Manage Snowflake

How to cancel snowflake in new zealand and protect your data

What is snowflake and why you might cancel

Snowflake is a cloud data platform that handles storage, compute, and data sharing for analytics and data warehousing. If you're in New Zealand, you contract with Snowflake Computing Pty Ltd, the entity responsible for delivering Snowflake services across Australia and New Zealand.

You might be cancelling because your project has ended, costs have grown beyond budget, or you've switched to a competing platform. Whatever your reason, cancelling cleanly protects your data and stops unwanted charges. This guide from Stopee walks you through every step.

Understanding snowflake's two main services

Snowflake operates two distinct offerings that require different cancellation approaches. The data platform (compute, storage, and marketplace) is the primary cloud analytics service. Snowflake Club, a separate entity, organises ski trips with its own booking and cancellation rules. This guide covers both so you know exactly which one applies to you.

Why cancelling matters now

Snowflake charges accumulate daily based on compute credits and storage used. If you've decided to leave, delaying cancellation means paying for services you no longer use. Additionally, data access can be revoked on or after your cancellation date, so exporting your work before you formally cancel is critical.

Your consumer rights in new zealand

Laws that protect you

New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act and Fair Trading Act give you solid ground to stand on. Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, services must be delivered with care, skill, and timeliness. If Snowflake fails to deliver the platform as promised or charges you after cancellation, you have legal recourse.

The Fair Trading Act protects you from misleading conduct, hidden fees, and unfair contract terms. If Snowflake's cancellation terms are buried or deliberately obscure, or if the company refuses to process a lawful cancellation, these laws are your leverage.

When to escalate

If Snowflake Computing Pty Ltd ignores your cancellation request or disputes a refund you're entitled to, contact the Commerce Commission (the New Zealand regulator for consumer protection). Stopee recommends documenting every communication with Snowflake: email screenshots, delivery receipts, and your contract terms. This evidence is invaluable if you need to escalate.

How to cancel snowflake for the data platform

The cancellation process step by step

Cancelling Snowflake's data platform requires written notice to the contracting entity. This is not an online button-click scenario; you must send formal notice and keep proof. Follow these steps carefully to ensure your cancellation is recorded.

1. Review your contract or subscription agreement for termination provisions and notice requirements.
   • Look for the notice period (typically 30 days) and any early-termination clauses.
   • Check whether you're locked into an annual commitment or can cancel monthly.
2. Locate the legal address for Snowflake Computing Pty Ltd in your contract or on the Snowflake website.
   • The contracting entity for New Zealand customers is Snowflake Computing Pty Ltd.
   • Do not send notice to the US head office; send it to the Australian/NZ entity address listed in your agreement.
3. Compose a formal cancellation letter that includes your account details, request date, and intended cancellation effective date.
   • Address it to the legal notice address provided in your contract.
   • State clearly: "I request cancellation of my Snowflake account [account name/ID] effective [date, typically 30 days from today]."
4. Send the letter via registered mail, courier, or email with read receipt enabled so you have proof of delivery.
   • Pro tip: Use email with a delivery confirmation feature (e.g., Gmail's delivery receipt) and save the response. Registered mail from New Zealand Post provides an official timestamp.
   • Retain the proof of delivery; you will need it if a dispute arises.
5. Await confirmation from Snowflake that your cancellation has been processed.
   • The company should confirm the cancellation date and provide a final billing statement.
   • If you don't hear back within 5 business days, send a follow-up email referencing your original cancellation notice.
6. Before access is revoked, export all data, shut down active workloads, and revoke API keys and credentials.
   • Set a calendar reminder to do this 7 days before your effective cancellation date.
   • Data access can be cut immediately upon cancellation, leaving you unable to retrieve anything after the fact.

Cancelling snowflake marketplace items

If you've subscribed to Marketplace items (third-party data or apps), Snowflake does not directly manage refunds. The Provider who listed the Marketplace item controls the refund policy. Contact the Provider directly, not Snowflake, to request cancellation or a refund. Snowflake states it will not intervene in payment disputes or chargeback cases for Marketplace purchases.

