We would like to summarize the Android Market problems we observed over that past two weeks with the hope that it will help our users solve their problems quicker.

User cannot download application after purchase.
Users are contacting us to complain that they cannot download the application after purchasing it. We found that there are few reasons for this problem. See if you find the problem that applies to you below.

Problem: User entered the wrong credit card number or the credit card is declined.
Unfortunately the Market application does not inform the user that the credit card information entered is invalid or that the credit card was declined. Instead, the Market labels the application as “purchased”, the user thinks that the order is complete but he or she cannot download the application.

Resolution: Users that have this problem need to sign into their Google Checkout.”>Google Checkout account and change the credit card information.

Problem: The credit card takes a long time to be authorized.
Unfortunately the Market application does not inform the user that the credit card authorization is still pending. Instead, the Market labels the application as “purchased”, the user thinks that the order is complete but he or she cannot download the application. We noticed that in few cases it took the Market 6 hours or more to authorize a credit card while in most cases it takes minutes.

Resolution: Users that have this problem need to sign into their Google Checkout account and check the status of their order. We have no way to speedup the process of credit card authorization. Some users canceled their orders with the hope that trying it again will yield faster authorization. The results were mixed. Google Checkout is supported by Google.

Problem: The Google download server does not allow the user to download the application.
This has been a serious problem in the first few days after the Market opened for business. We get very few complaints about this issue recently. In our experience users who purchased applications in the first few days after the paid application became available in the Market (Feb. 20th – Feb. 25th) are more likely to experience this problem.

Resolution: Contact the Google by using the Market forum: http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Android+Market?hl=en

User cannot download application after phone has been reset or exchanged for a new phone.
Purchased applications are linked to the Google Account users enter when they setup their phone. If you reset or exchange your phone, during the new phone setup, you MUST enter the same Google Account as the one you used when you made your purchases. To download purchased applications (without paying for them again) open the Market application and go to “My Downloads”. Note that the applications you already purchased will NOT appear in the Market catalog, you must download them from “My Downloads”.

If you do not enter the same Google Account you will not gain access to your prior purchases. If you forgot your Google password and you need to use a new Google account you need to purchase the application again and ask for a refund for the prior purchase.

Users cannot find the application in the Market.
Problem: The user just got a G1 from T-Mobile, wants to purchase an application but he or she cannot find the application in the Market.

Resolution: In order to purchase applications from the Market you need to have Firmware version 1.1 or newer (update RC33 or newer) installed on the G1 phone. Note that it is not possible to download RC33. You need to wait until T-Mobile will “push” the update to your phone (some users mentioned that T-Mobile can help with this problem). This will be less of a problem going forward since new G1 phones will have Firmware 1.1 installed when the user purchases the phone.

Users are looking for alternate method payments.
Problem: Many users have contacted us to ask if it is possible to purchase our applications by adding a charge on their T-Mobile bill, paying with cash or by check.

Resolution: Sorry but you must use the Google Checkout payment methods to purchase applications. Please see this Google Market support site entry which discusses payment methods: http://market.android.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=105916&topic=15871. Many users have used Visa Gift Card successfully in order to purchase applications.