Sentiments of an iPod Newbie concerning the January Software Upgrade

[maruel]

Feedback to iTunes Store:

Customer First Name : Maruel
Customer Last Name : Alimboyao
email : maruel.kyle@gmail.com
Web Order # :
Support Subject : Account or Billing
Sub Issue : My credit card or billing information is not accepted
iTunes Account Name: Not provided
Platform : Windows XPSP2+
Comments: I want to download the January Software Upgrade of iPod Touch. I created an Apple Account since I haven't done that since I bought my iPod last December. After that I have created an Apple Account, I tried to buy the software but iTunes gives me a message saying that my Apple ID has not yet been used with the iTunes Store so I tried creating an Apple Account for the US iTunes Store. I noticed that the billing address of my payment information must be in the US. I live in the Philippines, so I searched for Philippines in the list of countries where iTunes is available but Philippiines is not in the list. What should I do now? I cannot create an iTunes Store Account because I live in a country where iTunes is not available. How could I get the January Software Upgrade of iPod Touch? Is there another way to purchase it even if I live in a country where iTunes is not offered? Please help me. Thanks.


Email Response:

Dear Maruel,

I understand you would like to purchase iPod January Update on the iTunes Store.

If you would like to purchase from an iTunes Store in a particular country, you must have both a residential address and a billing address in that particular country. Items on any particular country's iTunes Store are available only for distribution to customers who use a credit card, debit card, iTunes Gift Certificate, or iTunes Gift Card issued in and for that country.

For example, the U.S. iTunes Store can only sell to U.S. residents using credit cards or debit cards that were issued in and for the U.S., or U.S. residents using iTunes Gift Certificates or Gift Cards that were purchased in the U.S.

I am sorry, but the iPod January Update is not available for purchase anywhere other then the iTunes Store at this time. If you would like to request that it be available by other means you may do so by visiting the iTunes feedback page at:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunes.html

I hope this information has been helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can continue to assist you in any way. Thank you for choosing Apple products and have a lovely day.

Sincerely,

Lisa
Austin, TX
iTunes Store Customer Support


My Reply:

Will it be okay if I just let someone that lives in the U.S. purchase the iPod January Update for me? I will still be using my Apple Account but I will let someone living in the U.S. pay the update for me. Will that be ok?

The feedback form of http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunes.html does not have a request type suitable for my problem. The request type is required. What can I do? Is there another way I can make a request?

Email Response:

Dear Maruel,

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately, your update it delivered directly via your iTunes account so you must have a valid account in a iTunes country to get the update, and be logged into that account on your phone.

You may be able to locate more information on how to make this happen by visiting the iPod troubleshooting tips, tutorials, and service information here:

http://www.apple.com/support/ipod

I hope these resources help to resolve the issue you are experiencing. If you require more in-depth assistance, you may wish to call Apple technical support (there may be a fee associated with the call). To find the appropriate phone number, please visit:

http://www.apple.com/support/contact..._contacts.html

I am very sorry to refer you to another department for this issue. We here at iTunes Store Customer Support are only trained to answer nontechnical questions exclusively about billing, customer accounts, downloading purchases, and iTunes Store content. The wonderful folks at Apple Technical Support are better qualified to assist you further.

Sincerely,

Lisa
Austin, TX
iTunes Store Customer Support

[maruel]

This is my first iPod and I think the first Apple products to own. I don't that its not common for Apple to charge for an update. When I told a friend who also owns an iPod that I can't get the January update because I have to buy it, sinagot niya ako ng isang malaking "BAKIT?" at "Ano ba yan? Bakit kailangan pa bayaran?". I just bought this iPod last month and I think its unfair to charge $20 for the upgrade.

Anyway, even before I knew that its not common and even now that I think its unfair, I'm still willing to pay for the $20 because I'm afraid to jailbrake . So I had an idea, why not let a friend or a relative in the U.S. to pay for it. So I called the Tech Support for Philippines, which is 1-800-1441-0234, to ask some questions and if my idea is ok or legal. My call has been assigned to this female agent who have an indian-like accent that is little hard to understand. I told her about how I want to purchase the upgrade and she told me the same info like in the reply I got from my feedback. I told her about my idea, she put me on hold to confirm it. When she got back, she told me that I can't do that. I explained it again, and I find out that she misunderstood me the first time. She though I was just going to give a U.S. billing info so that I can create a U.S. iTunes Store account and from the tone of her voice, she sounded like that's illegal and you can't make up details like that. I explained it again and told her that I will let somebody in the U.S. to purchase the upgrade for me. I told her that I will put the billing info of my friend or relative to that they will be the ones to be charged. Then she replied, I don't really remember the exact words but it goes like this, "There are many customers here who are calling about this issue but you are the first one I heard to have an idea like this. Please hold on while I confirm it." When she got back, she told me that it was ok. I asked again to confirm it and make sure it is legal. She said yes, its legal. She asked for the serial number of my iPod and the call was ended.

Now, I'm just waiting for a while and reading other the user comments and feedbacks in other threads and other forums in other websites. I also waiting for Apple, I hope they give it for free. When all else fails, I think i going to continue with my idea if I'm still afraid to jailbrake my iPod.

P.S.
Magkano kaya ang tawag dun sa tech support na yun? Medyo matagal din kasi kami nagusap kasi hindi ko siya masyado maintindihan at ang tagal niya bumalik kapag hinohold niya ako.

[rda]

kindly search the forums for itunes Gift certificates and purchase one from longbeard. with this you can create an itunes account and enter a US address so that you would be able to purchase songs from itunes. many forum members have done this. just load up your account with enough gc's and you could also purchase the ipod touch update. good luck.

[maruel]

I don't have a iTunes Store Account yet. What address would I enter when I signup for an account? The gift certificate comes with an address?

[bacchus_3]

You can try to use your relative's address in the US.

[rdy0329]

1st Get load (25$) from longbeard or any other people you know or your relative can buy you one.
2nd redeem the code and it will ask you to make an account (make one)
3rd buy the update.

[maruel]

Thanks for the replies! I'll try your suggestions but I still hope that they gave it for free.

[rda]

you can use any address as long as there is a valid zip code. i read in the forums that one user even entered 90210 as the zip and he was able to get an account. but if you have a relative living in the US just enter their address.

[alfiesy]

May I suggest holding off the software upgrade? Am sure that in a week or two, Apple will have advised their regional offices and international distributors on purchasing sofware upgrades. That said, I do agree that the software upgrade for the iPod Touch should have been given to all subscribers for free.

I have read in some other sites that those that have purchased the $20 software upgrade and complained to Apple received a gift certificate for $20 applicable to any purchase in the Apple Store.

Bottom line: hold off purchase. Local distributors and retailers will be in the best position to help you upgrade that iPod Touch to the latest firmware.

[jsg123]

Best way to circumvent this is get an iTunes gift card and enter a relative's address (with permission). They don't really check much with this stuff and only send a receipt for all the purchases you did (free and otherwise).