Publishing paid application from a non-listed country

Hello guys

I've finally got my main focus back to this and will be purchasing B4A in the beginning of next week. I am currently working on my ideas - they are various and interesting and I will benefit a lot from using B4A over pure Java, I am absolutely sure in this

There is one restriction though. My country is not listed as a supported location for merchants and thus I can't submit paid applications. Hopefully, I am allowed to post free ones. Now, while I am going to develop different apps, some of them will be free of charge but others will be offered at a small cost. It seems I can't do it the official way. So far, I see two possibilities:

1. Rely on ads ==> this will be valid for the free apps
2. Integrate PayPal in my applications

I am still considering the second option. It's relatively easy to write my own PayPal gateway, hosted on my server which will handle payments, generate unlock codes, handles activation, everything. I've seen this in an application I am using. The difference is that this application is from a supported location and the PayPal integration is only in addition to the regular Market billing service. However, I have the feeling that this breaks the Market License Agreement(please throw some light on this).

Regarding the first options, at least when I am using an application, ads do not handicap me. I only click them if I want to support the develop but I am sure few people do like me. I was recently helping a woman to setup her brand new Iphone. Her first thought was "Now, disable the payments for applications". She's driving a car for $100 000 and she wanted to disabled payments... That's why I don't think there will be big revenue from showing ads. This doesn't mean I am not going to integrate them!

I extremely dissatisfied with the limitations Google imposes me. My country is an EU member and thus it shouldn't be due to law restrictions or another governmental reason. What is interesting - I don't see countries like Greece and the Czech Republic which are also eligible according to my logic.

What do you think, what are my options?

I fail to see any reason for Google to discriminate Bulgaria and other countries,
unless they had negative experience in the past or trouble converting currencies.

Anyway, I like the story about the 100,000$-First Lady. That reflects the reality
of the market. Others own 3 or more devices, rate an app as "junk" and demand
a refund of their lousy dollar without having the slightest idea what programming
is all about. Nor do they know how to operate their phone let alone how to install widgets.

One of my free apps has been downloaded over 3000 times in two months. Then I attached
a 150 Yen price tag. Now I am seeing 7 downloads in two months. That is the real
market demand.

According to my experience, most users hate ads, also because ads depend on an internet
permission which would otherwise not be required. My free apps in the market are
also ads-free. In turn, I ask for a little donation if someone finds my work useful.

Probably you won't get an ROI with donations but you may gain reputation as a
developer alongside a good application. Just tell the world that your country is
on the "black list" without transparent reason. Even if there was a reason, it is
not your personal fault, therefore asking for a PayPal donation.

Do you have reliable friends or relatives living in countries which are not excluded?

All the best.

@alfcen,

Thank you for your detailed reply. I see you have the poor experience with paid applications too. One question here - is the developer able to change price whenever they want? I mean - have a free, app, then do it $2, then back free, then $4. I am just asking for the technical possibility, I understand it's not a correct strategy

I have an uncle who is running successful Time Codes business and is using PayPal intesively. He is in Germany. Unfortunately, he is developing a game which will be first available for Iphone and then for Android and he'd need the Android Market himself.

I have an aunt in Italy, which could be more suitable but I have to create an account on her name, need her documents. She is in her 60-ies, so imagine if I have to require all documents and bother her with bullshits.

Another reason, I want to create a name in the Android Market which will be connected to certain apps. I want to begin with one name and continue.

PayPal had bad experience with our country but now we are allowed to withdrawn with debit/credit cards, still no bank accounts.

I don't see any reason for Google not to include our country. What's more, we are currently being recorded in Street View(today I got back to Sofia and left behind a Google car, taking images).

My general opinion is that while in AppStore people are used to paying(I don't say they pay without taking a look), while with Android it's different as it is open source, while iOs isn't. I simply don't get it!

Penko said:

One question here - is the developer able to change price whenever they want? I mean - have a free, app, then do it $2, then back free, then $4.

Click to expand...

The answer from google: If you have previously published an application for free, you cannot change it to have a price. You'll need to upload a new APK and add a price.

But otherwise you can change its price anytime you want, always within the allowed prices ranges.

Thank you @joseluis!

It is more clear now, I have to divide my apps to free and paid ones(in theory) and do not mix between the two columns )

Hi Penko
I sent you a PM (private mail). Please check.

Thanks once more, I think I got some idea how to bypass the lack of support for Bulgaria