Son using debit card

ineed

Hi, wondered if this would help you http://support.xbox.com/en-US/billing-and-subscriptions/manage-payment-options/add-edit-xbox-live-payment-option so you can always check on the Xbox account.

I've had problems with Xbox in the past, they can be sneaky with charges and kids can get caught out. Bit like apps on the iPad/phone/pod. :mad:

Also you can put parental locks on Xbox, although you son might not tank you for it.

RobertoMoir

ineed wrote: »

Hi, wondered if this would help you http://support.xbox.com/en-US/billing-and-subscriptions/manage-payment-options/add-edit-xbox-live-payment-option so you can always check on the Xbox account.

I've had problems with Xbox in the past, they can be sneaky with charges and kids can get caught out. Bit like apps on the iPad/phone/pod. :mad:

Also you can put parental locks on Xbox, although you son might not tank you for it.

I'm honestly curious as to what you mean by "sneaky", when talking about the current purchase systems for both. There was a problem with the Apple system that I can remember, but that was changed.

I've got both an xbox and an iphone and they've both always made it quite clear that you're about to spend money before you do so. If someone who is able to understand that goes ahead and still makes the purchase then that's not being "sneaky" and kids being "caught out", that's someone making a decision to purchase something.

If the kid isn't old enough to understand what's being said, or able to appreciate the consequences of their actions, then fair enough, there's a problem there... but I would suggest that's down to the parent who chose to tie their credit card to the kid's account. I'm not sure what's "sneaky" here - are they supposed to make someone take an exam on literacy and economics each time they make a purchase?

Miss_Spendalot_2

Usually with xbox and Itunes etc when something is purchased from their site an email is sent as confirmation of the purchase.. Is the XBox account etc in your name with your EMail address ?

SuperHan

RobertoMoir wrote: »

I've got both an xbox and an iphone and they've both always made it quite clear that you're about to spend money before you do so. If someone who is able to understand that goes ahead and still makes the purchase then that's not being "sneaky" and kids being "caught out", that's someone making a decision to purchase something.

The problem with Xbox is when you buy 1 month gold subscription. It gives the price as £6.99 (or whatever the going rate), but it is only in small print that it says this is an ongoing payment. It's on the same page as One Off 3 month/12 month subscriptions, so it's a fair assumption that the 1 month is also a one off payment. Don't get me wrong, it does say that it's ongoing, it's just really not immediately clear!

It's been a while since I last used it too, so this could have since been improved.

ineed

SuperHan wrote: »

The problem with Xbox is when you buy 1 month gold subscription. It gives the price as £6.99 (or whatever the going rate), but it is only in small print that it says this is an ongoing payment. It's on the same page as One Off 3 month/12 month subscriptions, so it's a fair assumption that the 1 month is also a one off payment. Don't get me wrong, it does say that it's ongoing, it's just really not immediately clear!

It's been a while since I last used it too, so this could have since been improved.

This is kind of what I ment. Xbox doesn't make things that obvious and children often don't realise that they are spending real money in game, or that a one off payment isn't a one off payment. My main problem though is that you have to call up to cancel a card, although last time I cancelled my live gold account I managed to do it on the console I think, can't remember how now though.

My main problem with apple is the way it's still easy to spend real money in game, although I turn on my parental controls now (no kids of my own but niece's) but I also wish it was easier to get a refund on apps, I've brought some that didn't work or kept crashing, can't get a refund :mad: it sucks.

DCFC79

You can go into My Account at xbox.com and turn auto renewal off and remove a cards details.

magyar

RobertoMoir wrote: »

There was a problem with the Apple system that I can remember, but that was changed.

The problem used to be that once you'd put in your password for an App purchase it would have a certain amount of time (5 mins or so) during which it wouldn't ask for your password again. This included "In-App" purchases, e.g. buying golden coins and things to spend in the game.

People were putting in their passwords for their kids to buy a game, thinking they were spening 69p or even for free, then giving the iPhone/iPad to the kid to play with - who then quite happily (and innocently in many cases) went on to buy £££s worth of items.

They changed this now.

magyar

ineed wrote: »

My main problem with apple is the way it's still easy to spend real money in game, although I turn on my parental controls now (no kids of my own but niece's) but I also wish it was easier to get a refund on apps, I've brought some that didn't work or kept crashing, can't get a refund :mad: it sucks.

Actually Apple will usually refund if you ask. Probably not on in-App purchases unless they really don't work.

But agree it's very hard and counter-intuitive.

Lifeforms

ineed wrote: »

My main problem with apple is the way it's still easy to spend real money in game, although I turn on my parental controls now (no kids of my own but niece's) but I also wish it was easier to get a refund on apps, I've brought some that didn't work or kept crashing, can't get a refund :mad: it sucks.

You can ask for a refund via report this app link (not sure specifics usually you need the email confirmation, but that takes days to come through)
My mum had a refund back for an App she mistakenly bought, but it was a genuine error, and she immediately bought the right app (difference between HD for ipad and non-HD for iphone) so that probably worked in her favour.

magyar

Lifeforms wrote: »

You can ask for a refund via report this app link (not sure specifics usually you need the email confirmation, but that takes days to come through)
My mum had a refund back for an App she mistakenly bought, but it was a genuine error, and she immediately bought the right app (difference between HD for ipad and non-HD for iphone) so that probably worked in her favour.

You don't need to wait for the email, I think if you go onto iTunes it will be under 'Account'.