How to cancel i Can Read Book Club in south africa and stop unwanted charges
What i Can Read Book Club is and why you might subscribe
I Can Read Book Club is a children's book subscription service designed to match young readers with age-appropriate titles. The platform delivers curated physical books or digital reading content tailored to your child's reading level, helping them progress at their own pace. South African parents choose this service because it removes the burden of selecting books and provides structured progression through reading stages.
The service operates through multiple channels: the main website, a dedicated mobile app, and third-party platforms including Apple App Store and Google Play. Depending on where you subscribed, your cancellation method will differ. Yafee specialises in helping South African consumers navigate subscription cancellations across all these platforms, ensuring you understand exactly where to cancel and what to expect.
How the subscription model works
Your subscription renews automatically each month or billing cycle unless you actively cancel. This means you must take deliberate action to stop charges; cancellation does not occur automatically. If you are in a free trial period, you have limited time (usually 24 hours before the trial ends) to cancel before your payment method is charged. Once paid, you retain access for the remainder of that billing period.
Where you access books and manage your account
I Can Read Book Club operates across multiple platforms, and this matters for cancellation. If you signed up directly through their website or app, you cancel there. If you subscribed via Apple App Store or Google Play, you must cancel through those platforms instead, not directly through I Can Read. Yafee recommends identifying your original subscription platform before you begin the cancellation process, as mistakes here delay your cancellation.
Why you should cancel i Can Read Book Club
Common reasons parents step away
Your child's reading preferences and abilities change. Perhaps they have outgrown the recommended reading levels, or they now prefer choosing their own titles from the library. Budget constraints are equally valid: if the monthly subscription no longer fits your household finances, you have every right to cancel. Some families find that school libraries or free digital resources now meet their needs. Others discover that their child reads less frequently than anticipated when they subscribed.
When cancellation makes financial sense
If you are still in a free trial, cancel immediately if you know you will not continue. Waiting until after the trial ends costs you the first full month's fee. If you have already paid for a month, you retain access until the billing cycle closes, so timing your cancellation now prevents the next charge. Under South Africa's Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, you have the right to cancel a subscription service and dispute any charges you believe are unjust. Yafee can guide you through the dispute process if the service provider refuses your cancellation request.
Your legal position under south african consumer law
The Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 protects you as a consumer when you subscribe to services. The Act requires that service providers clearly disclose all terms, including billing cycles and cancellation procedures. You have the right to cancel at any time, provided you follow the advertised cancellation method or, if none is stated, by written notice to the service provider. If a company charges you after you have cancelled, you can lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC). Yafee advises all South African subscribers to keep proof of cancellation (screenshots, emails, confirmation numbers) in case a dispute arises later.
Step-by-step cancellation process
Cancel via the i Can Read online website or app
This is the most direct cancellation route if you signed up through their website or mobile app.
- Visit the I Can Read Book Club website or open the app on your device.
- Ensure you have your login email and password ready.
- Sign in to your account using your registered email address and password.
- If you have forgotten your password, click the "Forgot password" link and follow the reset instructions.
- Navigate to your account settings or profile section.
- This is usually located in the top-right corner of the website or under a menu icon in the app.
- Look for tabs labeled "Account", "Subscriptions", "Billing", or "My Plans".
- Locate your active subscription in the list of current plans.
- If you manage multiple children's accounts, verify you are cancelling the correct subscription.
- Select the "Cancel subscription" button and confirm your cancellation.
- The platform may ask why you are cancelling; you are not obligated to provide this feedback, but it can help the company improve.
- Some services offer retention incentives at this stage; accept only if you genuinely wish to continue.
- Wait for a confirmation email from I Can Read Book Club.
- This email confirms the date your subscription ends and when charges cease.
- If you do not receive this email within one hour, contact their support team with your account details.
Cancel via apple app store (iOS)
If you subscribed to I Can Read Book Club through Apple's platform, you must cancel there, not through the app itself.
- Open the App Store app on your Apple device (iPhone, iPad, or Mac).
- Navigate to the "Account" tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap "Subscriptions" in your account menu.
