Annual subscriptions

Alang134

hi all some advice please 
I received notification of an annual subscription to a company I have been a member of for some six years, at the time I was happy to proceed but things have changed quickly in our household and due to personal reasons I am having to stop my business renewal date was 31st of march and I sent a mail on the 14th of April stating that I need to cancel my subscription and what is the procedure to do this. I believe the 14 day cooling off period starts the day after renewal? so would stating my intention to cancel on the 14th be valid ? the lady in there office did not reply to my mail for some days as she was on "annual leave" and I received  this response - We advised all members via email on the 7th March 2025, at 15.35 that any cancellations regarding membership renewals must be received by before the 26th March 2025 and I can see this email has been opened. As per our terms and conditions, your membership automatically renews annually on the 1st of April each year unless the resignation by email is received and an acknowledged is returned, I have attached a copy of out Terms & Conditions.

I acknowledge your email expressing your desire to renew your membership. However, as we have now passed the renewal date, the invoice cannot be cancelled and is considered valid. Now re cooling off periods surely this start the day after the subscription starts and not before? I have this invoice from the company stating 14 days from the issue date iThe amount outstanding of GBP 335.46 is due by 31 March 2026.

You have previously opted to pay by Direct Debit. Instalments will continue on the same plan as last year unless we are advised otherwise within 14 days from the issue date. By paying via Direct Debit, you agree that if a mandate is cancelled, or payments fail, at any point before the balance is cleared, full payment will required before the due date to continue receiving membership benefits'. Is the issue date the renewal date? I feel that it is unfair them to require full payment of £336 for the year when I will be not using there service - the company is not tech related and is a body similar to trade body associations ,any  advice would  be greatly appreciated thanks   

Olinda99

I believe cooling off a periods apply for new subscriptions but there is no calling off period at all for renewals

powerful_Rogue

Alang134 said:

hi all some advice please 
I received notification of an annual subscription to a company I have been a member of for some six years, at the time I was happy to proceed but things have changed quickly in our household and due to personal reasons I am having to stop my business renewal date was 31st of march and I sent a mail on the 14th of April stating that I need to cancel my subscription and what is the procedure to do this. I believe the 14 day cooling off period starts the day after renewal? so would stating my intention to cancel on the 14th be valid ? the lady in there office did not reply to my mail for some days as she was on "annual leave" and I received  this response - We advised all members via email on the 7th March 2025, at 15.35 that any cancellations regarding membership renewals must be received by before the 26th March 2025 and I can see this email has been opened. As per our terms and conditions, your membership automatically renews annually on the 1st of April each year unless the resignation by email is received and an acknowledged is returned, I have attached a copy of out Terms & Conditions.

I acknowledge your email expressing your desire to renew your membership. However, as we have now passed the renewal date, the invoice cannot be cancelled and is considered valid. Now re cooling off periods surely this start the day after the subscription starts and not before? I have this invoice from the company stating 14 days from the issue date iThe amount outstanding of GBP 335.46 is due by 31 March 2026.

You have previously opted to pay by Direct Debit. Instalments will continue on the same plan as last year unless we are advised otherwise within 14 days from the issue date. By paying via Direct Debit, you agree that if a mandate is cancelled, or payments fail, at any point before the balance is cleared, full payment will required before the due date to continue receiving membership benefits'. Is the issue date the renewal date? I feel that it is unfair them to require full payment of £336 for the year when I will be not using there service - the company is not tech related and is a body similar to trade body associations ,any  advice would  be greatly appreciated thanks   

Automatic renewals are not subject to a 14 day cooling off period.

Is this a business related subscription?

Alang134

Sorry I though rules had changed re cooling off periods on automatic subscriptions, The subscription is membership to a trade association, this was the wording on there invoice which lead me to believe that the 14 day applies - as follows  You have previously opted to pay by Direct Debit. Instalments will continue on the same plan as last year unless we are advised otherwise within 14 days from the issue date

user1977

If it's membership to a trade association then why would consumer rights apply to it?

Undervalued

powerful_Rogue said:

Alang134 said:

hi all some advice please 
I received notification of an annual subscription to a company I have been a member of for some six years, at the time I was happy to proceed but things have changed quickly in our household and due to personal reasons I am having to stop my business renewal date was 31st of march and I sent a mail on the 14th of April stating that I need to cancel my subscription and what is the procedure to do this. I believe the 14 day cooling off period starts the day after renewal? so would stating my intention to cancel on the 14th be valid ? the lady in there office did not reply to my mail for some days as she was on "annual leave" and I received  this response - We advised all members via email on the 7th March 2025, at 15.35 that any cancellations regarding membership renewals must be received by before the 26th March 2025 and I can see this email has been opened. As per our terms and conditions, your membership automatically renews annually on the 1st of April each year unless the resignation by email is received and an acknowledged is returned, I have attached a copy of out Terms & Conditions.

I acknowledge your email expressing your desire to renew your membership. However, as we have now passed the renewal date, the invoice cannot be cancelled and is considered valid. Now re cooling off periods surely this start the day after the subscription starts and not before? I have this invoice from the company stating 14 days from the issue date iThe amount outstanding of GBP 335.46 is due by 31 March 2026.

You have previously opted to pay by Direct Debit. Instalments will continue on the same plan as last year unless we are advised otherwise within 14 days from the issue date. By paying via Direct Debit, you agree that if a mandate is cancelled, or payments fail, at any point before the balance is cleared, full payment will required before the due date to continue receiving membership benefits'. Is the issue date the renewal date? I feel that it is unfair them to require full payment of £336 for the year when I will be not using there service - the company is not tech related and is a body similar to trade body associations ,any  advice would  be greatly appreciated thanks   

Automatic renewals are not subject to a 14 day cooling off period.

Is this a business related subscription?

This ^^^^^^^

Assuming this is a business transaction (and not a personal / consumer one) then there is no consumer protection as such and it simply depends on the terms and conditions that have been agreed between your business and the supplier..

Alang134

I dont know but as its my first post I did not know which category this would come under and I am unsure how to change it 

sheramber

Alang134 said:

Sorry I though rules had changed re cooling off periods on automatic subscriptions, The subscription is membership to a trade association, this was the wording on there invoice which lead me to believe that the 14 day applies - as follows  You have previously opted to pay by Direct Debit. Instalments will continue on the same plan as last year unless we are advised otherwise within 14 days from the issue date

Cancelling or changing a direct debit is not the same as cancelling the subscription.

You could cancel the direct debit and pay another way. 

lincroft1710

Alang134 said:

I dont know but as its my first post I did not know which category this would come under and I am unsure how to change it 

Possibly in the Small Business section, but little point in reposting there as the answers will be the same, there is no automatic cooling off period for business subscription renewal


You could try contacting the organisation again and ask that they would consider a partial refund as you have closed your business so no longer need their services. Even a 50% refund is better than nothing!