Cancellation service N°1 in Ireland
How to Cancel Origin: Simple Process
What is Origin
Originis the brand historically used by Electronic Arts (EA) for its digital games store and subscription service on PC, where players can buy games, access a library of titles, and subscribe to membership tiers that offer trial access, discounts and additional benefits. The service has evolved into what EA now markets under the EA Play umbrella, but many Irish consumers still know the PC client and subscription options by theOriginname. The membership levels have included basic access to a games vault and a premium tier that offered earlier access to new releases. Pricing and exact names have shifted over time as EA consolidated its services.
Subscription plans and pricing
When evaluating cancellation choices it helps to know the common subscription formulas that consumers sign up to. Historically there were at least two main tiers associated with the platform: an entry-level monthly plan offering a library and trials, and a higher-level plan which offered full access to new releases. The entry tier has been offered at low monthly prices in local markets, while the premier tier commanded a higher monthly or annual fee. Exact billing terms depend on how the subscription was purchased (PC client, console platform or third-party retailer) and on the platform-specific version of the plan.
| Plan | Typical benefits | Illustrative price (local market) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin access / EA Play (basic) | Access to vault of titles, trials, member discounts | Approx. €3.99 / month (regional pricing varies) |
| Origin access premier / EA Play pro | Early or full access to selected new releases, larger library | Approx. $14.99 / month or $99.99 / year (indicative) |
The figures above reflect published shifts in EA’s membership branding and pricing and are included so consumers understand the billing they may be contesting. Platform rules (PC vs console retail) can alter how and where the subscription is controlled.
How people typically use Origin and why they cancel
People cancel aOriginsubscription for predictable reasons: the game library no longer feels relevant, a game was a short-term interest, cost pressures, accidental renewal, or hardware incompatibility. In other cases consumers sign up for trials and then want to prevent renewal. Some Irish customers report frustration when a subscription renews and they no longer want the benefits. The policy and timing for refunds and renewals depend on the purchase route and the plan terms.
Customer experiences with cancellation
Real user feedback is important for setting realistic expectations. Community posts and forum threads commonly describe three recurring themes: difficulty locating the active subscription record, confusion when different platforms control the subscription, and delayed or unclear responses when disputes arise. Several threads show users reporting repeated charges after attempting to cancel, and others describe technical problems when the client redirected them during the cancellation attempt. These accounts do not represent every user, but they highlight common pitfalls consumers face when they try to stop automatic renewals.
Paraphrased user voice examples from public forums that illustrate common points: some players said they could not see any active subscriptions in their account while still being billed; others said the client or website redirected them or produced errors during cancellation attempts; some recommended pursuing their bank if the provider remained unresponsive. These real-world reports are helpful because they reveal where a postal cancellation can provide legal clarity and an auditable record.
What works and what does not
What works: keeping documentary evidence, using an approach that leaves a dated receipt, checking billing records and bank statements, and understanding platform-specific constraints before you act. What often fails: relying on short-lived website messages without a durable record, losing track of renewal dates, and assuming informal confirmations are sufficient in a dispute. User tips that recur in reviews suggest building a clear timeline of charges and interactions so any formal notice can reference precise dates.
Problem: the common cancellation obstacles
Consumers in Ireland face three practical obstacles when cancelling a subscription under theOriginname: (1) subscription control can sit with the platform used to buy the membership, (2) renewal charges may occur before a consumer notices them, and (3) informal cancellation attempts that leave no legal record make refund claims harder to prove. These obstacles make it essential to use a cancellation method that creates a dated, verifiable record that the consumer can rely on.
Solution: why registered postal mail is the right choice
The single most reliable method for cancelling a subscription contract in a way that can be proven in law is to send a cancellation notice by registered postal mail. Registered mail creates a clear, time-stamped delivery trail that courts and dispute handlers recognise. Registered posting produces a receipt when the sender hands over the item and a documented delivery or return receipt when the letter arrives at the recipient, which helps establish the date on which notice was given. This legal clarity is especially useful when contesting renewals or asking for refunds under Irish and EU distance-sales rules.
