Why can't I make a purchase in the American iTunes store?

I am a Canadian resident who would like to make a purchase in the US ITunes store. I don't know anyone in the US nor do I have a credit card with an American billing address. Is there any possible way for me to make a purchase in the American store, or am I pretty much screwed? I buy lots of music and all I want to do is give the US Store my money-why is this so hard? This wouldn't be an issue if the Canadian store just had what I am looking for (i.e. TV Shows!) -why does the selection vary from country to country anyway?
Mac Mini   Mac OS X (10.3.9)  

Again, It's not up to Apple. They would love to have every track available to everyone in the world. The record companies and other rights holder are different in every country, though, so they require separate negotiation by Apple for the rights in each country. And since the rights are held separately in different countries, they all restrict Apple (and every other legal download store) to selling only to users within that particular country.
So again, Apple can do nothing to change this unless and until the record companies arrive at a cross-border sales agreement, something I don't see happening anytime in the foreseeable future, even within the EU.

Similar Messages

  • My computer is registered to purchase from the US store. How can I make a purchase from the Ireland iTunes store?

    My computer is registered to purchase from the US store. How can I make a purchase from the Ireland iTunes store?

    HerbertBack wrote:
    How come I can buy foreign books through Amazon as e-book, but the same book can't be downloaded from iTunes? That doesn't makes sense.
    Why would you think that all stores would have the same policy?
    Amazon allows it, iTunes does not.  That is why.  Like most companies, Apple does not forward explanations to al of their decisions to the general public.  It does not have to make sense to you, for it to be true.  Apple has teams of experts that have determined that this is how they should conduct their business.
    With iTunes, you cannot use other countries stores.
    Sorry

  • Why can't I make a purchase of music on itunes?

    I just downloaded music I want from the itunes store but it won't let me purchase them. I just have a list of sound bites, not full songs!

    Again, It's not up to Apple. They would love to have every track available to everyone in the world. The record companies and other rights holder are different in every country, though, so they require separate negotiation by Apple for the rights in each country. And since the rights are held separately in different countries, they all restrict Apple (and every other legal download store) to selling only to users within that particular country.
    So again, Apple can do nothing to change this unless and until the record companies arrive at a cross-border sales agreement, something I don't see happening anytime in the foreseeable future, even within the EU.

  • HT204053 Why can't I make a purchase on my iPad

    Why can't I make a purchase on my iPad

    Most of the people on these forums, including myself, are fellow users - you're not talking to iTunes Support here.
    What happens when you try to buy them, does the 'buy' button not work, do you get any error messages ... ?, we won't know what is/isn't ha
    If you are getting a message to contact iTunes Support then you can do so via this link and ask them for help : http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/contact/ - click on Contact iTunes Store Support on the right-hand side of the page, then Purchases, Billing & Redemption
    If it's a different problem ... ?

  • Why can't I make a purchase from my new IPod using a new credit card which is different from the one registered with my apple account ?

    Why can't I make a purchase from my new IPod using a new credit card which is different from the one I have registered with iTunes before ?

    You can only use one credit card to one Apple ID.

  • Why can't I make a playlist from the vdownload app since installing Iso7

    Why can't I make a playlist from the vdownload app since installing iso7

    So where do you do when apps just seem to stop working, particularly when you paid for an app.  I have now had then happen twice and there seems to be very little customer care from Apple when this occurs.  Just a note to let customers know that an app will no longer work or who to contact would be great. Thanks, Kevin

  • How do I change the default programme to open pictures when downloading? Why can't I make it automatic? - the tick box is greyed out.ut

    How do I change the default programme to open pictures when downloading? It always proposes Windows Live Photo Gallery and I have to change it to Windows Photo Viewer every time. Why can't I make it automatic? - the tick box is greyed out.

    Thread discussing this issue here:
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1289317

  • I am a Brit living in Germany. I really need to be able to purchase from the German iTunes Store (in €) and the English one (in £). How can I set this up from my iPad?

