Google Billing Refund

ArtLeeApps

Hi all,

Im testing the In-app purchases in google.
- all is good purchasing, and restoring transactions.
but if i refund a transaction in Google Play. The transaction is marked as refunded and my account is credited.
my app knows its refunded, so it puts back the "buy the thing now" button.
but when i click it again, it tells me from google that "You already own this item".

its a Managed item, i would have expected it to be re-purchasable if needed.

ar2rsawseen

Did you call GoogleBilling:confirmNotification(notificationId) and received Event.CONFIRM_NOTIFICATION_COMPLETE event after receiving item refunded event?

ArtLeeApps

Hi @ar2rsawseen,

ok im alittle confused.
The code snippet i have below is mainly from bits in the forums.
it includes the "googlebilling:confirmNotification(event.notificationId)"
(note lowercase googlebilling?) as this is how i call it "require "googlebilling"".

it includes a REFUND section, but the only thing different to your suggestion is there is no listener "CONFIRM_NOTIFICATION_COMPLETE", would i use that to call the REFUND section ?

i also calls restoretransactions and the other 2 listeners...

onPurchaseStateChange = function(event)   if (event.purchaseState == GoogleBilling.CANCELED) then   if (event.productId == "stars_3") then -- lock or don't unlock elseif (event.productId == "stars_9") then -- lock or don't unlock elseif (event.productId == "stars_27") then -- lock or don't unlock elseif (event.productId == "stars_100") then -- lock or don't unlock elseif (event.productId == "remove_advertising") then -- lock or don't unlock end elseif (event.purchaseState == GoogleBilling.PURCHASED) then   if (event.productId == "stars_3") then stars.bought = stars.bought + 3 stars.current = stars.current + 3 elseif (event.productId == "stars_9") then stars.bought = stars.bought + 9 stars.current = stars.current + 9 elseif (event.productId == "stars_27") then stars.bought = stars.bought + 27 stars.current = stars.current + 27 elseif (event.productId == "stars_100") then stars.bought = stars.bought + 100 stars.current = stars.current + 100 elseif (event.productId == "remove_advertising") then sets.advertising = false ad.off() -- show Message, item bought end elseif (event.purchaseState == GoogleBilling.REFUNDED) then   if (event.productId == "stars_3") then stars.bought = stars.bought - 3 stars.current = stars.current - 3 -- lock or don't unlock elseif (event.productId == "stars_9") then stars.bought = stars.bought - 9 stars.current = stars.current - 9 -- lock or don't unlock elseif (event.productId == "stars_27") then stars.bought = stars.bought - 27 stars.current = stars.current - 27 -- lock or don't unlock elseif (event.productId == "stars_100") then stars.bought = stars.bought - 100 stars.current = stars.current - 100 -- lock or don't unlock elseif (event.productId == "remove_advertising") then sets.advertising = true ads.on() end elseif (event.purchaseState == GoogleBilling.EXPIRED) then -- for subscriptions else -- unknown state end   dataSaver.saveValue("sets", sets) dataSaver.saveValue("stars", stars)   googlebilling:confirmNotification(event.notificationId)   end       if isAndroid == true then   googlebilling:addEventListener(Event.REQUEST_PURCHASE_COMPLETE, onRequestPurchaseComplete) googlebilling:addEventListener(Event.PURCHASE_STATE_CHANGE, onPurchaseStateChange)     googlebilling:restoreTransactions()     end

ArtLeeApps

Hi @ar2rsawseen,

Now its crashing, as there is a NIL value passed to the ConfirmNotification ?

