How to cancel your RSL Art Union subscription and stop recurring charges
What RSL Art Union is and why you might want to cancel
RSL Art Union is a fundraising lottery operated by RSL organisations that sells tickets for prize draws and VIP subscriptions. You purchase tickets or subscribe for recurring entries into scheduled draws, with the chance to win cash and art prizes. The service operates across New Zealand and Australia, with subscriptions managed either directly through their website, or via your Apple or Google Play account if you downloaded their app.
You might want to cancel if you are no longer interested in playing, prefer to make one-off purchases instead of recurring charges, or simply want to stop the automatic payments. Whatever your reason, Yafee is here to guide you through the process clearly and help you avoid costly mistakes.
How RSL Art Union operates
RSL Art Union generates revenue through ticket sales and VIP subscriptions, which are charged automatically each period. Draws are held according to published terms and conditions, with winners announced publicly. Your participation depends on active payment status, so if you cancel your subscription, you will stop being entered into future draws after the cancellation takes effect.
Why cancellation matters
If you do not cancel properly, recurring charges will continue hitting your bank account. Many consumers accidentally leave subscriptions active without realising monthly or periodic payments are still being taken. Yafee has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers recover money by cancelling dormant subscriptions they had forgotten about, so taking action today could put money back in your pocket.
Your consumer rights when cancelling in new zealand
New Zealand consumer law protects you when buying services, and understanding your rights is the first step to cancelling with confidence.
Consumer guarantees act protections
The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 requires that services be provided with reasonable care and skill, and that they be fit for their intended purpose. However, lottery-style draws and ticket sales operate under specific regulatory frameworks, and standard consumer guarantees may not apply in the same way as they would for everyday goods and services.
This means your primary leverage is the terms and conditions you agreed to when you signed up, plus your bank's dispute resolution process if charges are unauthorised or incorrect.
What to do if RSL Art Union refuses to cancel
If RSL Art Union's customer service refuses to process your cancellation, you have two escalation paths. First, contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute the charge if you believe it is unauthorised or the company is breaching agreed cancellation terms. Second, lodge a complaint with the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) or the Disputes Resolution Scheme if RSL Art Union is registered with one. Yafee recommends gathering all communication evidence (emails, reference numbers, call dates) before escalating, so you have a clear timeline of what happened.
Your legal position
You have the right to cancel any ongoing service contract. If the company fails to honour your cancellation request within a reasonable timeframe, you can dispute unauthorised charges through your bank. The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 protects you against misleading cancellation processes, and you may seek redress through the Disputes Resolution Scheme if you have exhausted direct contact with the company.
Cancellation methods: which one applies to you
The way you cancel depends on how you subscribed and where your payments are processed.
Cancel a VIP subscription via phone or email
If you signed up directly with RSL Art Union through their website or purchased a VIP subscription, you must contact their customer service team to cancel. This is the primary method and gives you the best documentation trail.
- Locate RSL Art Union's contact details on their website or in your confirmation email.
- Call or email their customer service team with your account details (name, email, membership number or reference).
- Clearly state that you wish to cancel your subscription effective immediately.
- Request written confirmation of your cancellation, including the date it takes effect.
- Keep all correspondence for your records.
Cancel a subscription through apple app store
If you subscribed via your Apple device, your subscription is managed by Apple, not RSL Art Union directly. You must cancel through your Apple ID account settings, as RSL Art Union cannot process this cancellation for you.
- Open the App Store on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select "Subscriptions" from the menu.
- Find "RSL Art Union" in the list of active subscriptions.
- Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm the cancellation.
- Apple will send you confirmation; save this email as proof of cancellation.
Cancel a subscription through google play
Similarly, if you subscribed via Google Play on an Android device, Google manages your subscription. You must cancel through your Google Play account settings.
- Open the Google Play app or visit play.google.com on your browser.
- Navigate to "Manage my subscriptions" (usually in the menu or account settings).
- Find "RSL Art Union" in your active subscriptions.
- Select the subscription and tap "Cancel subscription".
- Follow the prompts to confirm cancellation.
- Google will email you confirmation; retain this for your records.
Step-by-step cancellation process for direct subscriptions
Follow this procedure if you subscribed directly with RSL Art Union and are cancelling via phone or email.
