Do Apple refund for non functioning Apps?

Emoyeni · 10-07-2012 10:38am #1

Is this possible for an App that crashes every time, not for an instance where I don't like the App and want to change my mind.

If yes, what is the mechanism for processing the request.

Thanks.

MiniNukinfuts · 10-07-2012 10:47am

Nope, not at all. It's not apple's fault that the app crashes, it's the app developer, or it could be that your device is not compatible with the app. Have you tried hard resetting your device? Hold lock button + home button for 10 seconds.

Emoyeni · 10-07-2012 11:01am

Thanks. Thought as much.
Should be compatible with iPad2. Had tried all options that I know of wrt resets etc.

In my naivety I imagined Apple might take some ownership for hosting inoperative apps.

jack presley · 10-07-2012 11:03am

I got a refund fom them once for an app that didn't work. Although it was a developer issue, as I bought it from the app store it was their problem to solve. I presume they went and got the money back off the developer afterwards

jimogr · 10-07-2012 11:05am

Your contract is with apple not the developer. They should refund you.

MiniNukinfuts · 10-07-2012 11:06am

I stand corrected http://gizmodo.com/5886683/how-to-get-a-refund-from-the-app-store

I'd never have thought apple would give refunds

jayteecork · 10-07-2012 11:06am

Surely that violates some sort of sale of goods act?

If the product(app) you bought is broken then surely you should be entitled to a refund/credit?

Emoyeni · 10-07-2012 11:12am

Thanks guys.

I'll process this tonight and see how I get on. I'll update either way.

Thanks again.

Sad Professor · 10-07-2012 11:34am

They do occasionally give refunds, though reluctantly. If the app doesn't function at all then Apple should have spotted this when they approved it. If they are going to take responsibility for what apps are available, then they have to take responsibility when they don't work as well. But if the reason the app doesn't work properly is because of a bad update or something that's really the developer's problem and you should try contacting them first.

There was a problem last week with apps instantly crashing upon launch due to a DRM problem on Apple's side. It should be fixed now though.

What's the app?

Kenno90 · 10-07-2012 11:44am

They really need to implement a system , similar to Android, you can refund an app no questions asked if its within 15 mins of installing it.

It was 24 hours but people took advantage of that by completing games in a day and then refunding the money, but the 15 mins refund works well, it gives you enough time to test the app , making sure it works on your phone

MiniNukinfuts · 10-07-2012 11:47am

15 minutes is just enough time to buy the app, then crack it for unlimited use and get the refund.

Kenno90 · 10-07-2012 1:12pm

MiniNukinfuts wrote: »

15 minutes is just enough time to buy the app, then crack it for unlimited use and get the refund.

Ye but who is going to do that, you can as easily say, jail break the iphone and download "free" apps on to it

MiniNukinfuts · 10-07-2012 2:42pm

Kenno90 wrote: »

Ye but who is going to do that, you can as easily say, jail break the iphone and download "free" apps on to it

Well, the apps have to be cracked first, someone would do this.

Savman · 10-07-2012 2:48pm

Never had a problem being refunded before tbh.

Kenno90 · 10-07-2012 2:57pm

MiniNukinfuts wrote: »

Well, the apps have to be cracked first, someone would do this.

Someone can just as easily buy the app, crack it and send the "free version" around

MiniNukinfuts · 10-07-2012 3:08pm

Kenno90 wrote: »

Someone can just as easily buy the app, crack it and send the "free version" around

Ya, they buy the app, crack it, get a refund, then they can send around the "free version". That way they'll also get the app for free.

Sad Professor · 10-07-2012 3:10pm

What's to stop someone from continuing to use an app after receiving a refund? Can Apple remotely disable/delete it?

who_me · 10-07-2012 3:15pm

Sad Professor wrote: »

What's to stop someone from continuing to use an app after receiving a refund? Can Apple remotely disable/delete it?

They certainly can 'kill' apps (in extreme circumstances), but I don't know if this is possible on a per-user basis. I'd imagine you probably could continue using it, but perhaps for that reason, they might get suspicious if someone is requesting a lot of refunds!

