It’s possible to see a payment processed after canceling your subscription due to how Extern’s billing system schedules and finalizes invoices. This article explains why that happens and what options are available if you’ve recently cancelled.
How the Billing Cycle Works
1. Invoices Trigger the Pay Period
Once an invoice is created, it automatically begins the pay period for your subscription.
If you cancel after an invoice is created but before it posts, the system still processes the scheduled payment for that invoice.
2. Payments Continue Until Successful
After an invoice is generated, the system continues trying to process the payment until it succeeds.
If the payment fails and you cancel your subscription, you may still receive payment reminder notifications for that outstanding invoice.
These notifications do not mean your subscription is active again; they simply relate to the existing unpaid invoice.
Refund Eligibility
If you cancel your subscription within 48 hours of a new pay period starting, you’re eligible for a full refund of that charge, no questions asked.
If you cancel more than 48 hours after the pay period started, that charge is not eligible for a refund.
Situation | Refund Eligibility |
Cancelled within 48 hours of the pay period starting | Eligible for a full refund of that charge |
Cancelled more than 48 hours after the pay period started | Not eligible for a refund |
Payment fails but user cancels before retry succeeds | Invoice still due, notifications may continue |
Summary
Once an invoice is created, the system automatically begins the billing process.
Cancelling after invoice creation does not stop that payment from processing.
Failed payments may continue generating notifications even if your subscription is cancelled.
If you cancel within 48 hours of a new pay period starting, you’re eligible for a full refund of that charge, no questions asked.