Claiming back cost of in-app purchases

[antspants]

Regiment said:

They have repeatedly. They've implemented changes to completely lock down their devices and still people don't listen and remain blissfully ignorant and keep handing these devices they have no knowledge to a small child with zero idea of money.

Apple need to make a stand and say "no more", this is nothing but ignorant parents letting their children loose. People like the op are also the same reason the ISPs were forced to lock down the internet with filters turned on by default "I refuse to understand technology so big faceless companies should be forced to protect my children". Op, use this as a life lesson that you're not ready to give devices you don't understand to small children. Sit down with your child, tell him the truth about exactly what happened, tell him about money and tell him about the bad things that he can find on such devices. Learn the devices together and stop being ignorant about technology.

Quite happy to agree with this reasoned opinion, not sure how some made the jump from iPad to matches and angle grinders, so I will ignore for the most part.

I stated in my OP that I accepted responsibility. I didn't ring Apple to ask for my money back, I rang because I thought my card had been used fraudulently for iTunes purchases and this was the instruction given by my bank. When they turned out to be valid on my iTunes account Apple offered to put the claim in for me with no guarantees of success.

I don't expect it to be successful but thought I'd post on here to see if others had heard of similar instances.

Appreciate the other sensible replies and will let you all know what happens.

For what it's worth, I don't claim to be the perfect parent others would appear to be, however I do know my son is a very well rounded, normal, sport loving, football mad kid, who also enjoys computer games. Much like every other 8 year old boy he knows. No psychopathic tendencies exhibited so far, but there's still time so I better hide that angle grinder

[antspants]

Zato said:

http://www.macworld.com/article/2140066/how-to-get...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25748292


http://www.macrumors.com/2014/03/24/itunes-refund-...

Hope these help.

Thanks they are useful.

[antspants]

Double post

[StuntmanMike]

Oakey said:

It's ironic that the guy claiming he's socially well adjusted is the one who shows contempt and zero empathy for his fellow man. Much like people with autism.

I find that a lot on here, my experience of dealing with a couple of autistic relatives leads me to believe there is a lot of it on here.

[Zato]

I purchased an ipad for my son last year. Once setup everything was open by default so maybe they have improved the initial password but not last year when I set it up. Last year I asked Microsoft to remove all credit cards on the xbox after the family account deal was removed and we went back to a single account. Everything all good as no cards to buy anything but I then purchased skydrive from microsoft on the pc using paypal. A week later my son wanted an xbox pack for a game and I said to get it ready and I will come up and enter payment details. Long story short was that my paypal details has automatically been added to the xbox after I purchased skydrive on the pc. There is no way to restrict payments on the xbox unless you have login passwords that defeats a single account. Had a heated discussion with MS and got a refund and had paypal removed but it is an example where I thought I had a risk free xbox just to get shafted.

[rsv gone!]

750turbo said:

bhstewie said:

Does every thread on this place have to turn into an "I'm right and you're wrong" lecture these days?

Certainly looks like it - Going down hill by the day due to some sensible posters moving on, and the idiots moving in

It is the way every discussion goes on here. Instead of a discussion, it becomes a competition to be right. Often, the only way to do that is to prove the other person is wrong. To that end, every discussion becomes polarised. These people can only be seen to view points as right or wrong. Black or white.

As anyone with a bit of intelligence (and a bit of knowledge of the world) knows, the world is grey.

Edited by rsv gone! on Saturday 26th July 07:49

[bitchstewie]

StuntmanMike said:

I find that a lot on here, my experience of dealing with a couple of autistic relatives leads me to believe there is a lot of it on here.

I do find myself genuinely wondering that.

Thing is it doesn't manifest itself on most other forums that I'm on where shockingly people seem to be able to just get along for the most part.

I don't really understand it tbh, I find it hard to believe that these people are like it in real life, though if they are it probably explains why they spend quite so much time craving attention from behind a keyboard as it always seems to be the people who "don't care what anyone thinks" that try the hardest to prove to everyone that they are right.

[strudel]

Part of the problem is Apple assumes everyone has their own device. Take an iDevice setup for an adult who understands the risks and so never bother changes the default settings; their device and quite happy. They hand it to a child, purchase a 50p app to keep them quiet whilst they wait at the doctors or wherever, and unknowingly (because they might never make short term repeat purchases) the child can keep buying stuff for 15 minutes. How hard would it be to implement a question box that asks if they'd like to continue shopping after purchase - a simple answer of "done" would make the device child friendly again. If I unlock the car and get something out, I get to lock the car afterwards to secure it. I don't have to wait 15 minutes for the car to detect no doors have been open and it to lock itself automatically.

Maybe parents should set up their device to reflect the fact kids could get access, but I don't think Apple provide the tools to secure the device properly. It's all very well blaming the kids, but who here has a padlock on the biscuit tin?

