Manage Oberlo

How to cancel oberlo and reclaim control of your shopify store

Understanding oberlo and why you might need to cancel

Oberlo was a dropshipping application that helped Shopify store owners import products from suppliers and automate order fulfilment. If you're reading this, you likely have Oberlo installed on your store and want to understand your options for removing it.

What oberlo was and its current status

Oberlo operated as a product-import tool that synced supplier inventory directly into your Shopify admin. You could manage thousands of products, automate order workflows, and track shipments from a single dashboard. The app promised to simplify dropshipping-a business model where you sell products without holding stock yourself.

In June 2022, Shopify officially discontinued Oberlo. The app is no longer actively maintained, and new features are not being developed. If you're still using it, your installation is now unsupported legacy software.

Why you should consider cancelling

With Oberlo discontinued, you're paying for an app that receives no updates, no customer support, and no improvements. Your Shopify store may be charged recurring fees for features that no longer align with modern dropshipping tools. At Stopee, we've helped thousands of South African retailers understand that staying with discontinued services locks you into dead-end subscriptions and prevents you from upgrading to better alternatives.

Your consumer rights in south africa

South African law gives you clear protection when dealing with subscription services and digital products. Understanding these rights strengthens your position if Shopify or its operators resist your cancellation.

The consumer protection act and your cancellation rights

South Africa's Consumer Protection Act (CPA) requires that all suppliers (including Shopify and its operators) treat you fairly, provide goods and services of good quality, and be transparent about terms and pricing. The Act protects you against hidden charges, misleading claims about product availability, and unreasonable contract terms.

Because Oberlo is discontinued, you have a legitimate argument that you should not be charged for an unsupported service. The CPA also allows you to cancel any subscription if the service is no longer fit for purpose or if the supplier has failed to maintain the promised functionality.

The electronic communications and transactions act

The ECTA governs online transactions and electronic contracts in South Africa. This Act requires that cancellation be as easy as the original sign-up process. If Oberlo made it simple to subscribe, they must make it equally simple to cancel-no bureaucratic barriers allowed.

Your practical rights if you dispute a charge

If Shopify refuses to cancel Oberlo or continues billing you, you have several avenues. First, contact your bank or payment provider and dispute the charge if you believe it's unfair. Second, you can escalate your complaint to the National Consumer Commission (NCC), South Africa's official consumer authority. The NCC takes complaints about unfair contract terms and misleading billing seriously.

How to cancel oberlo step by step

Cancelling Oberlo requires two actions: removing the app from your Shopify store and confirming that billing has stopped. Follow this process carefully to avoid being charged after you've uninstalled.

Removing the app from your shopify admin

1. Log into your Shopify admin dashboard using your store credentials.
   • Go to the left-hand menu and select Apps and sales channels.
   • Look for Oberlo in your installed app list (it may also appear as an "Oberlo-related app" if you have extensions installed).
   • Click on the Oberlo app tile.
2. Select the Remove app or Delete button (the exact wording depends on your Shopify version).
   • A confirmation popup will appear. Read the warning carefully-it will tell you what data or features you'll lose.
   • Confirm that you want to remove the app.
3. Verify the removal by checking your Shopify billing page.
   • Go to Settings in your admin, then select Billing.
   • Scroll through your active subscriptions and confirm that Oberlo no longer appears.
   • Check your email for a billing confirmation from Shopify confirming that the app subscription has been cancelled.

Pro tip: Screenshot your Shopify billing page before and after removal. This proof is invaluable if you need to dispute a charge later.

If you need formal written cancellation notice

In some cases-particularly if you were charged incorrectly or multiple times-you may want to send a formal cancellation letter. This creates a documented record and strengthens your position with the National Consumer Commission if needed.

