Oops. The Store is temporarily unavailable

Just got off the phone with Apple support, they say they are trying to fix the problem and not to worry if charges crop up as they can retract them. Basically, it's being overwhelmed by all of the holiday orders. Good luck everybody!

It's good to hear that they're aware of the problem. Thanks for the update!

had a similar problem, tried to purchase a 20 page book only for it to charge me 4 times after there were errors after each purchase!! i really need that money back now

This had been happening to me all night but has now just worked. In London, UK.

That's so funny I had the same issue today, and they will attempt to hit your account each time. I followed the instructions on removing the time check, and same thing, unable to finaliz your order. But it shows on my orders now. I hope they fix this soon. I have 6 outstanding pre auths for a total of 1,000 US. LOL

Ok it did work as expected and I got an email, thanks for the fix!

I have the same problem and my Credit card is now showing 4 pending charges.

How do you contact apple to get the charges reversed?

I phoned up but after going through an amazingly long list of options I got a message saying that for print services go to:

http://www.apple.com/support/photoservices/ww

Which redirects and then asks you to select your country. After you select your country it puts you on the print services general page:

http://store.apple.com/au/help/print_products

which doesn't have a contact us.

Very frustrating!

I'm having the same "oops..." problem. I have three charges pending on my credit card. I tried the work around, changing the "set date and time automatically" and it did get further. it assembled the book and uploaded it or it seemed to. but i then got the unable to to complete your order message. I don't have an email that confirms the transactions just the three charges.

i haven't tried to reverse the charges.

if anyone has any ideas it would be great to sort this as i'm in the same boat as lot of folks on this string that are trying to make xmas presents.

I found that by calling, 133622 in Australia, and then hitting # repeatedly I got put through to a person (the help options are circular for print help!). They said they would reverse the charges on my credit card, though that was a couple of hours ago and they aren't reversed yet. They then put me through to two different lots of technical support. Over 1/2 an hour on the phone all told.

Eventually, Jason (2nd tech support purson), said the problem is due to too high demand and lots of people are phoning in to complain. He agreed to mail me when the system was working again. Though he said there was no ETA and no guarantee that this would be this year.

I will post if he does send an email saying the system is going again.

No offer of compensation for all the inconvenience, I will wait and see if he offers a freebie if and when he emails.

I'm having the same issue. I just talked to a supervisor in the print services department. You have to ask to speak to somebody else when you talk to the original person. The supervisor was extremely helpful. He was able to reverse the authorization on my card, so I didn't have to call the bank. Also, he asked me to try again tomorrow to make an order, as the technical problems should be resolved by then. On top of that, he gave me his direct line so I could call and verify the order after it is placed, and get the expidited shipping taken care of. I didn't press for any money off for the order, just the shipping as I wouldn't have needed expedited shipping otherwise. I figure if my photo boooks arrive before Christmas, they've done their job.

Nice to see I'm not the only one. Been trying since yesterday and getting the same as everyone else. Will try again tomorrow then will look at alternative options as per Gadget Show a month or so back. I knew I shouldn't have left it till just over week before xmas. Doh!

Thanks all for info.

Having the same problem. Submitting a Calendar results in this message:

"Ooops! The Store is temporarily unvailable."

I was able to reach a supervisor at Apple who explained that their order processing system is temporarily down and should be back up within a day or two.

Caution: each time you attempt to submit an order, Apple puts a hold on your account for that amount. If the order does not correctly upload (likely since the system is down), that hold will be released. However, multiple attempts caused my credit card company to put a fraud alert on my card causing it to be temporarily be frozen.

Well just checked my order through the apple store and it says it has shipped already !! Very impressed - I submitted it ( after much hassle ) on Dec. 12 and it is saying shipped today Dec. 14 with estimated delivery by the 19th. btw I am in Canada. Just a heads up to anyone that got their order to go through.

Same problem here, I'm in Italy too.

C'mon, my money vanished, my order not received and the clock is ticking fast as ****!!!

My bank called today to let me know I had 10 pending charges from Apple. The bank said these should disappear on their own after a couple days without me being charged once it recognizes there was no order. This is also what Apple said. I was able to upload the book no problem this morning UK time, I'm guessing it was off-peak traffic at the time? So, moral of the story is be patient and things should work out. After all, it is Christmas!