators, to treat you fairly, provide goods and services of acceptable quality, and be transparent about terms and pricing. The Act protects you against hidden charges, misleading claims about product functionality, and unreasonable contract terms that lock you in unfairly.

Because Oberlo is discontinued and no longer fit for purpose, you have a strong legal argument that you should not be charged for an unsupported service. The CPA also allows you to cancel any subscription if the supplier has failed to maintain the promised functionality or if the service no longer delivers its core benefit. Your legal position is clear: you should not pay for a broken promise.

The electronic communications and transactions act

South Africa's Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA) governs online transactions and electronic contracts. This law requires that cancellation be as easy as the original sign-up process. If Oberlo made it simple for you to subscribe through Shopify, they must make it equally simple to cancel without bureaucratic barriers or hidden steps.

What to do if shopify refuses your cancellation

If Shopify refuses to cancel Oberlo or continues billing you after your cancellation request, you have clear escalation routes. First, contact your bank or payment provider and dispute the charge if you believe it's unfair or unauthorized. Second, you can lodge a formal complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC), which is South Africa's official consumer authority. The NCC takes complaints about unfair contract terms, misleading billing, and failure to honor cancellation requests seriously and investigates on your behalf.

How to cancel Oberlo step by step

Canceling Oberlo requires two actions: removing the app from your Shopify store and confirming that billing has stopped. Follow this process carefully to avoid being charged after you've uninstalled.

Removing the app from your shopify admin

1. Log into your Shopify admin dashboard using your store credentials.
   • Go to the left-hand menu and select Apps and sales channels.
   • Search for Oberlo in your installed app list (it may also appear as an Oberlo-related app or extension).
   • Click on the Oberlo app tile to open its details page.
2. Select the Remove app button, which is usually located in the top-right corner or under an options menu.
   • Shopify will ask you to confirm the removal because uninstalling Oberlo will stop syncing your product inventory and orders.
   • Read the warning carefully to ensure you've backed up any data you need before proceeding.
3. Click Remove to confirm the uninstallation.
   • Shopify will process the removal within seconds.
   • You should see a confirmation message that Oberlo has been removed from your store.

Confirming that billing has stopped

1. Navigate to Settings in your Shopify admin dashboard (bottom left of the menu).
   • Select Billing and plans from the Settings menu.
   • Scroll through your billing history and app charges to ensure Oberlo no longer appears.
2. Wait 24 to 48 hours for Shopify to process the cancellation and remove any pending charges.
   • If Oberlo was a paid app, the next billing cycle should not include a charge for it.
   • If you were charged for a full month or year upfront, check your next billing date to confirm it has been adjusted.
3. Check your payment method or bank statement within 5 to 7 business days.
   • Verify that Oberlo charges no longer appear on your credit card, debit card, or PayPal account.
   • If you see a charge after 7 days, contact Shopify support immediately with your cancellation confirmation.

Pricing and billing for Oberlo

Understanding what you've been charged helps you determine whether you're owed a refund and ensures you don't pay for the app after cancellation.

Since Oberlo is discontinued, you should not be paying any amount for it. If your account shows active charges, contact Shopify support with your cancellation request immediately.

Can you get a refund after canceling Oberlo

Your refund eligibility depends on when you cancel relative to your billing cycle and whether Shopify considers Oberlo a discontinued service.

Refund scenarios for south african users

If you cancel Oberlo before your next billing date, Shopify should not charge you. If you've already been charged for the current month or year, you have grounds to request a refund under the Consumer Protection Act because the service is discontinued and no longer provides value. Tocancel recommends you request a refund by citing that Oberlo is unsupported software.

If you paid for an annual subscription and cancel mid-year, you may qualify for a pro-rata refund (the portion of your payment for the remaining months). Contact Shopify support and clearly explain that you're canceling a discontinued app and expect a refund for unused service. Be specific about your billing dates and the amount you paid.

How to request your refund from shopify

1. Log into your Shopify admin and navigate to Settings then Billing and plans.
   • Locate the Oberlo charge in your billing history.
   • Note the exact amount, date, and billing period.
2. Contact Shopify support through your admin dashboard or at their support portal.
   • Select Help in the admin and choose Contact Support.
   • Write a clear message requesting a refund for Oberlo charges, stating that the app is discontinued.
3. If Shopify denies your refund, escalate your complaint to the National Consumer Commission.
   • File a complaint at www.ncc.org.za or call the NCC hotline for free assistance.
   • The NCC will investigate whether Shopify's refusal violates the Consumer Protection Act.

Common mistakes when canceling Oberlo

Many Shopify store owners make preventable errors that delay their cancellation or result in continued charges. Canceling an app is straightforward, but small oversights can cost you money.