What happens after you cancel

Access and billing during the wind-down

Cancellation stops future renewals, but it does not immediately eliminate all charges. If you have pre-paid services or an active billing cycle, those charges may still appear on your next invoice. Your contract's termination clause defines when you stop paying: some contracts cut billing on the effective date, others allow partial billing for the remainder of a monthly cycle.

Your account access typically ends on the cancellation effective date. After that date, you cannot log in, query data, or create new resources. Warning: Any work you have not exported will be inaccessible once access is revoked.

Data safety and compliance

Snowflake will retain your data for a period defined in your contract, usually 30 to 90 days after cancellation, before deleting it permanently. You must export everything you need before the effective cancellation date. Use Snowflake's export tools to download data, backup schemas, and document any custom configurations.

If your organisation handles sensitive data (health, financial, or personal information), confirm Snowflake's data deletion process in writing. Stopee recommends asking Snowflake to provide written confirmation of data deletion once the retention period expires.

Snowflake pricing and what you'll stop paying

Understanding snowflake's cost model

Snowflake charges you on two main components: compute credits and storage. Compute is measured in credits; storage is measured per terabyte per month. Exact New Zealand pricing in NZD is not publicly listed, so you must confirm your billing currency and rates with your sales contact or in your contract.

Pro tip: Always confirm your actual billing rates with Snowflake before cancelling. Illustrative conversions above are approximate and may not reflect your contract pricing or current exchange rates. Once you cancel, you stop accruing compute and storage charges.

Will you get a refund

Refund eligibility for the snowflake data platform

Snowflake's refund policy depends on your contract terms. If you cancel mid-month, you are typically liable for the full month's charges (compute and storage) for that billing period. Some enterprise contracts allow pro-rata refunds for unused days in the final month; standard contracts do not.

If you have been overcharged due to a billing error, you can request a credit or refund. To claim this, contact Snowflake's billing team with your invoice, usage report, and evidence of the error. Stopee advises keeping monthly billing statements for at least 12 months after cancellation so you can dispute any charges that appear after you've left.

Marketplace refunds

Marketplace items are managed by the third-party Provider, not Snowflake. If you want a refund for a Marketplace subscription or purchase, you must contact the Provider who listed it. Snowflake does not issue Marketplace refunds and will not intervene in payment disputes or chargebacks.

Refund timeline

Credits issued by Snowflake are usually applied to your account within 5 to 10 business days. If a refund is due as a cash payment, the company processes it within 10 to 15 business days via your original payment method. Always request written confirmation of any approved refund so you have proof if the refund fails to arrive.

Common mistakes when cancelling snowflake

The false assumption that cancellation is instant

Many people assume that clicking a "cancel" button or sending an email immediately stops their account. Snowflake does not work that way. Cancellation requires formal written notice with a specified effective date. If you don't include an effective date, Snowflake may interpret the notice as a request for clarification rather than an instruction to cancel. Always state your intended cancellation date explicitly (e.g., "effective 30 days from today" or "effective 15 January 2024").

Forgetting to export data before the deadline

Once your account is cancelled and access is revoked, you cannot retrieve any data left on Snowflake's servers. Many departing customers assume they can export data after cancellation and are shocked to discover they cannot log in. Set a calendar reminder to export all data, schemas, and documentation at least 7 days before your effective cancellation date. Do not wait until the last moment.

Not retaining proof of cancellation

If you email Snowflake a cancellation request but don't enable read receipts or use registered mail, you have no evidence that the notice was received. The company might claim it never saw the request, leaving you in a position where charges continue. Always use a delivery method that provides proof: courier, registered mail, or email with read receipt. Save all confirmations and keep them for at least one year.

Cancelling without reviewing your contract

Contracts vary widely. Some include early-termination fees, others require 90 days' notice, and some lock you into annual commitments. If you cancel without knowing these terms, you may be liable for unexpected charges. Stopee strongly recommends reading the "Termination" or "Cancellation" section of your contract before you send any notice.

