Manage Contabo

How to cancel contabo and get your refund as a new zealand customer

What is contabo and why you might want to cancel

Contabo is a German hosting provider offering virtual private servers (VPS), dedicated servers and cloud hosting to customers worldwide, including New Zealand. They process orders and billing through their web platform, with pricing displayed in EUR on their main site.

You may have signed up for a Contabo service because you needed flexible hosting, but circumstances change. Whether you discovered a better provider, your project ended, or the service simply doesn't meet your needs, cancelling should be straightforward. The challenge is knowing exactly where to start and how to protect yourself from automatic renewals and data loss.

At Stopee, we help New Zealand consumers navigate cancellation processes like Contabo's with confidence. We understand the frustration when a service provider makes cancellation harder than signup, and we're here to walk you through every step.

How contabo operates in new zealand

Contabo serves New Zealand customers directly via their web ordering system. You order in NZD (through currency conversion) and manage your account through their Customer Control Panel. Contabo's data centres operate across Europe, and they store your server configuration and data on their infrastructure until you formally cancel.

If you purchased a Contabo plan through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, those transactions are handled by Apple or Google respectively, not by Contabo directly. This matters for refunds and cancellation, as we'll explain later.

Signs you should cancel contabo

You might want to cancel if your hosting costs have increased with renewal, your server performance doesn't meet your needs, you've found a competitor with better value, or your project has concluded. Some New Zealand customers switch to providers with better local support or lower pricing for their specific use case.

Your consumer rights under new zealand law

When you cancel a digital service from Contabo, your rights are protected by the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA) and by Contabo's own cancellation policies, which are based on EU consumer law.

The 14-day right of withdrawal

Contabo honours a 14-day right of withdrawal for orders placed directly on their website. This right comes from EU and German consumer law, which Contabo applies to all international customers, including those in New Zealand. You have 14 calendar days from the date of your order to withdraw and request a full refund, provided you haven't substantially used the service.

To invoke this right, you must notify Contabo in writing within the 14-day window. Contabo will then process your withdrawal and refund your payment within 14 days of receiving your notice. Keep a copy of your withdrawal request and any confirmation email from Contabo as evidence.

The consumer guarantees act protections

Under New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act, Contabo must ensure their service is of acceptable quality and fit for purpose. If your hosting fails to perform as advertised or becomes unavailable without cause, you may have grounds to cancel and claim a refund separately from the 14-day withdrawal window. If Contabo refuses to help, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission or seek advice from Citizens Advice Bureau.

Stopee recommends documenting any service failures (downtime, poor performance, unresponsive support) with screenshots or email records before you lodge a complaint. This evidence will support your case if you need to escalate.

How to cancel contabo via the customer control panel

The fastest and most reliable way to cancel Contabo is through their Customer Control Panel. This method gives you an instant record of your cancellation request and often triggers an automated refund workflow.

Step-by-step cancellation process

1. Log in to your Contabo Customer Control Panel at https://my.contabo.com
   • Use your registered email address and password
   • If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot password?" and follow the reset email
2. Navigate to your active orders or services
   • Look for a section labelled "Orders", "Services" or "Billing"
   • Identify the hosting plan you want to cancel
3. Select the order and look for a "Cancel", "Revoke" or "Terminate" button
   • Pro tip: Some plans may show "Request withdrawal" instead of "Cancel"
   • If you can't find the button, scroll down or check the order details section
4. Click the cancellation button and review the confirmation screen
   • Contabo will warn you that server data will be permanently deleted upon cancellation
   • Confirm you understand and accept this consequence
5. Confirm your cancellation request
   • You may be asked to select a reason (e.g., "Service no longer needed", "Found better provider")
   • Submit the form
6. Save or screenshot the confirmation page
   • Note the cancellation request number and timestamp
   • Check your email for a confirmation from Contabo within minutes

What to do if the cancellation button isn't visible

If you cannot find a cancellation option in your control panel, your plan may not be eligible for self-service cancellation. This sometimes happens with older orders or custom plans. Open a support ticket immediately rather than waiting.

Warning: Do not delete your order manually or attempt workarounds. Instead, contact Contabo support (see below) with your order number and request a formal withdrawal or cancellation.

How to cancel contabo via support ticket or email

If the control panel cancellation didn't work or you need to escalate your request, Contabo's support team can process cancellations manually. This method takes longer but creates a documented paper trail.

Cancellation through support ticket

1. Visit the Contabo Help Centre at https://help.contabo.com
2. Look for "Contact Support" or "Open a Ticket"
   • You may be asked to log in with your Contabo account credentials
3. Select "Billing" or "Account" as the support category
4. Write a clear cancellation request email including:
   • Your full name and account email address
   • Your order number (found in your control panel or order confirmation email)
   • The exact date you ordered the service
   • A statement like: "I wish to withdraw from this contract and request a full refund under your 14-day right of withdrawal policy" (if within 14 days) or "I request cancellation effective immediately"
   • If requesting a refund for a recent auto-renewal, mention the exact date the charge occurred
5. Submit your ticket and wait for a response
   • Contabo support typically replies within 24-48 hours
   • Save the ticket reference number
6. Respond promptly if Contabo asks for clarification
   • Do not ignore follow-up emails or your ticket may be closed

Cancellation by email

If you prefer email, Contabo accepts cancellation requests via email to support@contabo.com. Use the same format as above: state your order number, request date, and clear cancellation statement. Be aware that email support may take 48-72 hours to respond, whereas the support ticket system is usually faster.

