Manage Backstage

How to cancel your backstage subscription in the UAE and claim your rights

What is backstage and why you might want to cancel

Backstage is an online casting and talent platform that connects performers, models, creatives and industry professionals with auditions, casting calls and paid work opportunities across film, television, theatre and commercial productions.

The service operates on a subscription model that unlocks unlimited job applications, enhanced profile features and direct access to casting directors-but it's not right for everyone. You may decide to cancel if you've landed your desired role, found work through other channels, want to reduce recurring expenses, or simply prefer to apply to auditions on a pay-per-use basis instead.

Backstage serves users worldwide, including those in the UAE via a regional site (Backstage ME) with dedicated support channels in Dubai. Your cancellation path depends on whether you subscribed through the Backstage website, Apple App Store, Google Play, or a regional reseller-and Stopee is here to guide you through each one.

Why cancelling matters for your wallet

Backstage subscriptions renew automatically unless you actively cancel. Stopping future charges is straightforward, but understanding your refund rights-especially under UAE consumer protection law-ensures you recover money where you're entitled to it. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate subscription cancellations with confidence, and Backstage is no exception.

Your consumer rights under UAE law

Before you cancel, know what the law guarantees you in the United Arab Emirates.

UAE consumer protection and distance selling

The UAE's Law No. 24 of 2006 (Consumer Protection Law) and Law No. 18 of 2020 (E-Commerce Law) give you specific rights when you buy online services, including digital subscriptions. You have the right to clear pricing information, truthful service descriptions, and a cooling-off period for distance contracts.

For online purchases made outside a physical store, you can typically cancel within 14 days of purchase and receive a full refund-provided the service has not yet been fully consumed. This is your statutory safety net, even if Backstage's own terms appear stricter.

When backstage's refund policy conflicts with UAE law

Backstage's policy states that monthly subscriptions are non-refundable, but semi-annual and annual plans may be refunded within 30 days of purchase. However, if you purchased within the UAE using distance selling rules, you may have a stronger legal position. Stopee recommends invoking your 14-day cooling-off right if Backstage initially refuses a refund on a web purchase-cite UAE Law No. 18 of 2020 in your cancellation email, and the company is more likely to comply.

App store and google play purchases

If you subscribed via Apple or Google, those transactions are governed by Apple's and Google's terms, not Backstage's. However, both platforms allow you to request refunds within 15 days of purchase in the UAE. Stopee covers both pathways below.

Methods to cancel your backstage subscription

Your cancellation method depends on how and where you subscribed; choose the path that matches your purchase source.

Cancel via the backstage website or online account

This is the fastest route if you subscribed directly on Backstage.com using a credit card, debit card, or local UAE payment method.

1. Sign in to your Backstage account at backstage.com using your registered email and password.
   • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page.
2. Navigate to Account Settings or Membership management (usually found in a user menu or gear icon in the top-right corner).
   • Look for a section labeled "Subscription," "Billing," or "Membership Status."
3. Locate the option to turn off auto-renewal or select "Cancel Subscription."
   • Pro tip: Some services hide this option; scroll down or check under "Membership Details" or "Billing History."
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm cancellation.
   • Backstage may offer a discount to stay; decline unless you genuinely want to continue.
5. Screenshot or save the confirmation page showing cancellation was processed.
   • Note the date and any confirmation number provided.

What happens next: Future recurring charges stop immediately. Your subscription remains active and usable until the end of your current billing period (e.g., if you cancel on the 15th of a 30-day cycle, you keep access until month-end). You will not be charged again.

Cancel an apple app store subscription (iOS)

If you purchased Backstage via the Apple App Store on an iPhone or iPad, only Apple can cancel and refund the subscription-Backstage cannot process this directly.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
   • On iPhone 13 or later, look for "Settings" in the home screen dock.
2. Tap your name at the top of the Settings menu.
   • You may need to scroll up to see it.
3. Select "Subscriptions" (or "Media & Purchases" then "Subscriptions" on older iOS versions).
   • This shows all your active App Store subscriptions.
4. Find "Backstage" in the list and tap it.
   • If you don't see Backstage, scroll down to check if the subscription has already expired.
5. Tap "Cancel Subscription" or "Turn Off Auto-Renewal."
   • Pro tip: Cancelling stops future charges; you keep access until the current billing cycle ends.
6. Confirm by tapping "Confirm" when prompted.
   • Apple will send a confirmation email to your Apple ID email address.

