How to cancel your StarNow subscription and protect your performer profile

Understanding StarNow and why you might want to cancel

StarNow is an online casting and talent platform that connects performers, actors, models and creatives with auditions, paid work and industry opportunities across Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.

The platform operates a free account tier alongside paid subscription options that unlock additional features such as expanded application limits, extra media uploads and premium visibility to casting directors and agencies. You access StarNow through either the web platform or mobile app, and your billing pathway depends entirely on which entry point you used to subscribe. This distinction matters significantly because cancelling your paid subscription requires different procedural steps depending on your original sign-up method, and missteps can leave you charged even after you believed you had cancelled.

How StarNow subscriptions work in new zealand

When you subscribe to StarNow, your payment processes either through your StarNow account directly or through the Apple App Store, depending on which platform you used to register. Each pathway operates on its own renewal schedule, billing contact and cancellation process. Monthly and annual subscription options are available, with pricing displayed in USD on the App Store; Apple converts your charge to New Zealand dollars at the time of transaction. The exact NZD amount you are charged depends on the exchange rate on your payment date, which is why your receipt may show a figure slightly different from what you anticipated.

When cancellation makes sense

You might choose to cancel if you are taking a break from auditioning, relocating outside New Zealand, or no longer need the premium features the paid tier offers. Cancelling your paid subscription does not delete your performer profile, portfolio or application history; those remain in your account unless you choose to delete them separately. This distinction is important: you can pause your subscription while preserving your professional presence on the platform.

Your consumer rights as a new zealand subscriber

As a consumer in New Zealand, you are protected by the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, which establishes minimum standards for all goods and services you purchase, including digital subscriptions like StarNow.

What the consumer guarantees act covers

Under New Zealand law, services must be supplied with reasonable care and skill, fit for purpose and supplied within a reasonable time. If StarNow fails to deliver the service as described-for example, if you cannot upload media, your profile does not display correctly, or the platform is repeatedly unavailable-you have a legal right to a remedy. You can request a refund, cancellation, replacement or repair without penalty within a reasonable period after purchase. Most importantly, these protections apply even if the company's terms and conditions state otherwise, because consumer law overrides unfair contract terms.

Your right to cancel within a cooling-off period

If you subscribed to StarNow and changed your mind, you may have the right to cancel within 14 days of purchase, provided you have not substantially used the service. This cooling-off period is your protection against impulse purchases and unclear billing practices. To exercise this right, contact StarNow support in writing (email or postal mail) within 14 days and keep a copy of your request. Yafee recommends taking screenshots of your order confirmation, subscription page and any correspondence as evidence of your cancellation request.

Your legal position: The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 grants you this 14-day right to cancel without penalty. StarNow cannot impose cancellation fees or withhold refunds if you exercise this right within the timeframe, even if their terms suggest otherwise. If StarNow refuses your cancellation request, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission, which enforces consumer protection laws in New Zealand.

Cancellation methods for StarNow subscriptions

Your cancellation method depends on where you originally subscribed.

Cancelling a subscription purchased directly through StarNow

If you subscribed through StarNow's website or app (paying directly to StarNow rather than through a third-party platform), you must cancel through your StarNow account settings.

1. Log into your StarNow account on the web platform using your email and password.
2. Navigate to your account settings or billing section (typically found in your profile menu or account dropdown).
3. Locate the "Subscription" or "Billing" option and select "View Subscription Details" or "Manage Subscription".
4. Select "Cancel Subscription" or "Cancel My Membership".
5. StarNow may present a survey asking why you are cancelling; complete this if you wish to provide feedback (optional).
6. Confirm your cancellation request when prompted. StarNow will display a confirmation message and send you a cancellation confirmation email within 24 hours.
7. Retain this confirmation email as proof of cancellation for your records.

Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle (month or year, depending on your plan). You will not be charged for the next cycle. If you subscribed via annual plan and wish to cancel immediately, contact StarNow support in writing to request a pro-rata refund for unused service; your legal position under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 supports this request if you cancel within 14 days of purchase and have not substantially used the service.

