How to cancel Sittercity in new zealand and protect your rights

What is Sittercity and why you might want to cancel

Sittercity is an online marketplace that connects New Zealand parents with caregivers-babysitters, nannies, and pet sitters. The platform lets you search profiles, read reviews, and contact providers directly through a Premium Membership. Many parents find genuine value in the searchable database and safety features. However, if your circumstances change or you want to manage your spending, you need to know exactly how to cancel without being charged for unwanted renewal cycles. At Yafee, we help thousands of consumers navigate subscription cancellations every month, and Sittercity presents specific challenges that you need to understand before taking action.

Free and paid membership tiers explained

Sittercity offers a free Basic account that lets you browse caregiver profiles and read reviews without paying anything. The Premium Membership unlocks direct messaging and full contact details. Premium renews automatically each billing period unless you actively cancel. This is where most problems arise: the automatic renewal mechanism can catch you off guard if you are not careful about the cancellation process.

A critical point: if you purchased your subscription through the Apple App Store or Google Play, your billing and cancellation are managed by those platforms directly, not by Sittercity. This distinction is legally significant and catches many users off guard. You must cancel through the app store that processed your payment, not through the Sittercity website.

Why parents cancel Sittercity

Common reasons for cancellation include finding a regular caregiver and no longer needing to search, moving house, reduced childcare needs, or simply wanting to reduce discretionary spending. Whatever your reason, you have clear legal rights under New Zealand consumer law, and Yafee recommends you exercise them firmly and in writing.

Your consumer rights in new zealand

Before you cancel, understand the legal framework that protects you when dealing with online subscriptions.

The consumer guarantees act and your legal position

Under New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, every service provider-including Sittercity-must deliver services that are of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and provided with due care and skill. If Sittercity fails to deliver on these promises, you have the right to seek remedies including refunds, credit, or cancellation without penalty.

Sittercity's stated policy claims that membership fees are non-refundable and no credits apply for unused time. However, this contractual clause does not override your consumer rights if the service fails to meet acceptable standards, if Sittercity misled you about auto-renewal terms, or if cancellation is deliberately obscured. Yafee legal specialists emphasise this point: consumer guarantees are rights, not optional add-ons. They exist to protect you regardless of what the terms and conditions say.

Your legal position: If you paid for a service that did not meet acceptable standards, or if you were not clearly informed about auto-renewal before purchase, you can dispute the charge. You do not have to accept a blanket "no refunds" policy if the service itself failed to deliver. Document all evidence: screenshots, billing statements, emails, and support conversations.

Fair trading act requirements on auto-renewal

New Zealand's Fair Trading Act 1986 requires that any auto-renewing subscription must be clearly disclosed to you before you complete your purchase. Cancellation must be as easy as signing up. If you were not clearly informed about auto-renewal, or if the cancellation process is deliberately made difficult or hidden, you have legal grounds to dispute charges and recover your money.

The Commerce Commission, New Zealand's consumer protection regulator, actively enforces these rules. If Sittercity refuses to honour a legitimate cancellation or refund request, you can escalate your complaint to the Commerce Commission. Keep all receipts, screenshots of the signup screen, billing statements, and copies of any customer service responses. This evidence is crucial if you need to escalate a refund claim through your bank or the relevant app store.

Sittercity membership pricing breakdown

Understanding what you are paying helps you decide whether cancellation makes financial sense and whether you are entitled to a refund if the service underperformed.

Membership costs and billing cycles

Sittercity publishes pricing in US dollars, which means the exact New Zealand dollar amount varies depending on your billing cycle, the current exchange rate, and any active promotions at the time you signed up. The table below shows typical costs after conversion to NZD:

Contact Sittercity support directly for the current New Zealand dollar pricing applicable to your account. Exchange rate fluctuations mean published US prices change regularly when converted to NZD.

Should you cancel Sittercity?

This section helps you weigh the decision to cancel by comparing the cost of keeping your membership against the value you actually receive.

Reasons to keep your membership

You should keep Sittercity if you regularly search for caregivers, actively use the messaging feature, or rely on the platform to manage multiple caregiver relationships. If you check profiles at least once every billing cycle and contact at least two caregivers per month, the subscription cost is justified. Annual plans offer the best value if you use the service consistently throughout the year.

