How to cancel MailerLite and protect your consumer rights in new zealand
What MailerLite is and why you might want to cancel
MailerLite is an email marketing platform that enables businesses and individuals to design campaigns, automate subscriber sequences, and manage contact lists. The service offers a drag-and-drop editor, workflow automation, third-party integrations, and a tiered pricing structure with a free plan option available.
You may be considering cancellation because you've discovered a competitor better suited to your workflow, your business priorities have shifted, or you're reducing costs during a slower trading period. Whatever your reason, understanding your cancellation options and consumer protections under New Zealand law will help you exit efficiently and avoid unexpected charges. At Yafee, we guide New Zealand customers through the process with clarity and legal precision.
Common reasons to cancel MailerLite
Businesses typically cancel MailerLite when they've outgrown the feature set, found a platform with superior integrations for their technology stack, or determined that email marketing no longer aligns with their strategy. Some customers downgrade to the free plan instead of cancelling entirely, retaining a basic account for occasional campaigns.
Important note for new zealand customers
MailerLite classifies customers outside the European Economic Area (EEA) as handled by their US entity. This means your account terms and billing are governed by US-based policies. However, New Zealand consumer law still protects you in specific circumstances, and understanding these protections is essential. Yafee specialises in helping customers navigate overlapping jurisdictions to ensure fair treatment.
Your consumer rights under new zealand law
New Zealand consumer protections apply to you regardless of where MailerLite operates or where it stores its servers.
Consumer guarantees act protections
The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 requires that services be provided with reasonable care and skill and be fit for the purpose for which you contracted them. If MailerLite fails to deliver the service as described, experiences repeated breakdowns, or is unfit for what you purchased it for, you have the right to seek remedies including refunds, repair, or replacement.
These protections apply if you purchased MailerLite primarily for personal, domestic, or household use rather than as a large business. If you've experienced service failures and want to cancel on these grounds, document the issues with dates, times, and screenshots. This evidence will strengthen your position if you escalate to the Commerce Commission.
The 14-calendar-day cooling-off right
Under New Zealand consumer law, you have the right to cancel most service contracts within 14 calendar days of agreeing to the terms, unless you've breached the contract yourself or your account was suspended or terminated by MailerLite. This cooling-off period is separate from MailerLite's own refund policy and operates independently of it.
If you purchased MailerLite recently and remain within the 14-day window, you can invoke this right. Yafee recommends sending a written cancellation request that explicitly references the cooling-off right under New Zealand consumer law if you're within this period. A formal written record strengthens your legal position.
Your legal position
You have two independent grounds for cancellation under New Zealand law. First, you may cancel within 14 calendar days of purchase without penalty or reason under the cooling-off right. Second, you may claim a refund at any time if MailerLite fails to meet the Consumer Guarantees Act standard of care or fitness for purpose. Both rights exist regardless of MailerLite's own terms and conditions.
Where to escalate if MailerLite refuses
If MailerLite denies a refund you believe you're entitled to under the Consumer Guarantees Act or cooling-off rules, contact the Commerce Commission at https://comcom.govt.nz. The Commerce Commission enforces consumer law and can compel refunds if MailerLite has breached your rights. For free impartial advice before escalating, contact Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand at https://www.cab.org.nz.
How to cancel MailerLite via your web browser
Cancelling through your web browser is the most straightforward method and creates a clear confirmation record for your protection.
Step 1: sign in to your MailerLite account
Access the MailerLite login page and enter your registered email address and password. If you've forgotten your password, click the "Forgot password" link and follow the recovery instructions sent to your email inbox. Ensure you have access to your email before attempting login, as you may need to verify your identity.
Step 2: navigate to account settings
Once logged in, locate your account icon, usually displayed in the top-right corner of the dashboard. Click this icon to reveal a dropdown menu. Select "Account settings" or "Settings" from the menu options. This section contains all account-level controls, including billing and cancellation options.
Step 3: locate the billing or subscription section
Within account settings, find the "Billing", "Subscription", or "Plans" section. This area displays your current plan, billing cycle, renewal date, and payment method. Read the information carefully to confirm which plan you're currently on and when your next billing date occurs. This detail affects your refund eligibility.
