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Refund Request (unwanted subscription)

Hi All,


Yesterday I downloaded from AppStore an app called Chai. I started the three days free trial and in few hours I got charged with the yearly subscription. It get totally fraudulent. Did anyone of you as a similar experience with an app or specifically with Chai?

I requested a refund to Apple, but I was sorry I couldn’t really explain what happened. I could just select an item (something like “unwanted purchase from a list). Do you know what other steps I can take if they refuse to refund?

3 replies

If they refuse you once then my understanding from what others have reported is you can make one appeal. Try to provide more evidence as to why you think you deserve a refund. If they deny you a second time then in my opinion there is no point in making additional appeals.


This is a user to user support site. The people responding on this support forum are users like you. We have no special access to Apple or your account information. All we can do is guide you to the information Apple provides to all of us. In this support article —> Request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple - Apple Support Apple usually says, “Some purchases from the App Store, iTunes Store, Apple Books, or other Apple services might be eligible for a refund.” It says “might” but that also implies some might not be eligible. Apple does not detail its criteria for refusing refunds. Refund terms vary greatly according to country so I strongly suggest that you check them for where you live by clicking on this link Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple then choose your country and language if you are not automatically taken to the correct page version. Refunds are outlined at the end of section B.


Apple's terms of purchase in some countries (e.g., USA, Canada, New Zealand) are clearly "All Transactions are final.” From user comments on this forum it appears that for routine purchases Apple may make limited refunds solely at their discretion and as an exception. Apple can simply say no without having to provide a specific reason. I understand this can be frustrating but by using the service you agree to the terms.


Apple cannot remove content from a device once downloaded and has to trust that you no longer are keeping and using a copy. In countries where it does not outright say all transactions are final, Apple’s terms likely include a way to deter people from buying a bunch of items and then insisting upon right of refusal to have them refunded. In some regions Apple used to say that refunds were only granted to remedy defective or unavailable product. From what I can tell, it was recently replaced by a phrase concerning exception to cancellation rights, e.g.: “You cannot cancel your order for the supply of Content if the delivery has started upon your request and acknowledgement that you thereby lose your right of withdrawal.” Have you already successfully downloaded the content?*


Terms for most countries include a statement:

“From time to time, Apple may suspend or cancel payment or refuse a refund request if we find evidence of fraud, abuse, or unlawful or other manipulative behavior that entitles Apple to a corresponding counterclaim." It may be that certain refund requests might be considered suspicious or excessive. According to https://reportaproblem.apple.com/static/en-us/privacy.html , Apple uses an automated system to detect fraud. Your request may not have met the automated system’s criteria for a refund. In the article Apple says, “If you disagree with your final decision, contact [email protected] “ However, according to user posts on this web site the result is confusing because you receive an automated response talking about privacy issues, not refunds.

If you want to contact Apple to dispute a refund refusal, try a telephone or chat method, click here --> Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support Select your country, then a product. If you don't see one that handles your issue then keep experimenting with selections until you reach one that gets you a chat session or a telephone call and get the representative to redirect you.


or:


"See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world." Click here --> Contact Apple Support - Apple Support


Once you have been denied twice, or it says the decision is final, then in my opinion it is probably pointless contacting Apple anymore.


*Additional information about EU right of refusal:

https://9to5mac.com/2015/01/13/apple-defends-against-eu-14-day-refund-abuse-with-app-store-alert-for-customers-with-excessive-refunds-on-file/

Section 3 of https://www.osborneclarke.com/insights/apple-introduces-14-day-refunds-what-does-that-mean-for-virtual-content-providers By double clicking to download you may be waiving your right.


Welcome and thank you for reaching out. 🤗


It seems you may need to contact Apple Support directly, but first, learn how to → cancel a subscription. ↓


Then click ▶︎ Request a Refund.


NOTE: Refunds are not guaranteed, they are the exception.


According to Apple:

If your refund is approved, the funds are applied to the same payment method that you used to buy the item.


Here's how long it takes for a refund to appear on your account or statement:


Store credit—It might take up to 48 hours to see the refund in your Apple Account balance.


Mobile phone billing—It might take up to 60 days for the statement to show the refund. Processing time might be affected by your carrier. You can contact your carrier for an update.


Credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Apple Cash, and all other payment methods—It might take up to 30 days for the statement to show the refund. If you don't see the refund after 30 days, contact your financial institution.


Note: Once a decision has been made on your refund request, you will get a follow up email from Apple.


Click ▶︎ Check Refund Status.


Good luck! 👋🏼😉

Smiliñ 😎 Brian | Community Volunteer

Thanks for your replies.

I cancelled the subscription and I requested the refund (unfortunately, the form does not allow you to detail your reasons for requesting a refund.) The dynamic of it felt really shady and it is the first time that this happens to me: to be charged for subscription when I just signed in for the trial period.

thanks again. I hope this get solved