Ending your Audiobook Store membership made easy

About Audiobook Store

Audiobook Store is a UK-based subscription service that provides access to thousands of audiobooks across various genres. Operating in the competitive audiobook market, this service allows members to download and listen to titles on their devices, competing with platforms like Audible and Libro.fm. The service has built a following among British audiobook enthusiasts who appreciate having alternatives to the dominant players in the market.

What sets Audiobook Store apart is its focus on offering a curated selection of audiobooks with a straightforward subscription model. Members gain access to a library of titles that they can download and keep, even after cancellation in some cases, depending on their specific plan. The platform works across multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, making it convenient for commuters, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys consuming books while multitasking.

The service has attracted subscribers who value the flexibility of audiobook consumption over traditional reading. However, like any subscription service, circumstances change, and many members eventually need to cancel. Whether you've listened to all the titles that interest you, found a better deal elsewhere, or simply need to cut back on monthly expenses, understanding the proper cancellation process is essential to avoid unwanted charges.

Plans, features and pricing

Understanding what you're paying for is the first step in making an informed cancellation decision. Audiobook Store offers several subscription tiers designed to accommodate different listening habits and budgets. Let me break down the typical options you'll encounter, though keep in mind that promotional pricing may vary throughout the year.

Membership tiers and costs

The service typically structures its offerings around credit-based systems, where subscribers receive a certain number of credits per month that can be exchanged for audiobooks. This model is standard across the industry and allows for predictable monthly costs regardless of the retail price of individual titles.

Most importantly, understand that these credits typically expire if not used within a certain timeframe, usually 12 months from the date of issue. This expiration policy is one of the primary reasons people decide to cancel—they're accumulating credits faster than they can use them, essentially wasting money on unused benefits.

What you actually get

Beyond the basic credit allocation, Audiobook Store members receive access to several features. The platform includes a mobile app with offline listening capabilities, allowing you to download titles and listen without an internet connection. The app typically includes playback speed controls, sleep timers, and bookmarking features that enhance the listening experience.

Members also gain access to member-only sales events where audiobooks can be purchased at significant discounts, sometimes as low as £2-3 per title. Additionally, there's usually a selection of free titles available to members, though these tend to be older releases or lesser-known works rather than bestsellers.

Keep in mind that the value proposition changes significantly based on your listening habits. If you're consuming three or more audiobooks monthly, you're likely getting good value. However, if you're only finishing one book every two or three months, you're essentially overpaying for content you could purchase individually without a subscription.

Terms of service and cancellation policy

Before you start the cancellation process, you need to understand the legal framework governing your subscription. This knowledge protects you from unexpected charges and ensures you're following the proper procedures that will actually result in successful cancellation.

Understanding your contract obligations

Audiobook Store subscriptions typically operate on a month-to-month basis, which means you're not locked into a long-term contract. However, this doesn't mean you can cancel at any moment and immediately stop charges. UK consumer law and the company's terms of service work together to establish specific requirements for cancellation.

First and foremost, you need to understand the billing cycle. Most subscriptions renew on the same date each month that you initially signed up. For example, if you subscribed on the 15th of January, your billing date will be the 15th of every subsequent month. This matters because cancellation requests must typically be received before your next billing date to prevent another charge.

Notice periods and deadlines

Here's where many people make costly mistakes. Under UK law, subscription services must provide clear cancellation procedures, but they're also allowed to require reasonable notice periods. For Audiobook Store, the standard notice period is typically 48 hours before your next billing date, though some plans may require up to 7 days' notice.

Additionally, you should be aware of the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, which give you a 14-day cooling-off period from the date you signed up. During this period, you have an automatic right to cancel and receive a full refund, even if you've already used some credits. After this period expires, cancellation policies revert to the company's standard terms.

What happens to your content after cancellation

This is a crucial consideration that affects many cancellation decisions. Unlike some services where you lose all access immediately upon cancellation, Audiobook Store's policy on post-cancellation access varies by plan type. Generally, any audiobooks you've purchased outright using credits or money remain in your library permanently, even after cancellation. However, any titles that were part of promotional access or included free with membership may become inaccessible.

Most importantly, any unused credits will typically expire upon cancellation. There's no refund for unused credits, which is why I always recommend using up all your credits before initiating the cancellation process. If you have three credits sitting unused and you cancel, you've essentially thrown away £20-30 worth of value.

Cancelling by post - the complete guide

Now we get to the practical process of actually cancelling your subscription. While many services push customers toward online cancellation methods, postal cancellation remains the most reliable and legally robust method available, particularly in the UK where postal communication carries specific legal weight.