[antspants]

strudel said:

Part of the problem is Apple assumes everyone has their own device. Take an iDevice setup for an adult who understands the risks and so never bother changes the default settings; their device and quite happy. They hand it to a child, purchase a 50p app to keep them quiet whilst they wait at the doctors or wherever, and unknowingly (because they might never make short term repeat purchases) the child can keep buying stuff for 15 minutes. How hard would it be to implement a question box that asks if they'd like to continue shopping after purchase - a simple answer of "done" would make the device child friendly again. If I unlock the car and get something out, I get to lock the car afterwards to secure it. I don't have to wait 15 minutes for the car to detect no doors have been open and it to lock itself automatically.

Maybe parents should set up their device to reflect the fact kids could get access, but I don't think Apple provide the tools to secure the device properly. It's all very well blaming the kids, but who here has a padlock on the biscuit tin?

I now know that you can change the default 15 minutes setting to immediately ie. every purchase has to be authorised. In my case this amounts to locking the stable door after the horse has bolted.

Having discussed this with a few of my colleagues, once the sympathetic bunch had all stopped laughing, not one was aware that after you've authorised a purchase your child can continue happily buying with no password prompts for the next 15 mins.

The most amusing part of the story, is the next morning after explaining to my son what had occurred and explaining how I've locked the ipad down, he was playing Clash of Clans again. In a slightly sarcastic voice I asked him how he was getting on, the answer..."Brilliant, I've got loads of coins!" "I KNOW!!!!"

Edited by antspants on Saturday 26th July 11:46

[Guerrero]

And of course it would help if Apple told developers who design children's games with £60 in app purchase options, to fk off. But then that would impact Apple's profits.

[Funk]

Once again, Android leads the way with multi-user logins (Admin/User with appropriate controls) and a new 'Kid Mode' on the HTC One M8 http://blog.htc.com/2013/08/using-kid-mode-on-your...

[sgrimshaw]

I'd have thought continuing to play the game and using the coins would seriously impact any chance of a refund.

[Otispunkmeyer]

Butter Face said:

mp3manager said:

Fotic said:

Fitz666 said:

Total parenting fail = classic.....

It's not a parenting fail at all, that's a wretched thing to say. OP's been naive/ bit silly but it doesn't reflect on his parenting.

Replace 'ipad' with a 'box of matches'. OP is lucky it's just a bill from Apple and not facing a burnt-out house. Or worse.

Edited by mp3manager on Friday 25th July 16:16

Really?

That's the jump? iPad to matches, pressed buttons to a burnt down house?

Don't laugh. In an effort to quench his thirst for chemistry my uncle burned down my grandparents house that they'd literally just moved in to. He's in his 50s now like, and they never found out!! He'd have probably still done it had he had an ipad...watching periodic videos channel just makes you want to play chemist!!!

[Dave211]

To OP had similar situation a few years back on daughters ipad, although only tens of pounds. I wasn't aware the ipad had a default to let her buy purchases within apps.

I phoned apple and at first they refused refund. I then stated I was willing to take them to court for allowing a 8 year old to purchase items on my credit card, with no check from Apple. They quickly backed down and told me how to lock down the options.

We all know Apple should have "in app purchases" default to no or require password etc, but how do a apple make the majority of their money ? Hmmmmmmm

Good luck.

[Some Gump]

Randomthoughts said:

You can't say things like that, of course it's Apple's fault, otherwise you must be some kind of stereotypical pasty kid sat behind his computer.

Or just an ahole?

[Randomthoughts]

Dave211 said:

We all know Apple should have "in app purchases" default to no or require password etc, but how do a apple make the majority of their money ? Hmmmmmmm

Devices. iPhones, specifically, followed by iPads. The App Store accounts for around 5% of it's revenue. Apple use iTunes and the App Store to maintain your membership of their closed ecosystem, not to make billions directly.

Next up to spout ill informed ste?

[antspants]

Just had a call from Apple to confirm we will be refunded the entire amount - £3,253!

Obviously I'm very pleased, and I have a mightily relieved little boy

I cannot praise Apple highly enough for their support and speed of response, and am frankly amazed that they've agreed to do this.

Whatever anybody's opinions are as to the way that in-app purchase are made available, and the default settings of their devices, it's my responsibility to ensure the device (and my bank account) are used correctly. They didn't have to offer to put the claim in let alone refund any of it, so I'm very impressed to say the least.

[Butter Face]

Wow, that's a result.

Glad they helped you out, wonder how many gems I can get away with on COC

[bitchstewie]

antspants said:

Just had a call from Apple to confirm we will be refunded the entire amount - £3,253!

Obviously I'm very pleased, and I have a mightily relieved little boy

I cannot praise Apple highly enough for their support and speed of response, and am frankly amazed that they've agreed to do this.

Whatever anybody's opinions are as to the way that in-app purchase are made available, and the default settings of their devices, it's my responsibility to ensure the device (and my bank account) are used correctly. They didn't have to offer to put the claim in let alone refund any of it, so I'm very impressed to say the least.

Result

[Shaw Tarse]