412 Views 3 Replies
      Latest reply on Feb 13, 2019 9:18 AM by chuckc192000
      SwampDog Level 1 Level 1 (0 points)
      SwampDog Feb 11, 2019 6:06 PM

        Folks;

         

        I am trying to understand a few things about 'Cancellation'.

        The In-App Purchase Programming Guide has a section titled 'Cancellation'

        The 8 sentences in this section only discuss subscriptions.

         

        My concerns apply to both the App Store and the Mac App Store...

        Are the policies and receipt handling identical?

         

        What happens when a user follows the recently published guide https://www.imore.com/how-to-get-refund-itunes-app-store

        for a non subscription app?  This guide seems to indicate the refunds can be obtained for any sort of app.  Is this true?

         

        Can I examine the receipt for 'Cancellation Date' as the guide suggests for non-subscription apps?

        Is this good practice for standard receipt validation for ALL types of apps?

         

        If Apple awards a refund to the customer is my developer account dinged for that refund?

        Or since Apple decided the matter, entirely on their own, do they bear the financial cost?

         

        How do I test for Cancelled apps in the sandbox?  Is there a best practice for how to do this?

         

        Thanks for any insights!

        SwampDog

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        • Re: App Store(s) & Cancellation
          PBK Level 7 Level 7 (3,195 points)
          PBK Feb 12, 2019 12:14 PM (in response to SwampDog)

          If you are referring to a paid app for which the user got a refund, I don't think there is anything the app developer can do.  I assume that such an app will no longer be available to the user on their device but I'm not certain.  I'm pretty sure the app will not longer be available on other devices owned by that user.

           

          If you are referring to an IAP (non-consumable or non-renewing subscription) then the app can ask for a refreshed receipt and check it for a cancellation_field.  But this requires that the user log-in to their App Store account and is quite awkward.  What will you do - require every user to referesh their receipt each time they open the app? 

           

          And yes - the money will be deducted from your account.

           

          The good news is that 'cancellations' are very rare.  And even rarer is the user who cancels and then continues to use the IAP.  So my advice is to ignore this concern, however legitimate it may be.

          • Re: App Store(s) & Cancellation
            KMT Level 9 Level 9 (14,505 points)
            KMT Feb 12, 2019 12:39 PM (in response to SwampDog)

            Apple doesn't decide on their own...the process starts with a user flagging a purchase/requesting a refund, or in the case of upgrading a subscription:

             

            "Upgrade. A user purchases a subscription that offers a higher level of service than their current subscription. They are immediately upgraded and receive a refund of the prorated amount of their original subscription."

             

            If, however, you mean that the process doesn't include your vote, keep in mind that Apple runs the show and users come before devs, and yes, when refunds are given, your revenue is affected, not just Apple's.