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Originally Posted by issybird
I'm coming away from this account with two reactions. The first is that you have to know when to give up. Some battles aren't worth fighting. The fourth part of a fan-fiction story? Better to move on early.
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In a very real sense, by asking for a refund, I have kind of given up. I however threatened to publish everywhere I could if they didn't see sense, so that is exactly what I am doing. If that ultimately fixes things, and I am able to get that part, the final part of the story, then that will be a bonus at this point. Sometimes these battles have to be fought, because they have a tendency to happen again. Something needs to change in their Help system and I am pushing for that.
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The second is that I don't think you can ever count on being able to buy future works. Sometimes the work never happens. In this case, it happened but not for you because of geo-restrictions. So it goes. I don't see why Amazon has an obligation to you and you really can't expect them to violate those restrictions.
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For sure, you cannot count on anything, but seeing as the author has published the 4th part, and said I should be able to get it, then Amazon do indeed have an obligation both to him and me, else why present themselves as a service. The restriction is of their own making, not some other publisher, and I fail to see how doing the right thing in my instance is violating anything.
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All of that said, I understand how infuriating this has been. I've found myself in similar situations and the battle itself can take over. Amazon's only real failure, however, was not being able to diagnose the problem early, instead of validating your impression that you were entitled to buy the story.
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That is not correct, all along they knew a restriction was in place. What they took so long to understand, was that it shouldn't be. Then because of their position in the scheme of Amazon hierarchy, they weren't able to fix it.
The only way that I got the impression I should be able to buy the fourth part, was because of the other three parts, and the nearly 100 other similar stories. Letting me buy those in the first place, was all the validation I needed.
Withholding that 4th part from me, was unfair, unethical and immoral. The facts speak for themselves. And if I can make them feel it was also unwise, then perhaps I have done my bit in the battle.
P.S. And I also have another reason to battle on. How can I possibly trust Amazon will do the right thing when they need to? I have bought into their scheme of things, by buying two Kindles, and hundreds of ebooks, so I am at their mercy, and trust is an important element when continuing to purchase from them. There is more a stake here, than just one ebook.
EDIT
Hugh Howey created a great scenario, and while I am not someone who usually buys fan fiction, I was motivated to do so in this instance, especially with Hugh's enthusiastic support. And in several instances it has been very worthwhile, and some of the stories have been absolutely brilliant. I even contemplated adding to the Silo Saga myself.