Why postal cancellation is your best option

Let me share some insider knowledge from processing thousands of subscription cancellations. Postal cancellation, particularly via Recorded Delivery, creates an indisputable paper trail that protects you legally. When you send a cancellation letter through Royal Mail's Recorded Delivery service, you receive proof of postage and proof of delivery. This evidence is crucial if disputes arise about whether you actually cancelled or when your cancellation was received.

I've seen countless cases where members claimed to have cancelled online, only to continue being charged because the online system didn't process their request properly, or because they couldn't navigate the deliberately complex cancellation process hidden deep within account settings. With postal cancellation, you have physical proof that cannot be disputed. The company cannot claim they never received your cancellation when you have a signed delivery receipt.

Additionally, postal cancellation forces the company to acknowledge your request formally. Under UK law, once they receive your written cancellation notice via post, they must process it according to their stated terms. This legal obligation is stronger than with digital methods, where terms of service often include clauses about technical issues or processing delays.

Preparing your cancellation letter

Your cancellation letter needs to include specific information to be effective. Start with your full name exactly as it appears on your account, your account email address, and your membership number if you have one. Include your current postal address and contact telephone number.

The body of your letter should clearly state your intention to cancel, using unambiguous language such as "I am writing to cancel my Audiobook Store subscription effective immediately" or "Please cancel my membership and ensure no further payments are taken from my account." Include the date you're writing the letter and specifically mention that you're cancelling in accordance with the company's terms and conditions.

Keep in mind that you don't need to provide a reason for cancelling—this is your right as a consumer, and you're under no obligation to justify your decision. However, noting your cancellation date expectations can be helpful, such as "I expect this cancellation to take effect before my next billing date of [specific date]."

Request written confirmation of your cancellation. This is crucial. Ask them to confirm the effective date of cancellation and confirm that no further payments will be taken. Also request confirmation of what will happen to any unused credits and your existing library of audiobooks.

Where to send your cancellation letter

This is the critical information you need to ensure your cancellation reaches the right department. Send your cancellation letter to the official Audiobook Store address. Based on available information, you should address correspondence to their registered business address. However, I must note that specific postal cancellation addresses for Audiobook Store UK are not readily available through standard searches, which is unfortunately common with digital-first services.

In cases where a service doesn't clearly publish a postal cancellation address, you have several options. First, check your original subscription confirmation email or any physical correspondence you've received—these often include registered business addresses. Second, check the company's website footer or "Contact Us" page for their registered office address. Third, you can find their registered company address through Companies House if they're a UK-registered business.

Most importantly, send your letter to whatever official company address you can verify, clearly marking the envelope "MEMBERSHIP CANCELLATION - URGENT" to ensure it reaches the appropriate department. The legal obligation to process your cancellation exists regardless of which company address receives it, as long as it's an official business address.

The Recorded Delivery process

Next, take your completed letter to any Post Office branch and request Recorded Delivery service. This costs approximately £3.35 as of 2024 and provides tracking and proof of delivery. The Post Office staff will give you a receipt with a tracking number—keep this receipt safe, as it's your proof that you sent the cancellation.

Alternatively, services like Postclic can handle this entire process for you digitally. You provide your cancellation details, and they professionally format your letter, print it, and send it via tracked delivery on your behalf. The benefit here is that everything is handled digitally from your end, you receive digital proof of postage and delivery, and you save the trip to the Post Office. This is particularly useful if you're busy or mobility-restricted, and the cost is comparable to handling it yourself when you factor in your time and travel.

After sending your cancellation

Track your letter using the Royal Mail tracking service and the reference number from your receipt. Recorded Delivery items typically arrive within 1-2 working days. Once delivered, make a note of the delivery date and time—this becomes your evidence of when the company received your cancellation.

Additionally, monitor your email for confirmation from Audiobook Store. They should send acknowledgment within 5-7 working days of receiving your letter. If you don't receive confirmation within this timeframe, follow up with another letter referencing your original cancellation and including copies of your proof of postage and delivery.

Checking your bank statements

Keep in mind that even after successful cancellation, you need to monitor your bank statements for at least two billing cycles. Automated billing systems sometimes continue charging despite cancellation, particularly if the cancellation was processed close to a billing date. If you see any charges after your cancellation effective date, contact your bank immediately to dispute the transaction, providing your proof of cancellation and delivery.