- You will see a list of all active and expired subscriptions.
- Find "I Can Read Book Club" in the list and tap it.
- Verify the billing frequency (monthly, annual, etc.) to ensure you are cancelling the correct subscription.
- Tap "Cancel subscription" and confirm your decision.
- Apple will ask for confirmation; select "Confirm" to proceed.
- Receive a confirmation message from Apple within seconds.
- Your subscription will end at the close of the current billing period; you retain access until then.
- Screenshot the confirmation for your records.
- If you are ever charged again after this date, use the screenshot as evidence for a refund dispute.
Cancel via google play store (Android)
Android users who subscribed through Google Play must cancel through the Play Store, not through the app.
- Open Google Play on your Android device and tap your profile icon.
- This is usually in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select "Payments and subscriptions", then tap "Subscriptions".
- You will see all active subscriptions linked to your Google account.
- Find I Can Read Book Club and tap it to view subscription details.
- Confirm the plan type and billing cycle before proceeding.
- Tap "Cancel subscription" and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Google may display a retention message or special offer; ignore this if you wish to cancel.
- Confirm cancellation when prompted.
- Google sends an email confirmation to the address associated with your account.
- Retain proof of this cancellation for your records.
- Screenshot the confirmation screen and save the email Google sends.
Cancel by contacting customer support
If you cannot locate the cancellation option online or through the app, contact I Can Read Book Club directly.
- Visit the I Can Read Book Club website and locate their "Contact Us" or "Support" page.
- Note down their email address, phone number, or support form URL.
- Send a cancellation request by email or phone.
- Include your full name, account email, and the subscription you wish to cancel.
- State clearly: "I request that you cancel my subscription effective immediately" or on a specific date.
- Request written confirmation of your cancellation.
- Ask them to confirm the date your access ends and when charges cease.
- Retain copies of all communication.
- Save the email thread or note the date, time, and name of the support representative if you called.
- Verify the cancellation within 24 hours.
- Log in to your account to confirm the subscription no longer appears as active.
What happens after you cancel
Access and billing after cancellation
Once you cancel, your subscription ends at the close of your current billing period. You retain full access to books and digital content until that date, then access ceases. The company will not charge you for the next billing cycle. If you are charged after cancellation, you have grounds to dispute the charge under the Consumer Protection Act.
Refunds and credit balances
Cancellation does not entitle you to a refund for the current billing period; you have already paid for that access, and the law recognises this. However, if you cancel within 30 days of a charge and have not yet received service, the Consumer Protection Act allows you to request a refund on those grounds. Yafee recommends contacting the company within 30 days of cancellation to request a refund if you believe you qualify.
| Scenario |
Your refund rights |
| Cancelled mid-month after paying in full |
No automatic refund; access continues until billing cycle closes |
| Cancelled during free trial before first charge |
No charge applied; trial access ceases immediately |
| Charged after explicit cancellation request |
Eligible for full refund; dispute through NCC if needed |
| Cancellation request ignored by company |
Eligible to dispute all charges after cancellation date |
| Service quality does not match description |
May qualify for refund within 30 days under Consumer Protection Act |
Common mistakes to avoid during cancellation
Cancelling a subscription is straightforward, but a few common errors can delay the process or leave you vulnerable to unwanted charges.
Mistake 1: cancelling through the wrong platform
If you subscribed via Apple App Store, cancelling within the I Can Read app itself will not work. You must cancel through Apple. The same applies to Google Play. Yafee finds that many subscribers cancel in the wrong location, then think they have succeeded, only to be charged again. Always verify where you originally subscribed before you begin.
Mistake 2: not waiting for confirmation
After you select "Cancel", wait for a confirmation email or message. Do not assume the cancellation is complete until you receive written proof. If no confirmation arrives within an hour, contact support immediately to verify the cancellation was processed.
Mistake 3: failing to check your account after cancellation
Log in to your account 24 hours after cancellation to confirm the subscription is no longer listed as active. If it still shows as active, contact support immediately. This simple step catches errors before your next billing cycle.
