Bought yet another Kindle Book. I'm Doomed! - Page 2

chamekke · 02-03-2011, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

There are ways around that. If you want to save cash I won't tell you how. (grins)

You interest me strangely...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

And trust me, it is not Amazons fault. They would love to sell you all the books that they have. It is contract law across verious countries and authors who sign with Publishers in one specific country so that their ebooks cannot be sold outside that country by that particular Publisher. It is a mess but there is nothing that the bookstores can do about it.

I appreciate that, ProfCrash. But it still puzzles me, even if it's in a childish, why-can't-I-have-my-candy sort of way. I know that the Canadian population is a tenth of the U.S.A., but per capita we are insatiable book readers, so I think Amazon is losing far more sales than it realizes. And I just hate that as bibliophiles we are left flailing between the Scylla of not owning the books we love, and the Charybdis of acquiring them in a less than legal manner.

ProfCrash · 02-03-2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chamekke

You interest me strangely...

I appreciate that, ProfCrash. But it still puzzles me, even if it's in a childish, why-can't-I-have-my-candy sort of way. I know that the Canadian population is a tenth of the U.S.A., but per capita we are insatiable book readers, so I think Amazon is losing far more sales than it realizes. And I just hate that as bibliophiles we are left flailing between the Scylla of not owning the books we love, and the Charybdis of acquiring them in a less than legal manner.

I am thrilled that I am rarely bitten by geo restrictions. They make no sense to me. I know that there is some logical reason for Amazon being able to mail a paperback any where in the world but not being able to send an ebook. Harry has explained it a few times and I always forget because it is just so freaking absurd.

I think that you can get books unblocked from the US site by creating a new account with a US address, pick a real one not the White House or something silly like that, and putting gift certificates on it. Then use a VPN blocker program so Amazon cannot read your IP address. And buy books a few at a time.

chamekke · 02-04-2011, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I think that you can get books unblocked from the US site by creating a new account with a US address, pick a real one not the White House or something silly like that, and putting gift certificates on it. Then use a VPN blocker program so Amazon cannot read your IP address. And buy books a few at a time.

Thank you. This is definitely food for thought. I really don't like the thought of doing it by stealth, but by the same token at least the author does get their money - more than s/he would when I can't buy it at all.

Hmm. When you say 'create a new account', you mean an entirely new account with a different username etc.? Wouldn't it need to be connected to the Kindle that the books are downloaded to? Or are you suggesting another step that dares not speak its name?

(Incidentally, I've never used a VPN blocker program before. Purely as an academic question, is there one you'd particularly recommend?)

ProfCrash · 02-04-2011, 09:17 AM

I live in the US so I have never had to do this. I know that this subject has been discussed in the Kindle and Nook forums. You should be able to find more info there.

I believe you need to create an entirly new Amazon account with a US address. You can switch registry between the two accounts but do so sparingly so as to not alert Amazon what you are up to.

wvcherrybomb · 02-04-2011, 11:07 AM

Hidemya** is free software that lets you pick a country to us an IP address from. Just choose USA and you are set. Use any residential US address. It doesn't have to match the IP or anything. Register your Kindle to that account and order away.

I know ProfCrash suggesting buying Amazon gift cards and crediting them. That is an excellent idea for extra insurance, but I do of people who just use their Canadian credit cards on their "US" account without incident.

In any event, at least you are going to the darknet and stealing the book.

ProfCrash · 02-04-2011, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wvcherrybomb

Hidemya** is free software that lets you pick a country to us an IP address from. Just choose USA and you are set. Use any residential US address. It doesn't have to match the IP or anything. Register your Kindle to that account and order away.

I know ProfCrash suggesting buying Amazon gift cards and crediting them. That is an excellent idea for extra insurance, but I do of people who just use their Canadian credit cards on their "US" account without incident.

In any event, at least you are going to the darknet and stealing the book.

I am assuming you mean "you are not going to the darknet and stealing the book." (winks)

I did not know that the Canadian credit cards were working. For a while people were reporting that using a non-US based credit card was getting them busted.

wvcherrybomb · 02-05-2011, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I am assuming you mean "you are not going to the darknet and stealing the book." (winks)

I did not know that the Canadian credit cards were working. For a while people were reporting that using a non-US based credit card was getting them busted.

Haha, yeah that's what I meant.

I'm not going to edit it because it's too funny.

