Do you try before you buy? - Page 2

ATDrake · 12-14-2011, 09:24 PM

Almost always, when available as a store option.

Even if it's an author I know and usually enjoy, if I haven't previously read the work in question, I'll want to try a sample of the text to make sure it's not one of their occasional duds before I buy.

And when possible I do also check the formatting on a previously-read book that I'm supplementing with a sale e-book copy, in case there's anything really messed up which would make it not worth spending even the modest $$$ which I could put towards a better-produced title.

Unknown-to-me authors have to pass a triple test of

good sample on a promising-looking work I'm interested in
good formatting on sample if downloadable
good price and perception of value-for-money

There is basically no price threshold above "free" where I skip these steps for an unknown or only semi-trusted author. And even for "free", I'll turn down stuff if it looks like it'll just end up as poor-quality clutter on my hard drive that I'll never get to.

Incidentally, I'd advise putting the DRM-free info directly in the description which goes on the actual product page. It's the sort of thing some people want to know straightaway and it might work out better to tell them directly up front instead of sticking it in amidst some text that they just might skip past on the way to trying out the story.

Also, Sony seems to auto-DRM pretty much everything which goes through their system, whether it had any or not to begin with. IIRC, Cory Doctorow had to fight to get a special exception for his books to be made DRM-free in their store.

eugeneL · 12-15-2011, 12:20 AM

I do try it if I'm allowed to...

rdjack21 · 12-15-2011, 12:48 AM

For me it is a combination of Price and Author and either one can make me want to read a preview of the book. If the book is expensive $4+ then I'm reading the preview especially if it is by an Author I do not know. Now if the book is by an Author I really like I may or may not read the preview. The price threshold of when I must read the preview before buying depends on how much I like the Author or how consistently I've liked there work and of course the Price but generally if the book is under $10 and I really like the Author I will not read the preview.

Sweetpea · 12-15-2011, 01:46 AM

The last time I did that was, what, 2 years ago?

About DRM-infested or not, that should be written in large letters, with big blinking tags, on the buy page...

Stitchawl · 12-15-2011, 01:49 AM

Wait... this poll was about books? It didn't say so in the poll, and I figured it was about wives. Can I change my vote?

Stitchawl

Kumabjorn · 12-15-2011, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david_e

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

What he said.
If unsure preview, if uncertain and below $5 buy.

elemenoP · 12-15-2011, 10:06 AM

I have never downloaded a preview, but I have used Amazon's "look inside this book" to take a look at the writing style, for an author I'm not familiar with. I use Amazon for all my book research (checking out the reviews) even if I don't plan on buying from Amazon.

eP

elemenoP · 12-15-2011, 10:07 AM

Also you could put "DRM-free" and "Smashwords" in the book description, couldn't you?

eP

ucfgrad93 · 12-15-2011, 01:16 PM

To me, the DRM issue isn't that important. Advertising that a book doesn't have it is not going to make me any more likely to purchase the book. I don't usually click inside. However, I do download samples of books I'm interested in buying.

Tattncat · 12-15-2011, 01:56 PM

I will downoad either a sample or check out the preview, especially if it is by an author I am not familiar with. However, price is also a consideration when it is an author with which I am familiar, but whose writing I personally deem inconsistant.

anamardoll · 12-15-2011, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elemenoP

Also you could put "DRM-free" and "Smashwords" in the book description, couldn't you?

eP

I'm not sure. Some people have been hesitant to remark on DRM status on the book description page -- to my knowledge, no one knows how the owning site (Amazon, B&N, etc.) will react.

pixiestyx · 12-15-2011, 05:07 PM

Unless it's free, I always preview to see if I like the story and to make sure the formatting is ok. If there's no preview and I'm unsure, then I'll either go check reviews at GoodReads before buying, or wait for it to become available at my library.

Quake1028 · 12-16-2011, 09:14 AM

If we are talking samples - sometimes. Previews - never.

SarahEttritch · 12-16-2011, 02:18 PM

If there's a sample available, I'll usually download and read (or at least skim) it. I don't bother when it's a book from an author on my "always read" list.

Nancy Fulda · 12-16-2011, 04:39 PM

I almost always download a sample before buying. This has saved me from a great many impulse buys of books that, as it turns out, I don't actually have time to read.