App store or google play cancellations

If you purchased a Contabo plan through Apple's App Store or Google Play Store, you cannot cancel through Contabo's control panel. Instead, you must request a refund directly from Apple or Google within their respective refund windows (typically 14-15 days for Apple, 48 hours for Google).

1. For Apple App Store purchases: Go to https://support.apple.com/en-nz/HT204084 and follow Apple's refund process
2. For Google Play purchases: Go to https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2479637 and request a refund from Google
3. Include your order ID and reason for refund in your request
4. Apple and Google will refund you directly; they will notify Contabo of the cancellation after the refund is processed

Contabo pricing and plan overview

Understanding what you're paying helps you decide whether cancellation makes sense or if switching to a different plan is better. Below are typical NZD prices for Contabo's dedicated server options, based on current EUR-to-NZD conversion.

Dedicated server pricing (approximate NZD)

Note: Prices are approximate and based on EUR conversion rates. Check Contabo's official site for current pricing in EUR. NZD amounts may vary with exchange rate fluctuations.

What happens when you cancel contabo

Cancellation triggers important changes to your service and data. Understanding what to expect prevents unpleasant surprises after you've submitted your request.

Data loss and backup requirements

When Contabo processes a cancellation, your server instances are terminated and all stored data is permanently deleted. Contabo does not retain backups after cancellation, even if you request recovery later. This is non-negotiable.

Before you cancel, you must back up any files, databases or configurations you want to keep. Download everything to your local computer or cloud storage. Do not cancel until your backup is complete and verified.

Warning: Contabo explicitly states in their cancellation confirmation that you accept permanent data deletion. Once you confirm, recovery is not possible. Stopee advises all customers to treat this as final.

Billing and automatic renewal stops

Once your cancellation is processed, Contabo stops future billing. No renewal charge will hit your payment method after the cancellation takes effect. However, if an automatic renewal charge occurred just before you cancelled, you may still be eligible for a refund on that recent charge.

If a renewal happened within 72 hours of your cancellation request, contact Contabo support immediately with proof of the charge (a screenshot of your billing statement or bank transaction). Mention the date and amount, and request a refund. Act fast, as Contabo's policy on recent renewals has a narrow time window.

Server access termination timeline

Contabo typically terminates server access within 24 hours of processing your cancellation. During this window, you may lose SSH/RDP access, website functionality, email services and any applications running on the server. Plan downtime accordingly if you're migrating to another host.

Will you get a refund from contabo

Refund eligibility depends on when you cancel and which refund policy applies to your order. Stopee breaks down the main scenarios below so you know what to expect.

Full refund within 14 days (withdrawal right)

If you cancel within 14 days of purchasing a Contabo service via their website, you're entitled to a full refund under Contabo's withdrawal policy. To qualify, you must not have substantially used the service (using a test server briefly is acceptable; running production traffic is not).

Submit your withdrawal request within the 14-day window. Contabo will refund your payment within 14 days of receiving your cancellation notice. The refund will return to your original payment method (credit card, PayPal, etc.). Allow 5-10 business days for the refund to appear in your bank account.

Automatic renewal refunds (within 72 hours)

If Contabo automatically renewed your subscription and charged you within the last 72 hours, you can request a refund of that renewal charge separately. Contact support with proof of the charge and request a refund under their auto-renewal policy. Response times vary, but Contabo aims to review these requests within 24-48 hours.

Pro tip: If you see an unexpected renewal charge on your bank statement, contact your bank immediately to dispute it while also reaching out to Contabo support. This dual approach protects you if Contabo denies the refund request.

Accidental order refunds

If you placed an order by mistake and request cancellation within hours, Contabo's support team may approve a refund even after the 14-day window if the service hasn't been used. Explain the error clearly and request a refund. Success isn't guaranteed, but support teams often show flexibility on genuinely accidental orders.

Account balance refunds

If you have a credit balance in your Contabo account (from overpayment or store credit), you can request a refund of that balance via support. Contabo may apply an administration fee, so confirm the final refund amount before you agree. The balance is not automatically refunded upon cancellation; you must request it explicitly.

App store and google play refunds

Refunds for App Store purchases are handled by Apple, not Contabo. Refunds for Google Play purchases are handled by Google. You cannot claim a refund from Contabo for in-app purchases. Follow Apple's or Google's refund process (see earlier in this guide) and work with their support teams instead.

