Manage Preply

How to cancel preply in nigeria and claim your consumer rights

What preply is and how it works in nigeria

Preply is an online tutoring marketplace that connects Nigerian learners with private tutors for one-on-one lessons in languages, academics, and professional skills. You browse tutor profiles, choose your preferred instructor based on experience and hourly rate, book lessons directly, and pay through the Preply platform. Tutors set their own rates and availability, so costs vary widely depending on subject, expertise level, and demand.

Why nigerians use preply

You might choose Preply because it offers flexibility around your schedule, access to native speakers for language learning, and the ability to learn from home. Many Nigerians use it for English conversation practice, professional certifications, or academic subjects like mathematics and science. The platform lets you book lessons as needed, rather than committing to rigid timetables at traditional schools.

How payment and lesson bookings work

When you book a lesson, you pay Preply upfront. The platform holds your funds and releases payment to the tutor after the lesson concludes. If you cancel within the platform's allowed window (typically 12 hours before the lesson), you avoid charges. If you cancel too close to the scheduled time, you may lose your payment. Understanding these rules is critical before you decide whether Preply suits your needs or if you want to exit the service.

Why you might want to cancel preply

Cancelling makes sense if the service no longer meets your learning goals, if tutor quality drops, if costs become unsustainable, or if you find a better alternative. It also makes sense if Preply misrepresented lesson quality, if technical issues prevent proper learning, or if you dispute charges that shouldn't have been taken.

Common reasons nigerian users cancel

Financial pressure is real in Nigeria. If your income shifts or unexpected expenses arise, a weekly lesson at ₦5,000-₦15,000 (depending on tutor) may become unaffordable. You might also cancel because a tutor stopped showing up, lesson times changed without notice, or you found a cheaper local alternative. Some users cancel because they completed their learning goal and no longer need tutoring. All of these are valid reasons, and your consumer rights protect you in many of these scenarios.

When cancellation is your right, not a favour

Under Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, you have the right to cancel services that don't match what was promised. If a tutor's advertised experience level doesn't match reality, or if technical glitches prevent lessons from running properly, you can cancel and demand a refund. Preply cannot hide behind a blanket "no refunds" policy if the service was genuinely defective or misrepresented. Stopee understands these protections and encourages you to assert them.

Preply pricing in nigeria and what you'll pay

Preply pricing is not fixed; tutors set their own rates. The table below shows typical hourly rates you'll encounter on the platform when booking lessons in Nigeria.

Typical lesson costs

These rates fluctuate based on tutor demand, time of booking, and any active promotions. The key point: you control what you spend by choosing which tutor to book.

How to cancel individual preply lessons as a student

If you've booked a lesson but want to cancel it, follow these steps to avoid being charged. Timing matters-cancel at least 12 hours before the lesson starts.

Student cancellation steps

1. Log into your Preply account on the website or mobile app using your email and password.
   • If you forget your password, select "Forgot password" and reset it via the link sent to your email.
2. Go to your dashboard or calendar and locate the lesson you want to cancel.
   • Lessons appear as scheduled blocks showing the tutor's name, subject, date, and time.
3. Click on the lesson and select the "Cancel lesson" or "Reschedule" button.
   • If you see only "Reschedule" (no "Cancel" option), you are within the 12-hour window and cancellation may trigger a charge.
4. Confirm your cancellation by clicking "Yes" or "Confirm" in the popup.
   • Preply will display a confirmation message and the lesson will disappear from your calendar.
5. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation receipt from Preply.
   • Keep this for your records in case you need to dispute a charge later.

Warning: If you cancel within 12 hours of the lesson start time, Preply will normally charge your account. You do not get a refund for this cancellation, even if the tutor does not show up. Plan ahead to avoid this penalty.

Pro tip: If you think you might cancel, do so as soon as possible after booking. The further in advance you cancel, the safer you are from unexpected charges.

How to cancel your preply subscription or account

Cancelling individual lessons is different from cancelling your entire Preply account or subscription. If you want to stop using Preply altogether, you need to take a separate step.

