Free book is suddenly $9.99

KlondikeGeoff · 02-05-2009, 04:53 PM

Now and then I search the free books. Seldom do I keep one after finishing the sample, but a couple I did find good.

The other day (using the "-domain" to remove the old classics) I found one titled "The Whiskey Rebels: A Novel" by David Liss which sounded good. I got the sample, and about half way through that, realized I wanted the whole book.

I did a search of it to be sure, and it still was free, so downloaded the full book to the Kindle. Then, I got the email from Amazon stating the cost was $9.99!

I called Amazon, and they checked and found it was that price, even though I explained what I had done before getting it to be sure it was still free. They were kind enough to give me a credit, which is typical of their good customer relations.

Just now I went to check the free books again. It was still there among all the other free books before and after it, but it had the $9.99 price.

So, what do they do, list them as free until somebody gets one, and then immediately chage it to $9.99?

The whole thing is a bit weird, but can't complain as still got it at no cost with the credit, but something is goofy.

bwaldron · 02-05-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KlondikeGeoff

The whole thing is a bit weird, but can't complain as still got it at no cost with the credit, but something is goofy.

Apparently so. I believe that set of free books were to remain so until the end of February.

lilac_jive · 02-05-2009, 06:09 PM

That is weird.

rixte · 02-05-2009, 06:23 PM

That's really strange! I'm glad you managed to get the credit and hope you enjoy it - it's a great book.

I got them all when they were first announced, but that's still the only one showing up with a price for me and I know it's supposed to be free through the end of the month. Sounds like somebody goofed.

pilotbob · 02-05-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KlondikeGeoff

The other day (using the "-domain" to remove the old classics) I found one titled "The Whiskey Rebels: A Novel" by David Liss which sounded good. I got the sample, and about half way through that, realized I wanted the whole book.

I don't understand. Why, if the book was free did you just not "buy" it at that time?

BOb

S.Canton · 02-05-2009, 10:20 PM

Sounds rather strange to me, probably a screw up on their end.

Kindleist · 02-05-2009, 11:13 PM

I've heard of a few other people having this problem, but Amazon CS seem to be on top of it... they usually do give you a refund if the screw up is their fault.

lilac_jive · 02-06-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I don't understand. Why, if the book was free did you just not "buy" it at that time?

BOb

I can't speak for them, but I only try to download free books that I actually think I'll read. My digital bookshelf is like my actual bookshelf, I try to read everything I have.

KlondikeGeoff · 02-06-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I don't understand. Why, if the book was free did you just not "buy" it at that time? BOb

Well, young fella', when you get to be my age (81) you'll probably find you do goofy things now and then.

I always get the sample first, so when I saw that book, clicked on that out of habit, not having any idea that the price would be boosted. Now I know! From now on, any free book will "buy" it immediately.

That is, if I can remember!

rlparker · 02-06-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KlondikeGeoff

...The other day (using the "-domain" to remove the old classics) ...

Will you explain that trick in a little more detail please?

pilotbob · 02-06-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

I can't speak for them, but I only try to download free books that I actually think I'll read. My digital bookshelf is like my actual bookshelf, I try to read everything I have.

Understood. However, if you think you MIGHT want to read it and it is free, I would just buy it rather than get a sample.

BOb

pilotbob · 02-06-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KlondikeGeoff

Well, young fella', when you get to be my age (81) you'll probably find you do goofy things now and then.

!

Probably. I hope I am as hip at 81 as you obviously are. Heck, I hope I make it anywhere close to that age.

BOb

lilac_jive · 02-06-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Understood. However, if you think you MIGHT want to read it and it is free, I would just buy it rather than get a sample.

BOb

I guess so. But I don't get samples so I don't know

KlondikeGeoff · 02-06-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlparker

Will you explain that trick in a little more detail please?

Sure. When you go the list of books, and choose "From low to high" you will see all the free ones first, but now they are loaded with all the public domain books too, so far too much to scroll through to find latest books.

When that list appears, go up to the search box and type in "-domain" and the public domain ones vanish, leaving just the lately-published Kindle books.

Dragoro · 02-06-2009, 08:57 PM

Some of the books that amazon puts out for free are only for a limited time. Whiskey Rebels was only free for January.

02-05-2009, 04:53 PM	#1
KlondikeGeoff Wombat Aficionado Posts: 481 Karma: 733 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arizona Device: Fire, Kindle1, Sony PRS-500 Reader, Rocket 1100 eBook	Free book is suddenly $9.99 Now and then I search the free books. Seldom do I keep one after finishing the sample, but a couple I did find good. The other day (using the "-domain" to remove the old classics) I found one titled "The Whiskey Rebels: A Novel" by David Liss which sounded good. I got the sample, and about half way through that, realized I wanted the whole book. I did a search of it to be sure, and it still was free, so downloaded the full book to the Kindle. Then, I got the email from Amazon stating the cost was $9.99! I called Amazon, and they checked and found it was that price, even though I explained what I had done before getting it to be sure it was still free. They were kind enough to give me a credit, which is typical of their good customer relations. Just now I went to check the free books again. It was still there among all the other free books before and after it, but it had the $9.99 price. So, what do they do, list them as free until somebody gets one, and then immediately chage it to $9.99? The whole thing is a bit weird, but can't complain as still got it at no cost with the credit, but something is goofy.

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02-05-2009, 06:09 PM	#3
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	That is weird.

02-05-2009, 06:23 PM	#4
rixte Addict Posts: 300 Karma: 396757 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: new oasis, paperwhite, ipad, kobo	That's really strange! I'm glad you managed to get the credit and hope you enjoy it - it's a great book. I got them all when they were first announced, but that's still the only one showing up with a price for me and I know it's supposed to be free through the end of the month. Sounds like somebody goofed.

02-05-2009, 10:20 PM	#6
S.Canton Groupie Posts: 174 Karma: 12 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Kindle 2	Sounds rather strange to me, probably a screw up on their end.

02-05-2009, 11:13 PM	#7
Kindleist Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle	I've heard of a few other people having this problem, but Amazon CS seem to be on top of it... they usually do give you a refund if the screw up is their fault.

02-06-2009, 08:57 PM	#15
Dragoro Lovecraft Fan Posts: 414 Karma: 539914 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Michigan Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, Kindle Touch	Some of the books that amazon puts out for free are only for a limited time. Whiskey Rebels was only free for January.

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