Step 4: select the cancel or downgrade option
MailerLite typically provides a "Cancel subscription" or "Delete account" button within the billing section. If you see a downgrade option and want to retain a basic account, you may downgrade instead of cancelling entirely. However, if you wish to cancel completely, click the cancellation button and confirm your choice when prompted.
Step 5: complete the cancellation survey
MailerLite may ask you to complete a brief survey explaining your reason for cancellation. You're not obligated to provide detailed feedback, but doing so can help the platform improve its service. If you've experienced issues that prompted cancellation, briefly note them. This information may be useful if you later need to escalate a dispute.
Step 6: confirm cancellation and save your confirmation
Once you've submitted your cancellation request, MailerLite will display a confirmation message and send a confirmation email to your registered address. Screenshot this confirmation or save the email in a folder marked "Cancellations". This record proves you cancelled on a specific date and protects you if billing disputes arise later.
Your pricing and billing timeline
Understanding MailerLite's pricing structure and billing cycle helps you calculate potential refund entitlements.
| Plan type |
Cost per month (NZD) |
Billing frequency |
Subscriber limit |
| Free |
Free |
N/A |
1,000 subscribers |
| Growing business |
$35-$65 |
Monthly or annual |
5,000-50,000 subscribers |
| Advanced |
$165-$450 |
Monthly or annual |
50,000-300,000 subscribers |
| Enterprise |
Custom pricing |
Annual |
Unlimited subscribers |
MailerLite charges monthly or annually depending on your chosen plan. If you're billed annually and cancel within 14 days, you're entitled to a full refund under the cooling-off right. If you cancel after 14 days on an annual plan, MailerLite may retain payment for the full year unless you invoke the Consumer Guarantees Act for service failure.
Refund eligibility and timelines
Your refund entitlements depend on when you cancel and the grounds on which you cancel.
Cancellations within 14 days (cooling-off period)
If you cancel within 14 calendar days of purchase, you're entitled to a full refund under New Zealand consumer law. This right applies regardless of MailerLite's stated refund policy. Submit your cancellation request in writing (email is acceptable) and explicitly state that you're exercising your cooling-off right. MailerLite must process your refund within 30 days of receiving your cancellation notice.
Cancellations after 14 days (service failure grounds)
If you cancel after the 14-day period citing service failure under the Consumer Guarantees Act, you must demonstrate that MailerLite breached its obligation to provide the service with reasonable care or fitness for purpose. Document all failures with dates, screenshots, and evidence of how the failures impacted your business. MailerLite will not refund voluntarily in this scenario, so prepare to escalate to the Commerce Commission if necessary.
Processing times and payment method
Once MailerLite approves your refund, the funds are returned to your original payment method. If you paid by credit or debit card, the refund typically appears within 3 to 5 business days. If you paid by bank transfer, the timeline may extend to 5 to 10 business days depending on your bank. Yafee recommends checking your bank account and credit card statements to confirm the refund has been received.
What happens after you cancel
Cancellation doesn't end immediately, and understanding the post-cancellation timeline helps you avoid unexpected charges.
Access to your account and data
After you cancel, MailerLite typically allows you to access your account and export your data (including subscriber lists and campaign history) for a limited period, usually 30 days. Download all essential data before this window closes. You can export subscriber lists in CSV format or integrate with another email marketing platform to migrate your contacts seamlessly.
Unsubscribe your contacts (if applicable)
If you've exported your subscriber list and plan to use another email marketing platform, ensure your new provider complies with New Zealand anti-spam legislation. The Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007 requires that you have explicit consent to email each subscriber. Transfer only those subscribers who have actively consented to receive emails from you.
Stopping automatic renewals
If MailerLite has already processed a renewal payment after you submitted your cancellation request, contact MailerLite support immediately and reference your cancellation confirmation. Request a reversal of the renewal charge. If MailerLite refuses, escalate to the Commerce Commission with your cancellation confirmation as evidence. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions and recover unwanted renewal charges.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancellation is straightforward, but small errors can delay your exit or compromise your refund claim.
Assuming cancellation is instant
Submitting a cancellation request does not immediately stop your service or prevent the next billing charge. MailerLite processes cancellations within 24 to 48 hours. If your renewal date falls before this period elapses, you may be charged again. Check your cancellation confirmation for the effective cancellation date and monitor your billing account.