Full account cancellation steps

1. Log into your Preply account on the website (not the app, as this option is usually only on web).
   • Go to www.preply.com and enter your login credentials.
2. Navigate to your account settings or profile menu, usually found in the top-right corner.
   • Look for a gear icon, "Settings," or your profile name.
3. Select "Account settings," "Preferences," or "Billing" depending on what Preply displays.
   • You may see options like "Manage subscription," "Billing information," or "Close account."
4. Look for a button or link that says "Cancel subscription," "Delete account," or "Close account" and click it.
   • Preply may ask why you are leaving; you can provide feedback or skip this step.
5. Follow any confirmation prompts and confirm your cancellation.
   • Preply will send a confirmation email to your registered address.

Warning: Cancelling your account does not automatically refund credits you have not used. If you have remaining lesson credits, contact Preply support before closing your account to discuss a refund. Some older accounts may not have a self-service cancellation option, in which case you must email Preply's customer service directly.

Pro tip: Before you cancel, download or screenshot any lesson records, tutor feedback, or certificates you earned. Once your account closes, you may lose access to this data.

What happens after you cancel and whether you get a refund

Cancelling a lesson and cancelling your account trigger different outcomes. Understanding these differences is crucial to protecting your money.

Refund rules for individual lesson cancellations

If you cancel a single lesson more than 12 hours before it starts, you avoid a charge altogether and your payment is never taken. The lesson is removed from your calendar and no refund is needed because no money left your account. If you cancel within 12 hours of the scheduled time, Preply charges you the full lesson fee. In this case, you would need to request a refund, which Preply considers on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed.

Refund rules for subscription cancellations

Preply's official policy states that subscriptions are refunded only if no lesson credits were used during that billing period and the payment was made fewer than 28 days ago. In practice, this means:

• If you paid for a monthly subscription and never used any credits, you can request a refund within 28 days.
• If you used even one lesson credit, a refund is not guaranteed, even if you cancel immediately.
• All refunds are at Preply's sole discretion "to the fullest extent permitted by law"-meaning Preply reserves the right to refuse.

However, under Nigeria's FCCPA 2018, a blanket "no refund" clause is not enforceable if the service was genuinely faulty or misrepresented. If a tutor did not show up, lesson quality was extremely poor, or the service was technically broken, you have grounds to dispute Preply's refusal and escalate to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

Your consumer rights in nigeria and how to use them

Nigeria's consumer protection laws are stronger than many users realize. Stopee encourages you to know and assert these rights when dealing with Preply.

What the federal competition and consumer protection act says

The FCCPA 2018 protects you from unfair contract terms, misrepresentation, and defective services. Specifically, you have the right to:

• Cancel services that do not match the description or quality advertised.
• Receive a refund if a service is fundamentally faulty, unsafe, or misleading.
• Reject unfair terms that heavily favour the business over you (such as "no refunds under any circumstances").
• Lodge a formal complaint with a government body if the business refuses to cooperate.

Preply cannot invoke its own terms and conditions to override these statutory rights. If a tutor is falsely advertised as a native speaker but is not, or if the platform is down during your paid lesson time, the FCCPA shields you.

How to escalate a complaint to the FCCPC

If Preply refuses your refund request or ignores your cancellation complaint, you can lodge a formal case with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

1. Visit the FCCPC website at fccpc.gov.ng and navigate to the complaints section.
   • The FCCPC has an online portal where you can file complaints 24/7.
2. Gather your evidence: booking confirmations, payment receipts, screenshots of tutor profiles, lesson records, and emails with Preply support.
   • The more detail you provide, the stronger your case.
3. Submit your complaint online or send it by post to:
   • Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
     Federal Secretariat, Phase 1, Shehu Shagari Way
     Abuja, Nigeria
     Tel: +234 800 050 0001
4. The FCCPC will investigate and attempt to resolve your complaint within 45 days.
   • You may be asked for additional information or invited to a hearing.
5. If the FCCPC finds in your favour, it can order Preply to refund you, and potentially fine the company for breaching consumer law.
   • This is a powerful tool and costs you nothing to use.

Stopee recommends you use the FCCPC if Preply's customer service fails. Many Nigerian consumers do not know this avenue exists, but it is legitimate and respected.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling preply

Cancelling may feel straightforward, but small errors can cost you money or leave you stuck. Here are traps to watch for.