Refund eligibility: If you purchased within the last 15 days and request a refund within the same window, Apple typically approves refunds for subscriptions. After 15 days, refunds are at Apple's discretion. To request a refund after cancelling, visit appleid.apple.com, go to "Purchases," find Backstage, and select "Report a Problem."

Cancel a google play subscription (Android)

Like Apple, Google Play manages Android app subscriptions directly. You cancel through the Google Play app or website, not through Backstage.

1. Open the Google Play app on your Android device.
   • The app icon usually shows a white triangle inside a colored square.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
   • It appears as a circular image or initial.
3. Select "Manage your Google Play account" or "Payments and subscriptions."
   • Exact wording varies by Android version and app version.
4. Tap "Subscriptions."
   • This displays all your active subscriptions.
5. Find Backstage and tap it.
   • You'll see the subscription plan, renewal date and price.
6. Tap "Cancel subscription" and confirm by tapping "Yes, cancel."
   • Google will email you a cancellation confirmation to your Gmail address.

Refund eligibility: Google Play refunds subscriptions within 15 days of the first charge. After 15 days, you can cancel to stop future charges, but refunds are not guaranteed. To request a refund after cancellation, go to play.google.com, find "Payments," then "Subscriptions," and contact Google Play support with your request.

Cancel via email to backstage ME (Dubai contact)

If you subscribed through a regional payment method or prefer written cancellation, email Backstage's Dubai office. This is also the mandatory method if you cannot access your online account.

1. Compose an email to said@backstage-me.com with the subject line "Cancellation Request."
   • Use a professional tone; include all requested information to avoid delays.
2. In the email body, state clearly: "I request cancellation of my Backstage subscription effective immediately."
   • Do not ask for permission or frame it as a question; make it a direct request.
3. Include the following details:
   • Your full name (as it appears on your account)
   • Email address registered to your Backstage account
   • Subscriber ID or account number (if you have it)
   • Last four digits of the payment card used (e.g., "4567")
   • Current billing date and subscription plan name (e.g., "Monthly Premium" or "Annual Plus")
4. Optionally add: "I am entitled to cancellation under UAE Consumer Protection Law No. 24 of 2006. Please confirm receipt and processing of this request within 3 business days."
   • Pro tip: Citing UAE law increases response speed and compliance likelihood.
5. Send the email and wait for a confirmation reply.
   • Backstage typically responds within 2 to 5 business days.
6. If you do not receive a reply within 5 business days, resend the email with "URGENT: Follow-up" in the subject line and mention you have not yet received acknowledgement.
   • Warning: Lack of response does not mean cancellation was processed; follow up proactively.

Pro tip: Use a free registered mail service (such as asking your email provider to request read receipts) or screenshot the sent email for proof. Stopee recommends keeping all correspondence for at least 12 months.

Cancel by postal mail (postal address)

For formal written cancellation, you may send a signed letter to Backstage's Dubai office.

1. Write a cancellation letter on plain paper or printed letterhead including:
   • Your full name
   • Registered email address
   • Account subscriber ID
   • Current date
   • A clear statement: "I request cancellation of my Backstage subscription effective immediately."
   • Your signature
2. Mail the letter to:
   • Backstage ME
     Ground Floor, Emirates Towers
     Dubai, United Arab Emirates
3. Use registered or tracked post so you receive proof of delivery.
   • UAE postal services (Emirates Post) offer tracked options.
4. Allow 7 to 10 business days for receipt and processing.
   • This method is slower than email; use it only if email contact fails.

Note: Postal cancellation is slower and provides less immediate proof than email. Email via said@backstage-me.com is the preferred and fastest method, and Stopee recommends using it first.

