I'm a Sony Reader owner, yet I will only buy Kindle books

Arrghus · 08-13-2011, 08:31 PM

I convert all my eBooks to EPUB (ePub, epub, Epub, whatever). My device is a PRS-350, so 'mobi' files aren't an option for me; at least, they cannot stay the way they are.

I only buy from Amazon (specifically the UK store) because it's the only real guarantee I have of quality. I've yet to come across another store selling eBooks that offers a decent preview/sample of the book in question. B&N is out of the question for me because of geo-restrictions, and Kobo's preview is a terrible HTML mess. Smashwords I'm excluding because I'm explictly focused here on 'commerical' books - the kind of books that shift thousands.

If I want to read George R. R. Martin's latest, where am I going to go? Well, the Kindle store of course! Nowhere else will show me the goods, as it were, before I pay for 'em. I've declined buying a few books now from Amazon because of poor formatting, and I'm glad I was able to avoid such typographical tragedies. I'd love to buy from somewhere else, but until there are others offering samples, I simply refuse to buy something I cannot see - especially when most 'terms and conditions' state that 'all sales are final'.

eBooks, in their current form, are different from say, DVDs, or CDs. If I bought a DVD from a website, I wouldn't expect it to stutter every few frames, or have the colours invert every chapter or so. So why should I have to put up with garbled characters and poor sentence spacing? I can return the DVD, but not the eBook?

What about distance selling regulations (UK law)? Are eBooks covered under DSRs? Should they be? I jolly well think they should!

What are your thoughts? Should I take the gamble and spend my money elsewhere? Part of the trouble though, is that Amazon are generally cheaper than anywhere else, and when the price is negligible, I'd still rather endure the hassle of stripping the DRM from the file, and converting, if it means I can preview it before buying!

carld · 08-13-2011, 08:37 PM

I think you have things worked out okay. As long as Amazon doesn't come up with some sort of uncrackable DRM (unlikely), you're good to go. I don't buy and convert myself, but as long as I was sure it would work I wouldn't have any qualms about doing it.

TimW · 08-13-2011, 09:00 PM

Amazon.com will allow ebook returns for up to 7 days you are unhappy with the quality (or for any other reason). I assume Amazon.uk is the same but I don't know.

Arrghus · 08-13-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimW

Amazon.com will allow ebook returns for up to 7 days you are unhappy with the quality (or for any other reason). I assume Amazon.uk is the same but I don't know.

It's better than no returns full stop (which is what a lot of sites say is the case)!

TimW · 08-13-2011, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arrghus

It's better than no returns full stop (which is what a lot of sites say is the case)!

Yes, yes it is.

Graham · 08-14-2011, 04:43 AM

I had no problem getting a refund from Waterstone's for a badly-formatted ePub book. Have you ruled them out?

Graham

SensualPoet · 08-14-2011, 08:27 AM

I returned an ebook to Whitcoull's with success. I've never tried with Amazon or Kobo, but then, I haven't yet had reason to.

Easily, hands down, the worst "formatted" ebook I have bought is Penguin's First Rumpole Omnibus which is "riddled" with errors -- at least one OCR-like every page. You know, stuff like "weU" instead of "well". Shocking. But, I enjoyed the stories so I kept it. It made me appreciate, even more, the simple craftsmanship you'll find in some of the (legitimate) reprint houses like Langtail Press.

din155 · 08-14-2011, 09:10 AM

Arrghus, you are not alone. As long as Amazon doesn't find that unbreakable DRM and keep offering the cheapest books, I will keep shopping with them.
What I can't stand is an eBook seller offering a book in PDF format. Anything I do with a pdf file does not make it as good as a mobi format book converted to Epub for my reader.
din

banjobama · 08-14-2011, 09:26 AM

I'll also occasionally download Kindle books and convert them, usually just the freebies. I'd still rather check a book out at the library for free than pay more than $5 for the ebook, so I don't shop around or compare ebook prices too much.

Vic333 · 08-14-2011, 11:16 AM

I buy Kindle books often, though I have a Nook, simply because B&N seem to be so slow in getting titles in. Amazon is fast and often cheaper.

carpetmojo · 08-14-2011, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carld

I think you have things worked out okay. As long as Amazon doesn't come up with some sort of uncrackable DRM (unlikely), you're good to go. .

and.........

" Arrghus, you are not alone. As long as Amazon doesn't find that unbreakable DRM .................................... "

I gathered they have find just that - or is this not so ?

Am I again behind the times, and overdue a peek @ Alf's again ?

NNolan · 08-14-2011, 05:50 PM

Since Agency Pricing went live I haven't found a single book that I want that's cheaper at Amazon than at Kobo, B&N or ebooks.com. I've also seen price drops on books hit Kobo and B&N 2 or 3 days before Amazon, so I usually only buy from Amazon if I can't get the book I want anywhere else.

VicLavigne · 08-14-2011, 05:51 PM

My ebook store of choice is the one that offers the ebook at a good price. I have a Nook, but I've bought Kindle versions and had no problem converting them to epub. On a similar note, when I only had a Sony I had bought a few epubs from B&N and stripped DRM.

Victor

Ditchleyportrait · 08-15-2011, 02:09 PM

the one benefit is that it's effortless to send kindle books to kindle, ipad, or pc, whereas there's an extra step or two with a sony, b&n, reader, etc.

RainingLemur · 08-15-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by din155

Arrghus, you are not alone. As long as Amazon doesn't find that unbreakable DRM...

I doubt that there's going to be an unbreakable DRM. So, no worries there.

