Manage Draftsight

How to cancel DraftSight in south africa and reclaim your money

What DraftSight is and why you might want to cancel

DraftSight is a CAD (computer-aided design) application sold in South Africa through SolidCAD (Pty) Ltd, an authorised reseller. You use it to create, edit and share 2D and 3D technical drawings across single or multi-user setups. The software comes as annual subscription term licences at different product tiers, making it accessible to design professionals who need a lower-cost alternative to enterprise CAD packages.

Many professionals in South Africa rely on DraftSight for mechanical design, architectural drafting and collaborative workflows. However, if your project scope has changed, your budget has shifted, or you've discovered a tool that suits your needs better, you have consumer rights that protect your ability to cancel. That is where Stopee comes in - we help you navigate the cancellation process with clarity and confidence.

Common reasons to cancel DraftSight

You might decide to cancel if you have completed a short-term project, switched to a different CAD platform, or discovered that your team no longer needs the software's features. Unused licences drain your budget month after month, so acting quickly protects your cash flow. Other reasons include dissatisfaction with features, unexpected pricing increases at renewal, or consolidation of tools within your organisation.

Your consumer protection framework in south africa

South Africa's Consumer Protection Act (CPA) gives you powerful rights when you purchase digital services like DraftSight. You have the right to cancel certain purchases within a cooling-off period, demand a refund if goods are not delivered within a reasonable time, and lodge complaints with the National Consumer Commission (NCC) if a reseller fails to honour their obligations. Understanding these rights is your first line of defence against aggressive billing practices and unclear terms.

DraftSight pricing and plan options in south africa

DraftSight is priced in South African Rand (ZAR) and sold through SolidCAD with fixed annual term licences. Below is the current pricing structure so you can assess whether your subscription represents good value.

If you are paying one of these sums and no longer use the software, every day you delay costs you money. Stopee specialises in helping South African consumers recover funds from unused subscriptions by acting fast and within legal windows.

When you should cancel DraftSight immediately

Red flags that warrant urgent action

Cancel without delay if automatic renewal is approaching and you have not actively used DraftSight in the past month. If your licence is set to renew in fewer than 14 days, you need to act today to avoid another year's charge. Similarly, if you purchased the software on impulse or during a free trial and have not yet received your activation key, you can cancel with minimal friction.

You should also cancel if SolidCAD has failed to deliver your licence key within 30 days of your order, or if the licence you received does not match what you ordered. These failures breach the reseller's obligation to perform, and you have the right to a full refund under the CPA.

Situations where cancellation is harder (but still possible)

If your licence has already been activated and you are mid-term, cancellation becomes more complex. SolidCAD's terms permit refunds only within the first 24 hours if no key has been issued, or within 7 days if the licence has not been ordered. After these windows, your options narrow - but they do not disappear. You can still lodge a complaint with the NCC or escalate to Stopee for guidance on your specific circumstances.

How to cancel DraftSight step by step

Cancellation through SolidCAD (web purchase)

If you bought DraftSight directly from SolidCAD's online store, follow these steps to cancel as quickly as possible. Timing is critical, so act within the first 24 hours of purchase if the licence has not yet been activated.

1. Locate your purchase confirmation email from SolidCAD. Check the subject line for an order number and activation key.
   • If you see an activation key in the email, your licence has already been issued. You are outside the 24-hour window.
   • If the email contains only an order confirmation (no key), you are within the cancellation window.
2. Open your email client and compose a message to info@draftsightsa.co.za.
   • Subject line: "Cancellation request - Order [your order number]"
   • Include your full name, email address used for purchase, and the exact order date and time if available.
   • Write clearly: "I request cancellation of my DraftSight subscription and a full refund."
3. Send the email and wait for SolidCAD's response within 1 business day.
   • SolidCAD must confirm receipt and provide a refund reference number.
   • If you do not hear back within 48 hours, resend your email or phone their sales line to verify receipt.
4. Once approval is confirmed, note the refund timeline.
   • Within 24 hours of purchase (no licence issued): full refund promised.
   • Within 7 days (licence not ordered or key not supplied): refund minus admin costs (typically R200-R500).
   • Processing takes up to 30 business days via EFT (electronic funds transfer).
5. Verify the refund has hit your bank account.
   • Check your email for an EFT reference number from SolidCAD.
   • Match it against your bank statement 2-3 weeks after approval.
   • If the refund does not appear after 30 days, contact SolidCAD again with proof of their approval email.

