Reasons you have not paid for a 'donationware' book? - Page 2

fugazied · 02-17-2010, 05:22 PM

I've forgotten a couple of times.

They really need some kind of reminder at the end of the book and/or between chapters. Ideally a micropayment system could be embedded INTO the book, so in a Kindle I could click a link and they are gifted $x.xx from my Amazon account. That would make it easy and simple!

Katti's Cat · 02-17-2010, 07:29 PM

I usually pay for the book before I download it, unless it's a first in a series. Then I pay for the other books if I liked the first book and donate a small fee for the downloaded book.

If the book is not to my liking or formated badly I don't pay.

The outcome of that experiment was kinda shocking for me and I know have a note beside my PC (yes on Paper) "PAY BEFORE YOU READ". Just so I don't forget it.

tompe · 02-17-2010, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katti's Cat

The outcome of that experiment was kinda shocking for me and I know have a note beside my PC (yes on Paper) "PAY BEFORE YOU READ". Just so I don't forget it.

I do not understand why. The webpage said:

Quote:

You are under no obligation to buy one you don't like. But do please visit the fees page if you derive value from your reading and agree that it's worth the money.

I think it was dishonest in this case to pay before you read the book. It is even problematic to pay for an unread book event if you likes a previous book since.

cbarnett · 02-17-2010, 09:03 PM

I'm quite happy to make a donation once I've read the book (or even when I start reading it, but my TBR list is looong). I do have a terrible memory at times, though, and admit to sometimes forgetting to come back and make the donation.

I'm all for authors putting a little reminder at the beginning (or even better, the end) of their book for just such reasons.

GA Russell · 02-17-2010, 11:29 PM

Speaking of which, does MR have a donate with PayPal option somewhere?

I wouldn't mind leaving a tip for some of the interesting books that can be downloaded here.

Katti's Cat · 02-18-2010, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tompe

I do not understand why. The webpage said:

I think it was dishonest in this case to pay before you read the book. It is even problematic to pay for an unread book event if you likes a previous book since.

I treat eBooks the way I treat pBooks - unless it is in the public domain out of copyright I should pay for the book. I never read samples of books even in the pBook times - just the short blurb on the back.

And whether I like the book or not does not necessarily reflect if it is a good one or not. Either way, the author did work on it. And if they don't get some sort of income, they stop writing soon.

That's just me, but I'll never be rich anyway cos I'm so honest & stupid that even my Dad cringes.

nikkie · 02-18-2010, 02:18 AM

I'm not sure if it really counts as "donationware"...but I downloaded Warbreaker from Brandon Sanderon's site and loved it. I didn't pay him money for it, but I think the book accomplished its purpose in that:

I purchased and voraciously devoured every other book he has written to date, except Elantris, because I can't find it in ebook format.

So that's why I voted other.

tompe · 02-18-2010, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katti's Cat

I treat eBooks the way I treat pBooks - unless it is in the public domain out of copyright I should pay for the book. I never read samples of books even in the pBook times - just the short blurb on the back.

Well, I think you should respect the author's and publisher's (the same person in this case) wishes. The publishing of the books this way was a marketing thing plus something that could show how much people liked the book so you could predict future sales. If people pay without reading the book you do not get this information.

Sparrow · 02-18-2010, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbarnett

I'm all for authors putting a little reminder at the beginning (or even better, the end) of their book for just such reasons.

That's a sound idea - at the end is good; if I get that far I'd be happy to make a payment, and a note there would be a good reminder.

GeoffC · 02-18-2010, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Russell

Speaking of which, does MR have a donate with PayPal option somewhere?

Nope ....

(yet!)

GA Russell · 02-18-2010, 11:19 AM

Thanks Geoff. I've received a lot of benefit from MR, and I'd be happy to repay in some way.

I imagine that if everyone who downloaded a book paid as little as a dollar each time (assuming that he liked the book), the site would have no financial worries. But I'm just guessing. Maybe it doesn't have any financial worries now!

Katti's Cat · 02-18-2010, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tompe

Well, I think you should respect the author's and publisher's (the same person in this case) wishes. The publishing of the books this way was a marketing thing plus something that could show how much people liked the book so you could predict future sales. If people pay without reading the book you do not get this information.

So the author rather has people who download & read and don't pay than those that download, not read but pay? Ahhhhhhh - thanks for clearing that up for me.

Kevin2960 · 02-19-2010, 03:21 AM

So, When you go to the store and get Bread, Milk, Steak, and a new car, you forget to pay, but it's ok, you didn't like them, and theirs no need to feel guilty, after all, it didn't really matter right !