1. Gather all your account information.
   • Collect your Shopify store name, the email address registered to the account, and all invoice numbers for Oberlo charges.
   • Screenshot or download your billing history from Shopify as PDF.
2. Compose a cancellation letter addressed to Shopify Lithuania, UAB (Oberlo's legal operator-see the address section below).
   • State your Shopify store name and account email clearly.
   • Request immediate cancellation of the Oberlo subscription.
   • If you've been overcharged or double-billed, mention this and request a refund with supporting invoice numbers.
   • Request a written confirmation of cancellation within 14 days.
3. Send your letter via certified mail or email.
   • Keep a copy for your records.
   • If using email, request a read receipt or send to the address in the final section of this guide.
   • If using physical mail, keep the postal receipt as proof of sending.

Warning: Do not assume that email alone guarantees delivery. For a high-value dispute, use registered mail so you have proof of receipt.

What happens immediately after you cancel

Cancelling Oberlo feels like lifting a weight-but the aftermath requires your attention to prevent surprise charges.

Your store features and data

Once you remove Oberlo, you lose access to all Oberlo-specific features: product syncing, bulk import tools, one-click order fulfilment, shipment tracking through Oberlo's system, and your Oberlo sales reports. Any products you imported through Oberlo remain in your Shopify store, but they stop updating automatically from the supplier's catalogue. You'll need to manage these products manually going forward or migrate to an alternative dropshipping app.

Billing and recurring charges

Removing the app should stop future charges immediately. However, you must verify this on your Shopify billing page. Shopify sometimes takes 24-48 hours to process cancellations, so check again after two days. If you see another Oberlo charge after cancellation, escalate to Shopify support with your cancellation screenshot as evidence.

Past charges that occurred before your cancellation date are not automatically refunded. You'll need to request these separately (see the refund section below).

Refunds and recovering overcharges

Oberlo's discontinuation complicates refund eligibility, but you have more leverage than you might think-especially if you paid during the service decline.

Standard refund policy limitations

Most Shopify apps operate on a non-refundable basis for past billing periods. Your original subscription terms likely stated that monthly charges are non-refundable. However, this is not absolute-particularly when the service is discontinued.

Because Oberlo is no longer supported, you can argue that you received diminished value after June 2022. The Consumer Protection Act requires "fair value for money." An unsupported, declining app does not deliver fair value, making your case for a refund much stronger.

Situations where you can request a refund

You should request a refund if any of the following apply to you:

• You were charged after Oberlo was officially discontinued (June 2022 onwards) without notice that the service was no longer active.
• You were double-billed in a single month or charged for multiple months while you were not actively using the app.
• Oberlo's functionality degraded significantly (imports stopped working, syncing failed) before you cancelled, yet you were still charged full price.
• You requested cancellation but were charged again after your cancellation request.

How to request a refund

1. Contact Shopify support directly through your admin dashboard.
   • Go to Help in your Shopify admin and select Contact support.
   • Describe your situation: when Oberlo was discontinued, how long you were charged afterwards, and why you believe a refund is due.
   • Reference the Consumer Protection Act and the concept of "fair value for money."
   • Attach your billing statements as evidence.
2. If Shopify denies your refund, escalate to your bank or payment provider.
   • Contact your bank's dispute resolution team.
   • Provide them with your cancellation evidence and refund denial from Shopify.
   • Your bank may reverse the charge on your behalf, especially if the service was discontinued.
3. As a final step, lodge a formal complaint with the National Consumer Commission.
   • Visit the NCC website and submit a complaint about unfair billing practices.
   • Include all documentation: original subscription terms, billing statements, cancellation screenshots, and Shopify's refusal to refund.
   • The NCC will investigate and may compel Shopify to refund you.

Pro tip: The National Consumer Commission has successfully forced refunds in similar cases. Include this reference in your complaint to show you know your rights.

Oberlo pricing and plan history

Understanding what you paid for helps you calculate your potential refund claim and assess whether you received fair value.

Historical pricing in US dollars

Oberlo operated on a tiered monthly subscription model. Below are the last published prices before discontinuation. Note that no South African Rand pricing was maintained, and these plans no longer accept new subscribers.

If you were paying US$79.90 (approximately ZAR 1,400-1,500 per month at historical exchange rates) for a discontinued service with no support, your refund claim is substantial. At Stopee, we've seen consumers successfully recover 6-12 months of charges in similar situations by presenting this pricing data alongside proof of discontinuation.

