Q: How can I get a refund at the App Store when it isn't offered ?

Hi FoxFifth,

No, it's probably not constructive, but then these "Level 20" gurus did not provide any helpful insights on my original post because my question was not explicit enough. I was immediately locked out from replying. It seemed more like damage control than forum moderation to me (who has bought 40-50 personal computers since the 80's and everything else Apple.)

The apps in question are third part sources for photo editing. One simply cannot get a grasp of what they do, what they offer, until you scroll through their templates, tweak their tools, and test their output workflow, etc. The fact that one must buy them and then be unable to get a refund even 10 hours later is bizarre, to say the least, if not unethical.

Hi there,

Thanks for your reply. The problem is that Apple does offer refunds through iTunes, but not on every app. There is nothing to indicate at the time of purchase whether this is the case or not, and as you say, one would have to do their homework first. But it shouldn't be this difficult; a simple message saying "This product is not refundable" at the time of purchase would suffice. Furthermore, when I did attempt a refund through my account, I received the message afterward that "This is not refundable." This isn't true either. What the message needed to say is, "Please contact the developer regarding their refund policy" because, in my case (as I've just learned), the developer will indeed grant me a refund. So it's all very confusing, and frankly, un-Apple.

Perhaps Apple should take Android's cue, which allows users to refund absolutely any app within a day or two.

Given the number of posts on this topic, it's clear that Apple is not addressing a very fundamental consumer need. Consumers shouldn't have to bend like an iPhone 6 to find the solution to such a basic process.

I'm sorry, but you are incorrect. I have attained at least five refunds over the past year through the iTunes account. It's not a matter of beating a dead horse when clearly even you have got it wrong. Why there are these incongruities, I don't know. Some refund, some don't. That's the facts—regardless of their policy. A phone call to Apple Support today revealed that even their team aren't fully certain of the rules.

Let's give the horse CPR and get the store working right. That's what I say.

I really don't understand your rather hostile response (I guess the "Apple attack dog" label is not far off at all). The problem here is that you simply have not read what I wrote at all (since the Apple rep based in the U.S. didn't say anything to that affect). And so here it is, in bold, so you can't mistake it:

Despite Apple's apparent no refund policy, I have processed at least 5 refunds over the past five years of apps through my iTunes Apple account. Why there are these inconsistencies, I don't know. But that is the fact.

It may be that some developers have authorized Apple to do so. It is my suggestion, if you truly want to be helpful David and build your points, is to find out why.

And we wonder why there are wars in the world...

I completely, totally, and utterly understand what you have written. Do you understand what I have written? Can you explain why I received refunds through the iTune store?

Answer that question, and I'll bump your status even higher.

Oh, I see where you are mistaken. It was not through an Apple agent, but directly through the iTunes store. Now, unless you mean an agent who reviewed it afterward. But I didn't speak to anyone. I just logged into my iTunes account, gave the reason for the "Problem", and received a refund. 

Strange, given the policy, which you have clearly enunciated.

Well, then that's really confusing. Why they decide to refund sometimes and not others only adds to the problem.

Unfortunately, the developer just contacted me to say that indeed, because I bought their software through the Apple store, only Apple can issue the refund. And Apple told me to contact the developer. So I am caught in the middle with software that doesn't meet my needs and out $40.

As you say, now I know. The answer is simple: bypass Apple and go straight to the developer. If Apple isn't interested in serving their customers needs, I'm really not interested in giving them a share in the profits.