What happened to Spotify Car Thing and how to get your money back

Spotify discontinued the Car Thing device in December 2024 and stopped supporting it entirely. If you bought one, Spotify is offering refunds to customers who request them. The process is straightforward: you contact Spotify support, provide proof of purchase, and they issue a refund to your original payment method. Most refunds process within two to four weeks after approval.

You do not need to return the physical device to receive your refund. Spotify has stated that customers can keep their Car Thing units even after the refund is issued. This means you get your money back without having to ship anything or deal with return logistics.

Key Takeaways

  • Spotify stopped supporting Car Thing in December 2024 and will refund the full purchase price to anyone who requests one.
  • You will need your original receipt, order confirmation, or proof of purchase showing the amount you paid.
  • Contact Spotify support through their help center or in-app support chat to start the refund request.
  • Refunds go back to the original payment method and typically take two to four weeks to appear in your account.
  • You can keep the physical device; Spotify is not requiring customers to return it as a condition of the refund.

How to contact Spotify support for a refund

Start by going to Spotify's help center at support.spotify.com. Look for the section on Car Thing or device support. You can also open the Spotify app on your phone or computer and use the in-app support chat feature, which is often faster than email.

When you contact support, have your proof of purchase ready. This can be your original receipt, an order confirmation email, a credit card or bank statement showing the charge, or your Spotify account history if you purchased it directly from Spotify. If you bought it from a retailer like Best Buy or Amazon, your order confirmation from that retailer works as well.

Explain that you want a refund for your Car Thing device due to the discontinuation. Spotify support representatives are familiar with these requests and can usually process them without pushing back. Be clear about the amount you paid and the date of purchase if you have it.

What proof of purchase you will need

The most useful proof is an order confirmation email from Spotify or the retailer where you bought the device. This shows the purchase date, the amount paid, and your account information all in one place. If you no longer have the email, check your email inbox for messages from Spotify, Best Buy, Amazon, or wherever you made the purchase.

A credit card or bank statement that shows the charge also works. Look for a transaction labeled "Spotify" or "Car Thing" with the amount and date. Your bank or credit card company can provide statements going back several months if you need to dig into your history.

If you purchased the device directly from Spotify's website, you may be able to log into your Spotify account and find the purchase in your order history or account settings. Some users have reported that Spotify support can look up the purchase in their system if you provide your account email and the approximate purchase date.

How long the refund process takes

After you submit your refund request, Spotify typically reviews it within a few business days. Once approved, the refund is issued to your original payment method. The time it takes to appear in your account depends on your bank or credit card company, not Spotify.

Credit card refunds usually show up within three to five business days. Bank account refunds can take longer, sometimes up to two weeks depending on your financial institution. Some banks process refunds faster than others, so if you do not see it within a week, contact your bank to confirm they have received it from Spotify.

If more than four weeks have passed since your refund was approved and you still do not see the money, follow up with Spotify support again. Provide them with the reference number or ticket number from your original request so they can track what happened.

Refunds for devices purchased from retailers

If you bought your Car Thing from Best Buy, Amazon, or another retailer rather than directly from Spotify, you have two options. You can request the refund from Spotify directly using the process described above, or you can contact the retailer where you made the purchase.

Contacting the retailer is often faster because they handle their own returns and refunds. Best Buy and Amazon both allow returns within their standard return windows, which are usually 15 to 30 days from purchase. If you are outside that window, explain that the product has been discontinued by the manufacturer and ask if they will make an exception.

If the retailer refuses, go through Spotify support instead. Spotify has committed to refunding all Car Thing purchases regardless of where they were bought, so you will get your money back either way. Just be prepared to provide proof that you bought it from that retailer.

What to do if your refund request is denied

Refund denials are uncommon for Car Thing because Spotify's policy is to refund all purchases. However, if your request is denied, the most likely reason is that Spotify support could not verify your purchase. This usually happens when your proof of purchase is unclear, the date is too old, or the amount does not match what they have in their system.

If this happens, respond to the support ticket with additional documentation. Provide a clearer image of your receipt, a statement from your bank showing the charge, or multiple forms of proof. Explain the situation calmly and ask them to review it again. Most denials are reversed once support can confirm the purchase.

If you still have trouble, try contacting Spotify support through a different channel. If you used email, try the in-app chat. If you used chat, try email. Sometimes a different support representative can locate your purchase more easily or has more authority to override a denial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to return the Car Thing device to get a refund?

No. Spotify stated that customers can keep their Car Thing units after receiving a refund. You do not need to ship the device back or destroy it. You get the full refund without any return requirement.

What if I bought the Car Thing more than a year ago?

Spotify is refunding Car Thing purchases regardless of how long ago they were made. There is no time limit on the refund offer. Bring your proof of purchase and request the refund; age of purchase should not disqualify you.

Can I get a refund if I bought it as a gift for someone else?

Yes, but you will need proof that you made the purchase. If you bought it with your credit card or bank account, you can request the refund and it will go back to your payment method. If the recipient wants the refund instead, they would need to contact Spotify with proof they own the device, which is harder to establish.

Will I get a refund if I bought a used Car Thing from someone else?

Probably not. Spotify refunds go to the original purchaser based on proof of purchase. If you bought it secondhand, you do not have that proof. Your option is to contact the person who originally bought it and ask them to request the refund, then split the money with you.

What if Spotify support is not responding to my request?

Try reaching out through a different support channel. If you emailed, use the in-app chat instead. If you have been waiting more than two weeks without a response, send a follow-up message referencing your original ticket number. You can also try contacting Spotify through their social media accounts, which sometimes escalates requests faster.