Recently, Amazon changed their return policy to allow customers the option to return a Kindle e-book for a full refund AFTER the book has been fully read. Now, it’s one thing to download a book, read a couple of chapters, say, “this isn’t for me,” and return it. But reading it entirely and then asking for a refund is sort of like eating your entire meal at a restaurant and then saying to the server, “Sorry, I didn’t really enjoy this, so I”m not going to pay the bill.” In other words, it’s JUST PLAIN WRONG.
In the spirit of believing most people are kind and honest, I’m going to assume that many of those who have read and returned a Kindle book for a refund think they are sticking it to “the Zon.” Not so. Authors are charged back for the original sale in full. Think about it. You worked all week. Got your pay check. Spent it on bills and groceries. And a month later, your employer hands you a check for Zero dollars. “What’s this?” you might ask. And your employer says, “Oh, yeah, last month, there was that week I didn’t really like the project you finished, so I’ve charged you back for those hours.”
Authors spend months of their lives writing a book, sometimes years. Most of us (because I can’t speak for everyone) do it because we are doing what we love. We hope that you’ll enjoy what we write, but the reality is, not everyone will. Reading is subjective. We also understand that not everyone can afford to purchase books. That’s where libraries come in (and as a library patron, I can assure you that in addition to buying books, I also use libraries).
I have never before used this platform for any sort of agenda, but today I’m asking you to sign and share this petition in the hope that Amazon will change this unfair policy. Thank you.
I’ve signed the petition. This is outrageous.
Thanks Debra.
The only ebooks I’ve ever returned were, for one reason or another, bought by mistake, and they were unread (perhaps a handful of pages). I agree, to do otherwise is just not right.
(Signed & shared)
Thank you Larry. And yes, fine to return if a mistake or a few pages read…totally with you there.
I’ve never returned an ebook even when I didn’t like it. The amount is small and I put the purchase in the same category as what I purchase at a thrift shop–“all sales are final.” Amazon thinks it’s helping customers but instead it’s undermining the entire agreement with its providers–lower prices for total line support. Amazon can’t keep this up. I’ve signed the petition before.
Thanks Susan. Maybe you could share the petition, email to a friend, or via social. Every little bit helps.
Thank you, Judy
Signed and shared
Mike Martin
Thank you Mike.
I agree with you.
Please sign and share, Carolanne. Musicians banded together and Amazon heard them. They can hear authors, too.
You are right on. The only Kindle books my husband asked me to return for him were mysteries in a series he loved, but the author became too political. All hubby wanted was entertainment.
Beth, but he didn’t read the entire book first, did he? If that was the case, fine, stop buying the books in the series, but not if he read the entire book and decided he didn’t like it. We’ve all read books that we didn’t like but…if you finish it then, like it or not, it’s not fair to return it.