Book Depository ceasing ebook sales!!!

[Lynx-lynx]

Here's a copy of an email i just got:


We are contacting you in relation to your eBook purchase which was purchased on 24/08/2011.

The Book Depository has come to the decision to cease selling eBooks, as we feel that the customer experience we were able to offer was not as good as it should have been. This is partially driven by complexity in format and the number of differing devices, which we found often led to customer frustration. We will instead focus on adding more new books to our, already 8 million strong, title selection.

We have spotted that you still have 1 download(s) remaining. Each eBook purchased will have 3 downloads allotted.

If you wish to use the remaining downloads, we ask that you do so by the 30th June 2012. It will not be possible to download purchased eBooks from the Book Depository sites after this date.

If you do not wish to use the remaining available downloads, you do not need to take any action, and eBook facility will be removed from your account on the 1st July 2012. Please note that we are unable to refund eBook purchases where the customer has previously accessed one or more of their downloads.


P.S.* We will continue to make available over 11,000 free PDF eBooks on the site:

[Kumabjorn]

Seems like breach of contract. Class action suit, anyone?

[CyGuy]

Another perfect example of why everyone should remove the DRM infection and make a backup the moment you purchase an ebook.

[Lynx-lynx]

Kumabjorn Eh?

Not sure what you mean ....

I think it's a pity that Book Depository isn't expanding it's ebook business though - they maintain a lot of titles and are very competitive.

[Rob Lister]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

The Book Depository has come to the decision to cease selling eBooks, as we feel that the customer experience we were able to offer was not as good as it should have been. This is partially driven by complexity in format and the number of differing devices, which we found often led to customer frustration. We will instead focus on adding more new books to our, already 8 million strong, title selection.

I can't think of a poorer business decision. Their decision, their business, their loss[es].

[carpetmojo]

".......The Book Depository has come to the decision to cease selling eBooks, as we feel that the customer experience we were able to offer was not as good as it should have been. This is partially driven by complexity in format and the number of differing devices, which we found often led to customer frustration......."

Poor souls....wassums all confoozed, then ?

Should've asked here...I mean, commercial concerns can't be expected to have everything at their fingertips, can they, what do we think we're buying, knowledge ?

Come on, it's a big ask, give 'em a break ........

[Kumabjorn]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

Kumabjorn Eh?

Not sure what you mean ....

I think it's a pity that Book Depository isn't expanding it's ebook business though - they maintain a lot of titles and are very competitive.

I mean that if they have promised you three downloads they just can't take that away without re-negotiating with their customers, or at least give them enough time to adapt to the new situation. Two weeks hardly seem enough.

[BenG]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

I mean that if they have promised you three downloads they just can't take that away without re-negotiating with their customers, or at least give them enough time to adapt to the new situation. Two weeks hardly seem enough.

That's what the fine print is for.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by BenG

That's what the fine print is for.

Send them to the cornfield. That'll teach them.

[GreenMonkey]

Originally Posted by carpetmojo

".......The Book Depository has come to the decision to cease selling eBooks, as we feel that the customer experience we were able to offer was not as good as it should have been. This is partially driven by complexity in format and the number of differing devices, which we found often led to customer frustration......."

Poor souls....wassums all confoozed, then ?

Should've asked here...I mean, commercial concerns can't be expected to have everything at their fingertips, can they, what do we think we're buying, knowledge ?

Come on, it's a big ask, give 'em a break ........

Probably the customer service costs (dealing with helping confused customers trying to use Adobe DRM across various devices, developing processes to do this, hiring I.T. helpdesk folks for it, etc) wasn't adding up to enough profit for them to bother?

[DiapDealer]

I thought The Book Depository was just Amazon wearing a different hat?

[ATDrake]

They were independent, and then bought by Amazon earlier this year (or late last, I forget).

[ElyseDraper]

"I thought The Book Depository was just Amazon wearing a different hat?"

"They were independent, and then bought by Amazon earlier this year (or late last, I forget)."

Perhaps that is why they backed out of the digital-books business -- Amazon is not known for their flexibility; and supporting any other format than MOBI, would unreasonably flexible.

[stonetools]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I thought The Book Depository was just Amazon wearing a different hat?

Yup. Doesn't make sense for Amazon to keep in business a competitor to its ebook store. You have to realistic about these things.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by stonetools

Yup. Doesn't make sense for Amazon to keep in business a competitor to its ebook store. You have to realistic about these things.

I'm frankly surprised they continued to sell ebooks as long as they apparently have after Amazon acquired them. *shrugs*