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gxtal · 10-23-2010, 07:35 AM

Hi,

What's the story with the Whispernet Tax? Is it a policy that is documented anywhere?

The reason I ask is that, being from Australia, we have a pathetically small range of books to choose from in the Kindle store. If that wasn't enough, we often get slugged an additional $2 over what is in the US store.

I've seen comments that this is due to Amazon subsidising their 3G costs by adding a fee to the purchase. As I'm using an iPad and iPhone, and therefore not Amazon's 3G service, I don't see why I should be paying extra.

I've queried Amazon a few times on this issue and have been told that the costs are due to regional variations, taxes etc and separately that there are no 3G charges. From what I can see, they are just regurgitating whatever script Amazon have given them.

However, the same books are in Smashwords for $2 less and also $2 less when browsing the US Kindle store.

Has anyone had any success getting a clear answer on this or the cost reduced?

On my last purchase I asked for a $2 refund on the grounds I did not use Whispernet, but the whole book was refunded.

10-23-2010, 07:35 AM	#1
gxtal Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Cybook Gen 3, iPad, iPhone	Whispernet Tax Hi, What's the story with the Whispernet Tax? Is it a policy that is documented anywhere? The reason I ask is that, being from Australia, we have a pathetically small range of books to choose from in the Kindle store. If that wasn't enough, we often get slugged an additional $2 over what is in the US store. I've seen comments that this is due to Amazon subsidising their 3G costs by adding a fee to the purchase. As I'm using an iPad and iPhone, and therefore not Amazon's 3G service, I don't see why I should be paying extra. I've queried Amazon a few times on this issue and have been told that the costs are due to regional variations, taxes etc and separately that there are no 3G charges. From what I can see, they are just regurgitating whatever script Amazon have given them. However, the same books are in Smashwords for $2 less and also $2 less when browsing the US Kindle store. Has anyone had any success getting a clear answer on this or the cost reduced? On my last purchase I asked for a $2 refund on the grounds I did not use Whispernet, but the whole book was refunded.