Perhaps the Apple attack dogs will like this post better.
How do I get a refund for a costly app that, after requesting a refund, appears to not offer one? How does one know if an app meets one's needs unless you try it first?
This seems so obvious, and yet, I am shocked that Apple does not offer a trial or refund opportunity if even for 24-48 hours.
Is there another way to get a refund that I'm not aware of?
I sense there is some history I'm not aware of here, but calling people "Apple attack dogs" in a post where you are then asking for someone to spend their time trying to help may not be the best approach. What is the app in question?
Hi FoxFifth,
No, it's probably not constructive, but then these "Level 20" gurus did not provide any helpful insights on my original post because my question was not explicit enough. I was immediately locked out from replying. It seemed more like damage control than forum moderation to me (who has bought 40-50 personal computers since the 80's and everything else Apple.)
The apps in question are third part sources for photo editing. One simply cannot get a grasp of what they do, what they offer, until you scroll through their templates, tweak their tools, and test their output workflow, etc. The fact that one must buy them and then be unable to get a refund even 10 hours later is bizarre, to say the least, if not unethical.
The Mac App Store (MAS) policy is that All Sales Are Final, so the refund policy is No Refunds.
From this point forward you will know not to make a purchase unless you are sure that you wish to keep the app.
Whether there are trials is up to the developer. You might check the developer's website to see if 1. they offer a trial of their app there, 2. if perhaps they sell their app from another distribution stream than the MAS that has a refund policy, or sell it directly themselves and finally 3. you might look for free apps that are a trial that then sell you the full blown app by in-app sale.
Hi there,
Thanks for your reply. The problem is that Apple does offer refunds through iTunes, but not on every app. There is nothing to indicate at the time of purchase whether this is the case or not, and as you say, one would have to do their homework first. But it shouldn't be this difficult; a simple message saying "This product is not refundable" at the time of purchase would suffice. Furthermore, when I did attempt a refund through my account, I received the message afterward that "This is not refundable." This isn't true either. What the message needed to say is, "Please contact the developer regarding their refund policy" because, in my case (as I've just learned), the developer will indeed grant me a refund. So it's all very confusing, and frankly, un-Apple.
Perhaps Apple should take Android's cue, which allows users to refund absolutely any app within a day or two.
Given the number of posts on this topic, it's clear that Apple is not addressing a very fundamental consumer need. Consumers shouldn't have to bend like an iPhone 6 to find the solution to such a basic process.
I repeat, the Apple policy is that all sales are final and after an app has been bought and downloaded, there are no refunds. Period.
The ONLY exception to the No Refund policy is if something freaky happens and you buy an app and between your purchase and attempt to download the app it is removed from the iTunes/MAS and is no longer available.
PAYMENTS, TAXES, AND REFUND POLICY
You agree that you will pay for all products you purchase through the Services, and that Apple may charge your payment method for any products purchased and for any additional amounts (including any taxes and late fees, as applicable) that may be accrued by or in connection with your Account. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIMELY PAYMENT OF ALL FEES AND FOR PROVIDING APPLE WITH A VALID PAYMENT METHOD FOR PAYMENT OF ALL FEES. For details of how purchases are billed please visit http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5582.
Your total price will include the price of the product plus any applicable sales tax; such sales tax is based on the bill-to address and the sales tax rate in effect at the time you download the product. We will charge tax only in states where digital goods are taxable.
All sales and rentals of products are final.
Prices for products offered via the Services may change at any time, and the Services do not provide price protection or refunds in the event of a price reduction or promotional offering.
If a product becomes unavailable following a transaction but prior to download, your sole remedy is a refund. If technical problems prevent or unreasonably delay delivery of your product, your exclusive and sole remedy is either replacement or refund of the price paid, as determined by Apple.
https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/us/terms.html
If you have found a developer whose product you have purchased through the iTunes/MAS who will personally give you a refund, more power to you. That is beyond the scope of Apple's policy and between you and the developer only.
It's time to stop beating a dead horse and move along.
I'm sorry, but you are incorrect. I have attained at least five refunds over the past year through the iTunes account. It's not a matter of beating a dead horse when clearly even you have got it wrong. Why there are these incongruities, I don't know. Some refund, some don't. That's the facts—regardless of their policy. A phone call to Apple Support today revealed that even their team aren't fully certain of the rules.
Let's give the horse CPR and get the store working right. That's what I say.
If you have obtained the sympathy of an Apple agent working from a cubical in a customer service office, likely in a 2nd/3rd world nation, count your blessings. But don't come here and try to then misconstrue that kindness as the official policy, because you can see the official policy above in black and white directly from the legal notices page from Apple's website.
I really don't understand your rather hostile response (I guess the "Apple attack dog" label is not far off at all). The problem here is that you simply have not read what I wrote at all (since the Apple rep based in the U.S. didn't say anything to that affect). And so here it is, in bold, so you can't mistake it:
Despite Apple's apparent no refund policy, I have processed at least 5 refunds over the past five years of apps through my iTunes Apple account. Why there are these inconsistencies, I don't know. But that is the fact.
It may be that some developers have authorized Apple to do so. It is my suggestion, if you truly want to be helpful David and build your points, is to find out why.
I don't care about points.
Developer's don't set the policy.
Perhaps you lack the capacity to understand what I have written. So by all means carry on.
And we wonder why there are wars in the world...
I completely, totally, and utterly understand what you have written. Do you understand what I have written? Can you explain why I received refunds through the iTune store?
Answer that question, and I'll bump your status even higher.
I have answered the question. An individual agent has decided on their own to provide you a refund outside of the official Apple policy.
Oh, I see where you are mistaken. It was not through an Apple agent, but directly through the iTunes store. Now, unless you mean an agent who reviewed it afterward. But I didn't speak to anyone. I just logged into my iTunes account, gave the reason for the "Problem", and received a refund.
Strange, given the policy, which you have clearly enunciated.
The iTunes backend doesn't provide refunds. There are individual agents who review the problems and requests and decide what is to happen. There isn't anything automatic, there are human beings making decisions behind what occurs.
Well, then that's really confusing. Why they decide to refund sometimes and not others only adds to the problem.
Unfortunately, the developer just contacted me to say that indeed, because I bought their software through the Apple store, only Apple can issue the refund. And Apple told me to contact the developer. So I am caught in the middle with software that doesn't meet my needs and out $40.
As you say, now I know. The answer is simple: bypass Apple and go straight to the developer. If Apple isn't interested in serving their customers needs, I'm really not interested in giving them a share in the profits.
Apple told me to contact the developer.
Let's see what Apple said. Please cut & paste the text of Apple's reply.
How can I get a refund at the App Store when it isn't offered ?
