The Hardest Subscriptions to Cancel (And How to Do It)

Canceling a subscription should be as easy as signing up. Unfortunately, many companies use "dark patterns" to make cancellation difficult, hoping you'll give up and keep paying. Here's which services are hardest to cancel and how to actually do it.

What Are Dark Patterns?

Dark patterns are design techniques that manipulate users into doing something they don't want to do—in this case, staying subscribed.

Common Dark Patterns in Cancellation

1. Hidden cancellation options - Buried in settings
2. Multiple confirmation screens - Make you click through many steps
3. Emotional manipulation - "We'll miss you!" messages
4. Misdirection - "Pause" instead of "Cancel" buttons
5. Retention offers - Discounts that require staying subscribed
6. Required phone calls - Can't cancel online
7. Trick questions - "Are you sure?" with confusing options

The Hardest Services to Cancel

1. Gym Memberships (Planet Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, etc.)

Why they're difficult:

• Often require in-person cancellation
• Must cancel during specific hours
• May require written notice
• High-pressure retention tactics
• Some require 30-60 days notice

How to cancel:

1. Read your contract - Know the exact requirements
2. Send written notice - Certified mail if required
3. Document everything - Keep copies of cancellation requests
4. Be persistent - Don't let them talk you out of it
5. Contact bank - As last resort, stop payment (check contract first)

Pro tip: Some gyms allow cancellation via email or online portal—check their website first.

2. SiriusXM

Why it's difficult:

• Requires phone call to cancel
• Retention specialists are trained to keep you
• Long hold times
• Multiple discount offers
• Can take 30+ minutes

How to cancel:

1. Call 1-888-539-7474
2. Be direct: "I want to cancel my subscription"
3. Decline all offers - They'll offer many discounts
4. Stay firm - Repeat "I want to cancel" if needed
5. Get confirmation number - Essential for proof

Script:

"Hi, I'd like to cancel my SiriusXM subscription. I'm not interested in any retention offers. Please process the cancellation and provide me with a confirmation number."

3. Spotify

Why it's difficult:

• Requires navigating through 5+ screens
• Uses 9 different dark patterns
• Emotional appeals ("We'll miss you!")
• Confusing button placement
• Misdirection tactics

How to cancel:

1. Go to spotify.com/account
2. Scroll to "Your plan"
3. Click "Change plan"
4. Scroll past all offers
5. Click "Cancel Premium" at bottom
6. Decline retention offers
7. Confirm cancellation

Note: Can't cancel via mobile app (app store policy).

4. Amazon Prime

Why it's difficult:

• Multiple screens with offers
• "End membership" vs. "Cancel" confusion
• Retention offers at each step
• Emotional messaging

How to cancel:

1. Go to Amazon.com → Account → Prime Membership
2. Click "Update, cancel and more"
3. Click "End membership"
4. Choose "End immediately" or "End at period end"
5. Confirm through multiple screens
6. Save confirmation email

5. Adobe Creative Cloud

Why it's difficult:

• Early termination fees (50% of remaining contract)
• Multiple retention offers
• Requires account access
• Confusing plan types

How to cancel:

1. Go to account.adobe.com
2. Plans & Payment → Manage plan
3. Click "Cancel your plan"
4. Navigate through offers
5. Confirm cancellation
6. Note: May face early termination fee

To avoid fees:

• Cancel in last month of annual term
• Contact support and explain hardship
• Switch to monthly first, then cancel

6. Ipsy (Beauty Subscription)

Why it's difficult:

• Requires 10+ clicks to cancel
• Cancellation option is hard to find
• Multiple confirmation screens

How to cancel:

1. Log into account
2. Go to Account Settings
3. Find "Membership" section
4. Click through multiple screens
5. Confirm cancellation
6. Save confirmation

7. News Subscriptions (NYT, WSJ, etc.)

Why they're difficult:

• Require phone calls
• Aggressive retention offers
• May require speaking with multiple people

How to cancel:

1. Call customer service
2. Be direct about cancellation
3. Decline all offers
4. Get confirmation number
5. Follow up with email if needed

General Cancellation Strategies

Strategy 1: The Direct Approach

When to use: For services with online cancellation

Steps:

1. Log into account
2. Find Account/Settings/Billing
3. Look for "Cancel" or "End membership"
4. Click through all screens
5. Decline offers
6. Confirm cancellation
7. Save confirmation email

Strategy 2: The Phone Call Method

When to use: Services that require phone calls

Preparation:

• Have account information ready
• Know what you want to say
• Be prepared to decline offers
• Have pen/paper for confirmation numbers

Script:

"Hi, I'd like to cancel my [Service] subscription. My account is [email/phone]. I'm not interested in any retention offers. Please process the cancellation and provide a confirmation number."

