How to cancel your GCN subscription and shop orders in new zealand
What GCN is and why you might cancel
GCN (Global Cycling Network) is a cycling-focused media brand that produces video content, runs an online merchandise shop, and previously operated a paid streaming service. If you have subscribed to GCN or placed an order through their shop, understanding your cancellation options and consumer rights under New Zealand law is essential. Yafee specialises in helping consumers navigate these processes with clarity and confidence.
You may be cancelling a GCN Shop order because you have changed your mind, received faulty goods, or want to return merchandise. Alternatively, if you hold a YouTube channel membership with GCN, you might be trimming subscriptions or no longer finding the content valuable. Whatever your reason, New Zealand law protects your right to cancel and claim remedies if the service or product falls short of what you paid for.
The current state of GCN services
GCN+ and the GCN app were permanently shut down on 19 December 2023. If you held an active subscription at that date, your membership ended automatically. GCN should have issued a prorated refund for any unused time; if you did not receive this refund, you have grounds to pursue a claim under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.
Today, GCN operates two main offerings: the GCN Shop (selling branded merchandise worldwide) and YouTube channel memberships (priced in Euros). Neither is a traditional New Zealand-based streaming subscription service anymore. Understanding which service you hold will determine which cancellation process applies to you.
Your consumer rights under new zealand law
The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 gives you significant protections when cancelling GCN services or shop orders, regardless of what GCN's terms and conditions state.
What the consumer guarantees act means for you
Under New Zealand consumer law, any goods or services you purchase must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and safe. If GCN's digital service (or physical merchandise) fails to deliver on these promises, you have the right to cancel and claim a refund, even if GCN's website says "no refunds" or "all sales final."
This protection is critical: if a service is faulty, fails to deliver what was promised, or becomes unavailable without warning (as happened with GCN+), you are entitled to a remedy. That remedy can include cancellation, a full refund, or compensation for loss.
Your legal position: You have an automatic right to cancel any defective service or product within a reasonable timeframe under the Consumer Guarantees Act. The burden is on GCN to prove the service was fit for purpose, not on you to prove it was not. Keep all correspondence, order confirmations, screenshots, and proof of payment. These records become your strongest evidence in any dispute.
When you can escalate to the commerce commission
If you cancel your order or subscription and GCN refuses to process a refund, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission, which is the New Zealand consumer authority. Document everything before escalating: screenshots of the website, email correspondence, payment records, and your cancellation request. The Commerce Commission uses these materials to investigate breaches of consumer law and can compel GCN to refund you or face enforcement action.
GCN pricing: understanding what you are paying for
Understanding GCN's current pricing helps you decide whether cancellation is the right move and ensures you know exactly what refund you should expect.
Current products, availability, and pricing
| Product or service |
Availability |
Pricing (NZD or equivalent) |
| GCN Shop (merchandise) |
Worldwide, including New Zealand |
Varies by item (no set NZD pricing; international shipping applies) |
| GCN+ (streaming service) |
Closed 19 December 2023 |
No longer available; refunds should have been issued |
| YouTube channel membership |
Available via YouTube platform |
€2.99, €14.99, or €24.99 per month (platform-set, no NZD tier) |
| GCN free YouTube channel |
Available worldwide |
Free (no cancellation required) |
Is the GCN shop value for money?
GCN Shop items are branded cycling merchandise (jerseys, bottles, accessories, bags). Prices are not listed in NZD by the provider, and international shipping costs apply. Before ordering, factor in delivery charges and customs duties (if any) to your address in New Zealand.
YouTube memberships offer supporter perks, such as early access to videos, custom badges, and exclusive content. At €2.99 per month (approximately NZD 5.50), the entry tier is modest; the higher tiers unlock more perks but represent a longer-term commitment. Yafee recommends reviewing what perks you actually use before deciding to stay or cancel.
How to cancel GCN shop orders
If you have placed an order through the GCN Shop and want to cancel or return it, follow this step-by-step process.
