12-12-2008, 09:37 PM | #1 | ||
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Sony Bookstore-false ad for free ebooks
When I open the eBook store in the Sony library, I see an ad that says on the left:
Quote:
Quote:
Maria Lima: 1 book, not free. Fantasy Magazine: 2008 Sampler is free. Weird Tales: Nothing named "weird tales" is free, but the search turns up the Fantasy Magazine Sampler. Erm. In a brick-and-mortar store, if there were a sign saying "Free books from [author]", they'd be legally required to provide them for as long as they have the sign up. (Unless the sign says "Until Dec 8th" or whatever.) Am planning on calling customer service to find out what free downloads from Carole Nelson Douglas & Maria Lima they're talking about. |
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12-12-2008, 10:32 PM | #2 |
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Followup
After 20 minutes on hold I got through to customer support.
It turns out the free downloads are offered in phases, one at a time. He apologizes for the ad having no mention of this whatsoever, and offers to send me an email notifying me when the books change. I am... fascinated by this. I rarely see blatant and obvious false advertising; it's usually something that takes squinting through the terms, or some kind of interpretation. Not used to, "Free Downloads" followed by, "and by free, we mean 'pay full price'." |
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12-13-2008, 07:42 AM | #3 |
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I noticed that, too, but was happy to find the 12 other books that were NOT advertised that someone pointed out here on MobileRead.
At the very least, they should amend the ad copy to say something about these authors' free books being "phased" in. Otherwise, it continues to be misleading advertising, in my opinion. Don |
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