Pro tip: Keep every email from SolidCAD. They serve as proof of your cancellation request and the timeline. If a dispute arises, these emails protect your claim to a refund.

Cancellation via apple app store or google play

If you subscribed to DraftSight through Apple or Google rather than directly through SolidCAD, you follow the platform's own cancellation rules, not the reseller's policy. DraftSight does not publish a separate cancellation policy for app store purchases.

1. Identify which platform you subscribed through by checking your email for receipts.
   • Apple receipts arrive from noreply@email.apple.com or your AppleID email.
   • Google receipts come from Google Play at noreply@google.com.
2. For Apple App Store: open the App Store app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac.
   • Tap or click your profile icon (top right).
   • Select "Subscriptions" and find "DraftSight".
   • Tap "Cancel subscription" and confirm.
   • You will receive immediate cancellation confirmation. Apple refunds are processed within 3-5 business days if you cancel within 14 days of purchase.
3. For Google Play: go to play.google.com or open the Google Play app on your Android device.
   • Select your profile icon and tap "Payments and subscriptions".
   • Choose "Subscriptions" and find "DraftSight".
   • Select "Cancel subscription" and follow the on-screen prompts.
   • Google processes refunds within 3-7 business days if requested within 48 hours of purchase.
4. After cancellation, download your confirmation for your records.
   • Apple: screenshot the "Subscription cancelled" message.
   • Google: save your cancellation confirmation number.

Warning: App store refund windows are much shorter (48 hours for Google, 14 days for Apple). If you miss these deadlines, you forfeit the refund. Act immediately if you regret the purchase.

What happens to your access and data after cancellation

Licence deactivation and software access

The moment your cancellation is accepted, your licence enters a different status. If you cancel before receiving an activation key, you will never gain access to the software - your purchase simply vanishes. If you cancel after the key has been issued and your licence is already active on your computer, you may lose access immediately or at the end of your current billing cycle, depending on SolidCAD's activation server settings and their terms.

You should assume access will be revoked within 24 hours of cancellation. Plan accordingly and export any work you need to keep.

Saving your drawings and settings before you go

SolidCAD's terms do not guarantee that your local drawings, templates or custom settings will be preserved after cancellation. This means you are responsible for backing up all your work before you hit cancel. Export each drawing file (DWG, DWF, PDF) to a folder on your computer or cloud storage. If you have custom library settings or macros, note them down or save them as separate files.

Once your access is revoked, you cannot retrieve files from within the DraftSight application. Take this step seriously - Stopee has heard from users who lost months of design work because they cancelled without backing up first.

Stopping automatic renewals

If your DraftSight subscription is set to auto-renew and you cancel the licence but forget to disable auto-renewal, you will be charged again next year. Even if you no longer use the software, the charge will go through unless you explicitly turn off renewal.

Contact SolidCAD directly at info@draftsightsa.co.za and ask them to disable auto-renewal on your account. Request written confirmation (via email) that renewal has been switched off. Do not rely on verbal assurances - get it in writing.

Refund timelines and conditions: what to expect

Full refund eligibility

You are entitled to a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of purchase and SolidCAD has not yet issued your activation key. This is the cleanest, fastest refund path. You need do nothing except request cancellation by email within that window.

Partial refund eligibility

If you cancel between 24 hours and 7 days after purchase, and SolidCAD has not ordered the licence from their upstream supplier or issued the key, you may still receive a refund. However, SolidCAD is permitted to deduct administrative costs (typically R200-R500) from your refund. The net amount reaches your bank account after this deduction.

Refund for non-delivery or wrong product

If SolidCAD fails to deliver your licence key within 30 days of your order, or delivers the wrong licence tier, you have stronger grounds for a full refund. In these cases:

• For wrong licence delivery: SolidCAD refunds 100% within 5 working days after verification.
• For non-delivery after 30 days: give SolidCAD 7 days' written notice to deliver; if they fail, you get a full refund within 30 days of cancellation.

