How to get a refund for an unwanted App Store purchase under Dutch law?

Question

Level 1

4 points

How to get a refund for an unwanted App Store purchase under Dutch law?

hi

i have an question. I bought an app via App Store but I after 3 hours I asked Apple for a refund because the App was not that I was looking for. Apple declined my refund 2 times, while I have the right to get a refund when I change my opinion about the products. The Dutch law says you have 7 days to think about your purchase if you want it or not. So now I lost 100 euro, which was the costs of the app. Anyone know how I can get my money back? I am a little bit dissapointed about apple, because I do not know how to get in touch with them. Hopefully someone can help me here.

Thanks

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Feb 14, 2025 2:59 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Feb 17, 2025 5:15 AM in response to Nooijen82

Software is different than regular consumer products. Dutch law is very specific about software returns. If physical software packaging has been opened (seal broken) you own it. Digital downloads, if installed, are basically not returnable. You’re welcome to request a courtesy refund, which you did and were denied.

A best practice with expensive software is to look for applications that offer free trials. Free trials have limits and exclusions also. Many developers are only allowing one free trial within a specified time frame.

Reply

Answer 2

Carol B.

Level 6

18,381 points

Feb 16, 2025 5:59 AM in response to Nooijen82

Apple does not offer email support. But in the link below, you can find a listing of international phone numbers. Maybe one will help.

Links for Apple International Support - Apple Community

Reply

Answer 3

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,715 points

Feb 18, 2025 9:52 AM in response to Nooijen82

I will ask my VISA credit card to get my money back.

When your bank makes a chargeback on what Apple considers a legitimate charge, your Apple Account will be frozen. You will not be able to download new apps, free or paid. You will not be able to redownload any previously acquired apps. And will will not be able to update any apps. Period. End of story.

You might as well toss the iPhone and any other Apple devices and make your switch to Android and Windows boxes.

Reply

Answer 4

Feb 18, 2025 5:06 AM in response to Nooijen82

The mail still works in most countries and so do telephones. So contact is not impossible. You claim it’s a lot of money but aren’t willing to put much effort into discussing the matter with Apple.

All Apple is doing is following Dutch law in regard to your downloading and installing the product. There may be other legitimate reasons Apple has for denying a refund.

Corporate Address

Apple

One Apple Park Way

Cupertino, CA 95014

(408) 996–1010

This article contains Apple Support phone numbers around the world.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Not a fan of Android or Google. You’re very mistaken if you think they offer support via email. It’s just not a solution when it involves millions, even billions of customers.

Personally, I’d buy one of the top of the line Chinese phones. Good luck however it turns out for you.

Reply

Answer 5

Nooijen82 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 18, 2025 5:05 AM in response to Jeff Donald

Thanks Jeff. The problem is I am not able to call. The only solution to use Skype but that will cost me $40 Indonesian contract which I do not gonna pay. Its okay now. I will ask my VISA creditcard to get my money back.

Reply

Answer 6

Katana-San

Level 10

83,035 points

Feb 14, 2025 7:05 AM in response to Nooijen82

Hello~ Click on below…

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

~Katana-San~

Reply

Answer 7

Nooijen82 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 14, 2025 8:30 AM in response to Katana-San

this is not working, because i asked already 2 times for a refund but both were rejected. The funny thing is that Apple put a message below my products that i can have a refund within 14 days if I don't want the product. I tried 2 times to get my money bak immediately after I bought the product.

So maybe someone has another solution because now the 14 days passed.

Thanks a lot.

Reply

Answer 8

Nooijen82 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 16, 2025 5:15 AM in response to Katana-San

hi Do you have an email. I am not able to call as I am currently in Sumatra Indonesia. The chat is not available because they redirected me immediately to their FAQ. An email would be aweome :)

Thanks a lot

Reply

Answer 9

Nooijen82 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 16, 2025 6:11 AM in response to Carol B.

Pfff very anoying. Spent already hours on this. Very bad service. And also very bad that they did not refund me because its a lot of money that i lose now. My next phone will be Android for sure. Thakn for your help

Reply

Answer 10

K Shaffer

Level 8

36,088 points

Feb 16, 2025 1:15 PM in response to Nooijen82

Perhaps you may try and see if there is an EU channel

to suggest a refund action at that level; should none be

forthcoming at this attempt level?

Rights as EU citizen for consumer protection differ

as member of European Union. While Apple sites

should have included that built-into pages you see.

Sorry our efforts appear ineffectual. As 'volunteer

ASC users' like yourself, we're not Apple Support.

Reply

Answer 11

Nooijen82 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 17, 2025 4:12 AM in response to Dah•veed

yes i was in the netherlands when I bought that product. One week later I left to Indonesia! But now worries. My next phone will not apple anymore. I do not like it when companies are difficult to contact. Now they took 100 euro which is 1/10 of the total value of my phone which is a lot for just an app.

Reply

Answer 12

Nooijen82 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 17, 2025 5:40 AM in response to Jeff Donald

Thank you Jeff for your explanation. I never used the app. I bought it and I asked for a refund immediately. I even did not open the app. The owner of the app is willing to refund me, but the problem is I can't get in touch with apple via chat or email. Totally impossible while i pay a lot of money for their devices. Next time will buy a different brand, because i you make billions profit and you are still not reachable, thats very bad. Luckily my contract with them is just few months ago.

Any recommendations for other phone brands? Android is good right?

Reply

Answer 13

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,715 points

Feb 17, 2025 9:40 AM in response to Nooijen82

You went through the refund process twice, Apple said no. Apple's refund decisions are considered final.

The fact that you can't get in touch with Apple while traveling isn't on Apple.

Threats to ditch Apple for another brand are a big joke around here.

Sure, Android is great. It is far superior to Apple in every way. Go for Android.

Reply

Answer 14

Nooijen82 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 18, 2025 4:38 AM in response to Dah•veed

okay so Apple is making the rules in my country? The Dutch government has made rules to protect consumers and if Apple wants to offer their services they should respect our law. If they don't they are not welcome.

Even when I travel Apple should be available. We live in a world that many people travel, many people speak several languages etc etc. Apple sells their products and services worldwide so they should be available for anyone. I had an online business before and I sold Dutch groceries worldwide. I was there for everyone. Everyone could call me 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. I always replied my emails within 24 hours. I was there for my customers. And also my employees were there for our customers. This is how it has to be.

Thanks. I have a contract for some months and then I will go for Android. Thanks for your recommendations.

Reply

Answer 15

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,715 points

Feb 17, 2025 12:53 AM in response to Nooijen82

So, you were not actually in the Netherlands when you made this purchase?

Reply

How to get a refund for an unwanted App Store purchase under Dutch law?

Similar questions