Registered mail is the method that best protects consumer rights because it provides an auditable chain of custody for the communication. If a merchant disputes when you notified them, a postal record is objective evidence. For recurring payment disputes, having a dated, verifiable notice strengthens any request to a bank or regulator. Banks and consumer advocates often advise keeping evidence of attempts to resolve the matter, and registered posting supplies exactly that evidence.
General principles to include in a postal cancellation notice
You should include enough information in a cancellation notice so the recipient can identify the account and the service without ambiguity. Key points are: identify yourself (name and billing address), clearly reference the subscription product and the approximate date you were billed, give the account identifier used for the subscription and the approximate payment method, state that you are cancelling the subscription and, where appropriate, request confirmation of cancellation and a refund for any renewal taken in error. Keep your language factual and date the communication. Avoid emotional language; the goal is to create a precise record that a reader or adjudicator can follow.
Do not include copies of sensitive financial information in the posted letter beyond what is necessary to identify the account. Retain copies of everything you post and the postal proof of sending. The evidence will help if you later need to show that notice was given within any cooling-off period or before a renewal date.
Timing, cooling-off rights and renewals
Irish and EU distance-contract rules give consumers specific rights to cancel within a statutory cooling-off window for many subscription contracts. Typically there is a 14-day cooling-off period for distance sales that starts when the contract is entered into, and a corresponding renewal cooling-off period when a contract renews in certain circumstances. If a trader did not provide the required pre-contract information about the right to cancel, the cancellation window may be extended. Your aim with a postal notice is to have a dated delivery that can be matched to those statutory windows.
Where to send your registered postal cancellation for Origin
For consumers in Ireland who choose registered postal mail as the method to give formal notice, send the registered post to the official local address associated with the service operations. Use the following address as the destination for the registered cancellation notice:
Address:4-6 Riverwalk, Citywest Business Campus Dublin 24, D24 DCW0, Ireland
Be precise in the postal address so the recipient’s mailroom can identify and route the notice to the correct team. Keep the sender’s copy of the registered-post receipt and any tracking or return receipt issued by the postal service; that documentation is the core proof of the date you notified the company.
Legal context in Ireland that supports postal notice
Under Irish implementation of EU consumer protection rules, a dated written notice can determine whether cancellation occurred within a statutory cooling-off period. Legislation and expert commentary confirm that where notice is given by post, the date of posting or the delivery evidence can be decisive in adjudicating the effective date of cancellation. Banks and consumer organisations routinely accept postal records when a consumer claims they cancelled before a renewal. Postal notice aligns with established practice for resolving subscription disputes.
Practical remedies if charges continue after a registered postal notice
If the company continues to take payments after you have a documented registered-post cancellation, pursue a two-track approach: use the postal evidence to request a refund or to support a complaint to a consumer watchdog, and discuss reversing the charge with your bank under your card or bank provider’s dispute or recurring-transaction procedures. Irish banking practice increasingly allows customers to stop or reverse recurring card payments if a merchant continues to bill after proof of cancellation. Keep all correspondence and the postal receipts to support your case.
Practical solutions to simplify the registered mail process
To make the process easier, consider tools that let you send registered letters without the need for printing or a trip to the post office. One such service is Postclic. Postclic allows you to prepare and send a registered or simple letter entirely online; they print, stamp and send it on your behalf. The platform offers ready-to-use cancellation templates for many types of contracts, including subscriptions, and provides tracked delivery with return receipt options that carry the same legal value as a physical posted letter. Using such a service can save time and ensures you still obtain the dated proof you need while staying at home. Postclic’s offering includes secure sending and the legal equivalence of physical posting, which many consumers find useful when managing cancellations. (Service description included as a practical option to help consumers use registered mail effectively.)
