Refunds for auto subscription charges after free trials

I'm wondering how much success people have requesting a refund for subscriptions after free trials ended? I sent the request within minutes after seeing the charges.


IMO, Apple shouldn't allow auto subscriptions after free trials ended at all. I downloaded an app (iFAX), used it once/twice, but forgot to cancel auto subscription after free trial period ended and got charged $241.49 + $34.64 CAD. Yes, I'm to blame in this as well. But over $275 for an app I'll never use is ludicrous.


I think, after free trial period ends, that's when apps/services should then ask people to confirm whether they want to subscribe to the service or not.

  • If people think the apps are worth it, they will continue to subscribe.
  • If people think the apps are not worth it, they'll either cancel it right away or contemplating about cancelling it/giving time to think about the app then risk forgetting to cancel it.

Posted on Aug 16, 2021 5:37 PM

Reply
3 replies

Aug 17, 2021 1:07 PM in response to UncleYaris

If it is still pending you need to wait for it to charge and then make the request.


If you go the card dispute route Apple might possibly suspend your account (or worse*) until you have resolved it with them properly. If you want to know the full details: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/us/terms.html ..."TERMINATION AND SUSPENSION OF SERVICES

If you fail, or Apple

suspects that you have failed, to comply with any of the provisions of

this Agreement, Apple may, without notice to you: (i) terminate this

Agreement and/or your Apple ID, and you will remain liable for all

amounts due under your Apple ID up to and including the date of

termination; and/or (ii) terminate your license to the software; and/or

(iii) preclude your access to the Services."



Aug 16, 2021 8:56 PM in response to UncleYaris

First confirm you have canceled any subscription automatic renewal (if you simply delete an app this does not cancel subscriptions):


Review the information in this support article by clicking on the link to learn "How to cancel a subscription from Apple." ➔ https://support.apple.com/HT202039

• "If you signed up for a free or discounted trial subscription and you don't want to renew it, cancel it at least 24 hours before the trial ends."

• An existing subscription will normally continue until the end of its term and may then renew automatically. Stopping automatic renewal is effectively canceling it. "If you don’t see Cancel Subscription, then the subscription is already canceled and won't renew." The "Expires" date means the current subscription will just run until then.

• Read the link to see what to do about subscriptions that do not appear in your list.

• Canceling a subscription does not automatically start a refund. If you want to do that:


See how to "Request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple" Click here ➔ https://support.apple.com/HT204084


"If the subscription that you want to cancel is not listed", click here ➔ https://support.apple.com/HT212052

If you still can't find a subscription, contact Apple Support using the link at the end of the support article.


If Report A Problem does not work for a subscription refund you may have to make a special request. Click here ➔ https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kbase&PGF=PGF51002&category_id=SC0060&symptom_id=23330


Apple Support Communities is set up as an end-user to end-user technical issue support service (i.e., users like you helping other users). Feedback for Apple will likely get more attention if you send it using:


Click on this link for Apple products feedback links --> http://www.apple.com/feedback/

Aug 17, 2021 11:28 AM in response to Limnos

I have cancelled the subscriptions right within minutes after seeing the charges popped up on my phone. But the requested refund is still pending.


If the amount of the subscription fee is low (like Spotify,) I probably wouldn't mind. At $275+ CAD, that's another story.


The thing is when I did a trial subscription, my local time zone was August 10, but Apple time zone was August 9. And it's been less than 24 hours*7 when Apple charged me the subscription fees -- so technically I'm still within my free trial period. If I go the credit card charge dispute route, how much success will I have?

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Refunds for auto subscription charges after free trials

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