Refund processing and payment method

SolidCAD processes all refunds via EFT (electronic funds transfer) to your South African bank account. You must provide your bank details (account holder name, account number and branch code) for the transfer to succeed. SolidCAD will not refund to a third-party account or issue a credit note - it must be direct to your nominated bank account.

Once approved, allow up to 30 business days for the funds to appear. In practice, most refunds clear within 5-10 business days, but the terms permit the full 30-day window. If 30 days pass with no refund, escalate to SolidCAD's management and Stopee can advise you on next steps, including NCC complaints.

Your consumer rights under south african law

The consumer protection act and cooling-off periods

South Africa's Consumer Protection Act (No. 68 of 2008) grants you specific rights when you purchase goods or services, including software licences. The most relevant right is the cooling-off period: you have the right to cancel certain distance contracts (including online purchases) within 5 business days of concluding the agreement, provided you have not yet received the goods.

For DraftSight, this means if you bought online and have not received your activation key within 5 business days, you can invoke the CPA cooling-off period to cancel with no questions asked and no deductions. This is stronger than SolidCAD's own 24-hour or 7-day windows - the CPA gives you 5 full business days (Mon-Fri) to change your mind.

Non-delivery and breach of contract

If SolidCAD fails to deliver your licence key within a reasonable time (the CPA suggests 30 days as the outer limit), they have breached their contract with you. You do not have to wait for them to eventually deliver - you can cancel immediately and demand a full refund. This is your right under the CPA Section 20 (right to cancel for failure to deliver).

Escalation: the national consumer commission

If SolidCAD refuses your refund or ignores your cancellation request, you can lodge a formal complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC), a government agency that investigates consumer disputes. The NCC can compel SolidCAD to refund you and may levy penalties if the company has acted in bad faith.

To file a complaint, visit ncc.org.za, download the complaint form and submit it along with copies of your emails to SolidCAD. There is no cost to you. Stopee regularly guides consumers through NCC complaints, and we can help you strengthen your case.

Common mistakes that delay or block your cancellation

Cancelling a software subscription is often more fraught than it should be. Companies design friction into the process to discourage refund requests, and it is easy to fall into traps if you are not vigilant. Below are the mistakes we see most often - avoid them and you will protect your refund.

Delaying your cancellation email

The biggest mistake is waiting. If you decide to cancel, do it within 24 hours of purchase. Every hour you delay risks SolidCAD issuing your activation key, which moves you into the 7-day partial-refund window and reduces your entitlement. Some users spend a week deliberating, then lose the chance at a full refund. Do not be that person - email info@draftsightsa.co.za the moment you know you will not use the software.

Failing to back up your files before cancelling

Once your licence is revoked, you lose access to DraftSight and cannot extract files stored within the application. Users often assume they can retrieve their work after cancellation - they cannot. Export everything to PDF, DWG or image format before you send your cancellation email. Stopee has helped dozens of professionals recover from this mistake, but recovery is hard and sometimes impossible.

Ignoring auto-renewal instructions

You cancel your licence but do not disable auto-renewal. Twelve months later, SolidCAD charges you again for a renewal you never authorised. You then face the burden of proving you cancelled and demanding a refund on the second charge. Disable auto-renewal in the same email as your cancellation request: "Please cancel my subscription and disable auto-renewal on my account effective immediately."

Paying by credit card without linking your account

If you purchased DraftSight with a credit card you no longer use or that you plan to cancel, SolidCAD's EFT refund cannot reach you. You must provide active bank account details. Before you cancel, update your payment method in SolidCAD's account settings or contact them with your bank details. Otherwise your refund will fail and you will chase them for months.

Not keeping records of your cancellation request

You email SolidCAD to cancel but do not save the email thread. Three weeks later, they claim they never received your request. Without a copy of your email and the exact time you sent it, you have no proof. Keep every email related to your purchase and cancellation. Take screenshots too. When you escalate to Stopee or the NCC, this paper trail is your evidence.

After cancellation: what you need to do next

Cancelling DraftSight is not a one-time action - it is the start of a process that spans several weeks until your refund clears. Staying organised and proactive during this period protects you from mistakes and ensures you get your money back on time.