When to use a postal approach versus other remedies
Use registered postal cancellation when you want a strong legal record, when your billing dispute requires a dated notice, or when informal or platform-level attempts have not stopped the renewal. Registered posting is particularly useful for annual renewals where the financial impact is higher. If the subscription was purchased through a third-party platform whose terms differ, postal notice still creates a record that can support a refund claim or a complaint to a regulator. Banks will take a posted letter into account when assessing disputes about ongoing charges.
| Service | Typical offering | Why consumers choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Origin/ EA Play | Games library, trials, member discounts; platform-dependent control | Access to a breadth of EA titles and early trials |
| Xbox game pass | Large multi-publisher library, console and PC bundles | Broader non-EA catalogue and console integration |
| PlayStation subscription | Platform-specific catalogue and online play benefits | Console-focused bundles and tiered benefits |
The comparison above helps readers decide whether a given subscription was the right match for their needs; it also clarifies that the route to cancel may vary by where the subscription was purchased. For platform-specific purchases, the subscription controls can be managed by the platform in question. Yet the postal notice remains an appropriate legal communication to the service operator.
Common consumer questions and expert answers
Can a registered postal notice be ignored?
, a registered postal notice cannot be made to disappear. If a company claims it never received it, the registered-post return receipt or delivery confirmation is persuasive evidence. If a business attempts to ignore a valid registered notice, a consumer can use that documentation when seeking a refund from the bank, filing a complaint with a consumer protection agency, or pursuing small claims remedies. The postal record is often the single most effective piece of evidence in such disputes.
Will sending a registered letter stop automatic billing immediately?
Sending a registered letter creates proof of notice. The legal effect on billing depends on timing and on the contract terms: in some instances the cancellation takes effect at the end of the paid period, and in others cancellation can prevent future renewals if notice was given in time. The key is that registered posting documents when you gave formal notice, which is the determinative fact in most disputes about whether a billing cycle should have continued.
What if the subscription was bought through a console store?
Platform purchases often have platform-specific controls and refund policies. Even then, a registered postal notice to the service operator documents your intent and timing, and it is helpful evidence should you need to escalate the matter. For platform-specific refunds you may also need to check the platform terms, but avoid relying solely on informal or ephemeral communications if you want a legal record.
What to include in follow-up actions after sending the registered notice
After you post the registered notice, preserve every piece of related evidence: the postal receipt with tracking, any return receipt, bank statements showing continued charges (if any), and a dated log of events. Use those documents if you must ask your bank to block or reverse a recurring card payment or to support a formal complaint to a consumer authority. Banks in Ireland have become more responsive to recurring payments complaints and can act when you show you tried to cancel directly with the provider. Keep records in case you need to escalate.
How consumer law supports refunds after wrongful renewals
Irish law implements EU rules that provide cancellation and refund rights for distance contracts. If a subscription renews and the consumer can show they sent timely cancellation notice, they may be entitled to a refund of renewal charges taken after the cancellation notice. Where the supplier failed to provide mandatory pre-contract information, the consumer's cancellation window can be extended, strengthening the consumer’s right to a refund. Documented postal notice aligns tightly with how those rights are assessed.
Next steps and practical checklist
Use this checklist as a practical, consumer-focused guide: identify the billing date and the account identifier; prepare a concise cancellation communication that identifies you, the subscription and the relevant billing dates; send that communication by registered post to the address above and keep the postal receipt; monitor bank statements for further charges; and use the postal evidence if you seek a charge reversal or file a complaint with consumer protection authorities. The emphasis is on building a dated, auditable record that protects your legal position.
What to do after cancelling Origin
After you have posted a registered cancellation notice to the address listed earlier, continue to watch bank statements and the card or account used for payment. If a renewal charge posts after your cancellation, request a reversal with your bank and provide the registered-post receipt as primary evidence. If the provider disputes receipt, supply the bank or regulator with the postal tracking and return receipt. If you need further action, prepare a concise complaint for the relevant consumer authority including the timeline, postal proof and copies of billing statements. Taking these steps keeps the momentum of your case and helps protect your consumer rights.