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation doesn't mean instant loss of access; understanding the timeline helps you plan your next steps.

Your access and remaining subscription period

When you successfully cancel, you stop future recurring charges, but your active membership remains valid until the end of your current paid billing period. If you cancel on the 15th of a 30-day subscription, you keep full access to job listings, application tools and profile management until the 30th-you simply won't be charged again on the 1st of the next month.

Use this remaining time to download any saved job listings, screenshots of casting calls you've applied to, or messages from casting directors. This ensures you don't lose important contact information or submission records once your subscription expires.

Your account and profile after expiry

After your subscription period ends, your Backstage account remains active as a free user. You can still view your profile, past submissions and messages from industry contacts-you simply lose the ability to apply to new jobs or use premium features like seeing all available listings. Your profile data is preserved, so you can resubscribe later without losing history.

Backstage's data retention policies follow their Terms of Service. For specifics on how long your profile is stored after cancellation or how to request account deletion, refer to backstage.com/terms-of-service or email said@backstage-me.com to ask about permanent account removal if you wish to fully exit the platform.

Refund eligibility and timelines

Whether you receive a refund depends on your subscription type, purchase date and payment method.

Refunds for backstage.com direct purchases

Backstage's public refund policy states:

Important: If you purchased a web subscription in the UAE within the last 14 days using distance selling, you may have a legal right to cancel and receive a full refund under UAE Law No. 18 of 2020, even if Backstage's policy says otherwise. Include this in your cancellation email if Backstage initially refuses a refund outside their stated window.

Refunds for apple app store purchases

Apple processes refunds for App Store subscriptions independently. You can request a refund within 15 days of the charge; after 15 days, refunds are at Apple's discretion and usually denied unless you can demonstrate the subscription was purchased fraudulently or unauthorized.

To request a refund, visit appleid.apple.com, go to "Purchase History," find the Backstage charge, and select "Report a Problem." Choose "I was accidentally charged" or "The app didn't work as expected" and submit. Apple reviews the request within 24 to 48 hours and typically emails the outcome to your Apple ID email address.

Refunds for google play purchases

Google Play allows refunds for subscriptions within 15 days of the first charge. After 15 days, you can cancel to stop future charges, but no refund is issued unless Google determines the transaction was unauthorized.

To request a refund, visit play.google.com, navigate to "Payments," find the Backstage subscription, and select the transaction. Click "Report a problem" and provide details. Google reviews and responds within 24 to 72 hours.

How to escalate a refused refund

If Backstage denies your refund request and you believe you are entitled under UAE law, escalate your complaint to the UAE consumer authority. Contact the General Authority for Consumer Protection (GACP) in your emirate-for Dubai residents, this is the Dubai Municipality Consumer Protection Department.

File a formal complaint citing UAE Law No. 18 of 2020 (distance selling rights) and include copies of your cancellation email, Backstage's refusal, proof of payment, and any correspondence. Stopee has seen the GACP successfully compel refunds on overseas subscriptions when consumers document their case clearly. Allow 30 to 60 days for investigation and resolution.

Pricing comparison and why subscribers cancel

Understanding Backstage's cost helps you decide if cancellation is right for you.

Common reasons to cancel include: landing a paid role and no longer needing the platform, switching to free audition boards (Actors' Equity, Spotlight, Mandy), reducing monthly expenses, or finding that auditions don't match your type or experience level. If you've used Backstage for 6 months or longer without landing work, Stopee suggests cancelling the monthly plan and reapplying selectively to auditions on the free tier before recommitting to a subscription.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Cancellation seems simple, but small errors can leave you stranded with unwanted charges or lost profile data.

Mistake 1: cancelling on the app instead of your account

If you subscribed via the Backstage website, uninstalling the app or "cancelling" within the app does not actually cancel your subscription-you must cancel via your online account settings or email. Many subscribers mistakenly believe app uninstall = cancellation and are shocked to find charges continue on their card statement. Always cancel through the platform where you subscribed: Backstage.com account, Apple Settings, Google Play, or email.

