Cancel Solidworks: The Right Way

How to cancel SolidWorks and protect your investment in south africa

Why you might want to cancel SolidWorks

Cancelling your SolidWorks licence is a practical decision when circumstances change. Whether you're facing budget constraints, switching to alternative CAD platforms, or managing underutilized software, understanding your options puts you back in control. Your first step is recognizing that cancellation is your right as a South African consumer, and Tocancel is here to guide you through the process with confidence and clarity.

Cost pressures and budget constraints

SolidWorks licensing fees in South Africa typically range from R40 000 to R60 000 annually, depending on your feature tier. When projects conclude, workload decreases, or budget cuts force difficult decisions, maintaining an active licence becomes an unnecessary expense. Many South African engineering firms and product design teams reassess their software spending each year and discover that SolidWorks no longer aligns with their current financial capacity or workload demands.

Migration to alternative CAD platforms

You may have evaluated competing solutions such as FreeCAD, Fusion 360, Inventor, or cloud-based alternatives and decided a switch better serves your team's needs. Once your workflows have fully transitioned to a different platform, paying for SolidWorks represents wasted capital. Cancelling your licence frees up budget for tools your team actually uses every day.

Underutilization and workflow changes

Engineering teams sometimes discover that SolidWorks' advanced simulation and rendering features sit unused, or that project requirements have shifted in directions where the software no longer delivers clear value. If you purchased a Premium licence but only use basic parametric modelling functions, you are paying for capability you do not access. This scenario is common when team expertise, project scope, or business focus evolves unexpectedly.

Contract disputes and billing errors

Occasionally your reseller may charge incorrectly, auto-renewal may occur without explicit consent, or terms may have been misrepresented at purchase. When billing disputes arise, immediate cancellation combined with formal documentation becomes essential. Tocancel recommends you escalate these concerns directly to Dassault Systèmes South Africa while preparing written evidence of your dispute.

Your consumer rights under south african law

South Africa's legal framework provides you with concrete protections when cancelling software subscriptions and paid services. Understanding these rights empowers you to act decisively and negotiate from a position of strength.

The consumer protection act and cooling-off period

South Africa's Consumer Protection Act (CPA), enforced by the National Consumer Commission (NCC), grants you a 5-working-day cooling-off period after you enter into a distance transaction. Distance transactions include online purchases, email-based agreements, telephone sales, and purchases through resellers you did not meet in person. If you bought SolidWorks online or via email from Dassault Systèmes South Africa or an authorized reseller like AMP CAD CAM or NexGen, this protection almost certainly applies to your purchase.

Your legal position: Within 5 working days of purchase, you may cancel without providing reason and receive a full refund, minus any reasonable costs incurred by the supplier. This window is your first and strongest lever. Check your invoice date immediately and calculate your 5-working-day deadline. If you fall outside this period, other protections still apply.

Unfair contract terms and auto-renewal protections

The CPA explicitly prohibits unfair contract terms and vague auto-renewal clauses. If your reseller buried renewal terms in small print, failed to obtain your explicit written consent for recurring billing, or misrepresented the cost or features at purchase, those terms may be unenforceable. Many South African consumers discover they were auto-renewed without clear notification or legitimate consent. Tocancel advises you to review your original purchase email and any renewal notices for evidence of unclear terms or missing consent.

If you can demonstrate that renewal terms were obscured, ambiguous, or that you never explicitly agreed to auto-renewal, you have grounds to dispute the charge and demand a refund. The National Consumer Commission can investigate your complaint if the supplier refuses to cooperate.

Misrepresentation and breach of warranty

If Dassault Systèmes South Africa or your reseller made false claims about SolidWorks' features, compatibility, performance, or subscription terms at the time of sale, you may have grounds to cancel and claim damages. The CPA defines misrepresentation as any false statement, whether written or verbal, that induced you to enter the contract. Document any discrepancies between what you were promised and what the software actually delivers.

SolidWorks licensing options in south africa

Understanding how you purchased SolidWorks directly affects which cancellation pathway applies to your situation. Your licence may come through direct purchase, reseller agreement, or cloud-based subscription, each with different terms and refund procedures.

How to cancel SolidWorks step by step

Follow this sequential process to cancel your SolidWorks licence cleanly and document your cancellation for future reference. Your approach depends on whether you bought directly or through a reseller, and whether you are within the 5-working-day cooling-off window.

