Troubleshooting Where to launch a formal complaint against Amazon?

sally617 · 08-06-2010, 10:59 PM

I just bought my kindle amd I am still thrilled about it. However, I just found out that credit card registration or gift card is reguired to download FREE　kindle books. Currently I do not have one and I do not plan to get one either. The only option left to me to to buy gift cards to download those 'FREE' kindle books. In this case, they are not free anymore. I contacted customer service twice and the only response I got is that it is the policy, I have nothing to do but to obey it or to return my kindle. Why do Amazon need my billing adress for free books? Isn't email sufficient? Apparently Apple is satisfied with using email address.

I found the policy of Amazon discriminatory. My benefits of downloading free stuff has been deprived simply because i am not a credit card owner. Indeed I have to pay for these so-called free books. Also, the ads are misleading because I cannot see sign of 'credit card or gift crad required' when Amazon is bragging about their huge collection of free kindle books.

Apart from the FTC Bureau of Concumer Protection, which i googled, anywhere else I can lauch a formal complaint against Amazon?

Pokesomi · 08-06-2010, 11:41 PM

Call Amazon Directly. They will usually setup something to work it out. They have been great for any issues i have had. Call them up. They will work with you on it.

clintbradford · 08-07-2010, 12:10 AM

You could simply purchase a ten or twenty dollar gift card ... or ask a relative to give you one for your next birthday or holiday. That card could establish an Amazon.com account.

I wouldn't personally use the term "discriminatory" because Amazon.com does, indeed, publicly state on their Web site that a credit card or Amazon gift card is necessary to access books on their site.

BUT - If I felt like you are feeling, I would certainly try to "sweet talk" myself into a resolution. I'd say that that "credit card or gift card" requirement wasn't easily found on the Web site. I'd tell them that their device was recommended to me as the finest eReading experience available ...

You get the picture. Legally, Amazon can tell you to have a nice day and kiss you off. Put yourself in the Amazon customer service rep's shoes for a moment, and think to yourself: "WIll I get further by yelling "DISCRIMINATION!" or by trying to sweet talk the rep. What approach from a client would YOU feel inclined to "work things out" with???

arcadata · 08-07-2010, 12:53 AM

Really? That's weird, cause when I first started downloading from Kindle, I did not have a credit card or a gift card attached to the account. I was just trying it out via the free eBooks to see if I liked it. Had no problem downloading at all. Is this a recent rule change?

Editing to add that I didn't even have a Kindle at first, I just downloaded to the Kindle PC program.

KayakerNC · 08-07-2010, 12:56 AM

Why single out Amazon.
B&N also requires credit card information for their "free" books. I would feel much safer with Amazon having that information as opposed to B&N which is up for-sale and staring bankruptcy in the face.

Kindle Addict · 08-07-2010, 01:07 AM

I second the Visa or Mastercard gift card option (I've used it myself). You can register the card with Amazon and then spend the money on something else.

kindlekitten · 08-07-2010, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sally617

I just bought my kindle amd I am still thrilled about it. However, I just found out that credit card registration or gift card is reguired to download FREE　kindle books. Currently I do not have one and I do not plan to get one either. The only option left to me to to buy gift cards to download those 'FREE' kindle books. In this case, they are not free anymore. I contacted customer service twice and the only response I got is that it is the policy, I have nothing to do but to obey it or to return my kindle. Why do Amazon need my billing adress for free books? Isn't email sufficient? Apparently Apple is satisfied with using email address.

I found the policy of Amazon discriminatory. My benefits of downloading free stuff has been deprived simply because i am not a credit card owner. Indeed I have to pay for these so-called free books. Also, the ads are misleading because I cannot see sign of 'credit card or gift crad required' when Amazon is bragging about their huge collection of free kindle books.

Apart from the FTC Bureau of Concumer Protection, which i googled, anywhere else I can lauch a formal complaint against Amazon?

then use apple if they satisfy your needs

Kevin R · 08-07-2010, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clintbradford

I wouldn't personally use the term "discriminatory" because Amazon.com does, indeed, publicly state on their Web site that a credit card or Amazon gift card is necessary to access books on their site.

Restaurants also used to have signs saying 'We do not serve blacks'. Did the fact that they had a public policy make it right? The amazon policy is indeed discriminatory against folks that do not have credit cards, which by its nature discriminates against folks on the poor side of the tracks.

JSWolf · 08-07-2010, 02:21 AM

If you have a bank debit card, you can use that as a credit card and all will be well.

Mirtika · 08-07-2010, 02:29 AM

If you got gift cards, technically, it could still be thought of as getting free books, since you could use the gift cards to buy Kindle books you would have paid for anyway.

You didn't get the Kindle just for the free books, did you? If so, then, okay, I get your point.

But lodging a complaint is still a good idea, even if it means they edit the Kindle info on free books to be clearer on rules for others considering purchase with your same issue.

HarryT · 08-07-2010, 03:19 AM

I don't mean to be impolite, but honestly it's nobody's fault but your own that you failed to do your research about how their store operates before purchasing the device. As mentioned previously, it is clearly stated that a credit card is required.

Forgive the obvious question, but why not just get a credit card? Eg, one of the pre-pay Visa cards that are widely available.

This is certainly not a discriminatory policy, as you claim; it applies equally to everybody.

Finally, it's worth noting that Amazon is not the only source of free books for the Kindle; you can download thousands of them right here at MR.

sally617 · 08-07-2010, 03:25 AM

For people who stated that Amazon has out sign of credit card or gift card needed to access books, can you tell me where it is? I am unable to find it out.