Mistake 1: removing the app but not checking billing

The most common mistake is uninstalling Oberlo from your store without verifying that Shopify has stopped billing you. Just because the app no longer appears in your dashboard doesn't mean the charges have stopped. Always check your billing section 24 to 48 hours after removal to confirm that Oberlo no longer appears on your next invoice.

Mistake 2: not requesting a refund for discontinued service

Many users assume they cannot get a refund for Oberlo because they uninstalled the app themselves. In reality, because Oberlo is discontinued software, you have a right to a refund for any charges incurred after its discontinuation. Don't accept "it's too late" as an answer. Contact Shopify and reference the Consumer Protection Act.

Mistake 3: ignoring the cancellation confirmation

After you remove Oberlo, Shopify provides a confirmation message. Take a screenshot of this confirmation and save it with the date and time. If a charge appears later, you'll have proof that you canceled on a specific date. This evidence is essential if you need to escalate to the National Consumer Commission.

Mistake 4: not backing up your data first

If you were using Oberlo to manage your product catalog, export your product data and supplier information before uninstalling the app. Once Oberlo is removed, you may lose access to historical data and supplier links. At Tocancel, we recommend keeping records of your product suppliers and any custom workflows you created.

What to do after you cancel Oberlo

Canceling an app is only the beginning. Taking action after cancellation ensures you don't miss any issues and that you can scale your dropshipping business with better tools.

Monitor your billing for the next three months

Set a reminder to check your Shopify billing section on your next three billing dates. Confirm that Oberlo charges no longer appear. If you spot a charge, screenshot it immediately and contact Shopify support with the evidence. Tocancel strongly advises keeping records of your billing statements for at least 12 months in case you need to dispute a charge with your bank or the NCC.

Find an alternative dropshipping app

Now that Oberlo is removed, research actively maintained alternatives. Popular options for South African Shopify store owners include apps like Spocket, AliExpress Dropshipping, Printful, and Printfulmock. Compare pricing, features, and supplier networks before committing. Many alternatives offer free trials, so test them before paying.

Update your supplier and fulfillment processes

Oberlo may have automated many of your order processes. After canceling, document your new fulfillment workflow and ensure your suppliers can still receive orders smoothly. If you're switching to a new app, take time to map your product catalog and test a few orders before going live.

Comparison: Oberlo alternatives for your store

Understanding your options helps you choose a replacement tool that fits your dropshipping business better than the discontinued Oberlo.

Before switching, test each app with a small number of products to ensure it integrates smoothly with your Shopify store and supplier network.

Your cancellation checklist for Oberlo

Use this checklist to ensure you've completed every step and avoided common mistakes.

Contact shopify and the national consumer commission

If you encounter resistance to your cancellation or refund request, knowing how to escalate ensures your issue reaches the right authority quickly.

How to contact shopify support about Oberlo

Within your Shopify admin dashboard, select Help in the bottom left corner and choose Contact Support. Describe your issue clearly: you've uninstalled Oberlo, a discontinued app, and either need confirmation that billing has stopped or are requesting a refund for charges incurred after the discontinuation date. Provide your Shopify store URL, your billing dates, and the amount you were charged. Shopify support typically responds within 24 to 48 hours.

Escalating to the national consumer commission

If Shopify refuses to acknowledge your cancellation or denies your refund request, file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC), which is South Africa's official consumer protection authority. Visit www.ncc.org.za to lodge a formal complaint online, or call their consumer line for free assistance. The NCC investigates complaints about unfair contract terms, billing disputes, and failure to honor cancellation rights. Provide your Shopify account details, billing evidence, proof of your cancellation request, and Shopify's response (or lack thereof). The NCC will contact Shopify on your behalf and compel them to resolve the matter.

Key takeaways for canceling Oberlo in south africa

Oberlo is discontinued software, and you have the right under South African law to cancel your subscription and stop being charged for an unsupported service. Removing the app from your Shopify admin takes seconds, but confirming that billing has stopped is essential. Monitor your billing for 72 hours after cancellation, and if Shopify refuses to refund charges for discontinued service, escalate to the National Consumer Commission without delay. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover refunds by understanding their rights and taking confident action. Your store deserves tools that are actively maintained and provide real value. At Tocancel, we empower you to take control of your subscriptions and ensure you pay only for services that work. Start your cancellation today, and don't accept "no" from a company that's already discontinued their own product.

Oberlo's cancellation contact information

Oberlo is operated by Shopify Lithuania, UAB. If you need to contact the operator directly, their registered address is:

Shopify Lithuania, UAB
Subačiaus g. 3, Vilnius, Lithuania 03107

For cancellation requests and refunds, contact Shopify support through your Shopify admin dashboard. If Shopify fails to resolve your issue, file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission at www.ncc.org.za or call 012-946-6060.