Common mistakes when cancelling contabo

Cancelling a hosting service can be stressful, especially if you're managing multiple accounts or tight deadlines. We've seen New Zealand customers make preventable mistakes that delay refunds or leave them without recourse. Here's how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: not backing up before cancellation

The most heartbreaking mistake is cancelling without backing up your data first. Databases, website files, email archives, custom configurations and SSL certificates are all lost permanently. You cannot recover them from Contabo after cancellation.

Always download or migrate your data to another host before you submit the cancellation request. If you're unsure how, contact Contabo support for data export instructions before you cancel.

Mistake 2: assuming cancellation stops auto-renewal

Some customers cancel their service but don't realise the subscription auto-renewal still processes. Double-check your billing settings after cancellation. If a charge appears on your statement after you cancelled, contact Contabo support within 72 hours to dispute it.

Mistake 3: not saving your cancellation confirmation

If Contabo later claims they never received your cancellation request, a screenshot of your confirmation or ticket number is your only proof. Save or forward to yourself any confirmation emails, ticket numbers or screenshots immediately after you cancel.

Mistake 4: waiting too long to request an auto-renewal refund

The 72-hour window for recent renewal refunds closes fast. The moment you notice an unwanted charge, contact Contabo support or your bank. Waiting a week significantly reduces your chances of approval.

Mistake 5: cancelling via email and assuming it worked

Email is slower and less reliable than the control panel or support tickets. If you email Contabo, follow up after 48 hours if you haven't received a response. Use the support ticket system instead for faster confirmation.

After you cancel contabo

Cancellation doesn't end the moment you submit your request. Several steps follow to ensure you're truly disconnected and your refund arrives.

What to do immediately after cancellation

1. Save your cancellation confirmation number and timestamp
2. Forward any confirmation emails to yourself or a backup email address
3. Note the expected refund date (14 days from cancellation notice)
4. Update your domain name servers (DNS) to point to your new host if you're moving websites
   • Do this before server access terminates, or your site will go offline
5. Check your email and phone settings if you used Contabo for email hosting
   • Migrate emails to a new provider or update forwarding rules
6. Verify all your data has been migrated to your new hosting provider

Monitoring your refund

After you cancel, mark your calendar for the refund deadline (14 days from your cancellation notice). If you don't see the refund by day 15, contact Contabo support with your cancellation number and ask for a refund status update.

Pro tip: Check your spam or promotions email folder for Contabo's refund notification. Sometimes refund confirmations are flagged as promotional mail.

Disputing with your bank if the refund doesn't arrive

If Contabo doesn't refund you within 21 days of your cancellation notice, contact your bank or credit card provider and file a dispute or chargeback. Provide your bank with the cancellation confirmation number and proof that Contabo promised a refund. Your bank will contact Contabo to recover the funds on your behalf.

Checklist before you cancel contabo

Compare: should you cancel, downgrade or stay

Cancellation isn't always the best choice. Consider whether downgrading, upgrading or migrating to another provider better serves your goals.

Contabo cancellation contact details

Below are Contabo's official cancellation and support channels. Use these to submit your cancellation request or escalate a complaint.

Primary cancellation methods

• Customer Control Panel: Log in at https://my.contabo.com and use the built-in cancellation tool (fastest)
• Support Ticket System: Visit https://help.contabo.com and open a support ticket (24-48 hour response)
• Email Support: Email support@contabo.com with your cancellation request (48-72 hour response)

Contabo headquarters (Germany)

If you need to send formal cancellation or complaint by post, use the German headquarters address:

Contabo GmbH
Arstweg 17
90765 Fürth
Germany

Include your order number, account email, and clear cancellation statement in your letter. Keep a copy for your records. Note that postal cancellation takes 2-4 weeks to process.

Escalation in new zealand

If Contabo refuses your refund or cancellation request and you believe they've breached the Consumer Guarantees Act or misrepresented their service, contact:

• Commerce Commission (New Zealand): https://www.commerce.govt.nz | Phone 0800 943 600
• Citizens Advice Bureau (New Zealand): https://www.citizensadvice.org.nz | Local branch contact

File a complaint with evidence of your cancellation request, Contabo's response, and any breached promises. The Commerce Commission can investigate and compel Contabo to refund you if warranted.

How stopee helps you cancel contabo

Cancelling Contabo doesn't have to be confusing or stressful. At Stopee, we've helped thousands of New Zealand consumers navigate hosting cancellations, refund disputes and service migrations. We understand the pain of unexpected charges, unresponsive support and data loss fears.

Our team at Stopee (stopee.com) publishes detailed cancellation guides for every major hosting provider, including step-by-step instructions, refund timelines, consumer law explainers and common mistakes to avoid. We don't work for Contabo or any hosting company; we advocate for you.

Whether you're cancelling Contabo today or planning a migration, visit Stopee to find tailored guides for your next provider. We make it easy to compare cancellation policies across services, understand your rights, and execute your decision without regret. Stopee empowers you to cancel on your terms.