Cancelling a subscription purchased through apple app store

If you subscribed via the Apple App Store on an iPhone or iPad, you must cancel through your Apple account settings, not through StarNow.

1. Open the App Store app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Select "Subscriptions".
4. Find "StarNow" in your active subscriptions list and tap it.
5. Tap "Cancel Subscription" or "Cancel Free Trial".
6. Apple will ask you to confirm your cancellation. Select "Confirm" to proceed.
7. Apple will display a cancellation confirmation and send you a confirmation email to the Apple ID email address associated with your account.

Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle. Apple will not charge you for the next renewal. Keep the confirmation email as proof of cancellation. If you cancel within 14 days of your initial purchase and have not substantially used the service, you may be eligible for a refund from Apple; contact Apple Support directly to request this through their refund portal.

Your subscription pricing and billing cycle

Understanding your subscription costs helps you evaluate whether cancellation is the right choice and calculate any refund due to you.

Apple converts USD pricing to NZD at the time of purchase; current conversion rates mean you pay approximately 1.65 to 1.70 times the USD price in New Zealand dollars. A $9.99 monthly subscription typically costs $16.50 to $17.00 NZD, while a $99.99 annual subscription typically costs $165 to $170 NZD. Check your App Store receipt for the exact NZD amount you were charged.

What happens after you cancel your subscription

Cancellation is a straightforward process, but you should understand what changes immediately and what remains in place.

Your profile and portfolio remain active

Cancelling your subscription does not delete your performer profile, portfolio, media uploads or application history. Your profile remains visible to casting directors and agencies, and you can continue to browse auditions. However, you lose access to paid-tier features: your audition application limit reverts to the free-tier quota, you cannot upload additional media until you are back on the free tier limit, and you lose any premium visibility boost.

Your subscription status in your account

Once cancellation is confirmed, your account status changes to "Free" or "Unsubscribed" within 24 hours. StarNow will no longer attempt to charge you at your next renewal date. If you subscribed through Apple App Store, the subscription disappears from your active subscriptions list, and you receive a final confirmation email from Apple.

Refunds and pro-rata adjustments

If you cancel an annual subscription partway through the year and you are within the 14-day cooling-off period, you may request a pro-rata refund. Contact StarNow support or Apple Support (depending on where you subscribed) in writing and provide your order confirmation, cancellation date and the unused portion of your subscription. Your claim under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 is stronger within 14 days of purchase if you have not substantially used the service. Outside the 14-day window, refunds are discretionary, but you can request one based on unused time if StarNow fails to deliver the promised service quality.

Escalating your complaint to the commerce commission

If StarNow refuses your cancellation request or denies a refund you believe is lawful, you can lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission, which enforces consumer protection laws in New Zealand.

When to contact the commerce commission

Escalate to the Commerce Commission if StarNow has refused to cancel your subscription within 10 working days of your request, refused a lawful refund, charged you after you cancelled, or supplied a service that breaches the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. The Commerce Commission investigates unfair contract terms, misleading billing practices and breaches of consumer law. You can lodge a complaint online at www.commerce.govt.nz or by post. Provide copies of your cancellation request, confirmation emails, billing receipts and correspondence with StarNow as evidence.

Disputing the charge with your bank or payment provider

If StarNow charged you after cancellation or refused to honour a cancellation request, you can dispute the charge directly with your bank or payment provider (such as Visa, Mastercard or your bank's dispute resolution team). This process is called a "chargeback" and is your backup protection if the company fails to respond within 10 working days. Your bank will investigate on your behalf and can recover the funds if the charge was unauthorised or improper. Provide your bank with a copy of your cancellation request and StarNow's refusal or the unexpected charge as evidence.

Common mistakes when cancelling StarNow

Cancellation is straightforward, but a few mistakes can leave you charged longer than intended or unable to prove you cancelled.

Mistake 1: cancelling through the wrong platform

The most common error is attempting to cancel a subscription purchased through Apple by contacting StarNow directly, or vice versa. If you subscribed through the App Store, you must cancel through Apple, not StarNow. If you subscribed directly through StarNow's website, you must cancel through StarNow account settings, not Apple. Yafee has observed that many users waste weeks contacting the wrong company, allowing the next billing cycle to charge before realizing their mistake. Always verify where you originally subscribed by checking your email receipt or your payment method's transaction history.

