Apple Music "Free" trial bait and switch

I foolishly accepted an offer to try Apple Music for a 3 month free trial.


I have just noticed that I have been charged for the 2nd and 3rd month in this "free" trial subscription.


That's OK, mistakes happen. So I go through Apple's problem reporting service. However, this system only accepts a handful of problems, and this situation doesn't fall within any of them.


The problem reporting system seems to have been designed to turn people away rather than addressing their concerns. In my case it refused to even report the problem! Instead, it erroneously insists that I don't have any "refundable" subscriptions so it essentially slams shut the counter window while I'm trying to explain the situation.


That's not the right way to treat anyone, let alone customers.


btw - further evidence of problems with Apple's subscription system is that it says the subscription was purchased from a device named "MiPhone6+". I haven't had a device with that name for a number of years. In fact I have gone through at least 3 devices since then, and at least that number of device name changes. That original iPhone6+ is still in the family, but it is definitely not linked to my AppleID (just in case you were thinking someone else had purchased the Apple Music subscription in my name) - no, they haven't).

iPhone XS Max

Posted on Dec 19, 2019 7:08 PM

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5 replies

Dec 19, 2019 9:03 PM in response to Vancouver22

It is definitely an "Apple Music Subscription" From Apple Inc. The seller is listed as "AppleComputer".


There are 3 occurrences of this item, 19-Oct-2019, 19-Nov-2019 and 19-Dec-2019. The October one is listed as costing $0.00, but the other 2 are $11.99 and this has been deducted from my store balance.


Another error I noticed in iTunes -> Account -> View My Account -> Settings -> Subscription, it lists me as having "3 (all time)" subscriptions, but when I click Manage it only brings up 2 items. One is an old expired Duolingo subscription, and the other is the Apple Music subscription that is giving me the grief, listed as active (but cancelled). What is the 3rd and where is it?


Yet another fault I noticed in iTunes -> Account -> View My Account, under there is a message about 1 item being available to download, but the download button doesn't do anything.


These issues occur when I access the information via iTunes from my PC or my Mac, so I think it's safe to say they are due to problems at Apple's end.

Dec 22, 2019 9:55 PM in response to Vancouver22

Thanks Vancouver22. No, I know who's billing me (Apple, for Apple Music). The problem is that they shouldn't be. They offered a 3 month free trial but started charging after the first month. I don't think I used it more than once in more than 2 months, so I have cancelled it, but I'd like my money back since I never agreed to pay it.


Unfortunately, Apple's systems are designed to turn you away unless your request fits their very narrowly designed criteria, which I think is a shady business practice that shouldn't be acceptable to Apple.


btw - I imagine the price difference is because I pay in A$.

Dec 20, 2019 11:19 PM in response to Xoc

By seller you mean who is billing you? Apple computer would not be the name Apple uses, it’s usually Apple iTunes. At least that’s what it says on your bank statements.


we are just fellow users on here and cannot look into your account.


Try looking in the App Store app to view your subscriptions to see if there’s anything else in there charging you, like a so called “ free” app. I find it easier to get to them through that. Tap on your profile, top right > subscriptions. It would say “Apple Music Membership”

Heres how mine looks:




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Apple Music "Free" trial bait and switch

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