Rich Fiscus
23 Aug 2007 6:13
Google has decided to offer real refunds to Google Video users who are losing movies they thought they owned until the Download To Own service shut down earlier this month.
The change of heart is the result of customer complaints after the search giant announced that was not only shutting down the service, but was compensating those who are losing access to their videos by giving them Google Checkout credits instead of money.
Since Google Checkout only works with a small number of online shops, most of their customers didn't find this to be a fair exchange.
"When your friends and well-intentioned acquaintances tell you that you've made a mistake, it's good to listen," Bindu Reddy, Google's video product manager, said on the company's official blog.
Google also is extending through February 2008 the ability to view video already purchased, although it has stopped letting people buy new ones. Before, the video would have expired Aug. 15.
Company spokesman Gabriel Stricker would not say how much the refunds would cost, but said they won't materially affect the company's finances. He also described the number of complaints as "limited."
Source: Associated Press