Mistake 2: assuming cancellation happened automatically

You must actively initiate cancellation; subscriptions do not cancel themselves even if you stop using the platform. If you fail to follow through the full cancellation process, StarNow will charge you at your next renewal date. Always confirm cancellation by checking your account settings afterwards and retaining the confirmation email.

Mistake 3: not retaining proof of cancellation

If a dispute arises, you must prove when you cancelled and that you completed the process successfully. Screenshot your cancellation confirmation screen and retain the confirmation email indefinitely. If you need to escalate to the Commerce Commission or dispute a charge with your bank, this proof is essential. Yafee recommends saving these documents in a dedicated folder on your device or cloud storage for easy retrieval.

Mistake 4: missing the 14-day refund window

If you wish to claim a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, you must cancel within 14 days of your initial purchase and not have substantially used the service. After 14 days, your refund entitlement weakens, and any refund becomes discretionary. Do not delay cancellation if you want a refund; act within two weeks of your first charge.

Comparison: StarNow versus similar platforms

If you are reconsidering whether StarNow is right for you, Yafee has compared it to other casting platforms available in New Zealand.

How to contact StarNow for cancellation support or disputes

If you encounter difficulty cancelling through the methods outlined above, contact StarNow support directly.

Email contact

Send a cancellation request to StarNow support via their website contact form or support email. Include your account email, full name, subscription tier, original purchase date and a clear statement that you wish to cancel your subscription. Request written confirmation of your cancellation within 5 working days. Keep a copy of your email and note the date you sent it; this creates a documented trail if you later need to escalate to the Commerce Commission.

Postal contact

If StarNow does not respond to your email within 10 working days, send a cancellation request by post to:

StarNow NZ LP
PO Box [see StarNow website for current PO Box address]
New Zealand

Send your letter by tracked post (such as NZ Post Tracked parcel) so you have proof of delivery. Include your account email, full name, subscription tier, original purchase date and a clear cancellation request. Ask for written confirmation of cancellation. Yafee recommends sending this within 10 working days of your initial email if you receive no response. Keep the tracking receipt and a copy of your letter as evidence.

Why verify the postal address

StarNow's headquarters is located at a street address in New Zealand, but postal cancellations should be sent to their registered PO Box, not a street address. Using the wrong address delays your cancellation request by weeks. Always check StarNow's official website for the current PO Box before sending postal correspondence. If their website does not display a PO Box, contact their support email first to confirm the correct postal address for cancellation requests.

Protecting your account after cancellation

Cancelling your subscription does not fully secure your account from future activity. Take these additional steps to prevent unwanted charges or access.

Change your payment method in your account

If you cancelled but wish to prevent any accidental re-subscription, remove or update your stored payment method in your StarNow account settings. Go to "Billing" or "Payment Methods" and delete any saved credit or debit card. This prevents accidental charges if you accidentally re-subscribe in future.

Review your connected apps and permissions

If you subscribed via Apple App Store, check your Apple ID settings to ensure StarNow no longer has permission to charge your Apple ID account. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iTunes & App Stores > Apple ID > View Apple ID > Subscriptions and confirm StarNow is no longer listed. If it still appears, tap it and select "Cancel Subscription" again. Yafee recommends reviewing your subscription list quarterly to catch any unwanted recurring charges early.

Key takeaways and next steps

Cancelling your StarNow subscription is a straightforward process if you follow the correct method for your entry point (web account settings or Apple App Store) and retain proof of cancellation. Your legal position under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 protects your right to cancel within 14 days of purchase without penalty, and you can escalate to the Commerce Commission if StarNow refuses your cancellation request or charges you after cancellation. Do not delay: if you wish to claim a refund, cancel within 14 days of your initial charge. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions and recover refunds by providing clear, legally grounded procedures and escalation pathways. If StarNow resists your cancellation, document every communication, contact your bank if you are charged after cancellation, and lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission.