App Store Refund: how I got mine
This is a short story with a happy ending.
If you are anything like me, you have bought an app for your iPhone, only to discover that it was not quite what you expected so you perhaps stopped using it or even erased it.
This happened to me. I recently bought the RSS reader app Byline and I tried my best to like it and see if it fit my expectations. It didn ‘t. I liked neither its UI nor the unread items limit of 200. So I stopped using it and cursed my bad luck.
Of course, I didn ‘t think for 1 second to ask for my money back. I mean, apps don ‘t cost much to begin with. And I also rationalized “ I had done research before buying. Wasn ‘t it my fault “ I knew what I was buying, didn ‘t I?
No need for speculation, it does exist: the App Store Refund. Here ‘s how I got mine.
It required a total of 4 emails. First to iTunes Support desk, which as promised sent a reply within 48 hours. I should please contact the developer for assistance as they cannot provide support or technical aid for an app. Fair enough.
Next to the developer, to whom I explained simply that I didn ‘t plan to use the app and on that basis I desired my money back. My first email went unanswered. I sent a reminder email and got a response 10 days later, informing me that I had to contact iTunes about the refund, explaining that I ‘ve ‘contacted the app developer for support and would still like a refund ‘. I should also make sure to include the order reference number from your iTunes receipt. I did as instructed.
iTunes Support responded by granting me my wish, while stressing that this was strictly a most exceptional occurence and that I ‘d better not think of doing this kind of thing every week. Ok I made up that last part. But the tone of the email was indeed clear. This was a one-time ocurrence, since all App Store sales are final. Hmm.
I received my refund within the hour (nice!) via paypal and was grateful at the painlessness of the procedure. Anyway, I was left with a few lessons that I will herewith share with you:
1. Explain calmly and precisely to iTunes Support that the app is not performing as you expected ( ‘I don ‘t like it ‘ or ‘I changed my mind ‘ won’t cut it)
2. Include your purchase reference number (yes you should keep these pesky emails from iTunes in case you need them in future)
3. Be persistent if you are required to contact the developer for assistance (they will eventually respond)
The End.
Anyone care to share their refund stories in the Comments?
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Great. Thnx so much
cool info
<< 2. Include your purchase reference number (yes you should keep these pesky emails from iTunes in case you need them in future) >>
Great info to know, thanks! I didn't think refunds were possible either so knowing we have this option in particular cases could be handy.
In reference to your #2 statement: You can also log into your Apple store acct. (I accessed mine through iTunes) and pull up your Purchase History. I haven't saved any of my iTunes receipt emails either, but I think this would suffice because it includes order numbers, date purchased, etc.
Thanks again! I get a lot of iPhone tips from your articles.
You're welcome and thanks for reminding about account history – for me it was a bit tedious to look thru cos the hubby and I download loads of apps so a single purchase gets lost in the maze.
Can someone PLEASE tell me how to get into my account or purchase history.
I purchased and downloaded some apps straight onto my Iphone 3G … and I've logged into the apple store with the Iphone and online … and I can't seem to find any place that lists things that I've bought.
Really appreciate any help – a link to the login screen or navigation tips would be extraordinarily helpful.
Many thanks in advance
Carla
Follow these steps:
1. Run itunes, then go and click on "iTunes Store" which is located under STORE tab on the left hand side of window.
2. when the itunes store page is on , you will see your email ID that you use to login on the top right hand side of the window, (just below Search Store tab)
3. Then click on your email ID, it will pop up a new box.
4. You can put your password and click on "View Account" to see purchase history. The View Account tab will be on the bottom right side of that window.
In real life, people are allowed to test any application before purchasing it. This is called Trial.
What the hell Apple think? I cannot test any software before paying for it? That I must pay for it based just on reviews and pictures?
Bonjour,
Ma fille de 7 ans a telecharge un jeux “tap petshop” dans la caregorie des gratuits et a ma grande surprise j ai ete preleve 4fois de 79,99e surtout que c est une application ou l on demande le mots de passe qu une seule fois au telechargement.De plus j ai du garde ce jeux seulement deux jours sur mon iphone et que toutes les explications sont en anglais.Je vous demande de bien vouloir faire le necessaire afin que je puisse etre rembourse de cette somme dont je ne dispose meme pas .
Désolé mais nous pouvons rien faire. Un conseil: contacter le developeur et demander un remboursement. Il n’est pas obligé à le fair mais on sait jamais. Et surtout changer le mot de passe!
From what I could understand of the posting in french, it ressembles my situation. My 8 year old daughter has inadvertently purchased items (so called “in-Apps”) from a free game on my iPad. I contacted the developper and they gave me a refund. I had to go through I process which they described in detail. So it is possible. Good luck.
I have not had luck with this process as outlined by the initial poster. I had $2300 in unintended purchases from Tap Zoo, Pet Hotel, and other Pocket Gems, Inc. in-app purchases.
Apple, when initially contacted told me that I would have to work with my credit card company to get the issue resolved.
I took that as “NO” for an answer from Apple, and proceeded to “dispute the charges” on the credit card. After doing this, I thought I’d write to Pocket Gems, Inc. to ask about getting a refund. They agreed and said YES, outlining the above mentioned process (as above in the first posting). However, it did not change Apple’s response… they still told me to work with my Credit Card. I’m very frustrated that Apple wasn’t at all willing to help after multiple requests, including a request to escalate to a manger at a higher level. I even got 2 people at different times from Apple iPhone support on the phone to work with the ITunes Support people over the phone (I never got to talk to them, it was that the Apple iPhone Support person “consulted” with iTunes Support) and all concluded I needed to just work on it through my credit card company.
Did Apple’s policy on this change? What happened? I’m still working it out and will post the results once they are in.