09-09 20:12:51.623: D/Gideros(9496): *CppLuaBridge::luaEvent* stack NOT ok begin:3 end:4 delta:0 09-09 20:12:51.623: D/Gideros(9496): *EventDispatcherBinder::dispatchEvent* stack NOT ok begin:2 end:4 delta:0 09-09 20:12:51.623: D/Gideros(9496): *enterFrame* stack NOT ok begin:0 end:4 delta:0 09-09 20:12:51.623: D/Gideros(9496): C:/Gideros_Development/Deployments/Bubble-Adventure-Colors/assets/assets/main.lua.jet:346: bad argument #1 to 'confirmNotification' (string expected, got nil) 09-09 20:12:51.623: D/Gideros(9496): stack traceback: 09-09 20:12:51.623: D/Gideros(9496): C:/Gideros_Development/Deployments/Bubble-Adventure-Colors/assets/assets/main.lua.jet:346: in function 09-09 20:12:51.643: D/Finsky(9525): [1] MarketBillingService.sendResponseCode: Sending response RESULT_OK for request 2858100355449254834 to com.artleeapps.bubbleadventurecolors. 09-09 20:12:51.673: D/AudioTrack(9496): Audio Track already stopped 09-09 20:12:51.673: D/AudioPolicyService(1274): stopOutput() tid 1519 09-09 20:12:51.673: D/AudioPolicyManagerBase(1274): stopOutput() output 4, stream 3, session 521

ar2rsawseen

just checking but in your lua code did you set the api verion?

googlebilling:setApiVersion(2)

ArtLeeApps

Hi @ar2rsawseen,

I didnt have that, now ive added it just after i set the "setPublicKey".

I still get the NIL error.

09-10 21:49:17.533: D/Gideros(25653): *CppLuaBridge::luaEvent* stack NOT ok begin:3 end:4 delta:0 09-10 21:49:17.533: D/Gideros(25653): *EventDispatcherBinder::dispatchEvent* stack NOT ok begin:2 end:4 delta:0 09-10 21:49:17.533: D/Gideros(25653): *enterFrame* stack NOT ok begin:0 end:4 delta:0 09-10 21:49:17.533: D/Gideros(25653): C:/Gideros_Development/Deployments/Bubble-Adventure-Colors/assets/assets/main.lua.jet:348: bad argument #1 to 'confirmNotification' (string expected, got nil) 09-10 21:49:17.533: D/Gideros(25653): stack traceback: 09-10 21:49:17.533: D/Gideros(25653): C:/Gideros_Development/Deployments/Bubble-Adventure-Colors/assets/assets/main.lua.jet:348: in function <C:/Gideros_Development/Deployments/Bubble-Adventure-Colors/assets/assets/main.lua.jet:270>

Would it be "ok" to put a check around it.
like

if event ~= nil and event.notificationId ~= nil then googlebilling:confirmNotification(event.notificationId) end

ar2rsawseen

I guess so, but do you know what exact transaction type provides the error?
The test transaction, or cancel state, etc?

ArtLeeApps

@ar2rsawseen ,

i put some dialogs in to show what is being run.

i start the listeners, then call the "googlebilling:restoreTransactions()"

Nil "event.notificationId" came through for "googlebilling:confirmNotification(event.notificationId)":

For this transaction:
- event.productid = "remove_advertising"
- event.purchasestate = "purchased"

Even so:
- the remove_advertising has been purchased, and then refunded.
so i would expect both to come through ?

Im sooooo close to knocking this app off.. its becoming annoying :-??
Sorry for being a Pain-in-da-but....

Here are the important bits from my Lua - Main:
Ive cut out the other app related bits....

