iTunes App Store Does Not Work With Gift Cards?

GradientMac · Jul 17th, 2008, 07:59 AM

I've been reading in multiple posts online that the App store will not work with iTunes cards in Canada? Can anybody confirm this? If so, that's extremely stupid, that's like saying "So yeah, nobody over 18 can buy apps from the app store. *sticks tongue out* "

retrocactus · Jul 17th, 2008, 12:08 PM

You've read wrong....works fine with gift cards in any country. I have US and Canadian accounts with gift card balances that allow me to buy apps no problem.

Just redeem the card into your iTunes account and download away.

G-Mo · Jul 17th, 2008, 12:14 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by retrocactus
	You've read wrong....works fine with gift cards in any country. I have US and Canadian accounts with gift card balances that allow me to buy apps no problem. Just redeem the card into your iTunes account and download away.

I don't know about the US, but even if you have a gift card balance in your account, you have to have a credit card on file or you cannot use the App Store... or at least this has been my experience with both my wife and I -- having created both of our accounts by redeeming gift cards, neither of us had put in credit card details, and while the App Store let us buy "Free" Apps fine, it required us to register credit cards to purchase Apps (even though the App was $4.99 and the account balance was over $50...)!

Edit: This was from the iPhone directly, not in iTunes... I didn't try in iTunes!

retrocactus · Jul 17th, 2008, 12:17 PM

That's really weird then G-Mo....all my accounts have been created from Gift Cards rather than credit cards...and haven't had an issue so far.

I have my iPhone hooked up to my US account since they have a lot more apps than the Canadian store...so if that is true, then it's a Canadian store issue.

krug1313 · Jul 17th, 2008, 06:10 PM

Same problem here. Won't let me purchase apps with the credit I have in itunes.

adam1185 · Jul 17th, 2008, 06:26 PM

I've also noticed that we get charged PST and GST for app purchases. I've never been charged extra GST or PST for anything else on iTunes.

retrocactus · Jul 17th, 2008, 06:43 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by adam1185
	I've also noticed that we get charged PST and GST for app purchases. I've never been charged extra GST or PST for anything else on iTunes.

All the more reason to use a US based account...preferably with an Oregon address where there is no tax at all.

GradientMac · Jul 17th, 2008, 11:57 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by retrocactus
	All the more reason to use a US based account...preferably with an Oregon address where there is no tax at all.

Or Alberta, no PST and only 5% GST.

But I really want to use apps, but I can't if I need a credit cards, and most of the free apps are crap.

GradientMac · Jul 18th, 2008, 08:07 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by retrocactus
	All the more reason to use a US based account...preferably with an Oregon address where there is no tax at all.

Or Alberta, 5% tax and no PST.

Also, am I reading this right? As long as I make an account with a credit card, I can still redeem gift cards onto that account and not charge the credit card? Or am I mistaken?

okcomputer · Jul 19th, 2008, 10:23 AM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by adam1185
	I've also noticed that we get charged PST and GST for app purchases. I've never been charged extra GST or PST for anything else on iTunes.

Yeah I was wondering that as well... are we paying tax on songs but it's included in the 99cents? Why wouldn't they do the same for apps?