Every Shop My wife went to said you can't buy apps with itunes card-is this correct?

[liptonlover]

That's the only way I've been buying apps, by buying gift cards and using the credit. So, yes. They can be used for apps.

Another thing stores don't seem to be clear on is, can an itunes card hold a different amount than what it says if you ask? One store says one thing, another says another. I haven't bothered trying because I don't really care that much, but I'm slightly interested.

 

[njchris]

But again, as I've stated just above your post, you cannot use a gift card directly from the iPhone for apps (music only) which is why the stores are playing it safe and saying that the card does not work for apps.

That's silly, IMHO - and a bad business practice. All they have to do is say, is the card must be activated and added through Itunes first if they want to use it for apps.

Not that hard. Instead of a flat out "no, it won't work".

It's a weak argument to say they are saying no, in order to not confuse your average idiot.

 

[Rojo]

Geez, I don't know how many more times I have to explain it to get it into your thick skulls!

But I do apologize if I was being harsh, as I said, I was having a bad morning...

Obviously, it's still bad...

And while it seems some people are getting very sensitive over other people implying "fault" -- let's just throw ALL of that out the window now, shall we? As I said before...who really cares? Let's stop with both the blame AND defense, and get down to what Apple could still do to help the situation. (YES -- I know some people will say the current setup is fine, but it can always be better):

• Apple could make it so cards can be redeemed in the phone's App Store too -- not just the Wi-Fi music store.
• Apple could make their cards (from this point forward) not seem so music-centric with their graphics, and could also say somewhere that it applies to ALL things sold on iTunes.

There. That didn't hurt anyone, did it? Now lets send feedback to Apple and see if they can make these changes.

Basically, people using common sense or not is not the point -- companies should be as clear as possible when they market their products and services, and not leave anything for possible confusion, which this clearly is.

 

[Niiro13]

IIRC, isn't the United States the only place where you can use iTunes cards to purchase applications?

 

[ccfoodog]

You *can* redeem a gift card directly from your iPod Touch or iPhone as of software 2.2, although slightly non-intuitive.

You have to start the iTunes application, then select "downloads", then there will be a "redeem" button on the top left.

Once you have redeemed your gift card, you should be able to purchase applications or music directly on your iPod Touch or iPhone.

You can purchase TV shows, videos and movies, but only from your computer, not from the iPod.

-john

 

[SlapMonkey]

You *can* redeem a gift card directly from your iPod Touch or iPhone as of software 2.2, although slightly non-intuitive.

You have to start the iTunes application, then select "downloads", then there will be a "redeem" button on the top left.

Once you have redeemed your gift card, you should be able to purchase applications or music directly on your iPod Touch or iPhone.

You can purchase TV shows, videos and movies, but only from your computer, not from the iPod.

-john

Ok, this is what gets me... someone already suggested that as an option and I've already agreed and addressed that. We know that already and that wasn't the point. I was only saying that there are many people (that I have actually witnessed even at the Apple stores) that would instead try to open up the App store application to enter the code, which won't allow them to do this and because they don't bother to use critical thinking skills and search for another way to put the code in (like you suggestion and like someone else already suggested and I addressed) they will go back to the store and complain. I know this because I've seen this, and if you think people are not that dumb, just look at how many times I've explained the same thing over and over and people STILL don't read or comprehend and wind up suggesting the exact same thing that someone else has already suggested! Everyone. missing. the point. I give up.

Enter iTunes Wifi Store. Redeem the code. Exit. Open App Store. Purchase Fart apps with the money you just redeemed to your account.

Sorry but there is no way a store like Kmart is going to train some 16 year old part time employee to explain those steps (which are easy enough for use to read here) to the average person knowing that somewhere along the line they will get it wrong, so it's just easier for them to say "no, only works for Music."

Some of you just aren't using your Critical Thinking skills today are you...

So to the OP, yes, there are various ways you can use the iTunes Music Gift card to download apps, yes, the stores told you no for a reason (not because they were being dumb, but to prevent the dumb people that will come back and complain.)

