Do you try before you buy?

anamardoll · 12-14-2011, 02:06 PM

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?

RainingLemur · 12-14-2011, 02:16 PM

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.

susan_cassidy · 12-14-2011, 02:52 PM

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.

pidgeon92 · 12-14-2011, 02:55 PM

I used to, especially with self-pubbed books. Now I rarely bother.

birdbrainbb · 12-14-2011, 04:03 PM

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.

david_e · 12-14-2011, 05:11 PM

If I haven't read anything by the author before, yes, I preview. If it is an author I know, no, I don't.

xg4bx · 12-14-2011, 05:22 PM

almost always especially on indie books just to get a sense of the grammar structure i'm in for.

colinsky · 12-14-2011, 05:32 PM

Almost always--both to preview the content AND the ebook formating/readability.

SCION · 12-14-2011, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colinsky

Almost always--both to preview the content AND the ebook formating/readability.

Same here.

theducks · 12-14-2011, 05:53 PM

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.

carpetmojo · 12-14-2011, 05:56 PM

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 !

Shack70 · 12-14-2011, 05:56 PM

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.

JoeD · 12-14-2011, 08:10 PM

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.

cfrizz · 12-14-2011, 08:18 PM

For unknown authors, yes I preview if one is available. For favorite writers no I don't.

carld · 12-14-2011, 08:18 PM

I don't use the web preview but I almost always read the sample, unless it's an author I know well.

View Poll Results: Do you preview?
If there's no preview, I don't buy.	18	16.82%
Sometimes.	49	45.79%
I haven't looked at a preview in forever.	36	33.64%
I am existentially confused by this poll.	6	5.61%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 107. You may not vote on this poll

12-14-2011, 02:06 PM	#1
anamardoll Chasing Butterflies Posts: 3,132 Karma: 5074169 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: American Southwest Device: Uses batteries.	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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12-14-2011, 02:16 PM	#2
RainingLemur Spork Connoisseur Posts: 2,355 Karma: 16780603 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Nook Color	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.

12-14-2011, 02:52 PM	#3
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	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.

12-14-2011, 02:55 PM	#4
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	I used to, especially with self-pubbed books. Now I rarely bother.

12-14-2011, 04:03 PM	#5
birdbrainbb Addict Posts: 287 Karma: 2191035 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Anaheim, CA Device: Kindle Oasis, Kindle Paperwhite 5	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.

12-14-2011, 05:11 PM	#6
david_e Seriously? Posts: 529 Karma: 3347562 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kobo Mini, iWhatever	If I haven't read anything by the author before, yes, I preview. If it is an author I know, no, I don't.

12-14-2011, 05:22 PM	#7
xg4bx Are you gonna eat that? Posts: 1,633 Karma: 23215128 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phillipsburg, NJ Device: Kindle 3, Nook STG	almost always especially on indie books just to get a sense of the grammar structure i'm in for.

12-14-2011, 05:32 PM	#8
colinsky Addict Posts: 240 Karma: 3500000 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Sony PRS-300, PRS-T1, PRS-T3	Almost always--both to preview the content AND the ebook formating/readability.

12-14-2011, 05:53 PM	#10
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,031 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	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.

12-14-2011, 05:56 PM	#11
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 3,117 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	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 !

12-14-2011, 05:56 PM	#12
Shack70 Guru Posts: 777 Karma: 1043626 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York, Pa Device: Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation	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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12-14-2011, 08:10 PM	#13
JoeD Guru Posts: 895 Karma: 4383958 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: na	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.

12-14-2011, 08:18 PM	#14
cfrizz Wizard Posts: 1,569 Karma: 36389706 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Quincy, MA Device: Samsung 54A, Kobo Libra H2O, Samsung S6 Lite	For unknown authors, yes I preview if one is available. For favorite writers no I don't.

12-14-2011, 08:18 PM	#15
carld Wizard Posts: 2,698 Karma: 4748723 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I don't use the web preview but I almost always read the sample, unless it's an author I know well.