How to get Amazon to stop accepting returned Kindle ebooks

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by calvin-c

Your point about different sampling methods being appropriate for different genres (if that's the correct term to distinguish between fiction, non-fiction, history, biography, technical, etc.) is well-taken. One thing that annoys me about fiction 'samples' is when the sample basically consists of raving about how good it is rather than what the story is about.
..

are you talking about a summary instead of a sample?

The samples I've downloaded from Amazon are generally the first pages or chapter of the book.

[Ea]

Originally Posted by calvin-c

Your point about different sampling methods being appropriate for different genres (if that's the correct term to distinguish between fiction, non-fiction, history, biography, technical, etc.) is well-taken. One thing that annoys me about fiction 'samples' is when the sample basically consists of raving about how good it is rather than what the story is about.

Maybe it's me, but unless it's part of a series (of which I've read one or more) then I like to read a plot summary before I decide whether or not to buy. James Patterson is a good example. I like anything in Women's Murder Club, and many 'stand-alone' novels, but others (like Suzanne's Diary) leave me cold. A 'sample' that just tells me Patterson's the hottest writer since Hemingway (or whatever) is good enough for a WMC book (for me) but not for a standalone. Give me enough information to make an intelligent decision. I've been burned too often to extend very much trust towards someone who wants money from me.

I don't think we have quite the same understanding of what a sample is. To me, a sample is a part of the book, usually the first chapter or an equivalent amount of the full work. A 'sample' is not 'praise', excerpts of reviews, or a plot summary. I don't think either of these three examples could in any way constitute a 'sample'. I am actually a little surprised that you would consider a sample to be anything but a sample - a small part - of the actual work.

As for a plot summary, I would not appreciate a full summary - a summary as it's usually understood, would include important plot points such as the ending - and I would personally rather be surprised than learn of the ending before I embark on the book. That would be a spoiler.

What experience does buying physical books provide you that buying digital books does not? P-books seems to me to be a resonable 'mark' to hold ebooks to in relation to buying experience. Not less, but not more either.

[Ea]

Originally Posted by kennyc

are you talking about a summary instead of a sample?

The samples I've downloaded from Amazon are generally the first pages or chapter of the book.

A 'summary' wouldn't be "raving about how good it is" either - that sounds more like a review. But when I donwload a sample, I expect - and get - part of the book. Not reviews, summaries, or whatever else could be written *about* the book - just a part of the book.

[DawnFalcon]

On the other hand, I think it's absolutely nonsensical to hold ebooks to the limits of pbooks.

By the time you eliminate most of the advantages of the ebook format by holding it to pbook's limitations, with ebooks own disadvantages, you've also managed to eliminate much of the market.

[djmixon]

Anyone who writes and publishes knows there ar far too many "customers" who do just this and it is wrong.

If the purchase is returned immediately, that is one thing. But many times the books are purchased and returned several days later and after the royalies have been paid.

Of course, the "customer" doesn't know that, but the problem is pervasive. Yes, pervasive. And it must stop.

Not only does it clearly show that the webiverse is full of cheats and scammers, but also that your friend's behavior is suspiciously close to that category.

I reviewed my purchases for 2011 and I counted almost 1000 (one thousand) ebooks. How many did I "accidently purchase"? 2 (two). How many did I return? 0 (zero).

Your friend either "sleep shops" or doesn't understand what the "Sample" feature is for and how to use it.

Honestly? I think Amazon SHOULD ban him and others like him from receiving refunds from ebook purchases UNLESS the refund is processed immediately via the "accidentally purchased" option. At the most generous, any return should be required to be completed within a VERY short time frame, as in minutes, to protect the varacity of the storefront.

It really annoys me when people abuse the system put in place for normal, law-abiding (non-pirates) citizens.

Others may beleive my thoughts to be harsh, but I am looking at a much larger picture.

I say it's about time Amazon grew a pair.

[odiakkoh]

Was that really worth bringing a 3 yr old thread back from the dead?

[LovesMacs]

A warning for people who browse and buy from their Kindle Touch 3G:

Some weeks ago I was browsing the Amazon store on my Kindle and I ordered a sample book. I turned off wireless while leaving the Kindle on the book description page, and put the Kindle to sleep.

When I turned the Kindle back "on" and turned on wireless, Amazon thanked me for my purchase. I checked my Kindle and saw that I had both the sample and the full ebook, without any action on my part. I immediately emailed customer service, explained the situation, and got a refund.

Moral of the story: if you ever browse and shop with a Kindle Touch 3G, go back to your home page and turn off wireless before putting it to sleep.

[Giggleton]

Originally Posted by odiakkoh

Was that really worth bringing a 3 yr old thread back from the dead?

This thread is not dead, it was merely sleeping. The real issue is that of copyright, and whether or not we should have access to texts before deciding whether or not we wish to compensate the creator. Until this issue is addressed, this thread will be either thought about or waiting to be thought about.

[rdfry]

Dude when are you gonna give up on this delusion?

[odiakkoh]

Originally Posted by Giggleton

This thread is not dead, it was merely sleeping. The real issue is that of copyright, and whether or not we should have access to texts before deciding whether or not we wish to compensate the creator. Until this issue is addressed, this thread will be either thought about or waiting to be thought about.

Meh, thread reviving, especially years old is usually bad forum etiquette regardless of subject. I'm not one to pick and choose which ones are fine to revive. I'm an equal opportunity chastiser.

[tubemonkey]

Old threads stir the pot

[rdfry]

Sorry couldn't help myself.

[Giggleton]

Originally Posted by rdfry

Dude when are you gonna give up on this delusion?

Reality is simply a consensual delusion, held together by the strength of its believers...

What do you believe in?

[ProfCrash]

Originally Posted by rdfry

Dude when are you gonna give up on this delusion?

Maybe when people simply ignore his posts and do not respond to him.

[QuantumIguana]

I realize the pointlessness of replying, but no, reality has nothing to do with what people believe. Stand out in the rain without an umbrella, and you will get wet, no matter how hard you believe that you or will stay dry. You can believe that you can jump to the moon, but you will come right down to Earth again. You can't breathe under water unless you bring air with you. Two apples plus two apples is four apples, it doesn't matter that you've clicked your heels together and wished really hard that they were four apples. You can pretend that reality is made up, but reality has a way of insisting, and doesn't care what you wish it to be.