Ben Thornton · 02-19-2010, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin2960

So, When you go to the store and get Bread, Milk, Steak, and a new car, you forget to pay, but it's ok, you didn't like them, and theirs no need to feel guilty, after all, it didn't really matter right !

Those things aren't traditionally sold as "donationware", and they are not copies - I don't see the comparison.

Kevin2960 · 02-19-2010, 03:46 AM

Does it matter what they are sold as ? the point surely is the honesty of the "Buyer", and a "Lot" but "Not All" never intend to pay, they just take anyway, which is kind of my point !

View Poll Results: Reasons you have not paid for a 'donation' book?
I downloaded it but haven't read it yet	43	59.72%
I did not read it because the book is 'not my thing'	7	9.72%
I read at minimum a sample, but the book was not to my liking	18	25.00%
I meant to send a donation but I forgot	7	9.72%
I meant to send a donation but do not use Paypal (or whatever given option)	3	4.17%
Why send money when the author is giving it away for free	4	5.56%
Other	13	18.06%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 72. You may not vote on this poll

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02-17-2010, 05:22 PM	#16
fugazied Wizard Posts: 1,305 Karma: 1958 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: iPod Touch	I've forgotten a couple of times. They really need some kind of reminder at the end of the book and/or between chapters. Ideally a micropayment system could be embedded INTO the book, so in a Kindle I could click a link and they are gifted $x.xx from my Amazon account. That would make it easy and simple!

02-17-2010, 07:29 PM	#17
Katti's Cat Wizard Posts: 2,259 Karma: 175640 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Australia Device: Sony PRS-600	I usually pay for the book before I download it, unless it's a first in a series. Then I pay for the other books if I liked the first book and donate a small fee for the downloaded book. If the book is not to my liking or formated badly I don't pay. The outcome of that experiment was kinda shocking for me and I know have a note beside my PC (yes on Paper) "PAY BEFORE YOU READ". Just so I don't forget it.

02-17-2010, 09:03 PM	#19
cbarnett MR prodigal son Posts: 1,085 Karma: 1083739 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O	I'm quite happy to make a donation once I've read the book (or even when I start reading it, but my TBR list is looong). I do have a terrible memory at times, though, and admit to sometimes forgetting to come back and make the donation. I'm all for authors putting a little reminder at the beginning (or even better, the end) of their book for just such reasons.

02-17-2010, 11:29 PM	#20
GA Russell Ticats win 4th straight Posts: 7,694 Karma: 31487351 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	Speaking of which, does MR have a donate with PayPal option somewhere? I wouldn't mind leaving a tip for some of the interesting books that can be downloaded here.

02-18-2010, 02:18 AM	#22
nikkie Guru Posts: 614 Karma: 73700 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: WA, USA Device: Android, Kindle Paperwhite, lots of ancient readers	I'm not sure if it really counts as "donationware"...but I downloaded Warbreaker from Brandon Sanderon's site and loved it. I didn't pay him money for it, but I think the book accomplished its purpose in that: I purchased and voraciously devoured every other book he has written to date, except Elantris, because I can't find it in ebook format. So that's why I voted other.

02-18-2010, 11:19 AM	#26
GA Russell Ticats win 4th straight Posts: 7,694 Karma: 31487351 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	Thanks Geoff. I've received a lot of benefit from MR, and I'd be happy to repay in some way. I imagine that if everyone who downloaded a book paid as little as a dollar each time (assuming that he liked the book), the site would have no financial worries. But I'm just guessing. Maybe it doesn't have any financial worries now!

02-19-2010, 03:21 AM	#28
Kevin2960 YODA's Uglier Twin Posts: 974 Karma: 6295251 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Leicester, UK Device: PRS-600 and 2 Kindle 3's - and now a K4 + HTC Desire HD	So, When you go to the store and get Bread, Milk, Steak, and a new car, you forget to pay, but it's ok, you didn't like them, and theirs no need to feel guilty, after all, it didn't really matter right !

02-19-2010, 03:46 AM	#30
Kevin2960 YODA's Uglier Twin Posts: 974 Karma: 6295251 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Leicester, UK Device: PRS-600 and 2 Kindle 3's - and now a K4 + HTC Desire HD	Does it matter what they are sold as ? the point surely is the honesty of the "Buyer", and a "Lot" but "Not All" never intend to pay, they just take anyway, which is kind of my point !