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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

... to expect Apple to refund money spent by a child on in-app purchases?

95 replies

Pleb1969 · 26/02/2013 20:13

OK, not me, but a neighbour and close friend of mine had this happen to her. She let her 9 year old DD play on the Ipad on some app called Tiny Zoo or something. DD knew daddy's password and managed to empty his bank acount of £600 in 5 minutes by purchasing fairies and unicorns for this virtual zoo. Dont think she realised she was blowing actual money - the holiday money they had been saving up... Apple/Itunes will not refund it, saying they received goods and didnt breach their T&C's. Friend posts on that finance blokes (Martin Lewis) twitter account and gets blasted for being a bad parent!! Bit harsh dont you think?

OP posts:
KenAdams · 26/02/2013 21:15

Settings, General, Restrictions, Enable, Turn off in app purchases.

It takes seconds to set up. You can also change the 15 minute password thing in the Restrictions section.

This is totally the parents fault. You should disable in app purchases before allowing your child to use the ipad. Don't blame somebody else.

TheSitChewAceChien · 26/02/2013 21:16

Ooh sorry just saw link up there! Blush
Thanks cinders!

SomethingOnce · 26/02/2013 21:16

How much for a premium bucket of pretend coins?! Shock

Way to mug yourself.

TheSitChewAceChien · 26/02/2013 21:17

and Xposted! Thanks freddie and Ken!

McNewPants2013 · 26/02/2013 21:19

SETTINGS --> General > restrictions --> enable restriction ( enter 4 digit passcode twice) -> slide In-app Purchase off

TheSitChewAceChien · 26/02/2013 21:23

All done!
Thanks for helping a technology plonker out Grin

GregBishopsBottomBitch · 26/02/2013 21:23

A friends 8 yr old also did something like that, she spend £75 on FB credits for farmville, she was on her stepdads account.

INeverSaidThat · 26/02/2013 21:30

I also don't understand why people would link a credit card to their ITunes account and I really, really can't understand why people would let little kids have their passwords.

It is very silly of them Confused

McNewPants2013 · 26/02/2013 21:32

you can't set up a itunes account without a bank/credit card.

INeverSaidThat · 26/02/2013 21:32

....... and while you are all at it make sure you change you apple ID password regularly.

Better safe than sorry Grin

INeverSaidThat · 26/02/2013 21:34

You can set up an ITunes account without a credit card

Details Here

McNewPants2013 · 26/02/2013 21:38

I'm such a newbie with this Iphone lol.

whats4teamum · 26/02/2013 21:46

link to a national newspaper that is not the daily mail

Looks like they may get their money back.

WeAllHaveWings · 26/02/2013 21:54

My iTunes is setup without a credit/bank card so it can be done. We only use iTunes gift cards.

Southeastdweller · 26/02/2013 21:57

I don't understand why Apple aren't refunding her when they're happy to do so for others in similar circumstances Confused

maddening · 26/02/2013 22:04

I think your neighbour would be liable. If she gave password to her child.

LAlady · 26/02/2013 22:09

My friend's son did this to the tune of £1200. Apple refunded it all & gave info on protecting their account so it doesn't happen again.

chris481 · 26/02/2013 22:10

I disagree with almost everyone here. Anyone who spends hundreds of pounds on in-app purchases for a game is obviously not mentally competent to enter into the transaction, therefore the transaction should always be annulled.

CardinalRichelieu · 26/02/2013 22:14

I sort of see your point Chris. Although could argue that if someone has a bank account and can enter a password when required then they are mentally competent enough to enter into a contract for sale. But Apple clearly don't want an argument about it, hence their agreement to refund in all the cases mentioned.

I do think it's a bit crazy to charge someone so much money for what is essentially nothing. I can't see how anyone would think it worth 70 quid to get some coins in a virtual game or whatever it is. It almost seems to be set up to entrap children or people who are easily led.

Kiriwawa · 26/02/2013 22:27

Well exactly Chris. And Apple a) don't ship any of their products with instruction booklets so you have to actively seek out the restrictions b) make it quite difficult to set up an itunes account without a card (I consider myself fairly savvy and have had an ipod touch for 5 years or so and still didn't know that you didn't need a credit card associated with your account).

My dad is 80 and has an ipad. It never occurred to him that his grandkids might try and buy stuff on it. The car analogy is a bit ridiculous - it's like arguing you need to know how to change a sparkplug to drive

WMittens · 26/02/2013 22:31

Parents' fault, no question. It's actually raised my opinion of Apple that they provide a refund in any situation like that.

Earlybird · 26/02/2013 22:38

I'm curious - when this happens and Apple refunds the money spent, what happens to the games/apps/buckets of coins/songs/whatever that the child has purchased? Are these items somehow voided?

dimdommilpot · 26/02/2013 22:46

My cousins 9yr old son did this and apple refunded.

BenjaminButton172 · 26/02/2013 22:52

The only password my 8 yr old knows is the one to unlock my phone. She doesnt know my app store/itunes password and i have some games/apps password protected and she doesnt know that password either. I also have in app purchases turned off. Its pretty simple and she was an irresponsible parent.

IMO its your own fault if your child wastes your money on these games. I have no sympathy.

IneedAsockamnesty · 26/02/2013 22:56

Good example of why I never attach cards to online accounts