Earlier quoted context omitted.
Because Apple forbids an app to be disabled or not function, if the customer chooses no, what happens? It’s disabled.
Okay, then what happens to the app when your subscription renewal fails when your CC expires?
Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial
81–90 of 228 posts
Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial
#82The comments here read like people with Stockholm syndrome.
Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial
#83Apple's approach isn't as bad as this title makes it sound. Mostly because they're aggressive communicators about subscription billing -- they send emails well in advance of any subscription renewal, telling you when you'll be billed, how much for, and giving you a link to cancel the subscription. Makes me feel this isn't them hoping you'll just forget and be billed. In fact, I'd suspect this is intended as a user-fr…
Also, in terms of consent and automated systems generally, explicit opt in is really the only way to go. Humans just can’t deal with the mental overhead of the hundreds of “contracts” their “services” require now
Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial
#84Apple's approach isn't as bad as this title makes it sound. Mostly because they're aggressive communicators about subscription billing -- they send emails well in advance of any subscription renewal, telling you when you'll be billed, how much for, and giving you a link to cancel the subscription. Makes me feel this isn't them hoping you'll just forget and be billed. In fact, I'd suspect this is intended as a user-fr…
Hold up, the point of the trial is so people can try the app for free. Then, after having tried the app, users can choose to pay. Or not. There is no issue about misleading customers here, because many apps promise features that don't work well or have other problems and the only ways for the user to figure out if an app is worth it is by (a) reading reviews and (b) trying it, and that will result in an informed deci…
No, what they're doing is they turn:
"I tried this app and I want to keep it, so I click before/after trial ends to be charged with the subscription"
into:
"I tried this app and I don't want it, so I click to cancel the trial anytime before it ends, not to be charged for a subscription".
In other words, they don't forbid trials.
Actually this whole thing is not even about auto-renewal or not, it's about apps using their subscription methods/apis. Tomorrow they might chose to forbid auto-renewal across the board just as well, but they will still insist apps use their subscription method.
Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial
#85Earlier quoted context omitted.
And what happens if you drop your phone, and it's being repaired so you haven't used the app for the full trial? And what if say, a Sasquatch, steals your phone, and your wallet, and he's using the app and delighted by it, by you've never used that app but you're still going to be charged? What happens if the universe ends? Apple must account for this scenarios!
The things you're describing are rare. A credit card expiring is not rare at all. What were you hoping to prove here?
Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial
#86Earlier quoted context omitted.
Okay, then what happens to the app when your subscription renewal fails when your CC expires?
And what happens if you drop your phone, and it's being repaired so you haven't used the app for the full trial? And what if say, a Sasquatch, steals your phone, and your wallet, and he's using the app and delighted by it, by you've never used that app but you're still going to be charged? What happens if the universe ends? Apple must account for this scenarios!
Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial
#87Earlier quoted context omitted.
Okay, then what happens to the app when your subscription renewal fails when your CC expires?
I believe that there is a grace period for billing: https://www.macrumors.com/2019/09/12/apple-app-store-subscri...
Since you can't be guaranteed to be able to bill someone forever, an expired CC being an obvious example, how does an app not break the rule of "Because Apple forbids an app to be disabled or not function".
I mean, the app surely doesn't uninstall itself or give you free access forever.
Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial
#88Apple's approach isn't as bad as this title makes it sound. Mostly because they're aggressive communicators about subscription billing -- they send emails well in advance of any subscription renewal, telling you when you'll be billed, how much for, and giving you a link to cancel the subscription. Makes me feel this isn't them hoping you'll just forget and be billed. In fact, I'd suspect this is intended as a user-fr…
With saas offerings, I won’t even sign up for a trial if it requires billing information from me.
Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial
#89Quebec's Consumer Protection Act makes it outright illegal to auto-bill after free trials for non-business individual customers based here, regardless of what legalese those consumers agree to. How does Apple's policy allow for that? They can't claim they can ignore Quebec law, as they have both an Apple Store and a corporate office in Montreal and already acknowledge another provision of the same Quebec law on their…
Re: Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial
#90Earlier quoted context omitted.
I have forgotten to cancel subscriptions from iTunes a few times as I tend to watch my CC statement for forgotten subscriptions, not Apple Free Trial emails. The real issue is that they make it impossible to get a refund once you as a customer have been charged even when the app developer agrees to give you one. Being forced to delegate billing to a robotic corporation that treats your customers like robots is a terr…
> they make it impossible to get a refund Is this your personal experience? I’ve previously received refunds for purchases and movie rentals. It required an email but also gave me confidence that if I ever bought an app that was junk that I’d get a refund.
I was double subscribed to a service. Same device, same account, literally within seconds of each other (double tap maybe?). I was billed twice a quarter for 2 quarters. When I raised this their response was (quoting from the email): "We've thoroughly reviewed your case with our Support Team, and I’m afraid to say that we are unable to proceed with the actions requested."
I replied, restating the problem. They did not respond. I contacted them again 2 days later. No response. Again 5 days later. No response. Again a month later - no response.
There is no way to communicate with them once they have decided they aren't going to deal with your enquiry, so I have had to swallow the loss as they are known for blocking accounts who perform CC chargebacks :/