The latest patch to Pokemon GO has left some of its millions of players with a bad taste in their mouth. With the removal of tracking features, and third party apps meant to support that feature now disabled, some users have decided to protest by forgoing in-app purchases, and refunding ones they haven't used. As reported on the /r/PokemonGO subreddit though, this is trickier than it seems. If a refund is past 48 hours (the window in which Google will honor the refund themselves, normally reserved for accidental or unauthorized purchases), users must contact Niantic directly. The email provided in the app details however only redirects users to their Support page, and there is no option or instructions for Refunds, so many seeking them are confused. Unfortunately, the reason for this is simple. Niantic doesn't refund for in-app purchases, so they don't need an option for it.
Players seeking refunds past 48 hours used the email provided on the Pokemon GO app page on the Apple Store and Google Play. Rather than receiving help, however, the player is sent an automated message from Niantic, stating that email is not monitored and directing them to their Support Page.
Thanks for your interest in Pokémon GO. Your email (to pokemon-go-support@nianticlabs.com) has gone to an unmonitored inbox.
To reach the Niantic operations team and get support for Pokémon GO, please visit our help center (https://support.pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/hc/) and select one of the contact options under "Submit a request' in the upper righthand corner.
- Automated Response from Niantic
The Support Page is primarily a standard FAQ page, but users can (as indicated) use the "Submit a Request" button for support issues. However, no option exists for refunds. That's because if you have to request a refund through Niantic, they won't get one. Niantic's Terms of Service states that they do not offer refunds for any reason. Whatsmore, the response does not (as some believe) violate Google's Terms of Service (Section 3.6), since the email does offer correct information and clear instructions on how to submit a report form. Nor does it violate Google's Terms (Section 3.7) by not offering refunds, since after 48 hours only the developer's Terms apply.
You agree that all sales by us to you of Virtual Money and Virtual Goods are final and that we will not permit exchanges or refunds for any unused Virtual Money or Virtual Goods once the transaction has been made
Requests regarding Pokemon GO have hit Google hard as well, to the point that now some of their Support pages explicitly tell people to contact Niantic Support for help.
Users with other Support issues should use the "Submit a Request" rather than trying to go through Google Support. Some are still putting reports in through Google hoping for the email to be changed. Niantic's Terms of Service have been called out before for their odd litigation terms.
