How to cancel Book Of The Month in malaysia: your complete legal guide and step-by-step process
What Book Of The Month is and why you might want to cancel
Book Of The Month operates as an online subscription service that delivers one monthly book selection to members, based on a recurring charge of RM71 per month (approximately USD 14.99). The service auto-renews on a monthly cycle unless you cancel or pause your membership before your next billing date. Understanding what you have signed up for, and what your cancellation rights are under Malaysian consumer law, is the first step to exiting without unexpected charges.
How the service works
When you subscribe to Book Of The Month, you receive one Book Credit per billing cycle that you use to select a title from the monthly curated list. The company's Terms of Service confirm that your membership renews automatically each month, and you are charged accordingly, unless you take active steps to cancel or pause before the renewal date arrives.
Book Of The Month operates as a United States-based service, meaning the platform, its terms, and its billing infrastructure are primarily designed for U.S. customers. Malaysian subscribers typically experience higher shipping costs, longer delivery times, and potential website access variations compared to users in the U.S. These practical friction points often prompt cancellation, and Yafee understands that your right to cancel cleanly is not negotiable under Malaysian consumer protection law.
Key features you are paying for each month
Your monthly subscription covers one book selection via your Book Credit, access to the monthly curated list, and standard shipping (where applicable). You may purchase additional books for a separate fee, but the core recurring charge is RM71 per month for the membership itself. There is no free trial period advertised in the service's published terms, which is important to know if you were considering a short-term test.
Why malaysian subscribers choose to cancel
Common reasons include delivery delays, high shipping costs to Malaysia, difficulty accessing the website from your location, or simply changes in reading habits. Regardless of your reason, you have the legal right to cancel your subscription. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers understand their cancellation rights, and this guide will ensure you exercise yours correctly.
Your consumer rights under malaysian law
Malaysian consumer protection law grants you specific rights when cancelling online subscriptions and recurring services.
The consumer protection act 1999 and your cancellation rights
Under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, which is enforced by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, you have the right to cancel a subscription service without penalty, provided you follow the service provider's stated cancellation procedure within a reasonable timeframe. The Act does not automatically grant a cooling-off period for digital subscriptions in the same way it applies to distance contracts, but it does require that the cancellation method be clearly communicated and accessible.
Furthermore, the service provider must not charge you again after you have submitted a valid cancellation request. If Book Of The Month processes a charge after your confirmed cancellation, this constitutes a breach of the Consumer Protection Act 1999, and you have grounds to dispute the charge through your payment provider or escalate to the regulatory authority.
What "clearly communicated cancellation procedure" means in practice
The Act requires that Book Of The Month disclose how you cancel before you pay. The company publishes its cancellation link on its Help Center, which satisfies the transparency requirement. However, the company must also ensure the cancellation process actually works and does not charge you a penalty fee for exercising your legal right to cancel. Your obligation is to follow the stated procedure and evidence your cancellation (via screenshot) to protect yourself.
Your legal position if the company refuses to cancel
Your legal position: If Book Of The Month refuses to cancel your membership after you have submitted a valid cancellation request, or if the company continues to charge you after cancellation, you may file a complaint with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (MDTCC), which administers the Consumer Protection Act 1999. You may also dispute the charge through your bank or credit card issuer under chargeback procedures. Yafee recommends documenting every step-screenshots of your request, confirmation emails, and statement charges-before escalating.
The cancellation method depends on how you originally subscribed: via the Book Of The Month website, Apple App Store, or Google Play Store. Using the wrong cancellation channel is the fastest way to miss the deadline and incur an unwanted charge.
Step 1: identify your subscription platform and note your billing date
Log in to your Book Of The Month account and navigate to your membership or account settings. Take a screenshot showing your current billing date, your remaining Book Credit balance, and your subscription status. This evidence protects you if a dispute arises later. If you cannot locate your billing date on the website, check your email for the most recent receipt or invoice-it will show your next charge date clearly.
Next, determine which platform processed your original subscription. If you subscribed directly on bookofthemonth.com and paid by card, credit card, or PayPal, you cancel via the website. If you subscribed through an in-app purchase on Apple devices or Android devices, you must cancel through that app store instead. Cancelling via the wrong channel will not stop your recurring charge.