Track your refund status

After SolidCAD approves your cancellation, they will give you a refund reference number and estimated timeline. Write down this number and the approval date. Set a phone reminder for 15 business days later - this is the halfway point to the maximum 30-day window. Log into your online banking and search for the reference number in your transaction history. If the refund has not landed by business day 25, email SolidCAD again and ask for an update. Do not assume it is coming - verify it yourself.

Check for surprise charges

Scan your bank statements for the next 60 days. Look for any charges from SolidCAD, DraftSight or any variations of those names. If you see another charge, it means auto-renewal was not properly disabled. Contact SolidCAD immediately and demand a reversal plus a refund of the second charge. If they refuse, escalate to your bank (dispute the transaction) and Stopee (for NCC escalation).

Confirm licence deactivation

If you still have DraftSight installed on your computer, try to open it 48 hours after your cancellation is approved. You should see a message saying your licence is no longer valid. If the software still opens normally and shows your seat as active, it means SolidCAD has not properly deactivated your licence. Email them again and demand immediate deactivation. Do not uninstall the software yourself - let them revoke it.

Update your software audit records

If your company uses a software audit tool or asset management system, update it to reflect that DraftSight is no longer licensed. This prevents accidental use by other team members and keeps your compliance records clean. Remove DraftSight from any software licence spreadsheets or inventory lists you maintain.

Pricing comparison and why DraftSight costs what it does

Understanding the cost structure

DraftSight's pricing in South Africa reflects both the software's capability and SolidCAD's role as a local reseller. The Professional tier at R5,400 per year is substantially cheaper than AutoCAD (which costs over R15,000 per year in South Africa) but positioned above free or open-source alternatives like LibreCAD or Inkscape. You are paying for vendor support, local delivery, local currency pricing and the legitimacy of a licensed seat.

Hidden costs to watch for

Beyond the base licence fee, watch for renewal surcharges. Some resellers increase the price at renewal without warning. When your first year ends, SolidCAD will email you the renewal invoice - check the price before paying. If it is higher than your original purchase price, query it and ask for a matching discount or consider switching software.

There are also no hidden support or cloud fees in the DraftSight model - what you see is what you pay. However, if you use DraftSight as part of a multi-seat network deployment, SolidCAD may negotiate a different rate.

How stopee helps you get your money back from DraftSight

Navigating a DraftSight cancellation alone is daunting, especially if SolidCAD delays your refund or disputes your right to cancel. Stopee has helped thousands of South African consumers cancel software subscriptions and recover unused fees. We know the timelines, the legal levers and the escalation paths that work.

If your cancellation stalls, your refund goes missing, or SolidCAD refuses to cancel after you have met all their conditions, Stopee can intervene. We draft escalation emails, advise you on NCC complaints and ensure you have a clear paper trail of evidence. Our guidance is free and based on real consumer law and real experience with resellers like SolidCAD.

Visit Stopee.com to explore cancellation guides for over 500 South African subscriptions, or contact us directly if your DraftSight refund needs urgent help. Stopee is here to ensure you are never trapped in an unwanted subscription again.

Your cancellation checklist

Use this step-by-step checklist to stay on track and ensure nothing is missed.

SolidCAD contact details and mailing address

SolidCAD (Pty) Ltd is the authorised reseller of DraftSight in South Africa. Below are their contact details for cancellations, refunds and disputes.

Email: info@draftsightsa.co.za

Website: draftsightsa.co.za

Terms and conditions: draftsightsa.co.za/terms-conditions

For formal complaints or escalations that SolidCAD does not resolve within 14 days, file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission:

National Consumer Commission (NCC)

Website: ncc.org.za

Email: complaints@ncc.org.za

Phone: 0860 008 799

Final thoughts: take action today

DraftSight is a capable CAD tool, but only if you use it. If your project is over, your needs have changed or you have found a better fit, cancelling now saves you money and clears the clutter from your software stack. The refund windows are narrow - 24 hours for a full refund, 7 days for a partial one - so do not delay.

Follow the steps in this guide, keep your emails organised and stay alert for refund delays. If SolidCAD gives you trouble, Stopee is here to back you up. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, recover lost refunds and hold resellers accountable. Your right to cancel is yours - claim it now at Stopee.com.