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Refunds when you get an app update

F

freepomme

Suspended
Original poster
Oct 30, 2015
813
608
Boston, MA
Will Apple issue refunds when you are forced to do an app update? The app then becomes something which you did not pay for. And they don't let you download the old version of the app. So...

I can't use this new app with the update they did to it. It's function has been completely changed. And now I want my account to be credited.
 
freepomme said:
Will Apple issue refunds when you are forced to do an app update? The app then becomes something which you did not pay for. And they don't let you download the old version of the app. So...

I can't use this new app with the update they did to it. It's function has been completely changed. And now I want my account to be credited.
Click to expand...

You paid for the app and used the app until the update. There is nothing to refund. contact the dev with your concerns. What app are you talking about exactly and what's wrong with it?
 
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Armen said:
You paid for the app and used the app until the update. There is nothing to refund. contact the dev with your concerns. What app are you talking about exactly and what's wrong with it?
Click to expand...

The thing about these app updates is you pay for something and then when you get an update, you're forced to keep that app. And it doesn't do what you originally paid for. It changes the functionality of the app. Updates always did this in the past but nowadays, the updates these developers are coming up with now are I'm pretty sure whatever comes out of their minds.

And I told the developers this!

I mean look at the difference. Come on man! They're calling it "Vocalive 3"

And I'm pretty sure the add-ons you paid for in the past well now they don't count!

cousintim said:
No refunds.
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So pretty much you're just getting robbed. That's why I don't really spend anything on the iTunes Store. Developers break apps on the regular.

And then you've got all these YouTube videos, video after video, and all these online articles talking about how to "Downgrade" an app.

I mean these developers are getting hand over foot on us, and we just sit there like lemmings.

Edit: I misspoke you're not forced to keep the app. You can delete it. But the question remains.
 

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Humm interesting opinion that I do agree with on a few levels. No doubt that your issue would be addressed somewhere in the App stone's T&Cs.

I'd assume that you are not actually buying the specific version of the app at that point in time, but rather a licence to use the app from that point onwards.
 
If you do an iPhone backup before you update any apps - can you not just restore your phone an hour later if you don't like the new version of the apps?

Seriously, I don't know the answer...
 
emilioestevez said:
It's annoying that ever since iOS 9 we can't make app backups to iTunes anymore.
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You can't back up your apps but you can still download them. Its a bit of a hassle at first to search and download every app but once you have them your all set. I have all my apps downloaded. You are probably already aware of this..
 
zone23 said:
You can't back up your apps but you can still download them. Its a bit of a hassle at first to search and download every app but once you have them your all set. I have all my apps downloaded. You are probably already aware of this..
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I mean that sometimes it's nice to have backups of a certain version of an app, which isn't possible anymore. Now there's no choice but to download the latest release. I still use TuneIn v.3, for example, before it became a bloated, ad-riddled mess.
 
emilioestevez said:
I mean that sometimes it's nice to have backups of a certain version of an app, which isn't possible anymore. Now there's no choice but to download the latest release. I still use TuneIn v.3, for example, before it became a bloated, ad-riddled mess.
Click to expand...

but if you had the old one downloaded in iTunes couldn't you install it?
 
freepomme said:
Will Apple issue refunds when you are forced to do an app update? The app then becomes something which you did not pay for. And they don't let you download the old version of the app. So...

I can't use this new app with the update they did to it. It's function has been completely changed. And now I want my account to be credited.
Click to expand...
Absolutely you should expect a refund from Apple. You did use the app, however if the function has completely changed, you did not get what you originally paid for. An option to revert back to the previous version should also be available. App developers shouldn't expect customers will be happy to accept apps that completely change and instead should be releasing a new app. Many times have I read complaints from customers on the App Store reviews where apps have changed significantly. Customers pay for apps with certain functionalities and should expect them to work over time. You should contact the developer to give your constructive feedback, and in the case of not getting a response back, leave a review through the App Store.
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laudern said:
Humm interesting opinion that I do agree with on a few levels. No doubt that your issue would be addressed somewhere in the App stone's T&Cs.

I'd assume that you are not actually buying the specific version of the app at that point in time, but rather a licence to use the app from that point onwards.
Click to expand...