Step 1: gather your purchase documents and account details

Before you contact anyone, collect the following information:

• Your original invoice or proof of purchase email
• Licence serial number or product key (visible in Help > About SolidWorks when the software is open, or in your email confirmation)
• Reseller name if you did not buy directly from Dassault Systèmes South Africa
• Date of purchase and any auto-renewal dates listed on your account
• Payment method and transaction reference number

This information proves you are the legitimate licence holder and accelerates the cancellation process. Tocancel recommends you take screenshots of any relevant pages before you proceed, in case online records are later deleted or altered.

Step 2: calculate your cooling-off window and assess your position

Count 5 working days from the date of purchase (excluding weekends and South African public holidays). If today's date falls within that window, your cancellation is protected by the Consumer Protection Act with no questions asked. If you are outside the 5-working-day period, your cancellation will depend on your licence terms, any renewal clauses, and whether you have grounds to dispute the charge (misrepresentation, unfair terms, or billing error).

Document the calculation clearly - this becomes important if the supplier tries to refuse your cancellation. Tocancel advises you to keep a dated record of this calculation for your own reference.

Step 3: contact your reseller or dassault systèmes south africa

Your contact method depends on where you purchased:

1. If you bought directly from Dassault Systèmes South Africa: Email your cancellation request to the South African office with subject line "SolidWorks Licence Cancellation Request - [Your Licence Serial Number]". Send to the Midrand office address listed in the Contacts section of this guide. Include your licence details, invoice number, date of purchase, and a clear statement: "I request cancellation of this licence effective immediately and a full refund to my original payment method. I am cancelling within the 5-working-day cooling-off period under the Consumer Protection Act [if applicable], and/or due to [state your reason: billing error, misrepresentation, unfair contract terms, etc.]."
2. If you bought through an authorized reseller: Contact the reseller first with the same information. Resellers in South Africa (such as AMP CAD CAM or NexGen) often handle cancellations and refunds directly. If the reseller refuses or delays, escalate to Dassault Systèmes South Africa. Keep copies of all reseller correspondence for your records.
3. If you have a cloud-based subscription: Log into your SolidWorks account portal, navigate to Subscription Settings, and select "Cancel Subscription". Follow the on-screen prompts. You will receive an immediate confirmation email. Alternatively, send written notice to Dassault Systèmes South Africa stating "I wish to cancel my SolidWorks Premium Cloud subscription, effective at the end of my current billing cycle" at least 30 days before that date.

Step 4: send written confirmation and keep records

Whether you cancel by email, phone, or online portal, always send or request written confirmation. Verbal cancellations create disputes. Write your cancellation request as a formal email or registered letter, with the subject line clearly stating "SolidWorks Licence Cancellation - [Serial Number]". Include:

• Today's date and the date of your original purchase
• Your full name, company name (if applicable), and contact details
• Your SolidWorks licence serial number
• Your invoice number and original payment method
• A one-sentence statement of reason (e.g., "I am cancelling within the 5-working-day cooling-off period under the Consumer Protection Act" or "I am cancelling due to a billing error in my most recent invoice")
• Your request for confirmation of cancellation and refund details

Save a copy of your sent email, take a screenshot of your web portal confirmation, or keep a record of any phone call (including the date, time, and name of the person you spoke with). Tocancel emphasizes that written records are your proof if a dispute arises later.

Step 5: monitor your account and follow up on refund

After you send your cancellation request, wait 5 working days for a response. If you hear nothing, send a follow-up email marked "URGENT: Follow-up on SolidWorks Cancellation Request". Request written confirmation that your cancellation has been processed and your refund has been initiated. Ask for the expected refund date and the refund amount.

Check your bank account or credit card statement 7 to 10 working days after your cancellation is confirmed. Refunds can take up to 10 working days to appear, depending on your bank. If no refund arrives within that timeframe, contact your bank to confirm the transaction has not been blocked, then follow up with Dassault Systèmes South Africa a second time with your bank statement as evidence of non-receipt.

What to expect after cancellation

Cancelling SolidWorks triggers several practical changes you should anticipate and prepare for.

