How to download amazon e-books to computer whe living outside the US

[Mike L]

One other quick point, KindleOwner_DK. You said, "I will try to figure out how to get hold of an american credit card being outside the us. "

As far as I know, the credit card itself doesn't have to be American -- only the address it's registered at.

Also, my own experience is based not on a credit card but a debit card. I don't know whether that makes any difference. In theory, they should both look the same to the merchant, but it's something to keep in mind.

[Elsi]

According to a blog post at A Kindle World, Amazon admits to a programming glitch in their ordering and delivery software. The blogger speculates that the glitch was introduced as Amazon gears up for a release of the Kindle in the UK.

[Dharmabum]

Originally Posted by Elsi

According to a blog post at A Kindle World, Amazon admits to a programming glitch in their ordering and delivery software. The blogger speculates that the glitch was introduced as Amazon gears up for a release of the Kindle in the UK.

Verified. I just purchased a book using a gift card, with no credit card attached to my account. I couldn't purchase yesterday, without using the proxy work-around. But, it's to be back to normal now.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by Mike L

One other quick point, KindleOwner_DK. You said, "I will try to figure out how to get hold of an american credit card being outside the us. "

As far as I know, the credit card itself doesn't have to be American -- only the address it's registered at.

Also, my own experience is based not on a credit card but a debit card. I don't know whether that makes any difference. In theory, they should both look the same to the merchant, but it's something to keep in mind.

Well, the rules state "credit card issued by an American bank, with an American mailing address". Maybe they accept others as long as you have an American mailing address. Did anybody try using one of the virtual credit cards?

[Mike L]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

Well, the rules state "credit card issued by an American bank, with an American mailing address".

I sit corrected.

Originally Posted by HansTWN

Maybe they accept others as long as you have an American mailing address. Did anybody try using one of the virtual credit cards?

What exactly is a virtual credit card?

[Mike L]

Kindleowner_DK,

There's another discussion on this topic here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58329

According to some of the posts, there's been a software glitch at Amazon that has since been corrected. A couple of people have said they can now buy books again, without the geographical restriction message. (But others have said they can't.)

Might just be worth your giving it another try.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Really? That is contrary to others who have reported they used the same steps as the OP without any problems.

BOb

Exactly.
I have 2 accounts.
1 with my German credit card and German address to purchase the gift cards.
1 with an US address and NO credit card, to redeem the gift cards.
Works like a charm, no hassle at all.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Krystian Galaj

Don't they usually charge the card for $1 and then cancel the transaction to make sure it's active anyway?

No. Never happened to me.
Bought about 200 eBooks that way so far without any problems at all.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Mike L

I sit corrected.



What exactly is a virtual credit card?

You get a virtual credit card, usually labeled "Visa".
The bank, offering it, manages international traffic for you.
You fill your virtual card from another account, either via another "real" credit card or money transfer.
Your virtual card an be used as any "real" card for online shopping.

I guess, the bank uses its international subsidiaries and so it's legal.
Lot of hassle, though.
I haven't been able to fill the account via my MasterCard.
MasterCard (for obvious reasons) does refuse the target account.

[Mike L]

MG Mueller, thanks for that info. The crucial question is: what address is "registered" with the card? (In other words, what address do you have to supply when you use the card on-line?)

In the context of buying Kindle books from Amazon, it would have to be a US address. If it's the customer's own (non-US) address, then there would be no point in using it, as far as I can see.

In fact, Amazon apart, what's the benefit of using a virtual credit card compared to any other kind? The only thing I can think of is if the customer can't get credit in the normal way (since the virtual card is in fact a pre-payment card).

Have I missed something?

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Mike L

MG Mueller, thanks for that info. The crucial question is: what address is "registered" with the card? (In other words, what address do you have to supply when you use the card on-line?)

In the context of buying Kindle books from Amazon, it would have to be a US address. If it's the customer's own (non-US) address, then there would be no point in using it, as far as I can see.

In fact, Amazon apart, what's the benefit of using a virtual credit card compared to any other kind? The only thing I can think of is if the customer can't get credit in the normal way (since the virtual card is in fact a pre-payment card).

Have I missed something?

There are workarounds, so I rarely use virtual credit cards.
But benefit is, you "simulate" an US based card.
Meaning: You don't need gift cards for Amazon for example. You directly can purchase via your virtual credit card, like you would do with any "original" US credit card.
If you can circumvent via gift cards, that's preferable in my opinion. I find virtual cards more complicated and less transparent.
But It's a nice workaround, when gift cards don't exist.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Mike L

MG Mueller, thanks for that info. The crucial question is: what address is "registered" with the card? (In other words, what address do you have to supply when you use the card on-line?)

In the context of buying Kindle books from Amazon, it would have to be a US address. If it's the customer's own (non-US) address, then there would be no point in using it, as far as I can see.

In fact, Amazon apart, what's the benefit of using a virtual credit card compared to any other kind? The only thing I can think of is if the customer can't get credit in the normal way (since the virtual card is in fact a pre-payment card).

Have I missed something?

I've seen 2 variations of virtual cards:
a.) You can choose your own US (or wherever) address. Google is quite helpful in finding "your" residence in california.
Advantage: Different states have different taxes.
b.) The virtual cards comes with an address of the country you choose. I guess, It's the address of their foreign subsidiary.
Only used option a.) so far.

[HansTWN]

Virtual credit/debit cards have two uses:

1.)Security -- you can scrap it at any time and limit potential losses. They will just issue a new one with a different number.
2.)As mgmueller points out, you do not have an actual mailing address, so you just give any address to the issuing bank/company and you can pretend that you live in the US. You can also change the address around in the US to avoid paying state taxes.

For me the problem with these is how reliable the issuer is. I wouldn't trust just anyone. I only know Entropay is good but I have no idea if Amazon accepts it with a US mailing address, since it is issued by a European bank. Also you pay a 5% fee, current workarounds are cheaper.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

Exactly.
I have 2 accounts.
1 with my German credit card and German address to purchase the gift cards.
1 with an US address and NO credit card, to redeem the gift cards.
Works like a charm, no hassle at all.

When was the last time you purchased books? Stopped working for me about 1 week ago.

[ratflinger]

Originally Posted by Mike L

What exactly is a virtual credit card?

Citibank offers one on my MC account. The numbers is good anywhere, but I use it online only. There's a utility that generates a virtual card number that's good until the end of the next month. I use one card number per purchase, so if my number gets stolen & used I know immediately which vendor to send the cc company after. I don't have the hassles of closing a physical card and getting a new one. I keep that card in my safe so it can't be compromised while out in the general public.