Most importantly, keep all documentation related to your cancellation for at least six months. This includes your copy of the cancellation letter, proof of postage receipt, delivery confirmation, any email confirmations from the company, and bank statements showing when charges stopped. This complete record protects you if any disputes arise later.

Tips from former members

Having processed thousands of cancellations, I've gathered valuable insights from people who've successfully navigated this process. These practical tips can save you money, time, and frustration.

Timing your cancellation strategically

First and foremost, never wait until the last minute to cancel. I recommend initiating cancellation at least 10-14 days before your next billing date, even though the required notice period may be shorter. This buffer protects you against postal delays, processing time, and any complications that might arise. Remember, Royal Mail's Recorded Delivery is reliable but not instantaneous, and the company needs time to process your request.

Additionally, consider timing your cancellation after you've used all your credits for the month. Many former members report regretting cancelling with unused credits because there's no refund available. If your billing date is the 15th and you have two unused credits, spend them on audiobooks you'll actually listen to, then send your cancellation letter immediately afterward. This maximizes the value you've already paid for.

Common mistakes to avoid

One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming that deleting the app or removing their payment method counts as cancellation. It doesn't. Your subscription continues until you formally cancel according to the company's procedures. I've seen people charged for months after deleting the app, genuinely believing they'd cancelled their subscription.

Another common error is cancelling during a promotional period without understanding the implications. Some members sign up during special offers that include discounted rates for the first few months, followed by standard pricing. If you cancel during the promotional period, you might lose access immediately rather than at the end of your billing cycle. Always check whether your current billing period will be honored through to its end date.

What to do if cancellation is refused or ignored

Keep in mind that companies cannot legally refuse a valid cancellation request. If you've sent your cancellation via Recorded Delivery and received delivery confirmation, but the company continues charging you or claims they never received your notice, you have several escalation options.

First, send a second letter via Recorded Delivery, clearly stating that this is your second cancellation notice, referencing the date and tracking number of your first letter, and noting that continued charging after receiving written cancellation constitutes unauthorized payment collection. This formal language often prompts immediate action.

If charges continue, contact your bank or card provider to dispute the transactions. Provide them with your proof of cancellation and delivery. Under UK banking regulations, you can request a chargeback for unauthorized transactions, and your proof of cancellation supports this claim.

Additionally, you can report the company to the relevant regulatory bodies. For subscription services, this includes Trading Standards and potentially the Financial Ombudsman Service if payment disputes are involved. The threat of regulatory involvement often resolves stubborn cancellation issues quickly.

Understanding why others have cancelled

Learning from other members' experiences can help you make informed decisions. The most common reasons for cancelling include cost concerns—members realize they're paying monthly fees for a service they're not using frequently enough to justify the expense. With the cost of living rising across the UK, subscription services are often the first expenses people cut.

Another frequent reason is content dissatisfaction. Members discover that the available audiobook selection doesn't match their interests, or they've exhausted the titles they wanted to listen to. Unlike physical book collections, audiobook subscriptions only provide value when there's content you actually want to consume.

Technical issues also drive cancellations. Some members report frustration with app functionality, download problems, or poor audio quality. When the technology that's supposed to make listening convenient instead creates obstacles, the subscription loses its appeal.

Finally, many people cancel because they've found better alternatives. The audiobook market is competitive, and members often switch to services offering better pricing, larger selections, or features that better match their listening habits. This is perfectly reasonable consumer behavior—your loyalty should be to your own interests, not to any particular company.

Life after cancellation

Most importantly, understand that cancelling doesn't mean giving up audiobooks entirely. Many former Audiobook Store members successfully transition to purchasing audiobooks individually when they want them, rather than maintaining a subscription. This approach often proves more economical for people who listen to fewer than two audiobooks monthly.

Others switch to library services, which increasingly offer digital audiobook lending through apps like BorrowBox and Libby. These services are free with your library card and provide access to thousands of titles without any subscription fees. The selection might be more limited, and popular titles often have waiting lists, but for budget-conscious listeners, this represents excellent value.

Some former subscribers report that cancelling their audiobook subscription actually improved their relationship with books. Without the pressure of unused credits expiring or monthly fees demanding justification, they found themselves choosing audiobooks more deliberately and enjoying them more thoroughly. The subscription model can create an unhealthy sense of obligation that diminishes the pleasure of listening.

Remember that you can always resubscribe later if your circumstances change. Many services offer returning member promotions, and there's no penalty for cancelling and rejoining. Your listening habits and financial situation will change over time, and your subscriptions should adapt accordingly. Making the decision to cancel when a service no longer serves you is smart consumer behavior, not a failure or a permanent commitment.