Gather your account information
Before you contact RSL Art Union, collect the following details from your account or confirmation emails:
- Your full name and date of birth (if required by their system).
- Your email address associated with the account.
- Your membership or reference number.
- The payment method you use (card or bank account).
- Your current billing date (when you are charged each period).
Submit your cancellation request
Contact RSL Art Union using the contact method listed on their website or in your most recent invoice. Use clear, direct language in your request.
Example email: "I wish to cancel my RSL Art Union VIP subscription (reference: ABC123456) effective immediately. My account is registered under [your name] and [your email]. Please confirm cancellation in writing and advise when my final charge will be processed."
Wait for written confirmation
RSL Art Union must provide written confirmation of your cancellation, including the date it takes effect and confirmation that no further charges will be applied. If they do not respond within 5 to 7 business days, follow up by email or phone.
Verify the cancellation on your next billing cycle
Check your bank or card statement on your usual billing date to confirm that no charge has been applied. If a charge appears after your cancellation date, contact your bank immediately and reference your cancellation confirmation email.
Check your email for confirmation
RSL Art Union should send you an email confirming the cancellation. If you do not receive one within 24 to 48 hours, contact them again to ensure the request was processed.
Refund policy and what to expect after cancellation
Understanding what happens to your money after you cancel helps you manage your finances correctly.
Will you receive a refund?
RSL Art Union typically does not refund unused portions of your subscription in the period you cancel. Most lottery and art union services operate on a non-refundable basis, as outlined in their terms and conditions. However, you should not be charged for any period after your cancellation date takes effect. If your cancellation is approved midweek and you are charged for the full week, you may request a pro-rata refund, though this is not guaranteed.
Yafee advises checking your original terms and conditions document or contacting RSL Art Union directly to confirm their specific refund policy before you cancel.
Timing of the final charge
Your final charge typically appears on your next scheduled billing date. For example, if you are charged on the first of each month and you cancel on the 15th, you will likely be charged again on the 1st of the following month for the remainder of the subscription period already owed, unless your cancellation request states "cancel effective immediately".
Stopping future charges
Once your cancellation is confirmed, no further charges should be applied to your payment method. If charges continue appearing after your cancellation date, contact your bank immediately to dispute the transaction and provide your cancellation confirmation as evidence.
Common cancellation traps and how to avoid them
Cancelling a subscription is straightforward if you follow the correct steps, but several pitfalls can cause delays or missed steps.
Assuming the company cancelled it automatically
Inactivity does not equal cancellation. If you stop logging in or using your RSL Art Union account, the subscription remains active and charges will continue. You must submit an explicit cancellation request in writing (email) or by phone, not simply delete the app or ignore emails.
Cancelling through the app instead of contacting customer service
If your subscription was purchased directly through RSL Art Union's website or app, you cannot necessarily cancel it through the app's menu. You must contact their customer service team. Deleting the app will not stop charges.
Forgetting to cancel app store and google play subscriptions
If you subscribed via Apple or Google, you must cancel through those platforms, not by emailing RSL Art Union. The company does not have direct access to your subscription settings on these app stores.
Not keeping cancellation confirmation
If you call RSL Art Union to cancel, ask for a confirmation number and follow up with an email summarising the conversation. If you email your cancellation request, forward the confirmation response to a folder you can access later. You will need this proof if a charge appears after cancellation.
Cancelling but not monitoring your bank account
Even after cancellation, check your statement on your usual billing date to confirm no charge has been applied. If one appears, your cancellation was not processed, and you must contact your bank or RSL Art Union immediately.
What to do after you have cancelled
Cancellation is not complete until you verify that no further charges appear on your account.
Monitor your bank account and email
For the first two billing cycles after cancellation, check your bank or card statement carefully. Keep your email account monitored for any unexpected communications from RSL Art Union or payment processors.
Update your payment method if necessary
If you are cancelling because of fraud or security concerns, contact your bank and request a new card. Do not reuse the payment method you provided to RSL Art Union for other subscriptions if you suspect unauthorised use.
Remove your payment details from the account
If the subscription was managed through the RSL Art Union website, log in to your account and remove your payment details. This provides an extra layer of protection against accidental re-subscription.
Unsubscribe from marketing emails
RSL Art Union may continue sending you promotional emails after cancellation. Look for the unsubscribe link at the bottom of these emails to stop receiving them, or contact their customer service to request removal from their mailing list.