Step 1: check the cancellation window
Most international online retailers, including GCN, apply a 14-day cooling-off period for non-customised items. This period begins from the date you receive the goods, not the date you order them. If you are still within this window, GCN must accept your cancellation request and process a refund (minus reasonable return shipping costs).
Step 2: contact GCN customer support via their website
- Visit the GCN Shop website and locate the "Contact Us" or "Help" section.
- Select the option for "Order Cancellation" or "Returns".
- Provide your order number, email address, and reason for cancellation.
- Request a return label or return address if the goods have been dispatched.
- Keep a copy of your cancellation request and any reference number GCN provides.
Step 3: return the goods if required
- If GCN provides a return label, print it and affix it to the package.
- If you must pay for return shipping, request that GCN reimburse this cost as part of your refund (they are obligated to under consumer law if the fault is GCN's).
- Use a tracked courier service (such as NZ Post, Courier Post, or DPD) so you have proof of return.
- Keep the receipt and tracking number until the refund has been processed.
Step 4: follow up if the refund is delayed
GCN should process your refund within 14 to 30 days of receiving the returned goods. If you do not receive the refund within this timeframe, follow up with customer support. Provide your tracking number and request a specific date by which the refund will be issued. If GCN continues to delay, you have grounds to escalate.
How to cancel your YouTube membership with GCN
YouTube channel memberships are managed through YouTube itself, not directly by GCN. This means the cancellation process is handled by Google, and your payment method (credit card or Google Play balance) is charged by YouTube.
Step 1: open YouTube and navigate to your memberships
- Go to YouTube.com and sign in to the account that holds the GCN membership.
- Click your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select "Purchases and memberships".
- Find "Memberships" in the left-hand menu.
- Locate the GCN channel membership in the list.
Step 2: cancel the membership
- Click on the GCN membership entry.
- Select "Manage" or "Cancel membership".
- Review the cancellation terms (YouTube typically allows you to access paid content through the end of your billing cycle).
- Confirm the cancellation by clicking "Cancel membership".
- YouTube will display a confirmation message; screenshot this for your records.
Step 3: verify the cancellation and refund
Once you cancel, YouTube immediately stops charging you at your next billing date. You retain access to the GCN membership perks until the end of your current billing cycle (for example, if you cancel mid-cycle, you keep access until the cycle ends). You will not receive a prorated refund for the current month unless you cancel within Google's refund window (typically 48 hours for YouTube memberships).
Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from YouTube. If you do not receive one within 24 hours, log back into your YouTube account and verify that the membership no longer appears in your "Purchases and memberships" section.
What happens after you cancel: timeline and expectations
Understanding what to expect after cancellation helps you monitor your account and catch any errors.
For GCN shop refunds
GCN typically processes refunds within 14 to 30 business days of receiving your returned goods. The refund is issued to your original payment method (credit card or PayPal). If you paid by credit card, your bank may take a further 3 to 5 business days to post the refund to your account. Check your credit card statement to confirm the refund has appeared.
For YouTube membership cancellations
You lose access to paid GCN perks (badges, exclusive videos, early releases) immediately after the billing cycle ends. You retain access for the remainder of your current billing month. No refund is issued for partial-month cancellations unless you meet YouTube's 48-hour refund window.
Email communication
Yafee advises checking your inbox and spam folder for cancellation confirmations. Keep these emails for your records. If GCN or YouTube fails to send a confirmation within 24 to 48 hours, follow up directly via their support channels.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancelling is straightforward if you follow the correct procedure, but small oversights can delay your refund or create disputes.
Not checking the return window
If you wait longer than 14 days to request a return, GCN may refuse without a valid reason (such as faulty goods). Check the date you received the order and calculate the 14-day window immediately. If you are close to the deadline, prioritise submitting your cancellation request in writing (email or website form) so you have proof of the date and time.
Returning goods without a label or tracking
Always use a tracked courier service for returns. Untracked post leaves you unable to prove you returned the goods, which gives GCN an excuse to deny the refund. The small cost of tracked shipping is worth the protection.
