Unfair Refund Policy Disparity: Masterclass 30-Day Guarantee Denied via Apple App Store Purchase

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Unfair Refund Policy Disparity: Masterclass 30-Day Guarantee Denied via Apple App Store Purchase

Hello everyone,

I just want to bring forward an issue regarding the unfair treatment and refund policy discrepancy between direct MasterClass purchases and those made through the Apple App Store.

Here's my context:

I purchased a MasterClass subscription via the Apple App Store.
Within the 30-day window (clearly stated in MasterClass’s Terms of Service, Section 2.7), I requested a refund after becoming dissatisfied.
MasterClass guarantees a full refund within 30 days for purchases made directly through their website.
However, Apple denied my request, citing the Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions, stating my purchase was “not eligible for refund.”

I am looking at three issues.

1.Inequitable Consumer Protection:

I think we as Apple customers are denied rights available to direct customers, despite purchasing the exact same service, which creates an unjust inconsistency and may violate principles of equal treatment in commerce.

2.Lack of Transparency:

Nowhere during the in-app purchase was I made clearly aware that purchasing through Apple would waive the 30-day refund policy guaranteed by MasterClass.
Consumers should not unknowingly waive rights through a payment channel.

3.Deflection of Responsibility:

MasterClass claims that all refunds via Apple must be handled by Apple.
Apple refuses responsibility, citing its terms.
This leaves consumers caught in a gray area, with neither party providing redress.

I have already made multiple requests for Apple to review this case again, as it doesn't seem fair from the customer's point of view. All my requests were denied, citing the terms.

Is there anything else I can do to raise this issue?

Posted on May 19, 2025 9:49 AM

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Answer 1

May 19, 2025 11:48 AM in response to YS0120

In the MasterClass terms, you will also see this:

If you purchase any Service through a mobile purchase or third-party marketplace (e.g., through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store), the refund policy applicable to that third-party marketplace will apply, unless otherwise explicitly stated by MasterClass. Except as otherwise explicitly stated by MasterClass, the third-party marketplace will be solely responsible for making refunds under its refund policy, and MasterClass will have no refund obligations. MasterClass disclaims any responsibility or liability related to any third-party marketplace's refund policy or the third party's compliance or noncompliance with such policy.

Note that applies not only to purchases made in the Apple App Store, but also the Google Play Store. Refunds and even subscription cancellation is always subject to the terms of the location of the purchase. Apple cannot force MasterClass to provide a refund and Masterclass cannot force Apple to provide a refund.

MasterClass also has the opportunity to provide a 30 day free trial where you will not be charged at all to allow users to try before you buy. Many developers use this method and it is the developer that must propose that payment model, not Apple. I suspect MasterClass wants to control their returns where their terms also state it is their "sole discretion" for refunds and using the free trial would not give them that control if they could cancel through Apple at anytime during the free trial. MasterClass could certainly send you a check for a refund if they wanted to as well. There is nothing stopping them from doing that.

The same is true when making a device purchase where if it is made with Apple, you will have a 14 day full refund policy, but if you purchase from another retailer, then you are subject to the terms of that retailer, even though the device is exactly the same.

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