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15 min refund is a joke

I agree that 15 minutes is a joke. Supposedly people were abusing the 24 hour period. IMO different apps of different classes should possibly have different times. A simple clock widget (for example) takes far less time to "test" than does a game or, in your case, a theme.
 
I would rather they extend it to 1 hour than go back to the 24 hour period. 15 mins is enough to check some thing but not everything. To the OP, now that you have it purchased when you upgrade your phone or change your rom you can try it again and won't have to pay for it.
 
Just remember that any return grace period in software retail is the exception, rather than the norm.

I'd be OK with an hour, I'd also be OK with none. 24 hours was a bit long though.
 
alostpacket said:
Just remember that any return grace period in software retail is the exception, rather than the norm.

I'd be OK with an hour, I'd also be OK with none. 24 hours was a bit long though.
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True, apple has no refund policy nor does amazon. The problem with any refund policy is someone can download the app, back it up, refund, and reinstall the backup. Even with the 15 min policy most apps can have this done to them unless the dev puts in a market check to confirm the app is listed as purchased. Until Google does something to prevent this it will be hard to draw some developers to Android and away from google.
 
Yeahha said:
True, apple has no refund policy nor does amazon. The problem with any refund policy is someone can download the app, back it up, refund, and reinstall the backup. Even with the 15 min policy most apps can have this done to them unless the dev puts in a market check to confirm the app is listed as purchased. Until Google does something to prevent this it will be hard to draw some developers to Android and away from google.
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That's interesting. You know I hadn't really thought about that when wondering why my cancellation rates were higher with my paid app rather than the donate one. (some of that is of course normal, donations are rarely cancelled and I see 5-8% cancells from the pay app).

I hate to do it, but I think I'm going to have to implement some sort of very light (policy wise) DRM using Google's LVL DRM. I've been trying to hold back, but the number of pirated copies is getting out of hand.
 
alostpacket said:
That's interesting. You know I hadn't really thought about that when wondering why my cancellation rates were higher with my paid app rather than the donate one. (some of that is of course normal, donations are rarely cancelled and I see 5-8% cancells from the pay app).

I hate to do it, but I think I'm going to have to implement some sort of very light (policy wise) DRM using Google's LVL DRM. I've been trying to hold back, but the number of pirated copies is getting out of hand.
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I suggest adding DRM to all paid apps, I think it may require additional permissions...full internet access I think...but it prevents people from pirating your app some what. There are people out there who will crack the app and post it on warez sites but the DRM will prevent some piracy as some people would not use a warez site but would be willing to backup and refund also some carriers block sideloading.
 
I think the return time should be extended to 12 hours myself. The new 15 minute time isn't long enough, and 24 hours is probably excessive, but I think somewhere around 8-12 hours are needed to see if the app is a big battery drain or if it causes stability issues. You won't be able to see either of those things in 15 minutes.
 
Yeahha said:
I suggest adding DRM to all paid apps, I think it may require additional permissions...full internet access I think...but it prevents people from pirating your app some what. There are people out there who will crack the app and post it on warez sites but the DRM will prevent some piracy as some people would not use a warez site but would be willing to backup and refund also some carriers block sideloading.
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Google's DRM (called LVL) actually only requires that you have the Google Market installed, which does the comminucation via the internet. Same is true with Amazon's DRM as far as I know. That's why an app like PowerAmp's paid license key app requires no permissions at all. The trial version communicates with the pay license key app which basically asks the market if it is licensed.

Though I have that permission anyways since my app uses WiFi as a way to transfer music.
 
lexluthor said:
The amazon app store allows you to simulate the app on your PC.

That might help some people too.
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I see that is beneficial however it doesn't allow you to find out does the app work well on your your phone, the app may look great on your pc then you buy it and it work poorly on your phone.
 
Yeahha said:
I would rather they extend it to 1 hour than go back to the 24 hour period. 15 mins is enough to check some thing but not everything. To the OP, now that you have it purchased when you upgrade your phone or change your rom you can try it again and won't have to pay for it.
Click to expand...

I think one hour is perfect and the current 15 minutes is lame, especially with apps that take longer than that to even download. If the 15 minute timer started after you launched the app for the first time, that would be a different story all together, but from the time you purchase and download it, you definately don't have enough time to do anything with it. It also depends on the app though, as lordofthereef said:

lordofthereef said:
I agree that 15 minutes is a joke. Supposedly people were abusing the 24 hour period. IMO different apps of different classes should possibly have different times. A simple clock widget (for example) takes far less time to "test" than does a game or, in your case, a theme.
Click to expand...

This is one of the suggestions I made on the Android Market support forum if you want to check it out, and maybe add to it:
New Refund Policy Suggestion - Android Market Help
 
Yeahha said:
I see that is beneficial however it doesn't allow you to find out does the app work well on your your phone, the app may look great on your pc then you buy it and it work poorly on your phone.
Click to expand...

Amazon has video reviews so hopefully more people will post them. If you bought an app and it doesn't work and you can actually show that to everyone, you WILL get noticed.
 
Yeahha said:
True, apple has no refund policy nor does amazon. The problem with any refund policy is someone can download the app, back it up, refund, and reinstall the backup. Even with the 15 min policy most apps can have this done to them unless the dev puts in a market check to confirm the app is listed as purchased. Until Google does something to prevent this it will be hard to draw some developers to Android and away from google.
Click to expand...

While Apple has no refund policy per se, it is possible to get a refun on an app by jumping through a couple of hoops. I've done it a couple of times when I had my iPod due to the programs crashing etc.
 
The new refund policy actually keeps me from buying apps. I agree that an hour would be the sweet spot for most applications.
 
I check out the free versions and buy if I like 'em.
No free version?...then it depends on the reviews and price.

But it's not the refund policy that deters me.
 
Most paid apps are between $1 and $5. If the app doesn't work I am not out much money. In my mind every app purchase is a gamble. I also try the free version first, if available. I would have no problem with DRM, developers have to eat to.

David
 
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