Getting charged for already purchased items again?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Getting charged for already purchased items again?

I wanted to download an Album, which I've previously purchased already, again. Although it finds the exact same item in my "already purchased" list, in my account information, the iTunes Store wants to charge me with the price again. I am really sure about, that I once received a message from the iTunes Store that already purchased items can be downloaded over and over again, without being charged again. It works for my iPhone Apps as well - but doesn't for my music apparently.

I'd really appreciate answers, because I find this rather a rip off = /

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Sep 7, 2009 12:24 PM

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Answer 1

Zevoneer

Level 9

52,705 points

Sep 7, 2009 12:31 PM in response to Tharanon

When you say you've already purchased the album can I ask why you want to download it again? Presumably it's still in your iTunes or you have a back up copy to restore it from. If you have lost or deleted the original download and if you didn't make a back-up of your music/movie purchases to restore from (as you are advised to do) then I'm sorry to say that the policy on lost purchases is that you have to pay to download them again:
"Products may only be downloaded once; after being downloaded, they cannot be replaced if lost for any reason. Once a Product is purchased or rented (as applicable) and you receive the Product, it is your responsibility not to lose, destroy, or damage the Product, and Apple shall be without liability to you in the event of any loss, destruction, or damage" iTunes Store: Purchased content can be downloaded only once

In that case you could try contacting iTunes Store Customer Service and you might be able to persuade them to sanction a second free download. There have been occasional reports in the iTunes forum of this happening, however just be aware that they are not under any obligation to do so. If you click on this link you'll be able to email your query: Customer Service - iTunes Store Support

If you have an iPod that still has any of your purchases on it you'll find details in this article on how to transfer them to the computer: Copying iTunes Store purchases from your iPod or iPhone to a computer

Just as a matter of interest, the iTunes Store is not the only one that limits you to one download which you are expected to back up in case of loss, you'll find the same rules apply to other stores such as the Amazon MP3 store.

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Answer 2

Zevoneer

Level 9

52,705 points

Sep 7, 2009 2:14 PM in response to Tharanon

You're welcome. You might also be interested in these pages:
How to move an iTunes library from a PC to Mac (and back)
How to move your iTunes library from Windows to Mac
Networking with a Windows PC

There are various methods to copy purchases between computers, CD-R, iPod, USB stick etc, you can read more at these links:
iTunes for Windows: How to copy purchases between authorized computers
iTunes for Mac: How to copy purchases between authorized computers

Don't forget by the way to deauthorise your old PC if you are disposing of it so you don't use up one of your 5 allowances: About iTunes Music Store Authorisation and Deauthorisation

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Answer 3

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,401 points

Sep 7, 2009 12:29 PM in response to Tharanon

You purchase ONE download. You do not get to re-download music. Once you buy it, it is your responsibility to back it up.

From the itunes store terms of service:

"PRODUCTS CAN ONLY BE DOWNLOADED ONCE; AFTER BEING DOWNLOADED, THEY CANNOT BE REPLACED IF LOST FOR ANY REASON. YOU SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR BACKING UP YOUR OWN SYSTEM"

Have you failed to back up your music?

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Answer 4

Tharanon Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 7, 2009 2:02 PM in response to Tharanon

the reason why i need to re-download my music is because i had all those purchased on a pc. i finally got a mac and havnt beeb able to transfer the library (lack of knowledge). so i thought the easiest way would be download it again. luckily i have ALL purchases on my ipod and so ill read the support site you posted.

thank you for the quick help =)

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Answer 5

Tharanon Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 9, 2009 8:32 AM in response to Zevoneer

Okay I did everything you said Zevoneer!

You listed links to learn how to move iTunes libraries. Well I have my iTunes Library on my Mac, and didn't move it from my PC - that's fine.
Nevertheless I'd like to move my iTunes Library from my iPod Touch and use this library for my Mac. Is that possible? The reason for this is because my iPod Touch has everything really neatly sorted with Ratings etc, which I never did for my PC or Mac. So i basically want to take this library (from the iPod Touch) and use it as my Mac library.

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Answer 6

Zevoneer

Level 9

52,705 points

Sep 9, 2009 9:12 AM in response to Tharanon

iTunes will only let you copy your iTunes Store purchases directly from an iPod to the computer. For everything else (music from CDs, other downloads and including iTunes purchased songs and in some cases, videos and games) there are a number of third party utilities that you can use to retrieve the music files and playlists from your iPod Touch or iPhone. You'll find that they have varying degrees of functionality and some will transfer data (such as playcounts and ratings), movies, videos, photos, podcasts and games as well.

A selection of iPod/iPhone to iTunes utilities:
Senuti Mac Only (iPod Touch & iPhone compatible)
SharePod Windows Only (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
TuneJack Windows Only (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iPodRip Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
Music Rescue Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iPod Music Liberator Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iGadget Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iRepo Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iPod Access Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
TouchCopy Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)

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