MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Fictionwise write up from Publisher's Weekly

pking36330 · 03-24-2009, 02:49 PM

First, let me say I'm only five hours into trying to unlock the first (and probably only) ebook I bought on Fictionwise. Maybe things will improve when (if?) tech support every responds to either of the emails I sent.

Their system is very cumbersome and really makes the case for me to abandon the idea of trying to buy and read books on my Blackberry, I just need to spring a Kindle where the purchase-through-reading experience is really well laid out and intuitive. This purchase today from Fictionwise is VERY un-intuitive and I'm no net-neophyte.

I selected a book I've been wanting to read, The Dante Club, uploaded enough money into their MicroPay system to cover the cost of a couple books, and selected The Dante Club for purchase. I had Mobipocket Reader on my Blackberry already, but their website was touting a 'new' eReader download for the Blackberry so I installed it and purchased the book in the 'recommended' format: eReader.

I downloaded to my Blackberry and it asked for an Unlock code, which I didn't have. So I go back online to the website and find that you have to enter a credit card number and other data to get the unlock code and that you should use a 'permanent credit card number' because that number will forever be tied to your ability to unlock this book. Evidently the credit card number I entered to make the purchase wasn't good enough, so I entered another credit card number (and now I'm pretty nervous about the amount of my data Fictionwise has).

I followed ALL of their procedures, read and re-read their FAQ and Help summaries and after many unsuccessful tries, finally resorted to sending a email from their support page. I wasn't expecting immediate resolution (even though I wanted immediate resolution, I bought the book to read today during travel). After a couple hours and MANY more tries and re-reads of the FAQ and Help information, I still can't unlock the book I purchased and I sent another email request. Still no response five hours later and if I don't hear from them soon I guess I'll have to call the credit card company and dispute the charges (I thought I purchased a ebook, but so far I've only purchased the appearance that I've bought an ebook).

Does anyone here know if Fictionwise is actually a reputable company? Has anyone else solved the riddle of unlocking your purchases on this site? I've taken their advice and put in EXACTLY how my name is spelled on their purchase site and tried unlocking with both of the supplied credit card numbers (last 4), and following ALL their guidance can't make this work. VERY frustrating.

03-24-2009, 02:49 PM	#6
pking36330 FT Parent PT Reader Posts: 322 Karma: 187838 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Alabama Device: Shocked by how much I've read on an iPod Touch received as a gift!	Can't unlock on Fictionwise First, let me say I'm only five hours into trying to unlock the first (and probably only) ebook I bought on Fictionwise. Maybe things will improve when (if?) tech support every responds to either of the emails I sent. Their system is very cumbersome and really makes the case for me to abandon the idea of trying to buy and read books on my Blackberry, I just need to spring a Kindle where the purchase-through-reading experience is really well laid out and intuitive. This purchase today from Fictionwise is VERY un-intuitive and I'm no net-neophyte. I selected a book I've been wanting to read, The Dante Club, uploaded enough money into their MicroPay system to cover the cost of a couple books, and selected The Dante Club for purchase. I had Mobipocket Reader on my Blackberry already, but their website was touting a 'new' eReader download for the Blackberry so I installed it and purchased the book in the 'recommended' format: eReader. I downloaded to my Blackberry and it asked for an Unlock code, which I didn't have. So I go back online to the website and find that you have to enter a credit card number and other data to get the unlock code and that you should use a 'permanent credit card number' because that number will forever be tied to your ability to unlock this book. Evidently the credit card number I entered to make the purchase wasn't good enough, so I entered another credit card number (and now I'm pretty nervous about the amount of my data Fictionwise has). I followed ALL of their procedures, read and re-read their FAQ and Help summaries and after many unsuccessful tries, finally resorted to sending a email from their support page. I wasn't expecting immediate resolution (even though I wanted immediate resolution, I bought the book to read today during travel). After a couple hours and MANY more tries and re-reads of the FAQ and Help information, I still can't unlock the book I purchased and I sent another email request. Still no response five hours later and if I don't hear from them soon I guess I'll have to call the credit card company and dispute the charges (I thought I purchased a ebook, but so far I've only purchased the appearance that I've bought an ebook). Does anyone here know if Fictionwise is actually a reputable company? Has anyone else solved the riddle of unlocking your purchases on this site? I've taken their advice and put in EXACTLY how my name is spelled on their purchase site and tried unlocking with both of the supplied credit card numbers (last 4), and following ALL their guidance can't make this work. VERY frustrating.