Reasons to cancel your membership

Cancel if you have found a permanent caregiver and no longer need to search, if you have moved or your childcare needs have changed, or if you have not logged into your account for more than three months. If you are paying for Premium but only browsing profiles, downgrade to the free Basic account instead-you retain search and review access without the monthly charge. Cancel immediately if you believe the service failed to deliver acceptable standards or if you were charged without authorisation.

How to cancel Sittercity step by step

The cancellation process varies depending on where you made your payment. Follow the steps for your payment platform to avoid being charged again.

Step 1: identify where you subscribed

Before you begin, determine which platform processed your payment. Check your bank statements or app store purchase history. This determines which cancellation process you must follow:

• Direct payment to Sittercity via credit or debit card on their website
• Payment through the Apple App Store (iOS app)
• Payment through Google Play Store (Android app)

Yafee strongly recommends you take a screenshot of your current subscription status before you cancel. This protects you if there is a dispute about whether cancellation took effect.

Step 2: cancel via Sittercity website (direct card payment)

If you signed up directly on sittercity.com and paid with a credit or debit card, follow these steps:

1. Log into your Sittercity account at sittercity.com using your email address and password
   • If you cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page
2. Navigate to your Account Settings or Membership Settings (usually found in the user menu, top right corner)
   • Look for "Subscription", "Billing", or "Payment" options
3. Select "Manage Subscription" or "Cancel Membership"
   • Read the cancellation confirmation message carefully-it will confirm your final billing date
4. Click "Cancel Subscription" or "Confirm Cancellation"
   • Sittercity may offer a discount or trial extension-decline unless you genuinely want to keep the service
5. Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation page
   • Forward a copy to your email for your records
6. Verify your inbox for a cancellation confirmation email from Sittercity within 24 hours
   • This email serves as proof of cancellation; save it permanently

If the cancellation option is not visible in your account settings, contact Sittercity support directly (see contact details at the end of this guide). Document all communication in writing and request a cancellation confirmation email.

Step 3: cancel via apple app store (iOS subscription)

If you subscribed through the Apple App Store on your iPhone or iPad, you must cancel through Apple, not through Sittercity:

1. Open the Apple App Store app on your iOS device
   • Tap the account icon (silhouette) in the bottom right corner
2. Tap "Subscriptions" from the menu
   • You will see a list of all your active app subscriptions
3. Find "Sittercity" in the subscriptions list and tap it
   • The subscription details page will show your renewal date and billing history
4. Tap "Cancel Subscription" or "Edit Subscription"
   • Select "Cancel" from the options presented
5. Confirm your cancellation
   • Apple will display the date when your access ends
6. Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation
   • You will receive a cancellation confirmation email from Apple within minutes

You retain access to Sittercity until the end of your current billing cycle. Cancellation is immediate, but your subscription runs until the renewal date passes.

Step 4: cancel via google play store (Android subscription)

If you subscribed through Google Play on an Android device, you must cancel through Google Play, not through Sittercity:

1. Open the Google Play app on your Android device
   • Tap the profile icon in the top right corner
2. Tap "Payments and subscriptions"
   • Select "Subscriptions" from the menu
3. Find "Sittercity" and tap it
   • Your subscription details and renewal date will be displayed
4. Tap "Cancel subscription"
   • Follow the prompts to confirm cancellation
5. Google Play will ask you why you are cancelling-select a reason and tap "Continue"
   • You may be offered a discount; decline unless you want to keep the subscription
6. Tap "Cancel subscription" a second time to confirm
   • Take a screenshot showing the cancellation is complete
7. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Google Play
   • Save this email as proof of cancellation

Access ends at the conclusion of your current billing cycle. The cancellation is effective immediately in the system, but you retain full access until renewal would have occurred.

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation is just the beginning. You need to verify that the process worked and know what to expect next.

Verify your cancellation is active

Within 24 to 48 hours of cancelling, log back into your Sittercity account (or check your app store subscription list) to confirm the cancellation is registered. Your account should show "Cancelled" or "Subscription Ended" status. If it still shows an active subscription, contact support immediately-provide your cancellation confirmation email as evidence. Yafee recommends this verification step for all cancellations because system delays can occasionally prevent cancellation from taking effect.

Monitor your next billing date

Mark your calendar with your final billing date. You should not be charged after this date. If a charge appears after your subscription should have ended, contact your bank or app store immediately to dispute it. Provide your cancellation confirmation email as proof that you cancelled in time.