deviceInfo = application:getDeviceInfo()   if deviceInfo == "Android" then isAndroid = true elseif deviceInfo == "IOS" or deviceInfo == "MAS OS" then isIOS = true end   if isAndroid == true then require "googlebilling"   googlebilling:setPublicKey(<MY KEY here >) googlebilling:setApiVersion(2) end   onRequestPurchaseComplete = function(event) if (event.responseCode == GoogleBilling.OK) then -- don't unlock items here else local msg = "purchase failed" if (event.responseCode == GoogleBilling.USER_CANCELED) then msg = "GoogleBilling.USER_CANCELED" end if (event.responseCode == GoogleBilling.SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE) then msg = "GoogleBilling.SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE" end if (event.responseCode == GoogleBilling.BILLING_UNAVAILABLE) then msg = "GoogleBilling.BILLING_UNAVAILABLE" end if (event.responseCode == GoogleBilling.ITEM_UNAVAILABLE) then msg = "GoogleBilling.ITEM_UNAVAILABLE" end if (event.responseCode == GoogleBilling.DEVELOPER_ERROR) then msg = "GoogleBilling.DEVELOPER_ERROR" end if (event.responseCode == GoogleBilling.ERROR) then msg = "GoogleBilling.ERROR" end   print(msg) end end   onPurchaseStateChange = function(event)   if (event.purchaseState == GoogleBilling.CANCELED) then   if (event.productId == "stars_3") then -- lock or don't unlock elseif (event.productId == "stars_9") then -- lock or don't unlock elseif (event.productId == "stars_27") then -- lock or don't unlock elseif (event.productId == "stars_100") then -- lock or don't unlock elseif (event.productId == "remove_advertising") then -- lock or don't unlock end elseif (event.purchaseState == GoogleBilling.PURCHASED) then   if (event.productId == "stars_3") then stars.bought = stars.bought + 3 stars.current = stars.current + 3 elseif (event.productId == "stars_9") then stars.bought = stars.bought + 9 stars.current = stars.current + 9 elseif (event.productId == "stars_27") then stars.bought = stars.bought + 27 stars.current = stars.current + 27 elseif (event.productId == "stars_100") then stars.bought = stars.bought + 100 stars.current = stars.current + 100 elseif (event.productId == "remove_advertising") then sets.advertising = false ad.off()   end elseif (event.purchaseState == GoogleBilling.REFUNDED) then     if (event.productId == "stars_3") then stars.bought = stars.bought - 3 stars.current = stars.current - 3 -- lock or don't unlock elseif (event.productId == "stars_9") then stars.bought = stars.bought - 9 stars.current = stars.current - 9 -- lock or don't unlock elseif (event.productId == "stars_27") then stars.bought = stars.bought - 27 stars.current = stars.current - 27 -- lock or don't unlock elseif (event.productId == "stars_100") then stars.bought = stars.bought - 100 stars.current = stars.current - 100 -- lock or don't unlock elseif (event.productId == "remove_advertising") then sets.advertising = true ads.on() end elseif (event.purchaseState == GoogleBilling.EXPIRED) then -- for subscriptions else -- unknown state end   dataSaver.saveValue("sets", sets) dataSaver.saveValue("stars", stars)   if event ~= nil and event.notificationId ~= nil then googlebilling:confirmNotification(event.notificationId) end end   if isAndroid == true then   googlebilling:addEventListener(Event.REQUEST_PURCHASE_COMPLETE, onRequestPurchaseComplete) googlebilling:addEventListener(Event.PURCHASE_STATE_CHANGE, onPurchaseStateChange) googlebilling:addEventListener(Event.CONFIRM_NOTIFICATION_COMPLETE, onPurchaseStateChange)   googlebilling:restoreTransactions()   end

<service android:name="com.giderosmobile.android.plugins.googlebilling.BillingService" />   <receiver android:name="com.giderosmobile.android.plugins.googlebilling.BillingReceiver"> <intent-filter> <action android:name="com.android.vending.billing.IN_APP_NOTIFY" /> <action android:name="com.android.vending.billing.RESPONSE_CODE" /> <action android:name="com.android.vending.billing.PURCHASE_STATE_CHANGED" /> </intent-filter> </receiver>

ar2rsawseen

Aha, ok after reading more, it seems that refunds does not indeed need to confirm transactions.

And further more, if in your google checkout you press cancel order, then you will be dispatched refund event, but if you will press refund money, then only money will be refunded, but no events to the app and product will still be marked as purchased.

Is that what happened?

ArtLeeApps

@ar2rsawseen brilliant find!.

Yes.
1) the app is uploaded but in draft, so available to my test users.
2) user1, purchased a managed item "remove_advertising"
3) user1, the bank account was still debted (even though it says test users wont, no drama)
4) i went to my google console and refunded it there.
5) it showed refunded, and user1's account $ was refunded (all but 1cent lol)
6) if she tries to purchase again, it shows a google message ..like you already have this item
so its like google has paid it back, but it hasnt flagged it back as available to purchase, or sent my app a refund event when i do a restore transactions.

so you are very close... is there a solution, or is it just a google glitch...

ar2rsawseen

Is there a still an option to cancel the purchase inside Google Checkout?