Cancelling too late

The 12-hour rule is strict. If you cancel 11 hours before a lesson, you will be charged. Set a phone reminder one day before each lesson so you have time to cancel if you need to. Do not wait until the morning of the lesson.

Assuming cancellation deletes your account

Cancelling one lesson does not close your account. Cancelling your subscription does not mean future bookings are automatically deleted. You must take each action separately. Log back in after cancelling to confirm no further lessons are scheduled.

Not requesting a refund for disputed charges

If you were wrongly charged for a lesson you cancelled on time, or if a tutor didn't show up, contact Preply support immediately. Do not assume the charge is final. Preply often refunds disputed charges if you provide evidence (screenshots, email confirmations, etc.). Stopee has seen many users get refunds simply by asking clearly and providing proof.

Forgetting to cancel before switching tutors

If you book a trial lesson with one tutor but then decide to book with another, you must cancel the first lesson explicitly. Booking with a second tutor does not automatically cancel the first. You will be charged for both unless you act.

Not keeping cancellation confirmations

Always screenshot or save the cancellation confirmation email from Preply. If you later see an unexpected charge, this email is your proof that you cancelled and a dispute lever with your bank or card issuer.

Preply customer experiences in nigeria

Real users share both praise and frustration. Understanding common feedback helps you decide if Preply is right for you or if cancelling is the smartest move.

What nigerian users appreciate

Many praise Preply for access to native English speakers, which is rare and valuable in Nigeria. Users like the flexibility to book lessons at their own pace, the ability to switch tutors without penalty, and competitive pricing compared to in-person tutoring centres in Lagos and Abuja. Parents report that their children improve noticeably in English conversation and exam readiness after using Preply for a few months.

Common complaints from nigerian users

Some users report tutors cancelling last-minute (within the 12-hour window), forcing students to lose their lesson fees. Others complain about poor internet connection during lessons, making it hard to learn. A few users say they were charged for lessons they never attended because a tutor no-showed and Preply's support was slow to refund. Payment in Nigeria can be tricky for some users because not all Nigerian payment methods integrate smoothly with Preply, leading to card declines and frustration. When these issues happen, Stopee advises you to document everything and escalate via the FCCPC if Preply doesn't resolve it within 7 days.

Cancellation checklist before you submit

Before you cancel, run through this list to protect yourself and maximize your chances of a smooth exit or refund.

Key contact information and cancellation address

If Preply's website cancellation option is not working, or if you need to send a formal cancellation letter, use the addresses below. Note that Preply does not have a publicly listed office in Nigeria, so you may need to contact their international support.

How to contact preply

• Email support: Look for a "Contact us" link on the Preply website or in your account settings. Most users report getting responses within 24-48 hours via email.
• In-app support: Open the Preply app, go to Help or Settings, and start a chat with customer support. This is often faster than email.
• Preply UK office (for formal correspondence):
  Preply UK Services Ltd
  Interchange House, 27 Stafford Road
  Croydon, CR0 4NG
  United Kingdom
• FCCPC escalation (if Preply doesn't respond):
  Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
  Federal Secretariat, Phase 1
  Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja, Nigeria
  Phone: +234 800 050 0001
  Website: fccpc.gov.ng

Pro tip: Always send cancellation requests via email (not just in-app chat) so you have a written record. Use subject line: "Request for account cancellation and refund-[Your name, account email]." Keep a copy for your records.

Taking control and moving forward

Cancelling Preply is a straightforward process if you follow the steps, but your real power lies in knowing your rights. Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act shields you from unfair terms and defective services. You are not at Preply's mercy; if they refuse a legitimate refund or ignore a cancellation request, you have legal recourse through the FCCPC.

Stopee is here to remind you: a business cannot hide behind vague "no refund" policies when a service is broken or misrepresented. Document everything, cancel on time, ask for your money back when you have grounds, and escalate if the company stonewalls you. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unfair subscriptions and recover refunds by asserting their consumer rights-and you can too. Start today by reviewing your Preply account, identifying any disputed charges, and taking the action that puts your wallet and peace of mind first.