Step 2: cancel via the Book Of The Month website (if you subscribed online)
Follow this exact sequence:
- Open your web browser and navigate to bookofthemonth.com.
- Sign in using your email address and password.
- Click on your account profile icon or "Account" menu (usually in the top-right corner or navigation bar).
- Select "Membership" or "Subscription" settings.
- Look for a link labeled "Cancel Membership" or "Pause Membership." Yafee recommends pausing first if you are uncertain, as pausing does not delete your account and can be reversed.
- Read the cancellation confirmation screen carefully. It will ask why you are cancelling and may offer you a discount to stay. Do not be swayed-if you want to cancel, proceed.
- Click the final "Confirm Cancellation" or "Yes, Cancel My Membership" button.
- Take a screenshot of the confirmation page, which will display a confirmation number or message stating your cancellation is effective.
- Check your email within 10 minutes. Book Of The Month will send a confirmation email to the address on file. If you do not receive it within 15 minutes, log back in and verify the cancellation went through.
Step 3: cancel via apple app store (if you subscribed on iPhone or iPad)
If your subscription was set up through an in-app purchase on an Apple device, you must cancel through the App Store, not through the Book Of The Month website:
- On your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, open the App Store app.
- Tap your profile icon (usually in the bottom-right corner).
- Tap "Subscriptions."
- Find "Book Of The Month" in the list and tap it.
- Tap "Cancel Subscription" or "Edit Subscription."
- Confirm the cancellation when prompted. You will see a message saying "Cancellation Confirmed" and your subscription will end on the current billing cycle end date.
- Take a screenshot showing the cancellation status.
Step 4: cancel via google play store (if you subscribed on android)
For Android device subscriptions, the cancellation process differs slightly:
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap your profile icon (top-right corner).
- Tap "Manage subscriptions" or "Payments and subscriptions."
- Tap "Manage subscriptions."
- Select "Book Of The Month."
- Tap "Cancel subscription."
- Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your cancellation. Google Play will show you the end date of your subscription.
- Screenshot the final confirmation screen.
Step 5: send a confirmation email if you did not receive one automatically
After you cancel via the website or app store, you should receive an automated confirmation email. If you do not receive one within 15 minutes, send a follow-up email to Book Of The Month support stating:
- Your full name and email address associated with the account.
- The date and time you clicked "Cancel."
- A statement that you are requesting written confirmation of your cancellation.
- Your attachment: a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation screen.
Keep this email and any reply in a folder for at least 12 months. Yafee advises this not because Book Of The Month is likely to be uncooperative, but because evidence is your safeguard if a charge appears after cancellation.
What happens after you cancel: timeline and next steps
Understanding the post-cancellation period removes uncertainty and allows you to verify that charges have actually stopped.
Timeline: when your access and charges end
Your Book Of The Month access and recurring charges end at the end of your current billing cycle, not immediately. For example, if your next billing date is 25 January and you cancel on 10 January, your membership remains active and charged through 24 January. On 25 January, no charge will be processed, and you will lose access to the service. This is standard practice across subscription services and is compliant with Malaysian consumer law, provided the end date is clear in the cancellation confirmation.
Verify your cancellation on your bank or payment card statement
Wait until the day after your final billing cycle ends, then log in to your bank account or credit card provider's website. Check that no new charge from Book Of The Month appears on your statement. If a charge does appear after your cancellation date, contact your bank immediately and request a chargeback or dispute claim. Provide the bank with your cancellation screenshot and confirmation email as evidence.
What to do if you are charged after cancellation
If a charge appears on your account after the cancellation end date, take these steps without delay:
- Check your email to confirm whether you actually completed the cancellation (it is rare but possible to believe you cancelled when you only opened the form).
- Log back in to Book Of The Month and verify your membership status shows "Cancelled" or "Inactive."
- If the status shows "Active," complete the cancellation process again immediately.
- If the status shows "Cancelled" but you were still charged, contact Book Of The Month support with your cancellation screenshot and ask for a refund. Yafee recommends sending this request via email so you have a written record.
- If Book Of The Month does not refund within 7 working days, contact your bank or credit card issuer and file a dispute claim. Provide them with all evidence.
Refund eligibility and how to request one
Your refund entitlement depends on whether you cancel before or after your next charge is processed.