Armen said:
You paid for the app and used the app until the update. There is nothing to refund. contact the dev with your concerns. What app are you talking about exactly and what's wrong with it?
Click to expand...
cousintim said:
No refunds.
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The user has paid for an app that has in effect been withdrawn and completely replaced. The app no longer works as it was advertised at the time of purchase. The user should expect either a full refund or be able to revert to the previous version. Under many jurisdictions around the world, the user would likely be covered by consumer laws relating to a product being fit for its purpose irrelevant of whether something is buried in Apple's App Store terms and conditions that attempts to preclude the user's basic consumer rights.
The user should seek and expect a complete refund.
 
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Turn off automatic updates since Apple doesn't let you download older versions.

Do you happen to have an older version of the app stored on your computer? You could always sync that over to your phone.
 
This is a problem, not just with iPhone/iPad Apps, it's a problem throughout the eco-system.

1) I have an OCR App for my iMac, purchased through the App Store where it cost me $55.00. Earlier this spring it failed to open - easy, I'll just download it again and replace it on my iMac - the company no longer offers the App. I contacted App support and they were of no help in fact they were downright pathetic.

2) iBooks is notorious for no longer offering books that you have previously purchased so if you have a problem with the book you're out of luck or if you purchase a new device the purchase is not available for download - and the way they are now saved on the desktop you'll never find them.
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willmtaylor said:
Ok. Thanks for sharing. Not sure how's it's related to your OP though.
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Because the post above said he could just sync through iTunes - and the OP responded in kind - I too, never sync my iPhone or iPad through iTunes.
 
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RedOrchestra said:
This is a problem, not just with iPhone/iPad Apps, it's a problem throughout the eco-system.

1) I have an OCR App for my iMac, purchased through the App Store where it cost me $55.00. Earlier this spring it failed to open - easy, I'll just download it again and replace it on my iMac - the company no longer offers the App. I contacted App support and they were of no help in fact they were downright pathetic.

2) iBooks is notorious for no longer offering books that you have previously purchased so if you have a problem with the book you're out of luck - and the way they are now saved on the desktop you'll never find them.
[doublepost=1465129799][/doublepost]


Because the post above said he could just sync through iTunes - and the OP responded in kind - I too, never sync my iPhone or iPad through iTunes.
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4 posts above refer to iTunes. For clarity, he should've used the "reply" button.

I think we can all agree though, that iTunes sucks.
 
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I'm going to continue getting my refund. They're not getting over on me. It's either going to come out of Apple's pocket or the developers.

And iTunes has no purpose.
 
freepomme said:
Will Apple issue refunds when you are forced to do an app update? The app then becomes something which you did not pay for. And they don't let you download the old version of the app. So...

I can't use this new app with the update they did to it. It's function has been completely changed. And now I want my account to be credited.
Click to expand...
The way I see it, you paid for the app.. so you got your money's worth. Failure to research the app prior to purchase is the fault of the end user. Updates are just icing on the cake and shouldn't be considered as being part of the pricing structure. Do you expect updates when you buy a toaster or microwave? No. The reason you don't expect updates with those items is that those items usually cannot be updated. I think the expectation of updates lies in the fact that software can be updated, so people expect updates. Some people view updates as an addition to the current version when they should view updates as an entirely different version. I think this would alleviate some problems.
 
ardchoille50 said:
The way I see it, you paid for the app.. so you got your money's worth.
Click to expand...

I didn't get my money's worth. I purchased an app last year and now the app is gone. I want a refund.

ardchoille50 said:
Failure to research the app prior to purchase is the fault of the end user.
Click to expand...

I read and reread this sentence and I can't figure out how this is relevant. I'm scratching my head pulling my hair out because I don't know how what you just said relates to the situation at hand
 
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Apple needs to have a revert function built into the App Store. Otherwise, I WILL request a refund. And I told them this!

Just think of how much wasted money you were shelling out to Apple. From all of these apps that you had purchased. That are now probably not even on the App Store. And you sit there and think about it and you're like, "Hmm. How many apps have I purchased? How much money can I get back?"
 
ardchoille50 said:
Some people view updates as an addition to the current version when they should view updates as an entirely different version.
Click to expand...


So, if I buy the Adobe Photoshop App and the update turns the App into an app selling lollipops I should be OK with that ... yeah, right.
 
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