Deleting your account instead of cancelling your subscription
Deleting your account is not the same as cancelling your subscription. Deleting your account removes your data but does not stop recurring charges. Always use the dedicated "Cancel subscription" button rather than the account deletion option. If you've deleted your account, contact MailerLite support to confirm that your subscription is also cancelled.
Not saving your cancellation confirmation
Screenshots and email confirmations are your proof of cancellation. If a billing dispute arises later, MailerLite may claim no cancellation was requested. Save all confirmation messages and store them securely. Forward confirmation emails to a folder marked "Subscriptions" so you can retrieve them quickly if needed.
Ignoring the 14-day cooling-off window
If you're within 14 days of purchase and unhappy with MailerLite, cancel immediately and cite the cooling-off right. Delaying cancellation reduces your legal leverage. Once 14 days have passed, you may only claim refunds on service failure grounds, which require evidence and escalation.
Checklist for cancelling MailerLite
Use this checklist to ensure you complete every step and protect your consumer rights.
- Confirm today's date and calculate whether you're within 14 days of purchase.
- Log in to your MailerLite account and navigate to billing settings.
- Note your current plan, billing cycle, and renewal date before submitting cancellation.
- Click "Cancel subscription" and complete the cancellation form.
- Screenshot the cancellation confirmation page and save the confirmation email.
- If cancelling within 14 days, send a follow-up email to MailerLite support explicitly referencing the cooling-off right under New Zealand consumer law.
- Export and download all essential data (subscriber lists, campaign history) within 30 days.
- Monitor your bank account and credit card for any charges after the cancellation effective date.
- If a renewal charge appears after cancellation, contact MailerLite support with your confirmation as evidence.
- If MailerLite refuses to refund a post-cancellation charge, file a complaint with the Commerce Commission at https://comcom.govt.nz.
Before cancelling, you may want to compare MailerLite with other email marketing solutions available to New Zealand customers.
| Platform |
Free plan |
Starting paid price (NZD) |
Key feature |
Best for |
| MailerLite |
Yes (1,000 subscribers) |
$35/month |
Drag-and-drop editor |
Growing businesses |
| Brevo (Sendinblue) |
Yes (300 contacts) |
$20/month |
SMS and email integration |
Multi-channel campaigns |
| Mailchimp |
Yes (500 contacts) |
$40/month |
AI-powered recommendations |
Established businesses |
| ConvertKit |
No (paid only) |
$79/month |
Creator-focused tools |
Content creators and writers |
| ActiveCampaign |
No (paid only) |
$100/month |
Advanced automation |
Enterprise teams |
If you're cancelling because MailerLite lacks specific features, Brevo or Mailchimp may offer better functionality at a lower price. If you're cancelling for cost reasons alone, MailerLite's free plan allows you to retain a basic account without payment.
If MailerLite refuses to honour your cancellation or refund request, use the following contact details and escalation routes.
MailerLite support contact details
MailerLite support is available through your account dashboard under the "Support" or "Help" section. Submit a ticket describing your cancellation issue and include your account email address and confirmation reference. MailerLite typically responds within 24 to 48 hours. Alternatively, visit the MailerLite knowledge base at https://help.mailerlite.com for self-service guidance.
Escalation to the commerce commission
If MailerLite does not resolve your refund claim within 14 days of your written cancellation request, file a complaint with the Commerce Commission. The Commerce Commission investigates consumer law breaches and can compel MailerLite to refund disputed charges. Submit your complaint at https://comcom.govt.nz with copies of your cancellation confirmation, correspondence with MailerLite, and any evidence of service failure.
Free legal advice from citizens advice bureau
Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand provides free, impartial consumer advice before you escalate to the Commerce Commission. Contact them at https://www.cab.org.nz or call 0800 884 477 to discuss your situation and understand your legal options.
Final summary
Cancelling MailerLite is straightforward when you understand your consumer rights under New Zealand law. You have an automatic 14-day cooling-off right and ongoing protection under the Consumer Guarantees Act if the service fails to meet reasonable standards. Navigate to your account settings, click "Cancel subscription", and save your confirmation. If MailerLite refuses a refund you're entitled to, escalate to the Commerce Commission with your evidence.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel SaaS subscriptions and recover unwanted charges. Whether you're cancelling for cost, feature mismatch, or service failure, our guides ensure you understand your rights and complete the process confidently. Visit Yafee at https://yafee.com for additional cancellation guides and consumer protection resources tailored to New Zealand.