Mistake 4: deleting the app instead of cancelling the subscription
Uninstalling the I Can Read app does not cancel your subscription. The subscription runs independently on the company's servers. You must cancel through the account settings, website, or app store to stop charges.
Mistake 5: not keeping proof of cancellation
Screenshot every confirmation screen. Save all cancellation emails. If the company charges you after you cancel, you will need this proof to request a refund or lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Commission. Yafee advises storing screenshots in a dedicated folder for at least 90 days after cancellation.
Pricing and billing details
Understanding what you pay helps you determine when to cancel and what charges to expect.
| Plan type |
Typical frequency |
Typical cost (ZAR) |
Cancellation point |
| Monthly subscription |
Every 30 days |
R 99-R 199 |
Cancel before each renewal date |
| Annual subscription |
Every 12 months |
R 999-R 1,499 |
Cancel before the anniversary date |
| Free trial |
7-30 days |
R 0 initially |
Cancel before trial ends to avoid first charge |
| Family plan (multiple children) |
Monthly or annual |
R 249-R 349 |
Cancel entire plan or remove individual child |
| Book box + digital access |
Monthly |
R 249-R 299 |
Cancel before the next box ships |
How to request a refund if you are charged unfairly
Dispute a charge within 30 days
If I Can Read Book Club charges you after you have cancelled, or if you believe a charge is unfair, you have 30 days from the charge date to dispute it under the Consumer Protection Act.
- Contact I Can Read Book Club within 30 days of the disputed charge.
- Email or call their support team with your account details and proof of cancellation.
- Request a written response explaining the charge.
- If the company does not respond or refuses your refund request, escalate to the National Consumer Commission.
- Visit the NCC website at www.ncc.org.za.
- File a complaint with your account details, the charge date, proof of cancellation, and copies of all correspondence with the company.
- The NCC will investigate and may order the company to refund your money.
- This process typically takes 4-8 weeks.
- If the NCC rules in your favour, the company must process the refund within 14 days.
- Keep all NCC correspondence for your records.
Cancellation checklist and summary
Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation is complete and secure.
| Step |
Action |
Status |
| 1 |
Identify where you subscribed (website, Apple, Google Play) |
Complete |
| 2 |
Log in to your account or app store and locate the subscription |
Complete |
| 3 |
Click "Cancel subscription" and follow all prompts |
Complete |
| 4 |
Screenshot the confirmation screen |
Complete |
| 5 |
Wait for confirmation email from I Can Read or your payment platform |
Complete |
| 6 |
Save all cancellation emails in a folder |
Complete |
| 7 |
Log in to your account after 24 hours to verify subscription is inactive |
Complete |
Customer reviews and real experiences
South African parents report mixed experiences with I Can Read Book Club. Many praise the curated selection and the ability to match books to reading levels, rating the service 4 to 5 stars for content quality. However, some users have reported difficulty cancelling through the app and unexpected charges after attempting to cancel. A common complaint is that cancellation options are not clearly signposted, leading customers to contact support unnecessarily. Yafee recommends following the step-by-step process above to avoid these friction points and to cancel on the first attempt.
If you encounter problems cancelling I Can Read Book Club, or if you are charged after cancellation, contact the service provider directly before escalating to the National Consumer Commission.
- Visit the I Can Read Book Club website to locate their contact form, email address, or phone number.
- Email them clearly stating your request: "I wish to cancel my subscription effective immediately."
- Request written confirmation of your cancellation date.
- If the company does not respond within 5 business days, file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC) at www.ncc.org.za or contact them at 0860 800 086.
Cancelling I Can Read Book Club is a straightforward process once you know where to look. By following the steps above and keeping proof of your cancellation, you protect yourself against unwanted charges and ensure a smooth exit from the service. Yafee has helped thousands of South African consumers cancel subscriptions safely and recover unfair charges. Whether your child has outgrown the service or your budget has changed, you have clear legal rights under the Consumer Protection Act. Take action today, retain your proof, and move on with confidence. If the company refuses to cancel or continues charging you, Yafee can help you understand your next steps through the National Consumer Commission.