HarryT · 08-07-2010, 03:43 AM

Go to the "your account" page and select "edit payment method"; you'll see that the only payment methods accepted are credit cards.

JSWolf · 08-07-2010, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Go to the "your account" page and select "edit payment method"; you'll see that the only payment methods accepted are credit cards.

That still isn't good enough to know beforehand that the free books need a credit card on record first.

mdurham · 08-07-2010, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Go to the "your account" page and select "edit payment method"; you'll see that the only payment methods accepted are credit cards.

But how do you 'pay' for something that is free? It's nonsense.

08-06-2010, 10:59 PM	#1
sally617 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: kindle dx graphite	Where to launch a formal complaint against Amazon? I just bought my kindle amd I am still thrilled about it. However, I just found out that credit card registration or gift card is reguired to download FREE　kindle books. Currently I do not have one and I do not plan to get one either. The only option left to me to to buy gift cards to download those 'FREE' kindle books. In this case, they are not free anymore. I contacted customer service twice and the only response I got is that it is the policy, I have nothing to do but to obey it or to return my kindle. Why do Amazon need my billing adress for free books? Isn't email sufficient? Apparently Apple is satisfied with using email address. I found the policy of Amazon discriminatory. My benefits of downloading free stuff has been deprived simply because i am not a credit card owner. Indeed I have to pay for these so-called free books. Also, the ads are misleading because I cannot see sign of 'credit card or gift crad required' when Amazon is bragging about their huge collection of free kindle books. Apart from the FTC Bureau of Concumer Protection, which i googled, anywhere else I can lauch a formal complaint against Amazon?

08-07-2010, 03:19 AM	#11
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I don't mean to be impolite, but honestly it's nobody's fault but your own that you failed to do your research about how their store operates before purchasing the device. As mentioned previously, it is clearly stated that a credit card is required. Forgive the obvious question, but why not just get a credit card? Eg, one of the pre-pay Visa cards that are widely available. This is certainly not a discriminatory policy, as you claim; it applies equally to everybody. Finally, it's worth noting that Amazon is not the only source of free books for the Kindle; you can download thousands of them right here at MR. Last edited by HarryT; 08-07-2010 at 03:23 AM.

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08-06-2010, 11:41 PM	#2
Pokesomi Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Kindle 2 INT	Call Amazon Directly. They will usually setup something to work it out. They have been great for any issues i have had. Call them up. They will work with you on it.

08-07-2010, 12:10 AM	#3
clintbradford Older ... slower ... Posts: 450 Karma: 1924 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Jurupa Valley CA US Device: Kobo, Kindles 2/3/Keyboard/Fire/Fire HD, HDX.	You could simply purchase a ten or twenty dollar gift card ... or ask a relative to give you one for your next birthday or holiday. That card could establish an Amazon.com account. I wouldn't personally use the term "discriminatory" because Amazon.com does, indeed, publicly state on their Web site that a credit card or Amazon gift card is necessary to access books on their site. BUT - If I felt like you are feeling, I would certainly try to "sweet talk" myself into a resolution. I'd say that that "credit card or gift card" requirement wasn't easily found on the Web site. I'd tell them that their device was recommended to me as the finest eReading experience available ... You get the picture. Legally, Amazon can tell you to have a nice day and kiss you off. Put yourself in the Amazon customer service rep's shoes for a moment, and think to yourself: "WIll I get further by yelling "DISCRIMINATION!" or by trying to sweet talk the rep. What approach from a client would YOU feel inclined to "work things out" with???

08-07-2010, 12:53 AM	#4
arcadata Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,230 Karma: 4651787 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle, Kindle Fire, iPad, iPod Touch, Sony PRS-350	Really? That's weird, cause when I first started downloading from Kindle, I did not have a credit card or a gift card attached to the account. I was just trying it out via the free eBooks to see if I liked it. Had no problem downloading at all. Is this a recent rule change? Editing to add that I didn't even have a Kindle at first, I just downloaded to the Kindle PC program.

08-07-2010, 12:56 AM	#5
KayakerNC Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 12 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Eastern NC, near the coast Device: Kindle Klassic (K1), Kindle 3 wifi & 3G, and Sony Pocket	Why single out Amazon. B&N also requires credit card information for their "free" books. I would feel much safer with Amazon having that information as opposed to B&N which is up for-sale and staring bankruptcy in the face.

08-07-2010, 01:07 AM	#6
Kindle Addict kindict Posts: 64 Karma: 208 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: Kindle 2, Kobo, iPad, Nook	I second the Visa or Mastercard gift card option (I've used it myself). You can register the card with Amazon and then spend the money on something else.

08-07-2010, 02:21 AM	#9
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,887 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If you have a bank debit card, you can use that as a credit card and all will be well.

08-07-2010, 02:29 AM	#10
Mirtika Member Posts: 23 Karma: 14 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Miami, FL Device: Sony Reader PRS505	If you got gift cards, technically, it could still be thought of as getting free books, since you could use the gift cards to buy Kindle books you would have paid for anyway. You didn't get the Kindle just for the free books, did you? If so, then, okay, I get your point. But lodging a complaint is still a good idea, even if it means they edit the Kindle info on free books to be clearer on rules for others considering purchase with your same issue.

08-07-2010, 03:25 AM	#12
sally617 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: kindle dx graphite	For people who stated that Amazon has out sign of credit card or gift card needed to access books, can you tell me where it is? I am unable to find it out.

08-07-2010, 03:43 AM	#13
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Go to the "your account" page and select "edit payment method"; you'll see that the only payment methods accepted are credit cards.

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