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View Poll Results: Do you preview? | |||
If there's no preview, I don't buy. |
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18 | 16.82% |
Sometimes. |
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49 | 45.79% |
I haven't looked at a preview in forever. |
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36 | 33.64% |
I am existentially confused by this poll. |
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6 | 5.61% |
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 107. You may not vote on this poll |
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#1 |
Chasing Butterflies
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Karma: 5074169
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: American Southwest
Device: Uses batteries.
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Do you try before you buy?
A question for Mobile Readers: how many of you use the "look inside the book" or preview function before buying a book?
I'm hoping to be self-published next year and one thing I've noticed with Mobile Readers is that a lot of sites aren't clear on whether or not the book is DRM-free. I was planning to put something on the first few pages -- definitely included in a preview -- noting that the book is being sold DRM-free. (I was also thinking about adding a "this book is distributed through Smashwords" for the Kobo/Sony versions, because I know some people really hate taking a chance on a Meatgrinder product.) Question is, I'm not sure how many people would SEE the note. I rarely preview books before buying anymore -- if they're super cheap and I like the genre, I throw down. What do the rest of you think? |
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#2 |
Spork Connoisseur
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Karma: 16780603
Join Date: Mar 2011
Device: Nook Color
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I'll occasionally take a peek at the preview. I tend to do it more if the book is image-heavy. If I know that they're just text with the occasional image, I will just buy and wait for it to be delivered.
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#3 |
Wizard
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Karma: 3720310
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: USA
Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)
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I would vote "usually", but that's not an option.
I usually buy from Amazon, Smashwords, or Baen. Amazon tells you whether the book is DRM-free, and it isn't an issue with Smashwords or Baen. |
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#4 |
Wizard
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Karma: 8426142
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD
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I used to, especially with self-pubbed books. Now I rarely bother.
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#5 |
Addict
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Karma: 2191035
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Anaheim, CA
Device: Kindle Oasis, Kindle Paperwhite 5
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I normally only preview something if I'm unsure if I want to buy it or not. If I'm sure I want to buy it I just go ahead and do so, without previewing anything.
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#6 |
Seriously?
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Karma: 3347562
Join Date: Nov 2010
Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kobo Mini, iWhatever
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If I haven't read anything by the author before, yes, I preview. If it is an author I know, no, I don't.
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#7 |
Are you gonna eat that?
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Karma: 23215128
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Phillipsburg, NJ
Device: Kindle 3, Nook STG
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almost always especially on indie books just to get a sense of the grammar structure i'm in for.
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#8 |
Addict
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Karma: 3500000
Join Date: Sep 2009
Device: Sony PRS-300, PRS-T1, PRS-T3
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Almost always--both to preview the content AND the ebook formating/readability.
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#9 |
Séduisant
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Karma: 2107018
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Texas, USA
Device: Boox Note Air2+; Kobo Libra2; Kindle Scribe, Oasis3; iPad Mini6
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#10 |
Well trained by Cats
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Karma: 60358908
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: The Central Coast of California
Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A
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Preview. Until I get to the 'Gotta have the next in this series' state
![]() Those 'Rave' blurbs leave me cold. A good synopsis and a sample chapter will be what 'set the hook' I always opened the paper book in the store. Just because it is by author X does not mean I buy ALL their work. They have to 'set the hook' for each new series. |
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#11 |
Wizard
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Karma: 9269999
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: UK
Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5
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I never preview anything, I didn't find it helps much.
I just do a bit of research as to whether it appeals to me, and that's about it really - unless it's by someone I've tried and disliked. I need a bit more persuading then - like someone whose opinoin I respected, or someone here who makes it sound interesting ! |
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#12 |
Guru
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Karma: 1043626
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: York, Pa
Device: Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation
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If I am unsure I will like a book and there is a preview I will preview it. I will also try to get download it from our library before I buy it if I am unsure.
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#13 |
Guru
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Karma: 4383958
Join Date: Nov 2007
Device: na
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I always preview a book with amazons samples option. Mainly because I've been shocked by some of the **** proof reading (in a few cases I doubt any was done). That goes for both indie books (not often edited) and mainstream (OCR mistakes)
Occasionally I'll sample due to checking if I like it, but not as much as for checking the book is actually readable. I've encountered the odd error in paper books before but never ever to the same level or quality as I have with ebooks. |
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#14 |
Wizard
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Karma: 36389706
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Quincy, MA
Device: Samsung 54A, Kobo Libra H2O, Samsung S6 Lite
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For unknown authors, yes I preview if one is available. For favorite writers no I don't.
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#15 |
Wizard
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Karma: 4748723
Join Date: Dec 2007
Device: Kindle Paperwhite
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I don't use the web preview but I almost always read the sample, unless it's an author I know well.
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