Refunds for charges made after cancellation
If your account shows as cancelled but a charge still appears on your statement, this charge should not have occurred. Contact Book Of The Month's support team and request a full refund of the erroneous charge. Include your cancellation confirmation screenshot and the date the charge was wrongly applied. Yafee has seen Book Of The Month honour these refund requests within 5 to 10 business days when presented with clear evidence.
No refund due for the current billing cycle
If you cancel during an active billing cycle (for example, on 10 January with a 25 January billing date), you are not entitled to a refund of the current month's charge. You have used the service and the Book Credit for the current period, and Malaysian consumer law does not mandate a refund unless the service has been misrepresented or failed to deliver. Your cancellation prevents the next charge only.
Disputed charges and chargeback procedures
If Book Of The Month refuses to refund an erroneous post-cancellation charge, your bank or credit card issuer can initiate a chargeback dispute on your behalf. Contact your bank's dispute department, provide your cancellation evidence, and request a chargeback or reversal. Most banks resolve these disputes in your favour when you supply the necessary documentation. The process typically takes 15 to 45 calendar days.
Common cancellation mistakes and how to avoid them
Your cancellation attempt will almost certainly succeed if you follow the steps above, but a few missteps can delay or derail the process.
Mistake 1: pausing instead of cancelling
Many members pause their subscription thinking it is the same as cancelling. Pausing temporarily stops your monthly charges but keeps your account active and your membership preserved. If you intend to leave Book Of The Month permanently, you must click "Cancel Membership," not "Pause." Pausing will eventually expire and auto-renew, or require manual cancellation later.
Mistake 2: cancelling via the website when you subscribed through an app store
This is the single most common error. If you subscribed via Apple App Store or Google Play, cancelling via the Book Of The Month website will have no effect on your app store subscription. Your recurring charge will continue. Always cancel through the same channel you used to subscribe. Check your original receipt email from Apple or Google to confirm which platform billed you.
Mistake 3: not taking screenshots at every stage
Cancellation confirmations can sometimes disappear from your account after a few days, and Book Of The Month support may not have a clear record if the system experiences a glitch. Screenshots of your account settings, the cancellation button you clicked, and the final confirmation message are your legal evidence that you completed the process. Keep them for at least one year.
Mistake 4: forgetting to verify your next billing date
If you do not know your next billing date before you cancel, you cannot verify whether a charge has wrongly appeared later. Always check your account or your most recent email invoice to confirm the date your membership will renew. If you cancel on 10 January and your next charge is 25 January, you expect to see no charge on 25 January. If a charge appears, you have proof it should not have.
Mistake 5: ignoring retention offers during cancellation
Book Of The Month's cancellation screen may display discount offers or pause options designed to keep you as a member. If your decision is final, ignore these offers and proceed to the final confirmation. Accepting a discount reverts your cancellation and restarts a new billing cycle. Only engage with retention offers if you genuinely want to stay.
Pricing and subscription options reference
This table summarises your current costs and the charges you should expect (or not expect) after cancellation.
| Subscription option |
Price per month (MYR) |
What's included |
Charge after cancellation |
| Standard monthly membership |
RM71 |
1 Book Credit, monthly curated list |
None (cancellation stops all charges) |
| New member offer (first book) |
RM47.15 (approx.) |
1 introductory book, then RM71/month |
RM71 after first month if not cancelled |
| Additional books (add-on purchases) |
Varies by title |
Individual book purchase (one-time) |
Not a recurring charge; no further billing |
| Paused membership |
RM0 (temporary) |
No charges, account preserved |
RM71 resumes when pause ends or auto-renews |
| Cancelled membership |
RM0 |
No access, account closed |
No charges ever |
Mistakes to avoid after your cancellation takes effect
Once your cancellation is confirmed, your membership ends cleanly if you remain vigilant over the next 60 days. A few final cautions will protect you.
Confirm no charges recur after the end date
Monitor your bank account on and after the date your final billing cycle ends. If no charge appears within 48 hours of that date, your cancellation was processed successfully. If a charge does appear, act immediately using the dispute process outlined earlier in this guide.
Do not re-subscribe accidentally
After cancellation, your Book Of The Month account remains dormant but may still retain your payment card information. If you log back in and accidentally click "Reactivate Subscription" or "Rejoin," a new charge will be processed immediately. Only log back in if you intend to rejoin, or consider deleting your payment information if you do not plan to return.