Not keeping screenshots and correspondence
If a dispute arises, you need evidence of what you ordered, what you paid, and when you requested cancellation. Screenshot your order confirmation, cancellation request, and any emails from GCN. Store these files or emails in a safe location (e.g., cloud storage or a printed folder).
Assuming YouTube and GCN are the same entity
YouTube memberships are managed by Google, not GCN. If you cancel on YouTube but the charge still appears, contact Google Support, not GCN. Conversely, if you email GCN about a YouTube charge, they will direct you to Google. Know which company to contact for each service.
Comparing your options: stay or cancel?
Use this table to decide whether staying or cancelling makes sense for your situation.
| Situation |
Recommendation |
Action |
| You have not used GCN+ since it shut down on 19 December 2023 |
File a refund claim |
Contact the Commerce Commission if you did not receive your prorated refund |
| You ordered from the GCN Shop within the past 14 days and have not opened the package |
Cancel immediately |
Contact GCN customer support and request a return label |
| You hold a YouTube membership but no longer watch GCN content |
Cancel the membership |
Go to YouTube, select Purchases and memberships, and click Cancel |
| You use the GCN YouTube membership actively and enjoy the early-access perks |
Keep the membership |
No action required; check your billing cycle to ensure the charge is expected |
| You received faulty merchandise from the GCN Shop |
Cancel and claim a full refund |
Contact GCN with photos of the fault and reference the Consumer Guarantees Act |
GCN does not maintain a New Zealand-specific postal address or telephone line. All communication should be handled through their website or email.
GCN shop contact information
- Website: GCN Shop (contact form available on their Help/Support page)
- Email: Locate the customer support email address in the Shop's Help section or footer
- Postal address: GCN's mailing address is based in Rhode Island, USA (listed on their website or invoices); note that international post to the USA can take 2 to 4 weeks
- Expected response time: 3 to 5 business days via email; allow longer for postal correspondence
YouTube membership support
- Contact: Google Support (via YouTube account settings)
- Response time: Usually within 24 to 48 hours
- Escalation: If Google does not respond, file a complaint with the Commerce Commission
If GCN refuses to refund and you need to escalate
Contact the Commerce Commission directly. Provide your order number, screenshots of your cancellation request, proof of payment, and any correspondence with GCN. The Commerce Commission can investigate breaches of the Consumer Guarantees Act and force GCN to refund you.
Commerce Commission contact:
- Phone: 0800 943 600 (toll-free in New Zealand)
- Website: www.comcom.govt.nz
- Online complaint form: Available on their website under "Make a complaint"
Summary: your cancellation checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you have completed all necessary steps and protected your rights.
| Task |
Status |
Notes |
| Check cancellation window (14 days for returns) |
Pending |
Calculate from the date you received the goods, not the order date |
| Screenshot order confirmation and cancellation request |
Pending |
Store in cloud storage or print for backup |
| Submit cancellation request to GCN or YouTube |
Pending |
Submit in writing (email or website form) for proof |
| Arrange return shipping if goods are involved |
Pending |
Use tracked courier; keep receipt and tracking number |
| Monitor for refund within 14 to 30 days |
Pending |
Check email and payment method for confirmation |
| Escalate to Commerce Commission if refund is refused |
Pending |
Only if GCN does not respond or refuses your cancellation |
Final steps: what yafee recommends
Cancelling your GCN subscription or shop order is a straightforward process if you understand your rights and follow the correct procedure. The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 protects you in New Zealand, and you have the right to cancel defective services or products regardless of what GCN's website says.
If you hold a YouTube membership with GCN, cancel directly through YouTube's platform and keep your cancellation confirmation. If you have ordered from the GCN Shop and are within the 14-day return window, contact GCN customer support immediately and use tracked return shipping to protect yourself.
Should GCN refuse to process a refund or fail to respond, the Commerce Commission is your escalation route. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers navigate subscription cancellations and recover refunds under New Zealand consumer law. Keep all correspondence, monitor your account, and do not hesitate to escalate if GCN breaches your rights.
Visit Yafee (yafee.com) for more guides on cancelling subscriptions, understanding consumer rights, and protecting yourself as a customer in New Zealand.