As in there should be two options, refund and cancel, both refunds money and only cancel changes purchase state.

ArtLeeApps

i can see the cancel and refund for the one i refunded. both are greyed out.
i had a look at another purchase (but that was for another android pay up front game i sold.) that only has "refund" available and the cancel is greyed.
when you read the "?" it refers to cancel for subscriptions.

Maybe i should just retreat, and if someone wants refunds, theyll still get their money, but the app just wont get the message..

larf

@artleeapps did you ever figure out how to get refunds recognized by your app?

ArtLeeApps

@larf no, all im hoping is if someone wants a refund, at least i can refund the money, the app may not undo the purchase though. it shouldnt be a common thing.. i hope.

ar2rsawseen

Forgot to mention that there is nothing about refunding in Google Billing v3 api, so as far as google is concerned, you should not refund anything in your apps :-/

ArtLeeApps

@ar2rsawseen that would make coding it easier, but still not a very nice option for little 5yo tommy that buys a $487 digital chair for his virtual farm app using his mums google play account, she then has to live with the fact she cant afford to buy a real life chair from IKEA...

hmmm

OZApps

@ar2rsawseen that would make coding it easier, but still not a very nice option for little 5yo tommy that buys a $487 digital chair for his virtual farm app using his mums google play account, she then has to live with the fact she cant afford to buy a real life chair from IKEA...
hmmm

Developers that actually sell Virtual goods of that kind know what they are doing and actually prey on such sales... Unfortunately *GREED* is in the top 5 vices at the moment.

ArtLeeApps

@OZApps agreed. Years ago my daughter asked me for real money for her "Habo"(online PC reality game.). so she could buy virtual furniture for her Habo room to impress her friends. i told her then, i wasnt going to pay like $5 for a virtual table for her virtual room ! lol
I saw a TV show mention they kids we paying like $100+ for food for animals in apps so they wouldnt die. its not right hey.

ar2rsawseen

What I meant is, that you can refund any payment in your Google Checkout, but, there is no event (or nothing similar) about refund in Helper libs to actually know if the item was refunded and remove it in the app.

What you can do, is to use Purchase Status API, to query statuses of specific purchases, but even then, it is meant to use from your server backend, and not from your app.

ArtLeeApps

@ar2rsawseen i suppose we hope there is only ever a tiny percentage of people that want a refund cos the app wont really know to revert the bought item.

OZApps

@ArtLeeApps, That reminds me of an incident that happened at the Uni a couple of years ago. A lecturer send a file to the students and then was informed by the school that the data was copyright'ed and could not be send so the lecturer send another email explaining that the file was copyrighted and the students need to send the file back to him... problem solved

Since there is no return policy on Apple Store, it is less of a headache, where as on the google store, it is a problem. A user can buy the app, download the binary .apk then request a refund and the binary is now available for them to crack and use without paying for it. This is primarily a reason for google apps being pirated the most and thereby it being laden with ADs as the ads will show even on pirated apps. I am not sure that you want to deal with the refunds yourself, otherwise you'd be spending more time on the store handling that than anything else.

I understand the need for a refund policy, the app does not work on your device, or not compatible or like most android apps is super slow (compared to the iOS app) and even that earlier you required a credit card for purchases now there are Google Play store cards.

Isn't it funny that people buy $5 or more candy/coffee/cigarettes and what not and throw away the same coz they do not like the taste but want a refund on a $0.99 app...

ArtLeeApps

@ArtLeeApps, That reminds me of an incident that happened at the Uni a couple of years ago. A lecturer send a file to the students and then was informed by the school that the data was copyright'ed and could not be send so the lecturer send another email explaining that the file was copyrighted and the students need to send the file back to him... problem solved

) i like that...

I suppose you could put your own disclaimer within our apps stating:

"no refunds will be given, suck lemons dude or dudette which ever the case may be. Thanking you"