great Apple software at work again. They can't even do a trial account right and this is the company that's going to beat back M$? Puff please!

I don't know when people are finally going to get it... Apple sucks... having to give your credit card for a FREE trial is stupid... buy a gift card for itunes.. you have to put in your credit card... Apple is stupid people. Snap out of it and wake up!!

Let me know if it posts, I'm interested to know. Also, for a merchant to removed a hold on your debit card... it requires either a fax in company letter head to your banks authorization removal department stating detailed information to remove that hold (or a direct phone call to the auth removal department). This however is only a 24 hour fix, it also requires some work on the merchants back end (the acquirer).

I wish I could see this kind of heat pushed on other companies that do far greater damage than what Apple did. (Meaning, in some form of media/press)

First of all, whats with the "outrageous charges" bullshit? The normal service is $99/year which is charged in a one-time fee, so it's hardly "outrageous".

Secondly, this article says they "authorized" the $99, NOT CHARGED IT. The writer apparently doesn't understand basic banking. An "authorization" just checks to make sure the balance is available. a "capture" actually charges and removes the total from your account and transfers it to the merchant's account.

If people are indeed being CHARGED the $99, then yes, Apple will have to provide refunds.

Besides, this kind of thing happens all the time. Hardly worth of an article. Well, except for all the Apple haters aka GEEKS with no lives.

How about let's keep the childish company bashing out of the discussion eh? If the article is addressing something worth of it, go for it. But decreeing Apple as a pile of just because their launch had some hiccups? Grow a pair & keep comments relevant.

If fact they charge, there are 120€ missing from my bank account. And if you can add 1 1 you potus will know that 99 $ are not 120 € but 62 € and even if the mobileme service cost in spain 79€ there is a difference of ....
So mr potus, please SHUT UP!

Maybe it's outrageous cause its supposed to be a free trial.

Dear Put,

I suggest you calm dawn.

First of all, I am long-time Apple user and love the company, you're way off the base when you call me Apple hater.

However, the fact that I'm an Apple fan and love the company doesn't mean I'm one of those people who claim that Apple can do no wrong.

Had you read the article carefully, and the original story linked in the article, you would have noticed that Apple has authorized UK users with 120 pounds, instead of the 1 pound (or $1) authorization that is the usual for checking a persons ID or if a credit card is valid (has any funds available).

Mind you, 120 pounds is more than even the MobileMe regular price point in the UK (79 pounds) and way more than 1 pound.

That is a mistake caused by the glitch in Apple's payment system, no question about that. I wrote this in the first article when we discovered the issue and Apple actually came forward later on and acknowledged that "yes, there is an issue and we're working to fix it." Therefore, I truly hope that you don't feel that 120 pounds credit card authorization was actually OK on Apple's part.

When I applied for a free trial, I also ended up being charged over $150. And I didn't feel like dancing when I realized that. You know why? Because I used debit card.

There is the distinction when authorization appears on your credit or debit card and that seems to be the main reason for confusion for some readers.

When authorization hits your credit card, it decreases your monthly credit card allowance by the authorized amount. Since you get to pay your credit card bill at the end of the month, it isn't big deal since the authorized amount will dissapera on your next statement. So far so good.

However, with debit card - situation is quite different since with these cards any authorization or charge (it doesn't matter) immediately deducts your bank account balance by the authorized/charged amount. There is no difference between charge or authorization with debit card since both will immediately take real money from your bank account, ok?

Of course, if a merchant does not tell credit card company to carry on with the transaction and charge the authorized amount, then the authorization simply voids in your next statement.

Of course Apple will realize there was an error and will have to call the bank and tell them to cancel my debit card authorization. But I will not get actual refund imemdiatel, but within 30 days.

I do have a problem if I give out debit card info to a company, expecting "up to $1 authorization" only to end up with $150 authorization and $150 less on my bank balance. Are you trying to tell me that you wouldn't mind if someone took that amount from your account without your consent?

If you don't believe me that this is how it goes with debit cards (not credit cards!), go ahead and apply for the MobileMe free trial using your debit card and then check your online banking to see what happened.

Tnx for sharing your feelings about the article, anyway...