Lost Audiobook - Apple refuses to fix the problem

You got what you paid for; the initial download. Audiobooks are not and never have been available for re-downloading. It is incumbent on the user to keep backup copies, as it is for any content in case the content owner removes an item which they can do at any time. If your wife failed to keep a backup, then Apple is not obligated to provide a re-download, just as a store would not be obligated to replace a CD if you lose it. Sometimes the iTunes Store can and will grant exceptions, but not in all cases. In this case, Audible.com has apparently changed the item and the original one is no longer available and hence the iTunes Store is unable to replace it.

Sorry, but if they have refused a free re-download, there's nothing further you can do. You are free to purchase from any other store you feel will give you better service, but carefully examine the terms offered. Many stores have similar restrictions.

Regards.

Yeah, the replies can often be less than complete which is often frustrating , but in fairness, they have to address probably thousands of requests a day and are probably limited by Apple management and legal in what they can say.

Audiobooks are a very unusual case in the iTunes Store. My guess, and this is just my guess, is that since they're provided by Audible.com which is owned by Amazon, Apple's not been able to obtain the same licensing terms they have for other content and hence can be less flexible.

Regards.

I had this happen to me with hundreds of dollars worth of Audio books--- its a lesson to not buy ANY audio books from iTunes. They were able to re-download 2 of my 40 purchases. It's very irritating. Purchasing from Audible directly is a much better and safer option.

mattmoniker wrote:

its a lesson to not buy ANY audio books from iTunes.

Or, dear user, it is a lesson to remember to take personal responsibility to yourself back up all purchases from any online vendor. You would not (I hope) expect a CD Store to replace a CD you had misplaced. I know it is comforting to blame Apple for your oversight...

If I wanted to buy a CD I would've bought a CD. And these digital files were bought in 2007 when all I had was an iPod with no way to back it up. That iPod was lost in a hurricane the following year. Thanks for judging though

I only judge because you yourself are hasty to condemn Apple for a policy the origins of which are nicely outlined by varjak paw. I hazard to suggest If you are not able to personally accept the consequences of the loss that possessing an iPod without access to backup was premature, particularly since back then re-downloading any purchases was not possible. I used to live in a hurricane area too and at the time made sure I had backups in different locations (all done with floppy disks pre-Internet) of important documents and study.

if buying audio books from Amazon audible you can re-download audio books that you have purchased any time. I never buy audio books from Apple iTunes since loosing many audio books purchased from Apple

I pay for iTunes match. .and one of my audiobook purchases from the past 12 years show up. All of my purses are nowhere to be found in the cloud or anywhere else 🙂 fun stuff