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| Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons |
I was with a group of women they other day, and we were discussing our reading habits, specifically whether we prefer eReaders or print books. By-the-way, most prefer print, though we all acknowledged the convenience of eReaders as well as benefit of digital books being much cheaper than hard copies.
I was the only author in the group and about half of the women knew I have several books published. The others hadn’t a clue.
“…cause you know those authors are making a killing, and Amazon is so stupid, they let you keep the book for a whole week before you have to return it. Who can’t read a book in a week? I just say I didn’t like it, but I usually do. And I’ve even gotten other books from some authors.”
I was thinking she wouldn’t be able to read for a month after I hit her up along side her forehead with my Kindle or Ipad, the twit!
“So, have you ever asked for your money back after watching a movie at the theater, or after attending a concert? Or refused to pay for your meal at a restaurant after you’ve eaten the entire thing?” I asked, in my best teacher-to-clueless-student-voice.
Let’s pause here while I take a couple of deep breaths and refrain from writing the rather uncomplimentary thoughts that banged around in my head regarding her intelligence level, lineage, and another use she might consider for her Kindle that involves a part of one’s body one sits on.
You don’t need to know the rest of the conversation but one other person in the group thought it was okay to return a book “…if you get to the end and never liked it to begin with.”
I disagree, emphatically, categorically, and equivocally!
How’d you like all those adverbs?
I know within the first few pages whether or not I’m going to like a book, and often within the first page or two. I don’t finish reading it, and have NEVER returned a digital book, even ones I’ve not finished reading.
Read the book description and take the look inside that almost all eBooks allow for before you buy. After doing so, you’ll have a pretty darn good idea if you like the author’s voice or the story.
If not, don’t buy it. Simple.
.jpg "More Than Pirate Sites Steal Authors' Books-Legal Book Thieves 7")
Amazon’s lax policy on Kindle refunds encourages the unethical cockroaches and social parasites to steal.
Below is Amazon’s policy, along with the link where I found it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200144510
“Books you purchase from the Kindle Store are eligible for return and refund if we receive your request within seven days of the date of purchase. Once a refund is issued, you’ll no longer have access to the book. To request a refund and return content, visit Manage Your Content and Devices, select the
You tell ’em Amazon. Once you have your refund, you can’t read anymore of the book.
Duh, they already read it, dim wit.
I don’t care how bleeping long the book is, seven days is excessively lenient. I can read a full-length novel in three to four hours. Personally, I don’t think any digital books should be allowed to be returned after the first five pages are read.
Sites that offer refunds for digital books should monitor how many books and how often those slugs return books. Maybe if they monitored book thieves the way the do book reviewers …
I’m really curious to hear your thoughts about returning digital books. They’re not like a hard copy book that can be reshelved and resold.
Nobody but the author loses when book thieves ask for a refund after they’ve read the book.
I must admit I have returned digital books but for 2 reasons only. #1 I have accidentally touched the ‘buy with one click’ button because of grabbing or holding my phone wrong. It was an accident and I didn’t read any of the book. #2 when a book was posted as free or 99 cents somewhere and i was so excited that I did not look close enough when I got to the Amazon page then got the email from Amazon telling me how much it was and it wasn’t free or 99 cents. I am retired and live on a very limited income! My book budget is very small.
But I have not read these books.
If I really hated a movie I would leave early and with what it costs to go to a movie I would ask for my money back not watch the whole thing first. Haven’t been to a movie in years.
If my food in a restaurant was under or over cooked or just crappy in any way I would return it and not eat the whole thing then refuse to pay.
But the ‘twit’ wouldn’t either, don’t understand how she thought it would be okay for her to do that with books. If she wants to read for free there is place they encourage you to do that. It’s called a library but then she may not be smart enough to figure that out.
I admire you greatly for your restraint in not slapping the shit out of her. I would have!!