Ending your Audiobooks membership made easy

About Audiobooks

Audiobooks is a UK-based subscription service that delivers physical audiobook CDs directly to your door each month. Operating from their London headquarters, this service caters to listeners who prefer the tangible experience of CD collections over digital streaming platforms. The company has carved out a niche market among audiobook enthusiasts who appreciate owning physical media and building a personal library of spoken-word content.

What sets Audiobooks apart from digital competitors like Audible is the physical ownership aspect. When you receive your monthly selection, those CDs are yours to keep permanently. There's no worry about losing access if you cancel your subscription or if licensing agreements change. Additionally, many subscribers appreciate having audiobooks that work in older car stereo systems or home CD players without requiring smartphones or internet connectivity.

The service operates on a curated selection model, where members receive carefully chosen titles each month rather than browsing an unlimited library. This approach appeals to readers who enjoy discovering new authors and genres without the paralysis of too much choice. However, this same feature can also be a reason why some members eventually cancel – the lack of control over which specific titles arrive can sometimes result in receiving books outside your preferred genres or authors you've already experienced.

Most importantly, Audiobooks functions as a traditional subscription box service with physical fulfilment, which means cancellation procedures differ significantly from purely digital services. Understanding these differences is crucial before you begin the cancellation process.

Plans, features and pricing

Audiobooks offers several subscription tiers designed to accommodate different listening habits and budgets. The pricing structure reflects the costs of physical media production, packaging, and postal delivery, making it notably different from digital-only alternatives.

Membership options explained

The standard membership typically includes one audiobook CD set per month. Keep in mind that multi-disc sets count as a single selection, so you might receive anywhere from two to twelve discs depending on the book's length. Premium tiers may offer additional selections or priority access to new releases and bestsellers.

First, understand that these prices typically cover the physical product, packaging, and postage. Unlike digital services where marginal costs are minimal, each shipment involves real manufacturing and delivery expenses, which is why the company needs adequate notice for cancellations.

What you actually receive

Each monthly package arrives in protective packaging designed to prevent damage during transit. The audiobook CDs come in standard jewel cases or occasionally in book-style packaging for special editions. You'll also receive printed materials including the book's synopsis, author information, and sometimes discussion questions or additional content.

Additionally, members gain access to a members-only area on the website where you can track shipments, view upcoming selections, and manage your account preferences. However, this online portal has limited functionality compared to fully digital services, and crucially, it may not offer reliable online cancellation options – which is precisely why postal cancellation becomes so important.

Common reasons members cancel

Through processing thousands of cancellations, I've noticed several recurring patterns. Many members cancel because the curated selection model means they occasionally receive genres they don't enjoy. Others find that their listening pace doesn't match the monthly delivery schedule – either they accumulate unlistened CDs or they finish too quickly and want more flexibility.

Cost is another significant factor. At £12.99 to £29.99 monthly, the service represents a considerable ongoing expense, especially when compared to digital alternatives or library services. Some members also cancel after building a substantial physical collection and deciding they have enough audiobooks to revisit.

Terms of service and cancellation policy

Before you begin the cancellation process, understanding the legal framework and company policies will save you considerable frustration. This is where many members make critical mistakes that cost them extra charges or delayed cancellations.

Legal requirements in the UK

Under UK consumer law, subscription services must provide clear cancellation procedures and honour cancellation requests within reasonable timeframes. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 provide important protections, but they also specify that companies can require reasonable notice periods for physical goods subscriptions.

Most importantly, Audiobooks operates under a minimum notice period – typically 14 to 30 days before your next billing cycle. This notice requirement is legally permissible because the company needs time to halt physical production and shipping processes. Missing this deadline means you'll be charged for and receive one more shipment, which you cannot return for a refund since the CDs are considered opened media.

Understanding billing cycles and cutoff dates

Here's where timing becomes absolutely critical. Your billing cycle runs from the date you originally subscribed. If you joined on the 15th of January, your renewal date is the 15th of every subsequent month. To cancel effectively, you must provide notice before the cutoff date, which typically falls 14 days before your renewal.

Keep in mind that these cutoff dates account for production scheduling. Once your next selection enters the fulfilment process, it cannot be recalled, and you're obligated to pay for it even if you no longer want the service.

What the terms of service actually say

The Audiobooks terms of service specify that cancellations must be submitted in writing. This is a crucial detail that many members overlook. While you might be able to contact customer service by phone or email, these communications don't constitute official cancellation notices under the terms you agreed to when subscribing.

Additionally, the terms state that cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, not immediately. You'll continue to have access to member benefits and will receive any shipments already in the fulfilment process. There are no partial refunds for unused portions of your subscription month.

Why written notice protects you

From my experience processing thousands of cancellations, written postal notice provides the strongest legal protection. Email can be filtered to spam, online forms can malfunction, and phone calls leave no permanent record. A letter sent via Royal Mail Recorded Delivery creates an indisputable paper trail with proof of delivery.

This documentation becomes essential if disputes arise. If Audiobooks claims they never received your cancellation and continues charging you, your Recorded Delivery receipt proves exactly when they received your notice. This evidence is invaluable if you need to dispute charges with your bank or credit card company.

Cancelling by post - the complete guide

Now we reach the most reliable method for cancelling your Audiobooks subscription. Postal cancellation might seem old-fashioned, but it's actually the gold standard for subscription terminations, especially for services involving physical goods.

Why postal cancellation is most reliable

First, let me explain why I always recommend postal cancellation over other methods. When you send a physical letter via Recorded Delivery, you create legal proof of communication that no digital method can match. The Royal Mail tracking system provides timestamps showing exactly when your letter was delivered and who signed for it.

Next, consider that Audiobooks' terms of service explicitly require written notice. A posted letter unambiguously satisfies this requirement in ways that email or online forms might not. If the company has any technical issues with their email system or website portal, your postal letter still arrives and must be processed.

Most importantly, Recorded Delivery provides peace of mind. You're not wondering whether your email was read or your online form submitted correctly. You have tracking information showing your cancellation letter reached the company's registered office, creating an obligation for them to process it.

What your cancellation letter must include

Your cancellation letter needs specific information to be processed efficiently. Missing any of these elements can delay your cancellation or result in it being rejected entirely, costing you another month's charges.

Include your full name exactly as it appears on your account. If you subscribed as \