Ending your iTranscribe membership made easy

About iTranscribe

iTranscribe is a UK-based transcription service that converts audio and video recordings into written text. The company operates primarily online, offering automated and human transcription services to individuals, businesses, and organisations across the United Kingdom. As a consumer using this service, you have specific rights under UK consumer protection law, particularly when it comes to cancelling your subscription or service agreement.

The service caters to various professional sectors including legal, medical, academic, and media industries. Users typically upload their audio or video files through the platform, select their preferred transcription type, and receive the completed text document within a specified timeframe. This means you're entering into a contract for services, which comes with important legal protections.

Understanding your rights from the outset is essential. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have statutory rights when purchasing services in the UK. These rights include the expectation that services are performed with reasonable care and skill, and that any information provided about the service is binding. Therefore, any promises made about cancellation policies or refund terms must be honoured by iTranscribe.

Many customers find themselves needing to cancel transcription services for various reasons. Perhaps the service no longer meets your professional needs, you've found a more cost-effective alternative, or your business circumstances have changed. Whatever your reason, you're entitled to cancel according to the terms of your agreement and relevant consumer law.

Subscription plans and pricing

iTranscribe typically offers multiple service tiers to accommodate different user needs and budgets. Understanding exactly what you've signed up for is the first step in navigating cancellation. As a consumer, you should have received clear information about pricing and terms when you initially subscribed.

Common pricing structures

Transcription services in the UK generally operate on either pay-as-you-go or subscription models. Pay-as-you-go arrangements charge per minute of audio or per word of transcription, whilst subscription models involve regular monthly or annual payments. This distinction matters significantly when cancelling, as subscription services often have specific notice periods.

If you're on a subscription plan, you've likely committed to regular payments in exchange for certain benefits such as reduced per-minute rates, priority processing, or included transcription minutes each month. As a result, cancellation terms for subscriptions are typically more structured than for one-off services.

What you need to know about your plan

Before proceeding with cancellation, locate your original contract or subscription confirmation. This document should specify your payment amount, billing frequency, and any minimum term commitments. In practice, many disputes arise because consumers weren't fully aware of the terms they agreed to initially.

Check whether you signed up for a monthly rolling contract or a fixed-term agreement. Monthly contracts typically allow cancellation with one month's notice, whilst fixed-term contracts may require you to continue paying until the term expires unless there are specific early termination provisions.

Your rights differ depending on how recently you signed up. Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, if you purchased your subscription online or over the phone, you have a 14-day cooling-off period during which you can cancel for any reason and receive a full refund for services not yet provided.

Cancellation terms and conditions

Understanding the specific cancellation terms in your iTranscribe agreement is crucial for protecting your consumer rights. These terms should have been made clear to you before you committed to the service, and they must comply with UK consumer protection legislation.

Legal requirements in the UK

UK consumer law provides you with fundamental protections when cancelling services. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires that contract terms be fair and transparent. This means cancellation terms cannot be hidden in small print or worded in a way that's deliberately confusing. If terms are unclear or unfair, they may not be legally enforceable.

For distance contracts (those made online or by phone without face-to-face contact), the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 give you specific rights. You must be provided with clear information about your right to cancel, how to exercise this right, and any conditions or time limits that apply. Therefore, if iTranscribe failed to provide this information properly, your cancellation rights may be extended.

Any business operating in the UK must also comply with the Consumer Rights Act regarding unfair contract terms. A term that creates a significant imbalance between your rights and the company's rights may be considered unfair and therefore not binding. This particularly applies to terms about cancellation fees or penalties.

Notice periods and refund policies

Most subscription services require advance notice of cancellation, typically ranging from 14 to 30 days. This notice period should be clearly stated in your terms and conditions. As a consumer, you're entitled to know exactly how much notice you need to give and when your final payment will be taken.

Refund entitlements depend on several factors including when you cancel, whether you're within any cooling-off period, and what services have already been provided. If you cancel within the 14-day cooling-off period for a distance contract, you're entitled to a refund for any services not yet supplied, though you may need to pay for services already provided if you agreed to begin immediately.

