Question about in-game purchases?

[bekovan]

New iPod touch owner. Surfing the iTunes store looking for game apps. Found a few FREE or LITE edition games that allow you to play for a restricted number of levels or chapters. There's an option to "Buy Full Game Now" that pops up when the trial is over. Here's my question: If I "click" the "Buy Now" option, does iTunes or whatever ask for my password before purchasing? I want to allow my kid to play the games, but do not want to accidentally purchase the full version. I've never "clicked" on the "Buy" option, so I don't know the procedure.

Is there any way to make my iPod ask me for a password EVERY time it tries to make a purchase? If this is all default settings, just let me know. I've been reading the instructions and the iTunes FAQs, but it's still really confusing to me.

bekovan

[bekovan]

So, I posted yesterday asking for advice... but didn't wait for a reply before testing out a theory. I tried the game Angry Birds LITE, which turned out to be awesome. I clicked the "Buy Full Game" option, which took me to the iTunes store, where I had to purchase the FULL GAME. It asked me for my password and everything. No problem. I appreciate iTunes verifying my info before buying.

I sync-ed me device, then restarted my iPod. After playing for a bit, I decided to test out in-app restrictions on a game called Pets LITE. There are options in the game to purchase in-game point/currency. I clicked on the "buy" button, was asked if I was really trying to buy the points, then nothing. Well, not exactly; I now had the points added to my character and a $9.99 charge on my iTunes account. NO PASSWORD VERIFICATION through iTunes AT ALL. Now, I did this test knowing that I might loose ten bucks, but I am ####ED OFF that the in-app purchases by-pass the iTunes verification.

I emailed both iTunes customer service and the game developer to ask for a reversal of charges, but I've already read in a couple places that "iTunes is not responsible for the errant clicking of the user." Looks like I might be out that ten dollars. If this is how the in-app purchases work, I'm dumping ALL APPS that utilize this system. I have a 5-year-old that likes to play games on the iPod. but I'm not going to risk him making a $149.99 purchase (that's the biggest points/currency bundle) that only takes one click.

B.