 

[Rojo]

Everyone. missing. the point. I give up.

Waitaminute...there was a point to all this??

 

[dccorona]

Well apple is clearly at fault for not communicating that apps can be purchased with an itunes card.

After all the cards show the silhouette figure wearing an ipod and only mention music, not apps.

It's not really the retailers fault as they are acting in good faith and just "reading what is on the box"

We can't do the tut, these non apple fans hey how stupid sigh here.. Stores have 100's of products to sell so they must be given clear non ambiguous information.

Major major boo boo by apple here and they are probably loosing 1000's of potential sales. There is also that other thread so there seems to be wide spread confusion about this.

The itunes card should be re designed so it clearly mentions iphone and touch apps.

it would cost Apple alot of money to change the apperance of the card to include apps
its just doesn't make business sense

 

[DreamPod]

I thought this was true, in Canada you cannot use money from gift cards to buy Apps, you can only use live credit cards.

 

[Digipimp]

hello dumb meet dumber

 

[LiveForever]

All this sneering at how dumb and un intilligent people are misses the point.

Apple has to communicate to retailers and the public at large, what itunes cards can be used for.

To most people tunes means music. Sorry if that is outrageous but most people associate apple with ipods and music, not yet apps.

We are all smug as we spend our lives obsessing about apples products.

But to most people they are another one of 100's of brands.

All apple have to do is add to the itunes cars " Purchase apps on the itunes music store whilst connected to your PC, then download them to your iphone"

They don't have to recall the existing cards just do this for all new ones printed. And it makes extremely good business sense...

There is though lots of confusion in this thread and if we are unsure how do you expect a KMart worker to be?

Also why can't apple make itunes cards redeemable vis athe app store on your iphone?

Total confusion and apple should sort it out.

 

[DreamPod]

All apple have to do is add to the itunes cars " Purchase apps on the itunes music store whilst connected to your PC, then download them to your iphone"

They don't have to recall the existing cards just do this for all new ones printed. And it makes extremely good business sense...

But then it wouldn't be accurate for Canada, which would cause more support calls and confusion, or cost more money to have different cards manufactured for each territory.

 

[needthephone]

These cards aren't iphones you know, they are just stamped out pieces of plastic with a serial number on. They are probably worth less than 0.01c each to make. Anyone can make them. You don't need a Foxconn production line in Schenzhen, they can be made locally on very basic equipment.

Of course they would be made to suit local markets. The UK ones would have UK numbers on, The Australian ones Aussie numbers and so on.

My local shopping centre has their own gift cards and this is all these are.

This company can make YOU some even
http://www.plastic-cards.com.au/quote.htm?gclid=CLGzwqKq2JcCFRIcawodSm3nDA

Apple need to stop the confusion and print that they can be used to buy apps. Simple.

 

[benlee]

All this sneering at how dumb and un intilligent people are misses the point.

Apple has to communicate to retailers and the public at large, what itunes cards can be used for.

To most people tunes means music. Sorry if that is outrageous but most people associate apple with ipods and music, not yet apps.

We are all smug as we spend our lives obsessing about apples products.

But to most people they are another one of 100's of brands.

All apple have to do is add to the itunes cars " Purchase apps on the itunes music store whilst connected to your PC, then download them to your iphone"

They don't have to recall the existing cards just do this for all new ones printed. And it makes extremely good business sense...

There is though lots of confusion in this thread and if we are unsure how do you expect a KMart worker to be?

Also why can't apple make itunes cards redeemable vis athe app store on your iphone?

Total confusion and apple should sort it out.

I think you are missing the point.

I'm sure apple makes the necessary information available to retailers and it is up to them to train their employees with appropriate knowledge.

Retail staff should not being passing along information they are not sure of. Besides, this may not be a broad problem. How many retail staffers could your wife have actually talked to? I find it would be a huge waste of time to go around asking the same question and getting the same answer and continue to go around asking. What was she doing a survey?

