Canceling a Patreon membership might seem tricky, but it’s not as hard as it looks. Ready to stop draining your wallet on those monthly Patreon subscriptions? Click the Settings link on your Patreon account, go to Memberships, locate your membership, and click the View Details button. Then, just hit Cancel and Confirm. Easy, right?
Look, I get it. Supporting creators is great and all, but sometimes you just need to cut back on spending. Don’t let Patreon chip away at your savings when you could be using that money for something more essential (like pizza!). Plus, if you cancel before the 1st of the month, you’ll keep your perks until the next billing cycle without any additional charges.
If you’ve had enough of those pesky subscription fees and want to save some cash, drop that Patreon membership like a bad habit. Your bank account will thank you, and you can always re-subscribe if you change your mind. No harm, no foul.
Understanding Patreon Membership
Patreon memberships offer various subscription options that match the creator’s needs with those of their supporters. Here’s a breakdown of what Patreon is about and the types of subscriptions it offers.
What’s The Deal With Patreon?
Patreon is a vibrant membership platform where creators and their supporters can connect more intimately. Think of it as a fan club with benefits for everyone.
Creators can offer exclusive content, shoutouts, and behind-the-scenes access in exchange for a monthly fee. These fees keep creators afloat while giving supporters cool perks.
Why anyone cares:
- Creators: They get to fund their work.
- Supporters: They get exclusive content and feel good supporting talents they love.
Simple, right? Yet, the platform has terms like “monthly (non-charge upfront)” and “per-creation billing” that can trip you up if you’re not careful.
Types of Subscriptions
Patreon offers a few subscription options designed to cater to both creators and supporters:
-
Monthly (non-charge upfront):
You’re billed on the 1st of every month for the previous month. If you sign up on July 2nd, you’re not slapped with a bill until August 1st. Sneaky, huh? -
Charge upfront:
This is simple; you pay as soon as you join. This cuts out any misunderstandings and ensures creators get paid immediately. -
Per-creation billing:
This one’s for those who don’t post regularly. You get charged every time your creator releases something new. This keeps creators motivated to keep pumping out new stuff.
In addition, you might come across free memberships where creators offer some content at no cost, hoping to reel in more paying supporters later.
Knowing these types can help navigate Patreon without any surprises on your bill.
How to Cut the Patreon Cord
Tired of those monthly charges from Patreon showing up on your bank statement? Let’s get you off the hook. Whether you’re using the computer or the mobile app, here’s how to cancel your membership quickly and painlessly.
Canceling Step-by-Step
First things first, log into your Patreon account. Once you’re in, head over to the Settings page. You’ll find it on the left-side menu.
- Settings – Click on the link. Now you’re in the right place.
- Memberships Tab – Click this to see all your active memberships.
- View Details Button – Hit this button next to the membership you want to cancel.
- Cancel Membership – Finally, click Cancel membership and then Confirm cancellation.
If you cancel before the 1st of the month, you’ll still have access until the end of the paid period. If you wait until after the 1st, you’re on the hook for that month.
Mobile vs. Desktop Showdown
Are you using the Patreon app on your phone? No problem, I’ve got you covered. The steps are similar but with a mobile twist.
- Open the Patreon App – Fire it up on your mobile device.
- Your Memberships – Tap your profile icon and select My Memberships.
- Edit Membership – Find the membership you want to delete. Tap the pencil icon.
- Cancel Membership – Tap Edit or Cancel Payment, then choose Cancel Your Membership.
On a computer? It might actually be easier with a bigger screen and a mouse. No matter which method you choose, just follow the steps and say bye-bye to those nagging charges.
Post-Cancelation: What Happens Now?
Now that you’ve kicked Patreon to the curb, it’s time to focus on what happens next. We’ll cover how to navigate life without those membership perks and how to avoid unwelcome charges in the future.
Life After Patreon
Once you hit that Cancel Membership button and confirm the cancellation, your access to creators’ content won’t immediately disappear. You’ll keep enjoying all those benefits until the end of your current billing cycle. No spoilers here! The clock runs out on the first of the next month, so use that time wisely.
Here’s the deal: If you canceled before the next billing period, you won’t see another charge. Your final charge happens at the end of your last month of membership. If you canceled mid-month, don’t sweat it; you still get what you paid for until the calendar flips.
Avoiding Future Bill Shocks
Who loves bill shocks? No one. That’s why it’s smart to keep an eye on your subscriptions to avoid any pesky, unexpected charges. Before canceling, check for any pending bills. This way, you can dodge those last-minute surprises.
Make sure to confirm your cancellation thoroughly. Sometimes, clicking “Cancel” isn’t enough – you might need to go through a couple more steps to seal the deal. Double-check that you’re out before the next billing cycle kicks in.
For all you micro-managers out there, it’s best to track your memberships regularly. Use apps or calendars to remind you of renewal dates. This helps keep your payments in check, ensuring you only support what you truly value. No more wasting money on inactive memberships!
Additional Tips and Bits
Canceling a Patreon membership isn’t just about clicking a few buttons. There are some extra tips and tricks you might find useful.
First off, if you’re looking for a lower-cost membership tier, make sure to check the creator’s page. Sometimes they offer smaller packages with fewer perks. It can be a sneaky way to save some cash without losing all the goodies.
Editing your membership is another option. Head to your settings, find the membership tab, and edit membership. You can adjust your pledge amount or even switch to a different tier if that suits you better.
Wondering about refunds? Don’t count on it. Patreon’s refund policy is about as generous as a rock. Most of the time, they’ll direct you to the content creator. So, good luck with that one.
Patreon support is available, but be prepared for some wait time. They’re not exactly known for their speedy responses. If needed, hit them up through their help center.
For those who subscribe to multiple platforms, like Vimeo or Twitch, consider evaluating all your subscriptions. Sometimes, content creators duplicate rewards across multiple platforms. You might be paying double for the same stuff!
Here’s a pro tip: fill out the anonymous exit survey when you cancel. Sometimes they offer follow-up emails with incentives or perks just to lure you back. Use this to your advantage.
I’ve also noticed that many creators post affiliate links. If you still enjoy their work but can’t afford the subscription, using these links helps support them without you shelling out direct cash.
Lastly, don’t forget about unsubscribing from any follow-up emails you might get. They can clutter your inbox and tempt you back into spending. Stay strong and stay frugal!
Leave a Reply