Common mistakes when cancelling oberlo

Cancelling an app sounds simple, but small oversights can leave you exposed to surprise charges or make refund claims harder to prove.

Assuming removal equals cancellation

Removing an app from your Shopify admin does not always stop billing immediately. Some apps delay the cancellation by up to two billing cycles. Always check your Shopify billing page 48 hours after removal to confirm the subscription is gone. If it's still listed, contact Shopify support immediately with a screenshot of your removal date.

Not documenting your cancellation

Screenshots are your best friend. Take clear photos of your Shopify billing page before removal, immediately after removal, and again 48 hours later. If a dispute arises, these images prove when you cancelled and what you saw on your account. Without documentation, Shopify can claim you never requested cancellation.

Ignoring charges after cancellation

If Shopify charges you after you've cancelled, do not ignore it. Contact support within 5 business days with your cancellation screenshot. Most payment providers and banks require you to dispute charges within 60-90 days, so immediate action is essential.

Missing the refund window

Shopify and most payment processors operate under a "chargeback window" of 60-90 days from the original charge date. If you want to dispute or refund an old charge, you must act before this window closes. Check your Oberlo billing statements now and identify which charges you want to reclaim, then act within the window.

Practical checklist for cancelling oberlo

Use this checklist to ensure you complete every step correctly and protect yourself against future charges.

• Before cancellation:
  • Take a screenshot of your current Shopify billing page showing Oberlo as an active subscription.
  • Download your full Oberlo billing history from Shopify as a PDF.
  • Note the date you plan to cancel (for reference if disputes arise later).
• During cancellation:
  • Log into your Shopify admin and navigate to Apps and sales channels.
  • Find Oberlo and click Remove or Delete.
  • Confirm the removal when prompted.
  • Screenshot the confirmation message.
• After cancellation (immediate):
  • Return to your Shopify Billing page and verify Oberlo is no longer listed.
  • Screenshot this confirmation.
  • Check your email for a billing cancellation notice from Shopify.
• After cancellation (48 hours later):
  • Check your Shopify billing page again to ensure no new charge has appeared.
  • Screenshot the billing page a second time as proof.
• If refund is needed:
  • Contact Shopify support with your billing history and evidence of overcharging.
  • If denied, contact your bank's dispute team within the chargeback window.
  • Keep copies of all correspondence.

Why you should act now and where to find expert help

Oberlo is discontinued, unsupported, and draining your revenue unnecessarily. Every month you delay costs you real money. South African consumer law is firmly on your side-the Consumer Protection Act and ECTA were designed to protect you in exactly this situation.

At Stopee (stopee.com), we specialize in helping South African consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, recover overcharges, and understand their rights against large platforms. Our team has guided retailers through disputes with Shopify, payment processors, and their banks. We've helped thousands of consumers cancel services they no longer need and reclaim money they thought was lost.

If you encounter resistance from Shopify or need guidance escalating to the National Consumer Commission, Stopee is here to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to push back. Visit Stopee.com today for free resources, real examples from other South African business owners, and step-by-step dispute templates.

Contact information for oberlo's legal operator

If you need to send formal written notice or escalate a dispute, use the official address for Shopify Lithuania, UAB (Oberlo's operator).

Mailing address

Shopify Lithuania, UAB
Svitrigailos St. 13
Vilnius LT-03228
Lithuania

Alternative registered address

Ozas Street 18, Vilnius, Lithuania (verified via business registry)

When sending formal correspondence, use the first address above and include "Attention: Billing Dispute / Subscription Cancellation" on the envelope. Certified mail is strongly recommended for disputes.

Final note: Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate exactly this scenario-discontinued apps, surprise charges, and refund battles. You're not the first to face this, and you won't be the last. With clear documentation, South African consumer law, and persistence, you can resolve this in your favour. Start your cancellation today, and if Shopify resists, Stopee.com stands ready to support your escalation to the National Consumer Commission.