Another GEM TRAP, I didn't even realize was a gem trap.

[farmer1600]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49256252@N06/6549619625/

In looking at this all this time, I really should have naturally assumed what would happen but...

while replacing ovens for drink machines in order to start another goal task this morning, placed 18 drink machines one after the other and then one too many it seems because one tap on this; automatically took 24 (paid for) gems from my account - They were taken so fast that I didn't even realize what happened - No music like the boxes etc., just gone.

Yesterday evening while x-mas shopping, I bought myself a $100 itunes gift card - After putting everything out to cook etc. this morning, I was going to buy gem packages for 4 of my story games - Well guess what TL? You're not going to get my $100 anymore.

Is it REALLY that hard to put a confirmation box out?!? No, it isn't because you already have them in place to sell useless coin items.

At level 90 and barely anything left to cook, the last thing I needed was another pointless appliance - My other games are high levels also so at this point, I'm just buying decor for amusement - However, your tactics are NOT amusing.

You might say that this was MY fault for tapping 1 too many times in the appliance area - All I can say is; this $100 that was earmarked for you will now be spent elsewhere on my other phone games (top girl/smurf village/tap zoo/tap ranch/tap bistro) .

[farmer1600]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49256252@N06/6549619625/in/photostream

[farmer1600]

http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h439/marcjkd/IMG_7292.jpg

[nmishii]

I'm sorry that you were victim to a gem trap.

Buying another appliance was something I got in the Android release 2 days ago but didn't really want. My 18 are more than enough and I often have so much food I don't cook/bake for long periods. I also got the sushi counter and lemon lime soda in the release.

I thought I might accidentally buy another appliance that I don't want, so even though I got 7 new recipes I only put out 17 appliances so that I wouldn't fall into that gem trap. And I will continue to do that in the future. Kind of sad that this has to be done to avoid a gem trap.

[pinkster73]

It is sad people try to protect themselves from blatant gem traps.

[farmer1600]

Thanks nmishii and pinkster - I've always been pretty conscientious/careful when it comes to TL games (though continuously don't understand why I should need to be).

nmishii; I'm happy that you got extra recipes and the sushi counter/lemon lime soda (finally!) - It's a great idea to put 17 appliances out - Pathetic that it has to be that way but smart on your part.

The $100 itunes card was completely frivolous - I honestly do enjoy the games (minus the gem traps/bugs/other issues) but the money will not be going to TL after experiencing another gem trap reminder today.

[mushroom79]

Well done farmer1600, the $100 will be more wisely spent elsewhere.

[cupcakes4cece]

Agreed. One of the reasons I am so reluctant to buy gems (I have bought some in the past) is that it's so easy to lose them before you have a chance to buy what you want. Why risk it? At least when it steals my gems, which it does quite regularly, it isn't stealing my real money. It still makes me mad and sometimes upset enough to cry in frustration, so I can just imagine what losing paid for gems would do to me. So I'm just afraid/reluctant to buy any.

Here's a question. TeamLava already have our money for the gems, right? So why do they care if we spend them on what we want to get, or if we get tricked out of them by a gem trap? It makes no sense! They already have the money! It's not like tricking us out of the gems gives them more money, somehow. In fact, it probably does the opposite in the long run by making us reluctant to buy more or making us quit the games. Hmm.

[julia3032]

Agreed. One of the reasons I am so reluctant to buy gems (I have bought some in the past) is that it's so easy to lose them before you have a chance to buy what you want. Why risk it? At least when it steals my gems, which it does quite regularly, it isn't stealing my real money. It still makes me mad and sometimes upset enough to cry in frustration, so I can just imagine what losing paid for gems would do to me. So I'm just afraid/reluctant to buy any.

Here's a question. TeamLava already have our money for the gems, right? So why do they care if we spend them on what we want to get, or if we get tricked out of them by a gem trap? It makes no sense! They already have the money! It's not like tricking us out of the gems gives them more money, somehow. In fact, it probably does the opposite in the long run by making us reluctant to buy more or making us quit the games. Hmm.

Because if they take them, they think we will buy more to get what we wanted to buy in the first place. I don't know what they are thinking...who wants to spend more money on ppl who are stealing from you and trying to trick you into losing your gems. In other games, not only do you have confirmations, you often have ways of wiping out any transactions you just made. Farmer, I know you know what I'm talking about.

[sophiacml]

Without those traps, how TL can survive?

[mimidori]

Not all game developers need to make money this way...OP wanted to spend that $100, and I wanted to buy that largest gem package, but neither of us are going to due to gem traps (especially the complete all recipes option which targets people who buy a lot).

[kleinekitty8]

This is so frustrating. I just noticed that they are able to create confirmation buttons! But only when you want to sell an item...This is ridiculous. I also changed my itunes gift card wish, because I'm upset with this. Whenever I have gems I try to spend them immediately so that I dont buy anything I wouldnt want.

[dickee]

Can't agreed more!!!! It's very frustrating to waste our money on completing food, which would complete just a matter of time. They should done away with this function!!! Or at least it should come with a confirmation button to re-affirm the "action"!