    I am a Brit living in Germany. I really need to be able to purchase from the German iTunes Store (in €) and the English one (in £). How can I set this up from my iPad?

    Technically correct (the best kind of correct)
    Now if the Op has and retains a UK account with billing address and UK paymant card - He/She can continue to use the UK store in Germany - Apple does NOT use IP address blocking just a valid paymant card attached to a postcode !
    Basically the first four of your paymant card are country codes.
    What the op needs to do if he/she now has a Germany address and payment method (could just be German € value gift cards) is to open a separate German iTunes Account !
    On a PC/Mac its very easy to change stores, however iOS has it a bit more difficult.
    In fact i would recommend the Op sets up a new German account and credentials on a PC/Mac first.
    And doing so just means opening the store in iTunes scrolling to the bottom of the screen and clicking on the littler circular flag in the bottom right.
    After that the browser window is populated with loads of similar disc flags. Clicking any take you to that regional store where provided you have a valid address (Postcode/Zipcode actually) and payment method local credit/debit some prepayment VISA cards or just a gift card you can create a local account.
    Oh and because Apple do NOT use IP addressing you don't actually have to be present in the country of that store. Its against to terms of the EULA but it works !
    Back to the iOS device
    Tap Settings/iTunes & App Store /Apple ID (that will probably be showing the UK account set up).
    In the window that opens tap log out
    Now  change the ID to the new German name and password and in the next window make sure the flag selected is that of Germany (when in Germany)
    When buying from the UK store follow that path again log out of the German account and re-log in using the UK ID
    As it happens I have a UK Portuguese and US account all active because I have residences in all three - and can visit any of the stores from anywhere.

  • HT204411 why can't I buy movies from the american itunes store?

    why can't I buy movies from the american itunes store?

    Are you located inside the U.S?
    If not, this is why?

  • Why are there so many more choices on the USA iTunes Store? Surely having an iTunes account should let you access all itunes availability the world over? Also how do you request films/tv series to the UK itunes?

    Why are there so many more choices on the USA iTunes Store? Surely having an iTunes account should let you access all itunes availability the world over?
    Also how do you request films/tv series to the UK itunes? There's tv series I'd like but they're incomplete like The Batman & Xena Warrior Princess. And films theta aren't available for download but you can purchase in a store like HMV?  Apple isn't doing itself any favours by secluding countries by their store. They'd make billions if you could just select the iTunes Store you want to search & purchase from just by signing in! If anything what they're doing is putting themselves into a corner, other companies like Samsung & HTC are already on too of them for innovation & ease of use. The people they're attracting are predominantly existing Apple users not new customers. What do you guys think?

    It's not Apple's choice, they can only sell a particular item where the content provider/rights-holder has granted them a license to sell them. Content is licensed by the rights-holders to Apple on a country-by-country basis, each country therefore has to have its own store, and you have to be in a country to use its store - they want control over where their content is available.
    You can try requesting that an item be added to the UK store via this page, but unless the rights-holder agrees to then Apple won't be able to sell it here : http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunes.html

  • This apple id is only valid for purchases in the australian itunes store. I'M BRITISH!

    PLEASE READ
    So my mum just bought a phone today, she's not really a techy person so she bought a cheap iPhone 3GS and she asked me to set it up for her.
    I made a new email address for her and made an Apple ID for her. I just verified the email for her with Apple and it opened my iTunes and a message popped up and it said "This apple id is only valid for purchases in the australian itunes store. You will be switched to that store".
    I don't know why this has happened, i've used mine for my iPhone for ages and that's had no problems.
    We live in the UK and we always have, so why's it saying this?
    Any help please?
    Thank you.