Outside the cooling-off period, refund policies vary by provider. However, if you're charged after properly cancelling your subscription, you have the right to dispute this charge and request a refund. Keep detailed records of all cancellation communications to support any disputes.

Common reasons for cancellation

Understanding why customers typically cancel can help you articulate your own reasons if needed. Many users find the service doesn't meet their accuracy expectations, particularly with automated transcription of specialist terminology or accented speech. Others discover more competitive pricing elsewhere or find their transcription needs have diminished.

Some customers cancel due to billing issues, such as unexpected charges or difficulty managing subscription renewals. Technical problems, poor customer service experiences, or changes in business requirements also commonly prompt cancellations. Whatever your reason, you don't need to justify your decision to cancel—it's your consumer right.

How to cancel iTranscribe by post

Cancelling by post remains the most reliable method for protecting your consumer rights. Whilst online cancellation may seem more convenient, postal cancellation provides you with concrete proof of your cancellation request, including exactly when it was sent and received. This evidence becomes invaluable if any dispute arises about whether you cancelled properly or on time.

Why postal cancellation protects you best

Sending your cancellation by Recorded Delivery or Special Delivery gives you legal proof of posting and delivery. This matters enormously if the company later claims they never received your cancellation or that you missed a deadline. With postal tracking, you have independent Royal Mail verification of exactly when your letter was delivered.

Online cancellation systems can be problematic. Websites may experience technical issues, confirmation emails might not arrive, or the cancellation interface could be deliberately difficult to navigate. In practice, some companies make online cancellation unnecessarily complicated to discourage customers from leaving. Postal cancellation bypasses these obstacles entirely.

Furthermore, a formal letter creates a permanent written record of your cancellation request. You can clearly state all relevant details including your account information, cancellation date, and request for confirmation. This comprehensive documentation protects you far better than clicking through online forms where you may not see or save all the information you've submitted.

Essential information for your cancellation letter

Your cancellation letter should include specific details to ensure it's processed correctly and promptly. Start with your full name exactly as it appears on your iTranscribe account, along with your account number or email address associated with the service. This helps the company identify your account immediately without delays.

Clearly state that you are cancelling your subscription or service agreement. Use direct language such as "I am writing to cancel my iTranscribe subscription" rather than ambiguous phrasing like "I would like to discuss cancelling." Being explicit leaves no room for misinterpretation.

Specify your desired cancellation date. If you want to cancel immediately, state this clearly. If your contract requires notice, acknowledge this and specify the cancellation date according to the notice period. For example, "I am providing 30 days' notice as required by my contract terms, with cancellation effective from [specific date]."

Request written confirmation of your cancellation. Ask the company to confirm the cancellation date, that no further payments will be taken, and that your personal data will be handled according to GDPR requirements. This request for confirmation is entirely reasonable and helps ensure proper processing.

Include your contact details so the company can respond to confirm cancellation. Provide your postal address and email address. Keep the tone professional and factual—you're exercising your contractual and legal rights, which requires no apology or extensive explanation.

Sending your cancellation letter

Always use Recorded Delivery or Special Delivery when sending cancellation letters. The small additional cost provides invaluable protection through proof of delivery. Keep your proof of postage certificate safely—this is your evidence that you sent the cancellation on a specific date.

Services like Postclic can simplify this process significantly. Rather than visiting the post office, you can arrange for your cancellation letter to be professionally formatted, printed, and sent with tracking entirely online. This saves time whilst still providing the crucial postal proof you need. The digital tracking and proof of delivery offered by such services gives you the same legal protection as traditional Recorded Delivery whilst being more convenient.

Make a copy of your cancellation letter before sending it. Store this copy along with your proof of postage and any tracking information. If you're using Postclic or a similar service, you'll automatically receive digital copies and tracking details, making record-keeping straightforward.

The correct postal address for cancellation

Sending your cancellation to the correct address is absolutely critical. Check your contract documents or the company website for the official correspondence address. For iTranscribe, you should verify the current registered address as companies occasionally relocate.

Based on available company information, ensure you address your cancellation letter to the registered business address. If multiple addresses are listed for different purposes, use the one designated for contract matters or customer service correspondence. When in doubt, you can search the company name on Companies House to find the registered office address.

