Bottom line: my sister bought NBA Jam using my account instead of her own, so I requested a refund because it didn't appeal to me. After obtaining the refund I realise the game is actually pretty good and I wouldn't mind keeping it (should've done that before asking for the refund, obviously)... do I have to buy it again? I'm not sure if they remove your rights to the download or just throw a bit of money at you and let you keep the game.
Happened to me. Refunded a game, but still got the update notifications and was able to download. After seeing this, I checked and I was even able to re-download it. But I heard from people who had to re-buy. P.S.: Do you and your sis are living in the same house? How about the AppStore's Homesharing Option then? And how the heck did she get your password?
Go to the iTunes page for that app and try to write a review for it. Either red text will appear saying "You must own this app to write a review" or it'll let you write the review (in which case you still own that app and could download it again for free)
I know of some annoying people that use the excuse of buggy to refund the app, and still download every single update after that and STILL complain in ungracious tones to the developers about how the game still sucks after the update, too difficult, blah. So yes, I believe you get to keep the app.
I've never been able to figure out Homesharing, looked it up a few times... but she makes more money than me anyway, she can buy her own crap She had my password because I signed into my account on her iTunes to make a purchase then forgot to sign out. Stupid mistake but you're not as vigilant when you're sitting in your own house.
I've always found this to be legal "piracy". iTunes is really apt to do refunds if requested professionally and respectfully. They once refunded me over $260 of content when I was only requesting the $40 of which I re purchased through iTunes app. (apps you don't have to repurchase but iTunes content you do if you don't transfer your purchases). Does the developer lose funds on refunded apps? If not then I guess it isn't really piracy but in fact you can still use a refunded app just the same as if you paid for it.
I agree with what you're saying, assuming you can still use the app and people then start abusing the system. Not for cases such as mine though, it was an honest mistake.
Developers get 70% of the profits from each sale, and refund 100% of it. So if you bought something for a dollar, they'd get like 70 cents, and Apple would get the rest. But refunding that app makes the developer pay the whole dollar back to you. At least that's what I recall from 2 years ago. Could be different now.
If that is indeed the case...using a refunded app would be even worse than just downloading a ripped copy. They both hurt the dev. At least there not forking the cash back over with a pirated copy because someone has to buy it before they crack it correct? IDK Who among you have used a returned app knowing you got your credit back on it thinking it was somehow justifiably legal? Apple should fix that.
Well, me now. I found out I like NBA Jam and was prepared to purchase it again so I could play it. If Apple won't accept my money there's not much I can do.
Once the download is on your computer or phone its not like Apple has any right to go into your computer or phone and take it away, its already a stored file unless you delete it. I'm not sure if you can repurchase the refunded app again for free though, I think you can for a few days for some reason and then the charge prompt will start coming up if you wait beyond a certain time frame. Yes, there is potential room for abuse on refunds in the app store, but there is always a live person who looks into it, records when and looks at how often you do it, and decides if they feel your reason is legit enough. They will always tell you the refund is a one shot ever deal but people who buy apps every day are more likely to make purchasing mistakes and request more occasional refunds. They understand that and usually grant them, after all Apple cares about keeping their customers and aren't gonna risk pissing them off and losing them because of a stupid download. Its not even a physical item, and not worth them making a big argument over.
