Apple has quietly amended their return policy for iBooks purchased in the UK, Germany, Italy, France, and many other EU countries. Readers now have up to two weeks to get a full refund, no questions asked through an automated feature.
Apple has maintained a policy that users in European countries did have the right to cancel purchases that were defective or before digital delivery has occurred. In order to get a refund though, it required getting assistance from Apple Support.
The big change in policy is that even if the e-books are delivered, customers still have the option to get a full refund. Readers have up to two weeks in order to fill out the automated form and get an immediate refund. There is no need to talk to to Apple support directly.
The changes appear to be related to a new consumer rights directive in the EU that introduced a required 14 calendar day right of cancellation or return period for both goods and services purchased in EAA countries.
Outside of Europe in countries such as Canada and the United States refunds for exceptions like failed delivery of content or technical problems are handled directly by Apple support. iBooks purchases abide by the “all sales and rentals of products are final” philosophy.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
