lil moe
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Grepolis in-game over charging

Dear community, my apologies if this is not the right place to ask my question but I'm sadly one of the clueless users and the Apple support page doesn't seem to give any insight.

 

I made an in-app purchase in an app called Grepolis (developed by Innogames) and my credit card was charged 5$ over the price stated in the app. When I contacted the developers they said I should contact Apple Store support team in a very vague message:

"

Thank you for your patience!

 

Due to the nature of the transaction you need to contact Apple/iTunes customer support. According to our data we did not charge you more, but the provider you bought gold through may have.

 

Kind Regards,

 

LulluLea

Game Administrator".

 

Now I'm completely baffled and upset that a reputable company would steal off of its customers.

Any ideas as to who I can complain to about this in the Apple team? I'm sure Apple wouldn't like to soil its reputation by having 3rd party companies stealing from customers and claiming A

Posted on Mar 19, 2015 1:13 PM

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lil moe

Q: Grepolis in-game over charging

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  • Helpful answers

  • by HyperNova Software,

    HyperNova Software HyperNova Software Mar 19, 2015 1:19 PM in response to lil moe
    Level 6 (8,683 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 19, 2015 1:19 PM in response to lil moe

    Use this link: https://getsupport.apple.com/Issues.action

  • by lil moe,

    lil moe lil moe Mar 19, 2015 1:32 PM in response to HyperNova Software
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 19, 2015 1:32 PM in response to HyperNova Software

    Thanks HyperNova. I actually tried it before I posted here and I just ended up going in circles. The website clearly says "contact app developers for any 3re party app issues". The problem is what happens if the 3rd party won't fix the problem? Who keeps devs in line if they just start scamming people without accountability?

    My loss is 5$ which is really nothing but I'm fuming because I spent over 5,000$ over the years in 3rd party apps. I completely believe devs should be rewarded for their efforts and creativity.

  • by HyperNova Software,Helpful

    HyperNova Software HyperNova Software Mar 19, 2015 1:37 PM in response to lil moe
    Level 6 (8,683 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 19, 2015 1:37 PM in response to lil moe

    You can report any developer that is scamming or ripping people off.

    That's about all one can do unless you have an attorney sitting around waiting for something to do.

    Apple does take action on developers who break their contracts by promoting scams.

  • by lil moe,

    lil moe lil moe Mar 19, 2015 2:07 PM in response to HyperNova Software
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 19, 2015 2:07 PM in response to HyperNova Software

    Noted with thanks again HyperNova.

    I didn't see a link to report an app but I will dig deeper.

    On a side note, imagine getting a lawyer and going to court over 5$. Wouldn't THAT be all over the news

  • by babowa,Helpful

    babowa babowa Mar 19, 2015 2:13 PM in response to lil moe
    Level 7 (32,049 points)
    iPad
    Mar 19, 2015 2:13 PM in response to lil moe

    Thanks HyperNova. I actually tried it before I posted here and I just ended up going in circles. The website clearly says "contact app developers for any 3re party app issues". The problem is what happens if the 3rd party won't fix the problem? Who keeps devs in line if they just start scamming people without accountability?

     

     

     

    As it is a small loss, this may not be worthwhile, but you can question the charge by calling your credit card company. Here is all I could find; the ToU appears to be a bit ambiguous.

     

    Make in-app purchases - Apple Support

     

    This is an excerpt from the iTunes ToU:

     

    IN-APP PURCHASES

    Certain App Store Products may include functionality that enables you to receive additional services, or licenses to additional functionality or content for use within the App Store Product ("In App Purchases"). In App Purchases that are consumed during the use of the App Store Product (for example, virtual ammunition) cannot be transferred among devices; can be downloaded only once; and after being downloaded, cannot be replaced. Once a consumable In App Purchase is acquired and received by you, Apple shall be without liability to you in the event of any loss, destruction, or damage. All In App Purchases are deemed App Store Products, and In App Purchases received within Third-Party Products are deemed Third-Party Products, and treated as such, for purposes of these terms and conditions.

    You must authenticate to acquire In-App Purchases separately from any authentication to obtain App Store Products by entering your password when prompted, but once you have authenticated to obtain an In-App Purchase, you will be able to acquire additional In-App Purchases for fifteen minutes without re-entering your password. You can turn off the ability to acquire In-App Purchases on your iOS Device by following the steps outlined at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4213.

  • by lil moe,

    lil moe lil moe Mar 19, 2015 2:35 PM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 19, 2015 2:35 PM in response to babowa

    Thanks Babowa.. The loss is neglectable really but the concept of innocently being taken advantage of is horrifying.

    I have a wealthy friend in LA who actually did get a lawyer after a mega app developer pulled the same stunt with him (his loss was 100$ I think). After weeks of speaking to the developer company without any results, all it took was an official letter sent by his lawyer firm. Within 24 hours he was compensated and the issue was resolved.

    I was sad to see mega companies intentionally ripping off its paying customers and customers will have to drastic measures to resolve their issues. How many thousands other people were down by 5$ who didn't bother to escalate the problem? Imagine they did it to 100k users (out of million who play) that's 500k $ right there.  Honest people shouldn't be taken advantage of by corporations that couldn't care less for individual customers.

     

    I thank you for the excerpt from the ToU. I will certainly use it in my complaint to Apple.

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Mar 19, 2015 2:53 PM in response to lil moe
    Level 7 (32,049 points)
    iPad
    Mar 19, 2015 2:53 PM in response to lil moe

    Well, I said I thought it was ambiguous - I'm referring to this passage:

     

    All In App Purchases are deemed App Store Products, and In App Purchases received within Third-Party Products are deemed Third-Party Products, and treated as such, for purposes of these terms and conditions.


    Trying to definitively decipher this is questionable at best (and I used to get paid to do that). On the one hand, in app purchases within third party products are deemed to be third party products, but on the other hand, it starts out with "ALL" in app purchases are deemed app store products. So, which is it.