Question about purchasing through iTunes

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Hi everybody.

A very good friend who's currently living in China sent me an e-mail asking me if I can buy some games for his iPod, since he doesn't have a credit card (and he'll refund me through Western Union). I've never purchased anything through iTunes since creating an account implies to enter a credit card number and I don't want to do this, but no problem with that if I'm actually going to use it. My question is: Will he be able to install the games in his iPod since I'm going to buy them using my account? Maybe I'm wrong, but I suspect that iTunes will only allow me to install them in my iPod. Thank you in advance for your input!

[tplyons]

Yes. That is the case. His iPod will need to be an authorized user on your account, which means he will need your password and access to your account. This can be a good thing if you trust him or a very bad thing.

And no, you do not need a credit card to do this. You can buy iTunes gift cards in preset denominations and you can create an account with that code. It's like a prepaid iTunes card.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

And what if he sends me his iPod's serial number through e-mail? May I enter it or must it be automatically detected by iTunes when doing the transaction in order to accept it?

P.S.: I guess that iTunes gift cards are exclusively available through Apple stores?

[tplyons]

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

And what if he sends me his iPod's serial number through e-mail? May I enter it or must it be automatically detected by iTunes when doing the transaction in order to accept it?

P.S.: I guess that iTunes gift cards are exclusively available through Apple stores?

Actually, besides having the unit in your hands, I'm not 100% sure the easiest way to do this. I guess his computer would also have to be an authorized device, eating two of your allowed five. He would simply need to log in as you and sync his iPod. However, this gives him full access to your credit card through iTunes.

And no, around here you can get iTunes gift cards anywhere from Wal-Mart to grocery stores to just about anything.

[KingOvHell]

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

And what if he sends me his iPod's serial number through e-mail? May I enter it or must it be automatically detected by iTunes when doing the transaction in order to accept it?

P.S.: I guess that iTunes gift cards are exclusively available through Apple stores?

You can buy gift cards in stores.

[JansenW]

Have you tried to ask Apple if this is possible?

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by JansenW

Have you tried to ask Apple if this is possible?

Not really. I think by default that such a big company doesn't return e-mails or does it after a really long time. That's why I preferred to ask fellow TBers. How's Apple's customer service?

[JansenW]

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Not really. I think by default that such a big company doesn't return e-mails or does it after a really long time. That's why I preferred to ask fellow TBers. How's Apple's customer service?

Ther customer service is very good. It wouldn't hurt to give them a try.

[fenderx55]

Once you set up an account, you can "gift" certain things. I've never done it, but I've seen songs with a "Gift" link next to the "Purchase" link.

Good luck.

[alfredpunkjazz]

Over here is hard to get those pre-paid cards for iTunes, I wonder how long will it take for them to bring them here... Plus you can't use iTunes unless you have an american credit card. Go figure.

[CamMcIntyre]

You can send him an Itunes Gift Certificate to his email...I looked into giving one to my sister that way. That would let him buy the games and he can pay you for the gift certificate.

Also the physical gift cards are available at a variety of locations. I've seen them at 7-11s, CVS, Walgreens, and a host of other locations.

all the best.