 

[ccfoodog]

Ok, this is what gets me... someone already suggested that as an option and I've already agreed and addressed that. We know that already and that wasn't the point.

Excuse me. I skimmed the thread and it didn't seem completely clear to me that everyone knew that (otherwise, I wouldn't have posted).

I was only saying that there are many people (that I have actually witnessed even at the Apple stores) that would instead try to open up the App store application to enter the code, which won't allow them to do this and because they don't bother to use critical thinking skills and search for another way to put the code in (like you suggestion and like someone else already suggested and I addressed)

Well, personally I don't think it is very obvious or intuitive and is easy to miss.

they will go back to the store and complain. I know this because I've seen this, and if you think people are not that dumb, just look at how many times I've explained the same thing over and over and people STILL don't read or comprehend and wind up suggesting the exact same thing that someone else has already suggested! Everyone. missing. the point. I give up.

Shrug.

-john

 

[LiveForever]

My wife asked in the shops for a gift card which could be used to by iphone apps and they said sorry we don't do those.

Only the last shop Dick Smith did she ask about itunes cards and she was told they couldn't be used for apps. They said to go to an apple store at which point she gave up.

She does not take any interest in apple, just that I said I would like an itunes card to buy apps with. She then forgot I said itunes and just asked about buying apps.

My wife takes no interest at all in itunes or apple so could not remember exactly what I said.

No apple are missing a trick here and needlessly loosing potential sales as they don't say what can be brought with an itunes card on the card itself.

It nothing to do with training as retailers don't have the time or inclination to learn up about every single product. products must sell themselves by being clearly marked.

 

[Rayfire]

It nothing to do with training as retailers don't have the time or inclination to learn up about every single product. products must sell themselves by being clearly marked.

I have to disagree with this one since I work in a retail industry, and yes we are needed to be trained on every product that we sell, what it can or can't do. Probably some associates just never take initiative to learn what they're really selling, or management's fault? Who knows. Retailers also would like to sell mostly what they have, so it's not really Apple as well that is missing the sales.

With regards to your questions, yes it can be used. Can we just help you with determining which apps are better than the other rather than continuing to discuss about the iTunes gift card, after all we're at the App store thread

 

[Mr. Giver '94]

No...all of those sales reps are full of **** and have no clue what they're talking about....

Like someone else said... Money is Money...

 

[LiveForever]

I agree to go round and round in pointless.

BUT many people are defending the indefensible here.

You can't say the sales reps don't know what they are talking about when every shop my wife went to in a very large Westfield shopping centre in a Sydney suburb said they didn't sell a gift card which could be used to buy iphone apps (and they sold itunes cards). My wife didn't ask for an itunes card either. Yes some are stupid but there is clearly an issue here which apple should fix.

Apple are missing an opportunity and they should just print what can be brought with it on the itunes card.

Apple are brilliant I know but they have dropped the ball here and I will stick to this argument until the cows come home.

Enough said
Happy Christmas!!

 

[infowarfare]

I agree to go round and round in pointless.

BUT many people are defending the indefensible here.

You can't say the sales reps don't know what they are talking about when every shop my wife went to in a very large Westfield shopping centre in a Sydney suburb said they didn't sell a gift card which could be used to buy iphone apps (and they sold itunes cards). My wife didn't ask for an itunes card either. Yes some are stupid but there is clearly an issue here which apple should fix.

Apple are missing an opportunity and they should just print what can be brought with it on the itunes card.

Apple are brilliant I know but they have dropped the ball here and I will stick to this argument until the cows come home.

Enough said
Happy Christmas!!

I think the point you and the others are missing which someone else kept bringing up is that it isn't that easy to use the iTunes gift card to buy apps directly from the Appstore on your iPhone. And because of this one fact, it's simpler for Apple to tell the stores these cards can't be used for Apps.

So think for a moment, for Apple to try and get all of these different retailers to train all of their employees to explain how to "first, go to the iTunes WiFi store, click downloads then click Redeem, put in your gift card code, now exit out and go to the App store and buy your app and maybe it will use the gift card code (but maybe just deduct from your credit card on file instead as it has with some people who have tried this), or, login to iTunes on your computer, etc..." nope, sorry, much simpler to simply say "can't use to buy apps".