08-13-2011, 08:31 PM	#1
Arrghus Zealot Posts: 143 Karma: 5002 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Llandudno, Wales Device: Kindle PW2; Nexus 5X	I'm a Sony Reader owner, yet I will only buy Kindle books I convert all my eBooks to EPUB (ePub, epub, Epub, whatever). My device is a PRS-350, so 'mobi' files aren't an option for me; at least, they cannot stay the way they are. I only buy from Amazon (specifically the UK store) because it's the only real guarantee I have of quality. I've yet to come across another store selling eBooks that offers a decent preview/sample of the book in question. B&N is out of the question for me because of geo-restrictions, and Kobo's preview is a terrible HTML mess. Smashwords I'm excluding because I'm explictly focused here on 'commerical' books - the kind of books that shift thousands. If I want to read George R. R. Martin's latest, where am I going to go? Well, the Kindle store of course! Nowhere else will show me the goods, as it were, before I pay for 'em. I've declined buying a few books now from Amazon because of poor formatting, and I'm glad I was able to avoid such typographical tragedies. I'd love to buy from somewhere else, but until there are others offering samples, I simply refuse to buy something I cannot see - especially when most 'terms and conditions' state that 'all sales are final'. eBooks, in their current form, are different from say, DVDs, or CDs. If I bought a DVD from a website, I wouldn't expect it to stutter every few frames, or have the colours invert every chapter or so. So why should I have to put up with garbled characters and poor sentence spacing? I can return the DVD, but not the eBook? What about distance selling regulations (UK law)? Are eBooks covered under DSRs? Should they be? I jolly well think they should! What are your thoughts? Should I take the gamble and spend my money elsewhere? Part of the trouble though, is that Amazon are generally cheaper than anywhere else, and when the price is negligible, I'd still rather endure the hassle of stripping the DRM from the file, and converting, if it means I can preview it before buying! Last edited by Arrghus; 08-13-2011 at 08:42 PM.

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08-13-2011, 08:37 PM	#2
carld Wizard Posts: 2,698 Karma: 4748723 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I think you have things worked out okay. As long as Amazon doesn't come up with some sort of uncrackable DRM (unlikely), you're good to go. I don't buy and convert myself, but as long as I was sure it would work I wouldn't have any qualms about doing it.

08-13-2011, 09:00 PM	#3
TimW Wizard Posts: 1,022 Karma: 6824104 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southeastern Kentucky Device: KK3G, KPW1, Sony PRST1, Sony PRS350, iPod Touch 5G	Amazon.com will allow ebook returns for up to 7 days you are unhappy with the quality (or for any other reason). I assume Amazon.uk is the same but I don't know.

08-14-2011, 04:43 AM	#6
Graham Wizard Posts: 2,742 Karma: 32912427 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North Yorkshire, UK Device: Kobo H20, Pixel 2, Samsung Chromebook Plus	I had no problem getting a refund from Waterstone's for a badly-formatted ePub book. Have you ruled them out? Graham

08-14-2011, 08:27 AM	#7
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	I returned an ebook to Whitcoull's with success. I've never tried with Amazon or Kobo, but then, I haven't yet had reason to. Easily, hands down, the worst "formatted" ebook I have bought is Penguin's First Rumpole Omnibus which is "riddled" with errors -- at least one OCR-like every page. You know, stuff like "weU" instead of "well". Shocking. But, I enjoyed the stories so I kept it. It made me appreciate, even more, the simple craftsmanship you'll find in some of the (legitimate) reprint houses like Langtail Press.

08-14-2011, 09:10 AM	#8
din155 Guru Posts: 880 Karma: 7556602 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: UK Device: Kindle PW, Win 10 thinkpad 8in	Arrghus, you are not alone. As long as Amazon doesn't find that unbreakable DRM and keep offering the cheapest books, I will keep shopping with them. What I can't stand is an eBook seller offering a book in PDF format. Anything I do with a pdf file does not make it as good as a mobi format book converted to Epub for my reader. din

08-14-2011, 09:26 AM	#9
banjobama Busy Read'n Posts: 980 Karma: 5039283 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Auburn, WA Device: Pocketbook Touch Lux 5	I'll also occasionally download Kindle books and convert them, usually just the freebies. I'd still rather check a book out at the library for free than pay more than $5 for the ebook, so I don't shop around or compare ebook prices too much.

08-14-2011, 11:16 AM	#10
Vic333 Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 500240 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I buy Kindle books often, though I have a Nook, simply because B&N seem to be so slow in getting titles in. Amazon is fast and often cheaper.

08-14-2011, 05:50 PM	#12
NNolan Compulsive Gadget Geek Posts: 407 Karma: 4219324 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: South Central Virginia Device: One of each, and two in some cases	Since Agency Pricing went live I haven't found a single book that I want that's cheaper at Amazon than at Kobo, B&N or ebooks.com. I've also seen price drops on books hit Kobo and B&N 2 or 3 days before Amazon, so I usually only buy from Amazon if I can't get the book I want anywhere else.

08-14-2011, 05:51 PM	#13
VicLavigne e-reading since 2008 Posts: 197 Karma: 112730 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hinesville Georgia Device: Nook STR, Sony PRS-T1	My ebook store of choice is the one that offers the ebook at a good price. I have a Nook, but I've bought Kindle versions and had no problem converting them to epub. On a similar note, when I only had a Sony I had bought a few epubs from B&N and stripped DRM. Victor

08-15-2011, 02:09 PM	#14
Ditchleyportrait Fanatic Posts: 504 Karma: 780086 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: ny Device: Kindle DX Graphite	the one benefit is that it's effortless to send kindle books to kindle, ipad, or pc, whereas there's an extra step or two with a sony, b&n, reader, etc.