[orwell2k]

The message from Waterstones is also worded very strangely. In the first para they use the term 'Registered Address outside the UK'. Later, they say they can no longer take orders from anywhere outside the UK.

Now, my registered address is UK, but I am often ordering from other EU countries as I travel on business, and I use a non-UK card. This will be interesting to see if they try to block me.

Luckily, I don't buy much from them as there are cheaper UK alternatives, but it could spark a domino effect in that other, cheaper, UK outlets like WHSmith and BookDepository could go the same way.

WHSmith has already undergone a major rehash of their eBook site and, quite frankly, it sucks now. Searching is cumbersome, as by default you get all formats being found. Known eBooks on their site sometimes don't get found unless you search for the eISBN. My greatest complaint - Audio books often get lumped in wth eBooks. Release dates for eBooks are greatly delayed (and when they finally appear, the publication date is correct, i.e. some months prior to first appearance - WTF?). And pricing has increased slightly overall. If they add insult to injury by locking out users in the manner Waterstones is trying, then it will have to be the big 'f**k you' to WHsmith.

And BTW, f**k you Waterstones for even trying this lock-out scheme. I didn't like your prices before, and ordered from you only as a last resort, and now I will definitely not bring any business your way. Here's hoping you enjoy your inexorable slide into bankruptacy - and rest assured I'll be there to p**s on your financial grave!