    WOW, OK. I just changed my country to UK. And now i'm entering my mums bank stuff, and the address already there is someone in australia. Earlier on it said that my mums email (that i made 10 mins before) already exists. So i reset the password. So how can there be 2 email addresses that are the same? I'm lost!
    I'm just gonna make a whole new email with a whole new apple id! No more hotmail for me.

  • Cannot purchase from the Australian iTunes Store while working overseas

    I'm an Australian currently working in Papua New Guinea. I tried to make a purchase on the iTunes Store (Windows) and it keeps asking me to verify my credit card Security Code which I did but it tells me "For assistance, please contact iTunes Support". Upon contacting Apple Support, I was told that I have violated the iTunes Store Terms and Conditions and was asked to read http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/us/sales.html. The two Apple Support representatives I have spoken with refused to tell me what part of the Terms and Conditions I have violated and basically told me to get lost in a polite way.
    Now, I find this unacceptable. Firstly, if Apple thinks I have done something wrong then it is Apple's responsibility to tell me what I have done wrong. Secondly, I find it unacceptable that as an Australian, I'm restricted from making purchases from the Australian iTunes Store even that I have a valid Australian billing address, a valid credit card that is issued from Australia.
    Is someone in the community able to clarify this?

    I can tell you:
    "The iTunes Service is available to you only in Australia, its territories, and possessions. You agree not to use or attempt to use the iTunes Service from outside these locations. Apple may use technologies to verify your compliance."
    http://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/au/terms.html#SERVICE

  • The new transformers movie is out today in the american itunes store but i have a uk itunes account why cant i buy it ?

    the new transformers movie is out today in the american itunes store but i have a uk itunes account why cant i buy it ?

    It is up to the licenseholder/distributor to make their content available to Apple to sell in a particular country - until they do so, Apple can't sell it there. You can try requesting it (http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunes.html), but ultimately it's down to the distributor.

  • I need to change from Japan App Store to Australia App Store. I get this every time I try using My MacID: "This Apple ID is only valid for purchases in the Japanese iTunes Store. You will be switched to that Store." What next TY. JohnCahill

    I moved from Japan to Australia. I need to change from Japan App Store to the Australian App Store. I get the following message every time I try using My MacID which was set up in Japan: "This Apple ID is only valid for purchases in the Japanese iTunes Store. You will be switched to that Store." At one point... by which path I do not remember... I was instructed to created a new ID. I fill out the new ID forms, but the address is rejected each time... quite confusing. Does it want a new name? But it says I cannot use an apple domain (tag?) even though I guess it has to be an apple address... ? So I have iTunes crdit cards purchansed in Australia, can't spend in AUstralian iTunes Store, get directed back to Japan each time, and can't open a new ID... What am I doing wrong? Thank you in advance.  John. Australia.

    You must have a separate Apple ID registered in the other store along with a valid bank-issued charge card in the other country, and a legal billing address in the other country.
    Sorry... But... You cannot use other countries itunes stores.
    You must be within the Country with a Valid Billing Address and Credit Card for that Country to use the iTunes Store of that Country..
    iTunes Store Terms of Service
    http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/us/terms.html#SERVICE

  • HT204266 I live in China, have Dutch nationality, and no US address or Credit Card; how can I have access to products from the US iTunes store, in particular music, when such items are not available from the China iTunes store? In general, what are the di

    I live in China, have Dutch nationality, and no US address or Credit Card; how can I have access to products from the US iTunes store, in particular music, when such items are not available from the China iTunes store? In general, what are the differences between countries' iTunes offerings? Does one really need an address and a credit card for any country to be able to access that countries iTunes store? Why these restrictions?

    You cannot.
    You cannot use another countrys itunes store.
    You must be physically locates inside the borders of a country to use that countrys itunes store and a credit card issued in that country with a valid billing address in that country.
    The owners of the distribution rights of movies/music/etc differ by country.  These distributors decide who can sell their content in that country.
    Buy from another source if your countrys itunes store does not carry somehting that you want.

Maybe you are looking for