Writing a Simple Order Cancellation Email Due to Delay
Use this sample order cancellation email due to delay as a template for your formal notification.

Consumers should not wait to cancel a purchase. It is more likely the cancellation will be effective if the time between the purchasing and cancellation is short. Some companies have a time limit in which cancellations must be made.
Businesses also cancel purchase orders. The most common reason for cancelling an order is when a supplier doesn’t honor their commitment and fails to deliver the goods on the agreed date. Cancelling a purchase is usually disappointing because the consumer or business was counting on receiving the products, but, even if they feel disappointed and somewhat angry, they should be polite when writing an email.
If the consumer decided that they cannot afford the products or do not need them, they should also feel free to cancel their order. The email should be short and firm, giving all the required information in a clear format.
The information that should be included in the purchase order cancellation email:
• The name of the customer
• The date the order was placed
• The order number of the items being cancelled
• A list of name of items being cancelled
• A list of items not being cancelled if they are on the same purchase order
• The list should include the size, color, quantity and inventory number of the items being cancelled
• The time the cancellation should be completed
• The reason for the cancellation (optional)
• A request for written confirmation of the cancellation
• Copies of any receipts, invoices or purchase orders
Businesses also cancel purchase orders. The most common reason for cancelling an order is when a supplier doesn’t honor their commitment and fails to deliver the goods on the agreed date. Cancelling a purchase is usually disappointing because the consumer or business was counting on receiving the products, but, even if they feel disappointed and somewhat angry, they should be polite when writing an email.
If the consumer decided that they cannot afford the products or do not need them, they should also feel free to cancel their order. The email should be short and firm, giving all the required information in a clear format.
The information that should be included in the purchase order cancellation email:
• The name of the customer
• The date the order was placed
• The order number of the items being cancelled
• A list of name of items being cancelled
• A list of items not being cancelled if they are on the same purchase order
• The list should include the size, color, quantity and inventory number of the items being cancelled
• The time the cancellation should be completed
• The reason for the cancellation (optional)
• A request for written confirmation of the cancellation
• Copies of any receipts, invoices or purchase orders
If the product or goods were received and found to be faulty or not as advertised, this could be mentioned in the email. However, it is not essential for an individual consumer to give a reason. A business that is cancelling a shipment of goods, should give a reason. Even with proof of a good reason for cancelling, the cancellation is not complete until the other party acknowledges or agrees with it.
Sample Order Cancellation Email Due to Delay
To: name@business.com
Subject: Cancellation of order number NUMBER
Dear NAME of RESPONSIBLE PERSON:
This email is a formal request to cancel the order REF. NUMBER that I placed with you on DATE. It is for DOLLAR AMOUNT.
As agreed by you, the goods were to be delivered to this address on or before DATE. Today is five days past the agreed date, and we have not received any notice from you about the delay.
I expect you will credit our account with a full refund for AMOUNT that was paid according to the agreement signed by both of us within 10 working days. I have attached a copy of the agreement. Kindly send confirmation of my cancellation.
If you have any questions you can reach me at Name@email.com or at 555-123-4567. Thank you for your quick attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Name of Consumer
List of attachments
By Andre Bradley
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