The opportunity Apple is actually missing is to allow the App store app to accept the Redeem code, then all is solved.

 

[alchemistmuffin]

I hinted to my wife that a good present 'may' be an itunes card so I could buy apps for my iphone.

However EVERY store she went in today who sold itunes cards said they could not be used to purchase apps.

Is this correct?

There seems to be total confusion about this with retailers (JB Hifi, Dick Smith, KMart, target etc etc) . There is no mention on the itunes cards that they can be used for buying apps, just music.

If they can be used for apps then apple are probably loosing heaps of itunes cards sales which results in loss of app sales.

Please could someone clarify what the position is as I really don't know.

Yes, I know there is a similar thread but this obviously highlights a big error on apples parts in not communicating whether an itunes card can be used for purchasing apps. The other thread is asking what apps to buy not specifically asking about itunes cards.

This will be a common present for iphone owners but are retailers stopping sales inadvertently or are they correct?

If you live in the US, you can buy apps with the iTunes card.

However, if you live in Canada, then no, you must use Credit Card in order to buy apps on the iTunes Store.

This is due to strict canadian tax regulation on how software is sold in Canada. (and I mean ANY! I tried redeeming my gift card for Roxio Easy Media Creator a while ago when I was visiting my friend in Canada, and he gave me a Canadian Best Buy gift card, but I couldn't redeem it for any software)

 

[Grease2310]

No...all of those sales reps are full of **** and have no clue what they're talking about....

Like someone else said... Money is Money...

It's not that cut and dry! As mentioned many times in Canada you can NOT use the iTunes cards to purchase software, and this might be true in other countries as well. There IS a world outside the USA borders you know.

 

[LiveForever]

Welll I'm confused.

ALL apple has to do is print on the cards exactly what can be brought with it.

e.g. can be used to buy apps from your PC or mac running itunes for transfer to your iphone or ipod touch simple.

Then do this for countries where this is possible and for e.g. Canada say can not be used to purchase apps.

The cards can easily be tailored to suit each region and probably are made in the local markets already.


It really surprised me that the guys in Dick Smith didn't realise the itunes card could be used for apps as they are mostly your 18-30 year old tech savvy gadget junkees. So if they don't realise then apple has a problem with it's communication.

Don't say shops are dumb or money is money because most shops don't realise that an itunes card is legal tender to purchase apps. EVERY, not one or two, store selling itunes cards in a large westfield mall said the same thing.

Its a no brainer.

Apple has to go for the low hanging fruit sometimes.

I am not saying anything controversial here, I love apple but they are missing out here and I honestly don't think its deliberate.

Sometimes they think the whole world just must know what they are doing and what you can and can not do with itunes. After all they are the centre of the universe.

WRONG, I may think so (and a few others here no doubt) but to most people apple are JUST another company.

 

[PSmith]

It's ironic, apple produce the most amazing multi touch iphone which is just gorgeous.

But they mess up with something so basic as printing on the card just precisely what an itunes gift card can be used for.

My experience in shops selling itunes cards is the same-total ignorance and fervent belief that they are ONLY for purchasing music ( and I'm not blaming the store workers, I'm blaming apple).


Despite me thinking it's obvious that as apps are sold on itunes then I must be able to use a pre-paid itunes card- right?

Well apart from people on this forum and at apple no one else thinks it can be done.

money is only money if you can spend it. Otherwise it's a worthless piece of plastic or paper.

It's like in England where many people think Scottish Pounds aren't legal tender. They are worth the same as "English" pounds but many people don't know.

 

[mr.m21]

i beg to differ

Ok, so i got my iPod touch (gen 2) today right? Got a 20$ iTunes card aswell, tried to Download some apps, No go, kept tiring to make me put my non existent credit card info in. But i could download songs just fine. (and yes i redeemed the card and such)