Steps to take before you cancel

The pre-cancellation checklist

1. Export all data, queries, and schemas to a secure location (cloud storage, external drive, or local server).
   • Use Snowflake's export tools or write scripts to bulk-download your data.
   • Test that exports are complete and readable before proceeding.
2. Document your account configuration: user roles, security groups, network policies, and integrations.
   • Take screenshots or exports of your account settings so you have a record.
   • This is helpful if you migrate to another platform later.
3. Revoke all API keys, service account credentials, and third-party integrations.
   • Removing credentials prevents unauthorized access and accidentally triggered charges after cancellation.
   • Notify any internal teams or partners that Snowflake access will end on your cancellation date.
4. Shut down any active warehouses, jobs, or automated tasks.
   • Running warehouses consume compute credits even if you're not using them.
   • Set all warehouses to "suspended" at least one week before cancellation.
5. Review your contract for the exact termination address and notice requirements.
   • Copy the legal address for Snowflake Computing Pty Ltd from your agreement.
   • Note any required notice period (usually 30 days).
6. Draft your cancellation letter and send it via registered mail or email with read receipt.
   • Keep the proof of delivery in a secure folder.
   • Send a follow-up email one week before the effective date to confirm receipt.

Cancelling snowflake club ski trips

How to cancel a snowflake club booking

If you've booked a ski trip through Snowflake Club (the separate community organiser), cancellation is simpler but comes with timing-dependent fees. You can cancel online or by email, and refunds are issued as credits to your card.

1. Log in to your Snowflake Club account and navigate to your bookings.
   • Click the trip you wish to cancel.
   • Look for an "X" button or "Cancel" option next to the trip details.
2. Alternatively, email Snowflake Club with your name, membership number, trip name, and trip date.
   • Request cancellation in writing so you have a record.
   • Include the date you want the cancellation to take effect.
3. Note the Snowflake Club refund schedule and plan accordingly.
   • Standard cancellation: 25% fee (75% refund).
   • Late cancellation (after registration deadline): 50% fee (50% refund).
   • Post-trip cancellation: no refund.
   • Illness: no full refund (check Snowflake Club's illness policy for exceptions).

Refunds for snowflake club cancellations

Snowflake Club issues refunds as credits back to your credit card within about one week of cancellation. If Snowflake Club cancels a trip themselves (due to insufficient snow or other force majeure), you receive a full refund within five business days. If you cancel due to illness, contact Snowflake Club directly to discuss options; they may apply exceptions or defer your booking to another trip.

Comparison: snowflake data platform vs snowflake club

Addressing common questions

What if snowflake refuses to cancel my account

If Snowflake Computing Pty Ltd ignores your cancellation request or claims it never received your notice, escalate immediately. Send a second notice via registered mail with return receipt so you have irrefutable proof of delivery. If the company continues to refuse, contact the Commerce Commission or engage a consumer rights advocate. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted services by providing evidence of formal notice and leveraging consumer protection law.

Can i cancel without notice

Your contract likely requires 30 days' notice. Cancelling without notice may trigger early-termination fees or make you liable for an additional month's charges. Read your contract first. If you have a legitimate reason to cancel immediately (e.g., Snowflake breached the contract or failed to deliver services), document this and mention it in your cancellation notice. You may have grounds to dispute early-termination fees under New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act.

Will my charges stop immediately

No. Charges stop on your effective cancellation date, not when you send the cancellation request. If your effective date is 30 January 2024 and you send notice on 1 January, you will be charged through 31 January. Any outstanding balance is due on your final invoice.

Final steps and your cancellation address

Send your formal notice to snowflake computing pty ltd

For New Zealand customers, send your cancellation notice to the legal address listed in your Snowflake contract. This is the contracting entity responsible for your services in your region. Your contract should specify the exact notice address. If it does not, request the address from Snowflake's support team and ask them to confirm it in writing.

Do not send notices to Snowflake's US headquarters unless your contract specifies that address. The Australian/New Zealand entity address is the correct recipient.

Keep your cancellation process transparent

Cancelling Snowflake is straightforward if you follow these steps: review your contract, gather proof of the notice address, send formal notice with proof of delivery, export your data before the effective date, and revoke credentials. Stopee recommends keeping a cancellation log with dates, notice method, and responses so you have a complete record.

If disputes arise after cancellation, this documentation is your insurance. Stopping unwanted charges and protecting your data is within your rights as a consumer in New Zealand. Stopee has guided countless customers through successful cancellations and refund claims. Whether you're leaving Snowflake for a competing platform or ending a project altogether, you deserve a clean, friction-free exit. Start with your contract, send your notice today, and reclaim control of your data and billing.