Mistake 2: assuming cancellation means refund

Cancelling stops future charges but does not automatically issue a refund for the current or past period. If you want a refund, request it explicitly in your cancellation email and quote your refund window (30 days for semi-annual/annual, or 14 days under UAE law for web purchases). Do not assume silence or a cancellation confirmation means money is coming back.

Mistake 3: not saving your confirmation

After cancelling, immediately screenshot or save the confirmation page, email confirmation, or payment dashboard update showing cancellation was processed. If a charge appears 30 days later despite your cancellation, you need dated proof that you cancelled. Stopee recommends keeping records for 12 months-disputes after that window are harder to resolve.

Mistake 4: cancelling an apple or google subscription from within the backstage app

Backstage's app does not have an in-app cancellation option if you purchased via Apple or Google. Attempting to cancel within Backstage does nothing and confuses the process. Always cancel through Apple Settings or Google Play settings on your device-nowhere else works.

Mistake 5: not following up on silence

If you cancel via email and do not receive a reply within 5 business days, do not assume you're cancelled. Resend the email or call Stopee to help you escalate. Backstage is in a different time zone; allow 2 to 3 extra days for international email, but follow up proactively if nothing arrives.

Cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to ensure a smooth, fully documented cancellation.

• Identify where you subscribed (Backstage.com, Apple, Google Play, or regional reseller)
• Log into your account or app and locate subscription/membership settings
• Review your current billing date and remaining subscription period
• If requesting a refund, check whether you fall within the refund window (30 days for semi-annual/annual, 14 days under UAE law)
• Submit your cancellation via the correct method (account, Apple Settings, Google Play, or email to said@backstage-me.com)
• Screenshot or save the confirmation page or email confirmation
• Wait for a confirmation reply (allow 3 to 5 business days)
• Follow up by email if you do not hear back within 5 business days
• Check your bank or payment app after 2 to 3 billing cycles to confirm no further charges appear
• Keep all cancellation correspondence for at least 12 months
• If a charge appears after cancellation, contact your bank and file a dispute, citing your cancellation proof

Contact information and escalation paths

Here's where to reach Backstage or escalate if cancellation doesn't go smoothly.

Backstage ME (Dubai) contact details

For cancellation requests, refund disputes or account inquiries:

Email: said@backstage-me.com
Postal address: Backstage ME, Ground Floor, Emirates Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Response time: 2 to 5 business days via email; 7 to 10 business days via post.

Escalation to UAE authorities

If Backstage refuses your cancellation or refund and you believe your legal rights under UAE law have been violated, file a complaint with the General Authority for Consumer Protection (GACP) or your local emirate's consumer authority:

• Dubai: Dubai Municipality Consumer Protection Department (CPD); phone: +971 4 609 1111 or file online at dm.gov.ae
• Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities; consumer complaints available through abudhabi.ae
• Other emirates: Contact your local municipality consumer office

Include a copy of your cancellation request, any refusal from Backstage, proof of payment, and a summary of your complaint. The GACP investigates within 30 to 60 days and can compel companies to refund or comply with law.

Chargeback and bank dispute options

If you cancel Backstage but are charged again and Backstage does not refund, contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Dispute the charge citing your cancellation request and the date you cancelled. Most banks investigate within 10 to 15 business days and may reverse the charge while they investigate. Provide your bank with screenshots of your cancellation confirmation.

Your next steps: cancel with confidence

Cancelling Backstage is straightforward once you know which method applies to you. If you subscribed directly on Backstage.com, cancel through your account settings or email said@backstage-me.com. If you subscribed via Apple or Google, cancel through your device settings, not through Backstage. In all cases, save your confirmation, follow up if you don't hear back, and know that your legal right to a refund under UAE law is stronger than Backstage's published policy suggests.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate subscription cancellations with clarity and confidence, recovering refunds and stopping unwanted charges. Whether you're leaving Backstage to pursue work elsewhere or simply reducing expenses, you now have the step-by-step guidance, legal knowledge, and escalation paths to cancel without stress. Take action today, keep your records, and reach out to your local consumer authority if Backstage fails to cooperate-your rights are protected.