I think this is an excellent idea, and I don't understand why the devs haven't considered this option.
They could easily offer a free "lite" version of Shopper, with as many ads as they can fit on the screen. Then, offer a paid "full" version, with NO ads. Charge $4.99 or $6.99 for it. But NO ads, and allow customizeable alerts and flyer options.
Of course, the big obvious catch here is that they would HAVE to offer a free upgrade the full version to people who have already purchased the app. Call it a goodwill gesture.

The devs seem completely oblivious to the fact that people bought this app with no ads in it, and adding the ads in, then asking an additional fee to remove the ads is a dishonest and immoral way to line their own pockets. The ads weren't there when I bought it, I don't expect them to be there, EVER.
I don't understand how these guys could be so dense as to not recognize this. Or maybe they're only concerned about their own wallets, and don't care about the users.

I did leave feedback in the app store. It was detailed, and very VERY bad. I did not leave bad feedback due to some petty desire to "hurt" you. I did it so that potential customers will know exactly what they will be getting before they choose to spend their hard-earned money on you app.
It is dishonest to ask people who have had a bad experience with your product to not alert others to the problems. People need to know the issues with your app, and be allowed to base their purchasing decision on those issues. If they understand the problems with the ads, and choose to purchase Shopper anyway, so be it.
If your "growth" slows, it will be because you are offering a product that people no longer want or like.

FYI, I also leave accurate feedback about many items I purchase, on Amazon and other websites, so people can make informed decisions based on actual people using the product they are considering buying.

Totally agree that it's ridiculous to have adds in a paid-for app. Will hope devs will change mind or will stop using app which will be reflected on iTunes review.

Yes, just found this app a couple weeks ago and decided to buy it. Now I see an update available. Luckily before I decided to update I read the description. I won't be updating - hopefully the version I have will continue to work. [Edited by moderator]

I'm sorry I bought it. Want my money back. [Edited by moderator]

As emailed to support@myshopperapp.com:

G'day from Australia,

Whilst I understand, from your forums, that you feel the need to insert advertising due to increased costs, it has unfortunately made the App unusable for me by directly increasing my costs.

Ignoring the "Bait and Switch" - you sold me an app without ads, then added them with no removal option - and the general frustration and anger it's caused, I don't think you realise the cost (direct, actual, monetary cost) of delivering those alerts & ads to me.

I live in Australia, and my carrier (Telstra - http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/nextg/) has very low data limits. I only get 150MB per month and to go up to 300MB costs an extra $19 per month - http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/browsing_packs.html. Additionally, every MB I use over that 150MB costs me 50c. Yes, 50c per MB.

Whilst I was willing to use a smidgeon of my data allowance or excess charges to share the list with my wife (so we could both add things / check out things as we shopped), I am not willing to be paying 50c per MB for you to send me FDA alerts (irrelevant for Australia) and adverts.

Whilst you may have changed the delivery method for alerts, the app is still chewing up 50c/MB as it connects to you to see what FDA alerts might be there (even if you don't return any) and for the adverts you serve.

Can you understand my rage at suddenly finding out that I'm paying 50c/MB for you to send me adverts or other information I don't want, without any way of disabling this?

Given this cost, I can no longer use this app as designed. The only time I can open it is when I'm on WiFi (at home / work), which is fine for adding things to the list, but useless for viewing it at the shops (where there isn't WiFi). Being unable to use a shopping list at the shops entirely defeats the purpose of it.

Please arrange refunds for both myself and my wife, as your changes have resulted in the app being useless to us both.

Sincerely,

prk

I tried entering NO zip code to stop flyers from displaying.
I was prevented.
This app requries a zip code - which is OK, mostly.
I just don't need to see cute non-information being displayed under each item I put in my list.

How do I stop displaying flyers??

Nope. Once the flyers are enabled, you are stuck with them.

Enjoy your list full of ads, and don't forget to buy Carnation Milk, which is now displayed on your list, if you want it or not.

I could not agree more. I also live in Australia. When I bought this app it was great. Then slowly new versions came out with new "features" of zero use to me like flyers for US shops and us food recalls. Like I need that in Australia. Now to pay for these features we are to have ads foisted on us at my download expense. I think not. Time to trash the app and buy something else!

I'm with you guys. This app was FANTASTIC and then they offered this crazy update. I was lucky that I checked the details of the download BEFORE I hit okay, realised that the company was behaving unethically and now have to download every other app's update individually as I will experience the same problems as you if I hit 'update all'.
Don't bother contacting the company; to include advertisements that causes expensive downloads of irrelevant information for international customers just shows their poor morals. Report them to iTunes, I'm sure they're breaching their use agreements for the Australian store by adding ads to a previously purchased app.

And on that topic, what other program do you recommend we download to replace this awful one?

Edit: Here is the Australian complaints page for apps not functioning as purchased. I have requested the provider be investigated for breach of conditions and continued relevance in the Australian store:
http://www.apple.com/au/support/itunes/ ... plications