Some books have a device limit of 1?!?

[TimW]

Originally Posted by BenG

I've downloaded to three devices and while reading on the iPhone I sometimes get a message if a passage has been highlighted by others.

I see the genius at Gizmodo has reversed course... a bit. He still blames Amazon for forcing him to "shoot his only bullet":

Last week, and throughout yesterday, I was unable to download 1Q84 on multiple devices, or share public notes and highlights. I can now, but largely thanks to this article. Amazon customer service initially identified this as an issue specific to the title. In fact, it now appears to have been an Amazon problem.

I tried downloading the books to my devices when I hit the errors shown below. I attempted manually sending the book to my devices via the Kindle online management software, also without success. Amazon customer service attempted unsuccessfully to help me resolve this.

After being escalated, a customer service rep told me that the device limit can vary from title to title. He looked at my purchase, and told me that 1Q84 had a one book device limit. He went on to note that some books, especially textbooks and scientific volumes, have similar limits.

However, the book's publisher says that's not the case. Paul Bogaards of Random House notes that 1Q84, and all its titles, support a six device limit. "Random House policy hews to the six simultaneous device access that is common across the industry, and that policy applies to 1Q84."

Also today, Amazon public relations responded to my previous query, contradicting what its customer service department told me, and noting that "There is no one-book limit on this title, there was an error that affected very few readers that has since been corrected. We apologize for the inconvenience."

Indeed, I can now read 1Q84 on multiple devices and share public notes and highlights. That's great! And I'm glad of it. I've made corrections below where appropriate via strikethrough and emphasis.

Amazon fixed a problem that may have been unique to his account because he wrote an inflammatory, inaccurate article on Gizmodo? Oh, sure. If the CSR gave him inaccurate information initially, did that excuse Honan from the need to exercise due diligence before he "shot his one bullet?" Nope. If he can blame Amazon for "forcing" him to write his screed, I suppose he deserves blame for inciting the idiots that flamed 1Q84's review page. It seems only fair.

[kennyc]

Thanks for that update Tim. What a bozo he is!
I hope they ban him from future postings! (not likely though I suppose)

[TimW]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Thanks for that update Tim. What a bozo he is!
I hope they ban him from future postings! (not likely though I suppose)

I'm sure his work is highly prized at Gizmodo. (Gizmodo sounds like "commodo" for a reason.)

[DustyDisks]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Thanks for that update Tim. What a bozo he is!
I hope they ban him from future postings! (not likely though I suppose)

Agree there should be some form of punishment, he did them a great wrong.

In all of my dealings with amazon they have always been over the top in service and help.

[Fbone]

Amazon's response was that it affected a "few" other customers so it must have been a problem with the file/account or the publisher changed it to 6 devices afterwards. Random House did confirm that it is the publisher that determines the device limit.

I agree that the device limit should be posted in the product description whether it is one, six or unlimited.

[ring0_event]

I wonder if pressure from the article forced the publisher to revise its policy. As I understand it, it's the publisher which sets the limit. And I agree that the limit should be clear at the time of purchase. Removing the DRM is easy enough, but that's besides the point, as in the future removing DRM might be harder/impossible.

[med007]

I just returned a 450 dollar medical text that only had 1 license. It's not unheard of. I wish they listed the number of licenses up front.

[kennyc]

If I were to buy a $450 ebook it better come with it's own ebook reader.

[Loosheesh]

Originally Posted by kennyc

If I were to buy a $450 ebook it better come with it's own ebook reader.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by med007

I just returned a 450 dollar medical text that only had 1 license. It's not unheard of. I wish they listed the number of licenses up front.

Oh good you did return it. I hope you find a hard copy at a good price. I would never pay that much for a ebook specially with limitation of how licenses work.

Not saying Amazon would ever go under but I have seen too many ebook stores and formats go out of date and then not be able to use the books I bought.