Ipod "in app" purchases

k3lvc

playfordsimon wrote: »

(my 9 year old spent £230 in 10 minutes thinking she was spending "in game" money and not mine)

So presumably she only had to enter the iTunes password once and the rest of the costs were racked up in the following few minutes.

Presumably you've now changed the password as a starting point

playfordsimon

Oh yes, itunes password changed and settings done on all family's ipod /pads!!

visidigi

great news - above and beyond their own terms and conditions no less.

remove those bank details and use vouchers, doesn't cost you anymore and avoids any risk at all

bod1467

True. But I like the convenience of having my CC linked. (Though it's only for my one Ipod, and only I have control over it and know the account password).

Yes - I'm not the OP. Just offering an alternative opinion.

vyle

I suppose it's a bit late to point out that the first time you connect to the app store and it asks for payment details, there is a very clear option to refuse payment details, and instead input card details as and when purchases occur?

Nine_Lives

playfordsimon wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. I didn't think I had any chance of getting my money back but amazingly, Apple has (or the guy from Apple I've been emailing) has a heart.
Just now I got an email confirming that although the charges taken from my account for in app purchases are legit, as they understand the circs I explained in the email I sent to them (my 9 year old spent £230 in 10 minutes thinking she was spending "in game" money and not mine), they will refund (it'll take 3-5 days for the money to hit my account).
So, a happy ending. And a very relieved dad.

Classic case of you don't get if you don't ask.

You're very fortunate.

NeilF3485

I think Apple are starting to be a little more forgiving on cases like this.

They are getting battered by the media every time this happens, despite the fact it is not their fault, and always down to a parent either not setting a password that their child doesn't know, not turning off in app purchases, storing credit card details, or not educating their child.

Think they are being overly generous but can't see it lasting long - will only be a matter of time before word spreads and people start trying it on.

To be honest I'm a little disappointed in Apple for doing it although I congratulate the OP on their success - in my eyes if a child is not old enough/smart enough to realise what they are doing, or thinks that it is not real money, then they should not be given/using these devices in the first place.

We3kings

Really pleased you got a refund - I hope they do the same for me - these aren't small amounts of money that are spent - my son managed to spend £513.63 on Smurfberries thinking it was play money. I had seen that it was a free app and said ok - I knew nothing about in-app purchases. He is the most careful moneysaver ever - he has ever penny ever given him. I should say 'had' as he has given it all to me to cover the shortfall we are now in due to this charges. From what I have managed to glean they are completely unreasonable and target children.

I have a call from Itunes booked for tomorrow and hope they will be kind. I have seen problems like this on all sorts of forums all over the world and I think there is a class action suit in Americia over this. I know the new operating system makes it more difficult but seriously, if the game is Smurfville and they have in-app extras does £40 for some berries sound like they are aiming for people who know what they are doing?

mynameistallulah

We3kings wrote: »

if the game is Smurfville and they have in-app extras does £40 for some berries sound like they are aiming for people who know what they are doing?

No, it sounds like they are aiming it at parents who do not control what their children are playing.