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, 09:24 PM	#16
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	Almost always, when available as a store option. Even if it's an author I know and usually enjoy, if I haven't previously read the work in question, I'll want to try a sample of the text to make sure it's not one of their occasional duds before I buy. And when possible I do also check the formatting on a previously-read book that I'm supplementing with a sale e-book copy, in case there's anything really messed up which would make it not worth spending even the modest $$$ which I could put towards a better-produced title. Unknown-to-me authors have to pass a triple test of good sample on a promising-looking work I'm interested in good formatting on sample if downloadable good price and perception of value-for-money There is basically no price threshold above "free" where I skip these steps for an unknown or only semi-trusted author. And even for "free", I'll turn down stuff if it looks like it'll just end up as poor-quality clutter on my hard drive that I'll never get to. Incidentally, I'd advise putting the DRM-free info directly in the description which goes on the actual product page. It's the sort of thing some people want to know straightaway and it might work out better to tell them directly up front instead of sticking it in amidst some text that they just might skip past on the way to trying out the story. Also, Sony seems to auto-DRM pretty much everything which goes through their system, whether it had any or not to begin with. IIRC, Cory Doctorow had to fight to get a special exception for his books to be made DRM-free in their store.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
To buy pBook, to buy eBook, or not to buy...	covingtoncat73	General Discussions	9	05-03-2011 09:11 PM
To buy or not to buy, help me answer the question (Pocket Edge)	melusina	enTourage Archive	24	02-21-2011 07:47 PM
When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.	brecklundin	News	2	10-10-2009 02:21 PM
Sell Buy My Diamond Ring So I Can Buy A Kindle!	DaisyMama	Flea Market	0	03-03-2009 04:14 PM

12-15-2011, 12:20 AM	#17
eugeneL Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Califronia Device: none	I do try it if I'm allowed to...

12-15-2011, 12:48 AM	#18
rdjack21 Groupie Posts: 153 Karma: 3241792 Join Date: May 2011 Device: Elocity A7, Nook STR, Galaxy Nexus	For me it is a combination of Price and Author and either one can make me want to read a preview of the book. If the book is expensive $4+ then I'm reading the preview especially if it is by an Author I do not know. Now if the book is by an Author I really like I may or may not read the preview. The price threshold of when I must read the preview before buying depends on how much I like the Author or how consistently I've liked there work and of course the Price but generally if the book is under $10 and I really like the Author I will not read the preview.

12-15-2011, 01:46 AM	#19
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	The last time I did that was, what, 2 years ago? About DRM-infested or not, that should be written in large letters, with big blinking tags, on the buy page...

12-15-2011, 01:49 AM	#20
Stitchawl Opsimath Posts: 12,344 Karma: 187123287 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand Device: Sony PRS-650, iPhone 5, Kobo Glo, Sony PRS-350, iPad, Samsung Galaxy	Wait... this poll was about books? It didn't say so in the poll, and I figured it was about wives. Can I change my vote? Stitchawl

12-15-2011, 10:06 AM	#22
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	I have never downloaded a preview, but I have used Amazon's "look inside this book" to take a look at the writing style, for an author I'm not familiar with. I use Amazon for all my book research (checking out the reviews) even if I don't plan on buying from Amazon. eP

12-15-2011, 10:07 AM	#23
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	Also you could put "DRM-free" and "Smashwords" in the book description, couldn't you? eP

12-15-2011, 01:16 PM	#24
ucfgrad93 Wizard Posts: 2,370 Karma: 9026681 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2nd Gen	To me, the DRM issue isn't that important. Advertising that a book doesn't have it is not going to make me any more likely to purchase the book. I don't usually click inside. However, I do download samples of books I'm interested in buying.

12-15-2011, 01:56 PM	#25
Tattncat Bookworm Posts: 673 Karma: 1029391 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Device: Nook Tablet, Samsung Galaxy Tab3, Sony PRS700, Sony PRS505	I will downoad either a sample or check out the preview, especially if it is by an author I am not familiar with. However, price is also a consideration when it is an author with which I am familiar, but whose writing I personally deem inconsistant.

12-15-2011, 05:07 PM	#27
pixiestyx Enthusiast Posts: 41 Karma: 483410 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New England Device: Aura H2O; N7 2013; Samsung GN 10.1 2014	Unless it's free, I always preview to see if I like the story and to make sure the formatting is ok. If there's no preview and I'm unsure, then I'll either go check reviews at GoodReads before buying, or wait for it to become available at my library.

12-16-2011, 09:14 AM	#28
Quake1028 Guru Posts: 917 Karma: 9155462 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tampa, FL Device: See signature	If we are talking samples - sometimes. Previews - never.

12-16-2011, 02:18 PM	#29
SarahEttritch Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Toronto Device: Sony/Kindle for PC	If there's a sample available, I'll usually download and read (or at least skim) it. I don't bother when it's a book from an author on my "always read" list.

12-16-2011, 04:39 PM	#30
Nancy Fulda I write stories. Posts: 700 Karma: 16437432 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern Germany Device: kindle	I almost always download a sample before buying. This has saved me from a great many impulse buys of books that, as it turns out, I don't actually have time to read.