If they push back:

"I understand, but my decision is final. Please process the cancellation."

Strategy 3: The Written Notice Method

When to use: Gym memberships, some annual subscriptions

Requirements:

• Check contract for specific requirements
• May need certified mail
• May need 30-60 days notice
• Keep copies of everything

Template:

```

(Date)

(Company Name)

(Address)

Re: Cancellation of (Service Name)

Account: (Account Number/Email)

Dear (Company),

I am writing to cancel my (Service Name) subscription, effective (Date).

Please confirm receipt of this cancellation and provide confirmation that

no further charges will be made to my account.

Thank you,

(Your Name)

(Contact Information)

```

Strategy 4: The Bank Stop Payment

When to use: Last resort, when company won't cancel

Important: Check your contract first—some services may have penalties for stop payments.

Steps:

1. Contact your bank
2. Request stop payment for specific merchant
3. Provide account details
4. Note: This doesn't cancel subscription, just stops payment
5. Service may suspend account, but you may still owe money

Warning: Only use if company is unresponsive or fraudulent.

Services by Cancellation Difficulty

Easy to Cancel (1-2 clicks)

• Netflix
• Hulu
• Disney+
• Most streaming services
• Most app subscriptions

Moderate Difficulty (3-5 steps)

• Spotify
• Amazon Prime
• Apple subscriptions (via Settings)
• Google subscriptions

Difficult (Phone call required)

• SiriusXM
• News subscriptions
• Some gym memberships
• Cable/Internet (often)

Very Difficult (Multiple hurdles)

• Gym memberships (in-person, written notice)
• Adobe (early termination fees)
• Some annual software subscriptions

Tips for Easier Cancellation

Tip 1: Cancel Immediately After Signing Up

Pro tip: For free trials or new subscriptions:

1. Sign up for service
2. Immediately cancel (you keep access until period ends)
3. No risk of forgetting
4. Can always resubscribe if you want to continue

Tip 2: Use Virtual Credit Cards

Create virtual cards with:

• Spending limits
• Expiration dates
• One-time use settings

Result: If you forget to cancel, card expires and charges stop.

Tip 3: Set Reminders

Use Subssy to:

• Track all subscriptions
• Set reminders before billing dates
• Note cancellation difficulty
• Plan cancellation timing

Tip 4: Document Everything

Always:

• Save cancellation confirmation emails
• Take screenshots of cancellation process
• Note confirmation numbers
• Keep records for 90 days

Tip 5: Know Your Rights

FTC "Click to Cancel" Rule (Proposed):

• Companies must make cancellation as easy as signup
• Must offer online cancellation if signup was online
• Can't require phone calls if you signed up online
• Must process cancellations immediately

Check if this applies to your situation.

What to Do If Cancellation Fails

Situation 1: Company Won't Cancel

Steps:

1. Document all attempts (screenshots, emails)
2. Contact your bank to stop payment
3. File complaint with:

- Better Business Bureau

- FTC (Federal Trade Commission)

- State attorney general

Situation 2: Still Being Charged After Cancellation

Steps:

1. Contact company with proof of cancellation
2. Request refund for unauthorized charges
3. If no response, dispute with bank/credit card
4. File complaint with authorities

Situation 3: Early Termination Fees

Options:

1. Wait for contract end - Cancel in last month
2. Negotiate fee - Contact support, explain situation
3. Pay fee - Sometimes worth it to get out
4. Switch to monthly - Then cancel (may avoid fee)

Prevention: Choose Easy-to-Cancel Services

Red Flags (Hard to Cancel)

• Requires phone call to cancel
• No online cancellation option
• Long-term contracts
• Early termination fees
• In-person cancellation required

Green Flags (Easy to Cancel)

• One-click cancellation
• Cancel anytime, no fees
• Online cancellation available
• Clear cancellation process
• Immediate confirmation

The Bottom Line

Canceling subscriptions shouldn't be a battle, but some companies make it one. The key is:

1. Know the process - Research cancellation before signing up
2. Be persistent - Don't give up
3. Document everything - Save confirmations
4. Use tools - Subssy helps track and remind
5. Know your rights - Companies can't make it impossible

Remember: You have the right to cancel. Don't let dark patterns stop you.

Take Action

This week:

1. Identify subscriptions you want to cancel
2. Research their cancellation process
3. Set aside time to complete cancellations
4. Use Subssy to track the process

This month:

1. Cancel all unwanted subscriptions
2. Document all cancellations
3. Verify no further charges
4. Celebrate your savings!

Don't let difficult cancellation processes keep you paying for services you don't want. You have the power to cancel—use it!