Licence deactivation and software access

Once your cancellation is processed, your licence key will be deactivated within 24 to 48 hours. If you try to launch SolidWorks after deactivation, the software will display a licence error message and restrict access to read-only mode for 30 days. You will not be able to create new designs, edit existing files, or export work. Therefore, before your cancellation is finalized, export all critical files to a neutral format (PDF, STEP, IGES, or DWG) so you retain access to your designs without requiring a SolidWorks licence.

Data backup and file migration

SolidWorks stores your design files locally on your computer. Cancellation does not delete these files. However, if you later lose access to SolidWorks, you will be unable to edit or update them without a new licence or alternative CAD software. Before cancellation takes effect, back up all your design files to an external drive or cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or similar). If you plan to switch to an alternative CAD tool, convert your SolidWorks files (.sldprt, .sldasm) to universal formats now: STEP (.step) for 3D geometry, DWG (.dwg) for 2D drawings, and PDF for documentation.

Subscription auto-renewal settings

If your SolidWorks licence was set to auto-renew, your cancellation should deactivate that automatic renewal. However, verify this by logging into your account (if access is still available) or asking your reseller to confirm that auto-renewal has been switched off. Some resellers continue sending renewal invoices even after cancellation - if this happens, mark the invoice as "Service already cancelled" and contact your reseller in writing to cease billing.

Refunds and financial recovery

Your refund eligibility depends on when you cancel and whether you have valid grounds such as misrepresentation or unfair contract terms. Tocancel ensures you understand the full picture so you can recover every cent you are entitled to.

Refunds within the 5-working-day cooling-off period

If you cancel within 5 working days of purchase, the Consumer Protection Act entitles you to a full refund to your original payment method. The supplier may deduct reasonable costs they have incurred (e.g., administration fees, if disclosed in your contract), but this deduction is capped and must be itemized in writing. In practice, most resellers and Dassault Systèmes South Africa refund the full amount without deduction. Your refund should be processed within 15 working days of your cancellation request.

Refunds after the cooling-off period

Once you are outside the 5-working-day cooling-off window, refunds depend on your licence agreement and the reason for cancellation:

• Annual licences at renewal: If you cancel before your annual renewal date, you may not be entitled to a refund of the original purchase. However, if your reseller auto-renewed your licence without explicit consent, or if your renewal notice failed to clearly disclose the renewal date and amount, the CPA considers this an unfair contract term. In such cases, you may demand a refund of the renewal charge. Tocancel advises you to review your renewal notices carefully for evidence of missing or unclear consent.
• Billing errors or misrepresentation: If you can prove your reseller charged you twice, charged the wrong amount, or misrepresented the software's features or compatibility at sale, you have grounds to demand a refund regardless of timing. Document the error in writing and send it to Dassault Systèmes South Africa with your original invoice and the erroneous charge side by side.
• Cloud-based monthly subscriptions: You may cancel cloud subscriptions at any time with 30 days' written notice. Your cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle. You do not receive a refund for the current month if you cancel mid-cycle; instead, your subscription simply stops at the end of that month and no further charges occur. If you are charged after your cancellation notice, contact your reseller and payment provider immediately.

Disputing a refused refund

If Dassault Systèmes South Africa or your reseller refuses your refund without justification, you have escalation options. First, send a formal written dispute to the supplier's managing director, referencing the Consumer Protection Act and your grounds for cancellation. Give them 20 working days to respond. If they refuse, lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC) at www.ncc.org.za or call 0800 035 797. The NCC investigates complaints free of charge and can order refunds and damages if the supplier has acted unfairly. The entire NCC process typically takes 6 to 12 weeks.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Cancelling software can feel stressful, and mistakes often happen under that pressure. Protect yourself by recognizing and sidestepping these common pitfalls now.

Missing your cooling-off deadline

The 5-working-day cooling-off period passes quickly, and it counts from the purchase date, not the invoice date or first use. If you delay your cancellation request by even one day past this window, your refund rights under the CPA diminish significantly. Mark your purchase date in your calendar immediately and count 5 working days forward (excluding weekends and South African public holidays). Do not assume you have a month - you do not. Tocancel recommends you act within 3 working days of purchase to allow margin for error and delivery delays.

Cancelling verbally without written confirmation

If you call Dassault Systèmes South Africa or your reseller and verbally request cancellation, you have no proof the conversation happened. The supplier can later claim you never called or never requested cancellation. Always follow up a phone call with a written email that states: "This email confirms our phone call on [date] at [time] with [person's name], during which I requested cancellation of my SolidWorks licence [serial number]. I am confirming this request in writing for the record." This written trail protects you if a dispute emerges later.