I am not 100% on the credit card thing. I have just read it somewhere. The gift cards seem like a much safer idea.

chamekke · 02-05-2011, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I am assuming you mean "you are not going to the darknet and stealing the book." (winks)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wvcherrybomb

Haha, yeah that's what I meant.

I'm not going to edit it because it's too funny.

Heh. And here I thought you were trying your hand at that Obi-Wan Kenobi mind control thing ;-)

I may or may not give it a whirl. Right now I'm still too absorbed in downloading legal freebies (hi, Moll Flanders!) to try it out.

But I'd love to hear from anyone who has personally managed to pull off an "American" e-book order with a Canadian credit card...

teadonkey · 02-05-2011, 09:48 AM

I do the giftcard budget as well, and I've only had my Kindle for a month and change. It is very effective, and in fact has kept me from PURCHASING any book but one collection of books that was quite cheap. Everything else has been free so far. (; Knowing that I have that limited amount on the giftcard has been super effective for me.

Of course, I'm a major cheapo kind of person in the non-digital world, as well. So I guess it makes sense for that to translate over to the eBooks.

I also started looking around for ways to get free Amazon giftcards, like Swagbucks and a couple other sites. I gotta say I only have enough time/energy/drive to keep up with Swagbucks, though. I envy the people who can be disciplined enough to use multiple venues for giftcard earning. On another note, there are constantly new raffles and contests for giftcards that most people can enter, so I'd look into that if money is tight.

Plus, I ask for Amazon giftcards for my birthday and Christmas. ;D I hardly ever spend my own money on books that way.

The dark side is attractive, young padawan, but careful you should be.

chamekke · 02-05-2011, 02:47 PM

Oh sorry. By "giving it a whirl", I meant the earlier suggestion of buying Amazon.com books from outside the States via gift cards and stealthy means.

I'm not going to that dark side quite yet. At most I am a very pale grey. I really do want to buy the books! Amazon, take my money - please! ;-)

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02-04-2011, 09:17 AM	#19
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	I live in the US so I have never had to do this. I know that this subject has been discussed in the Kindle and Nook forums. You should be able to find more info there. I believe you need to create an entirly new Amazon account with a US address. You can switch registry between the two accounts but do so sparingly so as to not alert Amazon what you are up to.

02-04-2011, 11:07 AM	#20
wvcherrybomb Sharp Shootin' Grandma Posts: 847 Karma: 1123940 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sunny Florida Device: Kindle 3, Kindle Fire, Literati (has been adopted by my daughter)	Hidemya** is free software that lets you pick a country to us an IP address from. Just choose USA and you are set. Use any residential US address. It doesn't have to match the IP or anything. Register your Kindle to that account and order away. I know ProfCrash suggesting buying Amazon gift cards and crediting them. That is an excellent idea for extra insurance, but I do of people who just use their Canadian credit cards on their "US" account without incident. In any event, at least you are going to the darknet and stealing the book.

02-05-2011, 09:48 AM	#24
teadonkey Zealot Posts: 132 Karma: 2179008 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle 3 WiFi	I do the giftcard budget as well, and I've only had my Kindle for a month and change. It is very effective, and in fact has kept me from PURCHASING any book but one collection of books that was quite cheap. Everything else has been free so far. (; Knowing that I have that limited amount on the giftcard has been super effective for me. Of course, I'm a major cheapo kind of person in the non-digital world, as well. So I guess it makes sense for that to translate over to the eBooks. I also started looking around for ways to get free Amazon giftcards, like Swagbucks and a couple other sites. I gotta say I only have enough time/energy/drive to keep up with Swagbucks, though. I envy the people who can be disciplined enough to use multiple venues for giftcard earning. On another note, there are constantly new raffles and contests for giftcards that most people can enter, so I'd look into that if money is tight. Plus, I ask for Amazon giftcards for my birthday and Christmas. ;D I hardly ever spend my own money on books that way. The dark side is attractive, young padawan, but careful you should be.

02-05-2011, 02:47 PM	#25
chamekke Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 13510 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Canada Device: Kindle 3 Wi-Fi	Oh sorry. By "giving it a whirl", I meant the earlier suggestion of buying Amazon.com books from outside the States via gift cards and stealthy means. I'm not going to that dark side quite yet. At most I am a very pale grey. I really do want to buy the books! Amazon, take my money - please! ;-)

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