Emoyeni · 10-07-2012 3:42pm

What's to stop someone from continuing to use an app after receiving a refund? Can Apple remotely disable/delete it?

Having an inoperative app would solve that issue!

Sad Professor · 10-07-2012 3:46pm

I meant the question more in relation to the 15 minute refund idea. Seems like it could be very easily abused.

forestfruits · 10-07-2012 3:49pm

i was refunded no problems - just needed a copy of the receipt of purchase.

Duggys Housemate · 10-07-2012 3:53pm

As a dev I've seen some refunds, the cost is to the dev not Apple as the 30% is not refunded. You can see why they don't really care.

EDIT: If that's confusing, i mean the cost to the dev of the refund is the 100% of the app cost, not the 70% - at least thats what I saw. Its been a while

Emoyeni · 10-07-2012 3:53pm

For those who have stated that they have received refunds, what was the issue with the app in question, e.g did you have to demonstrate that it was inoperative.

Did you also have to provide any evidence of trying to resolve directly with the developer first?

Thanks.

Duggys Housemate · 10-07-2012 3:56pm

Emoyeni wrote: »

For those who have stated that they have received refunds, what was the issue with the app in question, e.g did you have to demonstrate that it was inoperative.

Did you also have to provide any evidence of trying to resolve directly with the developer first?

Thanks.

There is no contact with the developer. The link on page 1 explains it all.

Sad Professor · 10-07-2012 4:14pm

Duggys Housemate wrote: »

As a dev I've seen some refunds, the cost is to the dev not Apple as the 30% is not refunded. You can see why they don't really care.

EDIT: If that's confusing, i mean the cost to the dev of the refund is the 100% of the app cost, not the 70% - at least thats what I saw. Its been a while

This is still the case. I guess it's an incentive to developers to make apps that work properly. Apple by hosting and delivering the app have delivered on their part. It's not like Apple give out refunds easily anyway. They have made reporting problems with apps extremely difficult. You used to be able to do it via the App Store but they removed it.

Duggys Housemate · 10-07-2012 4:16pm

Sad Professor wrote: »

This is still the case. I guess it's an incentive to developers to make apps that work properly. Apple by hosting and delivering the app have delivered on their part. It's not like Apple give out refunds easily anyway. They have made reporting problems with apps extremely difficult. You used to be able to do it via the App Store but they removed it.

its fair enough because the hosting and credit card costs are sunk.

Emoyeni · 11-07-2012 8:02am

The link is page 1 is good for general information but does not help. When you select the "Report a problem" link and the subsequent App and "Doesn't function as expected" that's the end of the line. Message appears something along the lines of "Need to contact developer, we can't resolve this type of issue".

I contacted them through the contact us help mail address buried about 5 levels into itunes and received a reply last night stating the cost of the App would be refunded to the card used in the transaction. The only detail I gave them was the name of the App and that it crashes exactly 15 seconds after opening.

They may have taken into account that there are 3 iPhones and 2 iPads on my account and I purchase a lot (to me) apps.

Anyways - in summary they do appear to refund for inoperative Apps which answers my original question

bertie4evr · 11-07-2012 1:00pm

Sad Professor wrote: »

What's to stop someone from continuing to use an app after receiving a refund? Can Apple remotely disable/delete it?

Nothing. My brother bought Garageband on my iPad a few weeks ago when I wasn't looking. I chanced my arm and asked for a refund and got it. The app still works fine, although I imagine it can't be updated.

MiniNukinfuts · 11-07-2012 1:05pm

Sad Professor wrote: »

What's to stop someone from continuing to use an app after receiving a refund? Can Apple remotely disable/delete it?

I'm guessing it's the same a jailbroken free app, if you ever try to update it from the app store you'll get a warning saying: "this discounted price is only available to customers who own a previous version of this item. To purchase this item at full price, click OK"

So the app will be there always until you delete it

Do Apple refund for non functioning Apps?

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