[ultrafrog]

Can't agreed more!!!! It's very frustrating to waste our money on completing food, which would complete just a matter of time. They should done away with this function!!! Or at least it should come with a confirmation button to re-affirm the "action"!

It's on purpose. They want you to accidentally click and spend gems so you don't have enough to get what you want and have to buy more. That's why if you contact support they will never refund you.

[pinkberry22]

If u are an apple user u can ask for a refund
This happened to me once in fashion my game froze and got an extra slot foe 50 gems!
A friend of mine told me to email them
And I did and they refunded my 10$ I used to buy the 50 package
but they have a one time policy btw
And really sorry btw I know how it feels to lose gems which u spent real cash on!

[cakesJordanEz]

Because if they take them, they think we will buy more to get what we wanted to buy in the first place. I don't know what they are thinking...who wants to spend more money on ppl who are stealing from you and trying to trick you into losing your gems. In other games, not only do you have confirmations, you often have ways of wiping out any transactions you just made. Farmer, I know you know what I'm talking about.

You think TL is BAD? Try installing and playing TinyChef! Its company ABANDONED the game, and with it took mine and other people's money without even a WARNING! What should have tipped me and the other TC players off was when the DAILY acadamy dishes stopped coming! There were no new cookbooks of any kind! At first, the company tried to pass it off by starting all over again with the acadamy dishes some of which cost chefbucks( the equivelant of gems), but then after bringing back the old Xmas decorations, they stopped the acadamy dishes again, and this time they appear to have given up on us! There is NO real forum! Nor have they even listened to our complaints in the app reviews! At least TL gives us all new content just about every week!

[pchaneats]

I lost gems by tapping one wrong move at night club n fashion story... I was so upset like many people here.... I actually deleted the games n quit...for a few days at least!! However I bought an extra oven n thinking of another one for BS... So I can get through the Xmas goals quicker! I can't wait to unlock the recipes in the candyc oven..... Come on lets get cooking n decorating!

[pchaneats]

I tried to run stories that's 'best coins can buy' LOL... However, I do fall for cute gem updates often.. The biggest gem trap is the cute updates! Meanwhile, I wonder if the 50% sale of small no.of gems will be back? These days it's all pricey gem packages gets the big discount :-(

[casadolce]

One other game I played, one about a cartoon dog, has a "are you sure" pop up every time I accidentally tapped on something that costs "cash". And on Christmas day I received a pop up saying merry Christmas, and two free "cash" as gift. It's small gestures like these that warm people's heart.

[mimidori]

One other game I played, one about a cartoon dog, has a "are you sure" pop up every time I accidentally tapped on something that costs "cash". And on Christmas day I received a pop up saying merry Christmas, and two free "cash" as gift. It's small gestures like these that warm people's heart.

I think I know what you're talking about. I have to tap like crazy on that game and are you sure? pops up all the time. Never spent a buck by accident. And I got 5 "bucks" on Christmas~hehe

[ariesblu]

It's quite unfortunate. I've lost gems as well in similar situations, and TL seems to not be acquiescing to those wanting a confirmation button.

[SweetBGs]

I just did it too. Went to make a recipe on an open drink mixer and, since you have to tap twice to bring up the recipes, accidentally hit the mixer next to it and POOF! 5 gems gone. And they were wasted on a recipe that was nearly complete. A confirmation button would be nice cause if this happens again I'm quitting. And I'm definitely not spending any more of my money on gems!

[cindyc1988]

I've been reading the forum for a couple months now and I notice that someone fromTL pops in and comments on alot of threads but never does anyone from TL make a statement or comment about the gem traps...no not a word from TL..I buy alot of gems pkgs and have never lost gems on gem trap..but only because I buy and spend immediately.its a shame we even have to worry about this...would love to hear just one word from TL about why they won't give us confirm buttons..come on TL just one word please

[ultrafrog]

They don't respond because the customer/forum reps that do post here can't do anything about it. It's a company policy/decision. Even if they did feel it was wrong they wouldn't say anything against it.

That's why the only thing they will ever say is "I'll forward it to developers" instead of addressing it.

[lilobrat05]

Ya I don't like the new update where it asks if u want finish everything for a ton of gems! I was serving and must have accidentally hit one of my appliances that wasnt finished and lost 25 gems I was so mad!!!! I never speed up food cuz I personally think its a waste of gems and this wasn't the first time this happened to me but with this new option I have to be very careful cuz it not just 5 gems anymore! Hello when are you gonna give us a confirmation button when spending gems in any manner? This is our hard earned money and you think it's okay to just take it from us!!

[robynznest]

I hate business practices like this. There's nothing wrong with making money. There's everything wrong with tricking people out of it. And, it's not a smart business strategy for a company that wants to last.

[mimishopping]

Today i've lost. 56 gems too. For skip collect material to build makeup counter. So sad. I want TL make confirmation box before use gem. Now it is too easy to accidentally use gems

[bigtail2]

So. Disgusted. A bunch of recipes instantly finished and all of my gems gone. They know exactly what they are doing.

[ariesblu]

I don't see it ever happening. I'm not sure if anyone from tl has even discussed it in the forum.

[sweet_1]

Unfortunately nothing will ever happen about this, it is a "player error" every time we loose gems