Delete the app if desired

If you no longer want Sittercity on your phone, uninstall the app after confirming cancellation. Uninstalling the app does not automatically cancel your subscription-you must cancel through your account settings or the app store first.

Refunds and billing disputes

Sittercity claims that membership fees are non-refundable. However, New Zealand consumer law provides exceptions to this blanket policy.

When you can claim a refund

You have grounds to claim a refund in the following situations:

• The service failed to meet acceptable quality standards under the Consumer Guarantees Act (profiles were inaccurate, messaging did not work, or safety features were unavailable)
• You were not clearly informed about auto-renewal before you paid
• You were charged without authorisation or after you requested cancellation
• Cancellation was deliberately hidden or made unreasonably difficult
• You cancelled within the statutory cooling-off period (if applicable to your contract)

To pursue a refund, you must provide evidence. Collect screenshots of the signup page, your billing statement, the cancellation confirmation, and any support emails. Write to Sittercity in writing (not via chat) requesting a refund. Reference the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the specific reason why the service failed to deliver. Keep a copy of your letter.

Escalating a refund dispute

If Sittercity refuses your refund request, escalate the complaint to the Commerce Commission, New Zealand's regulator. Yafee advises you to lodge a formal complaint at www.comcom.govt.nz or contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau for free guidance. You can also dispute the charge through your bank if you paid by credit or debit card. Banks are required to investigate disputed transactions. This process, called a "chargeback", takes 30 to 60 days but often succeeds if you provide evidence of cancellation and the service failure.

Common cancellation mistakes to avoid

Cancellation is straightforward if you follow the right steps, but small errors can leave you subscribed without realising it.

Mistake 1: cancelling in the wrong place

Many users log into their Sittercity account and attempt to cancel through the website, but forget that their subscription is actually managed by the Apple App Store or Google Play. This is the single most common error. You must cancel in the same place where you paid. If you cannot find a cancellation option on the Sittercity website, your subscription is likely managed by an app store. Check your phone's app store subscription settings immediately.

Mistake 2: not keeping cancellation proof

Do not assume your cancellation is complete just because the website said "cancelled". Save every confirmation email, screenshot, and reference number. If a charge appears after cancellation, this evidence proves you acted in good faith and gives you leverage in a dispute.

Mistake 3: assuming you will not be charged

Take a screenshot of your cancellation date and set a phone reminder for the day after your final billing cycle. If a charge appears, dispute it immediately. Banks can reverse transactions, but only if you report them within 60 days.

Mistake 4: deleting the app before cancelling

Uninstalling the app does not cancel your subscription. You must cancel through your account settings or the app store payment platform first, then delete the app. Deleting the app leaves your subscription active and you will still be charged.

How yafee can help you cancel subscriptions

Yafee specialises in helping New Zealand consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions across hundreds of services. Our team understands the legal framework around auto-renewal and consumer rights. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers recover refunds and avoid being trapped in unwanted subscriptions. If you need guidance on a refund dispute or want to escalate your cancellation, Yafee can help you draft a formal complaint to Sittercity or the Commerce Commission.

Sittercity cancellation address and contact details

If you need to contact Sittercity directly to request cancellation or dispute a charge, use the following details. Note that Sittercity is a US company; these are the corporate mailing addresses provided for cancellation requests:

When you write to Sittercity, send your letter via registered mail to the Chicago address above. Include your full name, account email, subscription ID (from your billing statement), and the date of cancellation. Request written confirmation of cancellation. Keep a copy of your letter and proof of posting for your records.

Summary: your next steps

Cancelling Sittercity is legal, straightforward, and protected by New Zealand consumer law. You have rights: services must meet acceptable standards, auto-renewal must be clearly disclosed, and cancellation must be available. Yafee recommends you take action immediately if you have decided to cancel. Log into your account or app store, find the cancellation option, and take a screenshot. Document your cancellation confirmation. Monitor your billing for 30 days to ensure no charge appears. If Sittercity refuses to honour your cancellation or you believe the service failed to deliver acceptable standards, contact the Commerce Commission or use your bank's dispute process. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers navigate subscription cancellations and recover refunds. Remember: you are the customer, the law is on your side, and cancellation is your right.