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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TAGS: Byline, iPhone