Timeline and what to expect

After posting your cancellation, track the delivery using your Royal Mail reference number. Once delivered, the company should acknowledge your cancellation within a reasonable timeframe, typically 7-14 days. If you don't receive confirmation within two weeks, send a follow-up letter referencing your original cancellation.

Your final payment should be processed according to the notice period in your contract. Mark this date in your calendar and check your bank statement to ensure no further payments are taken. If an incorrect charge appears after your cancellation date, contact your bank immediately to dispute the transaction, providing your cancellation proof.

Customer reviews and tips

Learning from other customers' experiences can help you navigate the cancellation process more smoothly and avoid common pitfalls. Consumer experiences with transcription services reveal patterns that can inform your approach.

Common experiences with cancellation

Many customers report that having comprehensive documentation makes the cancellation process significantly smoother. Those who kept copies of their original contract, noted their billing dates, and maintained records of all communications typically experienced fewer difficulties when cancelling.

Some users have encountered delays in receiving cancellation confirmation. This highlights why using tracked postal services is so important—you can prove your cancellation was sent and received even if the company is slow to acknowledge it. In practice, companies are more responsive when they know you have postal proof.

Customers occasionally discover unexpected charges after believing they've cancelled. This usually happens when cancellation wasn't properly documented or when the wrong cancellation method was used. Therefore, the postal method with tracking provides essential protection against such disputes.

Protecting yourself during cancellation

Check your bank statements carefully for at least three months after cancelling. Whilst most companies process cancellations correctly, billing systems sometimes continue taking payments due to administrative errors. Early detection allows you to dispute charges whilst they're recent and your cancellation documentation is readily available.

If you paid by Direct Debit, consider cancelling the Direct Debit instruction with your bank after your final legitimate payment is due. However, do this only after the proper notice period has expired and your final payment has been taken, as cancelling the Direct Debit doesn't cancel your contract. The company could still claim you owe money if you cancel the Direct Debit before properly terminating the contract.

Under GDPR, you have rights regarding your personal data after cancellation. You can request that the company delete your personal information, though they may retain certain data for legitimate business purposes such as accounting records. Include a data deletion request in your cancellation letter if you want your information removed.

What to do if problems arise

If iTranscribe doesn't acknowledge your cancellation or continues charging you after the cancellation date, take immediate action. First, send a follow-up letter by Recorded Delivery, referencing your original cancellation and including copies of your proof of delivery. State clearly that you expect immediate confirmation and cessation of charges.

For continued billing issues, contact your bank to dispute the transactions. Provide them with your cancellation documentation and proof of delivery. Banks can reverse Direct Debit payments under the Direct Debit Guarantee if payments were taken incorrectly after proper cancellation.

If the company refuses to honour your cancellation or disputes that you cancelled properly, you can escalate the matter. Consider reporting the issue to Trading Standards or seeking advice from Citizens Advice. For disputed charges, you may also use the Financial Ombudsman Service if the matter involves payment disputes with your bank.

Additional tips for smooth cancellation

Start the cancellation process well before any renewal date. Even if you're within a monthly rolling contract, giving extra notice ensures you're not caught by billing cycles. This approach also provides buffer time if any issues arise that need resolving before your intended cancellation date.

Keep all documentation indefinitely, or at least for several years. Whilst most cancellations proceed smoothly, having historical records protects you if any unexpected issues surface later. Digital copies stored securely online ensure you won't lose important documents.

Be professional and factual in all communications. Whilst frustration is understandable if you've had poor service, maintaining a businesslike tone in your cancellation letter ensures it's taken seriously and processed efficiently. You're exercising your legal rights, which requires no emotional justification.

Remember that using a service like Postclic streamlines the entire postal cancellation process. You gain the security of tracked delivery and proof of sending without the inconvenience of post office visits. The professional formatting and digital record-keeping provided by such services give you robust documentation whilst saving considerable time and effort.

Your rights as a consumer in the UK are substantial and well-protected by law. Cancelling by post with proper tracking ensures you have the evidence needed to enforce these rights. By following these guidelines and maintaining thorough documentation, you can cancel your iTranscribe subscription confidently, knowing you've taken all necessary steps to protect yourself and ensure proper processing of your cancellation request.