Failing to export your files before deactivation

Once your licence is deactivated, you lose the ability to edit or export your SolidWorks designs (.sldprt, .sldasm files) within the software. If you have not already converted them to neutral formats (STEP, DWG, PDF), you will face difficulty accessing them in alternative CAD tools or sharing them with colleagues who do not have SolidWorks. Export all critical designs at least 24 hours before you expect your cancellation to take effect.

Not checking your bank statement for auto-renewal charges

Some resellers continue attempting to charge you even after you cancel. If you do not actively monitor your bank statement, these erroneous charges can accumulate. Set a phone reminder for 45 days after your cancellation to check that no further SolidWorks charges appear on your account. If they do, report them to your bank as fraudulent charges and contact your reseller to demand a reversal and written confirmation that auto-renewal is permanently disabled.

Accepting unfair "cancellation fees"

A few resellers claim you must pay a "cancellation fee" or "admin fee" to exit a licence. Under the Consumer Protection Act, cancellation fees are unenforceable during the 5-working-day cooling-off period and are only permissible thereafter if they are clearly disclosed upfront and are genuinely proportionate to the supplier's costs. If a reseller tells you that you owe R5 000 to cancel a R50 000 licence, challenge this immediately. The fee is likely unfair and unenforceable. Write to the reseller stating: "I dispute this fee as an unfair contract term under the Consumer Protection Act. I expect a full refund of my licence fee with no deduction for cancellation." If they refuse, escalate to the NCC.

Next steps after cancellation is complete

Once your SolidWorks licence is fully cancelled and your refund has arrived, take these final steps to close the loop and prevent future complications.

Request written cancellation confirmation

Ask your reseller or Dassault Systèmes South Africa to send you a formal letter confirming that your licence has been cancelled, the date of cancellation, and the refund amount and date. Keep this document for your records. If you ever receive another invoice for SolidWorks in the future, you can immediately refer to this cancellation confirmation and demand that billing cease.

Remove licence key and login details from your devices

If your SolidWorks licence key or account login is stored on your computer, tablet, or shared network drive, remove it now. This prevents accidental re-activation or confusion if a colleague tries to use the software. In SolidWorks, go to Help > Manage Licenses > Remove Licenses to deactivate the software locally.

Disable auto-renewal across all payment platforms

Log into your credit card provider's website, PayPal account, or mobile banking app and check for any recurring charges related to SolidWorks. If auto-payment is set up, disable it manually even though your reseller should have done so. This is your final safety net against rogue charges.

Consider alternative CAD solutions for future projects

Now that you have cancelled SolidWorks, evaluate free or lower-cost alternatives such as FreeCAD, Fusion 360 (which offers free personal and educational use), or LibreCAD, depending on your team's needs. Many South African design firms have successfully transitioned to these platforms and report significant cost savings without compromising quality. Tocancel can help you navigate cancellation of other subscriptions if your evaluation leads you to switch providers later.

How to contact dassault systèmes south africa

If you need to escalate your cancellation request or lodge a formal complaint, contact Dassault Systèmes South Africa directly using the following details:

Summary: take control of your SolidWorks cancellation now

Cancelling your SolidWorks licence is a straightforward process when you understand your rights and follow a clear, documented sequence. Your position under South African law is strong - the Consumer Protection Act protects you for 5 working days after purchase, and the National Consumer Commission stands ready to investigate unfair billing or contract disputes if a reseller tries to prevent your cancellation.

The key is acting quickly, documenting every step, and keeping copies of all correspondence. Export your design files before your licence deactivates, verify that auto-renewal has been switched off, and confirm your refund arrives within 15 working days. If you encounter resistance, escalate to the NCC without hesitation - they enforce consumer rights every day and have the authority to order refunds and damages.

Tocancel has helped thousands of South African consumers cancel unwanted software subscriptions, recover refunds, and take back control of their spending. Whether you're cancelling SolidWorks due to cost pressures, a switch to alternative CAD tools, or a billing dispute, Tocancel empowers you with the knowledge, step-by-step guidance, and confidence to act decisively. Visit Tocancel today to access templates, escalation letters, and ongoing support for your cancellation. Your refund is waiting - take action now.