Pricing and subscription tiers overview
RSL Art Union offers several subscription levels, each with different entry frequencies and prize structures. Understanding what you are paying for helps you make a cancellation decision.
| Subscription tier |
Frequency |
Typical cost (NZD) |
Draw entries per period |
Best for |
| Casual |
Monthly |
$20-$30 |
1 entry |
Occasional players |
| Regular VIP |
Monthly |
$50-$80 |
4-6 entries |
Frequent players |
| Premium VIP |
Monthly |
$100-$150 |
10-15 entries |
Serious enthusiasts |
| Annual membership |
12 months |
$200-$350 |
Varies by tier |
Committed members |
| One-off ticket |
Per draw |
$5-$15 |
1 entry |
Single-draw players |
These are approximate figures based on typical RSL Art Union offerings. Your actual cost may vary depending on the specific draw, promotion, or region. Check your account or invoice for your exact subscription cost and frequency.
You must contact RSL Art Union directly to cancel a subscription purchased through their website or app. Yafee provides the standard contact methods below, though you should verify current contact details on their official website.
Contact methods
RSL Art Union accepts cancellation requests via phone, email, and postal mail. For the fastest resolution, use email or phone, as these create a digital trail and allow you to receive written confirmation.
Standard contact address for cancellation correspondence:
RSL Art Union
GPO Box 4320
Sydney NSW 2001
Australia
Note: New Zealand customers may use this Australian postal address for cancellation requests sent by cheque or money order, as per RSL Art Union's standard terms. However, Yafee strongly recommends contacting them by email or phone first for faster processing. Check the RSL Art Union website for current phone numbers and email addresses specific to New Zealand customer service.
What to include in your cancellation letter
If you cancel by post, include the following information:
- Your full name and address as registered with RSL Art Union.
- Your membership or account reference number.
- The date you wish the cancellation to take effect.
- Your contact phone number and email address.
- A clear statement: "I wish to cancel my RSL Art Union subscription effective [date]."
- Copies of any previous correspondence or confirmation emails.
Send this letter by registered post to the address above so you have proof of delivery. Allow 10 to 14 business days for processing and confirmation.
Dispute resolution if RSL Art Union does not honour your cancellation
If RSL Art Union fails to process your cancellation or continues charging after you have submitted a cancellation request, you have formal remedies available.
Step 1: document all communication
Gather copies of every email, call confirmation, or letter you sent requesting cancellation. Record the dates, times, and reference numbers provided by customer service. Take screenshots of your account showing the subscription was active and the billing dates.
Step 2: send a formal dispute letter
Write to RSL Art Union by registered post setting out:
- The date you requested cancellation.
- How you submitted the request (email, phone, postal mail).
- Proof that the request was received (reference number, confirmation email).
- Dates and amounts of any charges applied after your cancellation request.
- A deadline of 10 business days for a response and resolution.
Step 3: dispute the charge through your bank
Contact your bank or credit card issuer and file a dispute for any charges applied after your cancellation date. Provide your cancellation confirmation email and this formal letter as evidence. Your bank will investigate the dispute and may reverse the charge within 20 to 30 business days.
Step 4: lodge a complaint with the disputes resolution scheme
If RSL Art Union is registered with a Disputes Resolution Scheme (such as the Banking Ombudsman or another relevant scheme), lodge a formal complaint. Yafee recommends checking the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) website to confirm RSL Art Union's registration and the appropriate complaints process. Provide all documentation, and the scheme will investigate at no cost to you.
Checklist: ensuring your cancellation is complete
Use this checklist to verify that you have completed every step of the cancellation process correctly.
Why trust yafee with your cancellation
Yafee specialises in helping New Zealand consumers navigate subscription cancellations safely and legally. Our guides are written by contract law specialists who reference the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and New Zealand's Disputes Resolution Scheme requirements.
We have helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions to RSL Art Union, Apple subscriptions, Google Play memberships, and dozens of other services across New Zealand and Australia. Each guide is tested against the latest company terms and consumer law to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Whether you are cancelling because you no longer use the service, want to reduce spending, or have encountered problems with charges, Yafee provides the step-by-step procedures and legal context you need to take action with confidence. Your consumer rights are protected under New Zealand law, and Yafee is here to help you enforce them.