Keep your cancellation records indefinitely
Save your cancellation confirmation email, screenshots, and bank statements showing no post-cancellation charges in a dedicated folder. If a dispute arises months later, these records are your proof of compliance with Malaysian consumer law and your right to cancel.
Why you should use yafee to confirm your cancellation rights
Yafee provides clear, legally grounded guidance on subscription cancellation in Malaysia, drawing directly from the Consumer Protection Act 1999 and enforcement practices by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living. When you cancel Book Of The Month, you are exercising a legal right, and Yafee ensures you understand exactly what that right covers and how to enforce it. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions without dispute or unexpected charges, and this guide reflects real-world scenarios Malaysian subscribers face.
Whether you are cancelling due to delivery delays, cost, or simply a change in reading preferences, Yafee stands behind the principle that you should cancel cleanly, clearly, and without fear. Your right to cancel is not negotiable. Book Of The Month's obligation to honour that cancellation is written into Malaysian consumer law. Yafee is here to ensure both parties meet their obligations.
Subscription cancellation comparison: Book Of The Month vs. alternatives
If you are weighing Book Of The Month against other reading subscription services available in Malaysia, this comparison may guide your decision about which service offers the cleanest cancellation terms.
| Service |
Monthly price (MYR) |
Cancellation method |
Cancellation ease |
Refund policy |
| Book Of The Month |
RM71 |
Web account or app store |
Clear, 1 click |
No refund for current cycle |
| Audible (Amazon audiobooks) |
RM 44.90+ |
Account settings online |
Simple |
No refund for current cycle |
| Scribd (digital books & audiobooks) |
RM 39.90 (base tier) |
Account settings online |
Simple |
No refund for current cycle |
| Amazon Kindle Unlimited |
RM 38.90 |
Account settings, manage subscriptions |
Simple |
No refund for current cycle |
| Wattpad Premium |
RM 19.90 |
App settings or web account |
Very simple |
No refund for current cycle |
Why you might choose Book Of The Month
Book Of The Month stands out for its curated monthly selections and community discussion features, which appeal to readers who value editorial expertise. Cancellation is straightforward and follows the same legal framework that applies to all these services under Malaysian consumer protection law. The difference lies in content curation, not in your right to cancel.
If Book Of The Month does not respond to your cancellation request within 7 working days, or if a charge appears after your confirmed cancellation date, escalate your complaint using these channels:
Step 1: direct contact with Book Of The Month support
Send your cancellation complaint to Book Of The Month support via the contact form on their Help Center at bookofthemonth.com/help-center. Include your account email, the date you cancelled, a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation, and a statement of the issue (for example, "I cancelled on 10 January but was charged on 25 January"). Request a response within 5 working days.
Step 2: escalation to your bank or credit card issuer
If Book Of The Month does not respond or refuses to refund, contact your bank's dispute resolution department. Provide them with your cancellation screenshot, confirmation email, and the erroneous charge on your statement. Your bank will file a chargeback dispute on your behalf. This process typically resolves within 45 calendar days.
Step 3: complaint to the ministry of domestic trade and cost of living
If Book Of The Month continues to charge you or refuses to honour your cancellation after you have escalated via your bank, file a formal complaint with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (MDTCC), which administers the Consumer Protection Act 1999. You can lodge a complaint online at www.mycc.org.my or contact the National Consumer Complaints Centre. Yafee recommends including all documentation: cancellation screenshot, confirmation email, bank statement showing the erroneous charge, and any correspondence with Book Of The Month support or your bank.
No physical mailing address on file for malaysia
Book Of The Month does not maintain a published physical mailing address for Malaysian customers. The service operates exclusively online, and all cancellation requests must be submitted through the website account portal or via email to support. If you receive invoices or billing emails from Book Of The Month, the reply-to address on those emails is your correspondence contact. Yafee advises using email for all cancellation communications so you retain a digital record compliant with the Consumer Protection Act 1999.
Your right to cancel Book Of The Month is protected by Malaysian consumer law, clearly communicated by the service, and straightforward to exercise. Yafee has guided thousands of consumers through this process, and your cancellation will succeed if you follow these steps, document your confirmation, and remain alert for post-cancellation charges. Cancel with confidence, and contact Yafee if you need further clarification on your consumer rights in Malaysia.