Obviously, this happened to me. I’m not selling many books. Not sure why, and maybe that’s a post for another time titled “Staying True to Your Art – Living in Writer’s Poverty”. But I digress.
Even before I had a dear reader grab a refund of my book I’ve thought about this whole idea that books are refundable, at least on Amazon and I’m sure elsewhere too. The funny thing is, the reader who took a refund on my book they purchased, only bought it for $0.99. Funny that.
Okay, but seriously, I do have a problem with ebooks being refunded. Or should I say that I take issue with the policy that Amazon and other retailers have that their customers can get a refund for the ebooks that they buy and don’t like. C’mon Amazon, you ain’t a library. This isn’t loan and return.
Of course I take issue with readers who think that this practice is okay. Tell me, when was the last time you bought a latte, drank the damn thing then decided that you didn’t really like it and demanded a refund? Probably hasn’t happened. Though from experience I can tell you that when I was a Starbucks Store Manager I did have one customer try this on me. I kicked them out on their arse!
Now I’m not sure this will get a lot of nods of agreement from my colleagues or perhaps readers. But here’s the thing. Why do we think, if we do, that it’s okay for writers to get the shaft this way but not other artists. Have you bought the latest Harry Potter movie, watched it and then taken it back for a refund? Won’t happen. Only exchanges and only if the DVD is broken.
What about the last song you downloaded from iTunes. Listened to it a few times and then went back for a refund? I don’t think so.
So why do we think that writers should be shafted like this. I don’t think it should be allowed. A writer will spend a good 6 months to a year or more writing and crafting and editing a book of theirs. That’s a lot of time, a lot of emotional and mental investment and for a reader to buy it, chew through it in a matter of days or weeks and then spit it out by asking for a refund is a little bit rude and insensitive. But that’s just me.
We all make mistakes. Isn’t one of the tenets of this free market system supposed to be “buyer beware”? Sample the book first as you can with just about all the books on Amazon. Read the reviews and see if it fits your style. And if so then plonk down the 2 bucks, 5 bucks, even 10 bucks for the ebook and make peace with your decision. Okay, you don’t like it, too bad. I’m not crazy about the way my barber cut my hair. Lesson learned, I’ll pay the man and go elsewhere. Really, we’re talking a few bucks for most of these ebooks and you’re gonna go for a refund. I pity the fool.
If I ever get popular enough that I get a big publisher to publish my books, this is going to be in my contract. The publisher or the retailer is going to eat the refund if they feel it’s necessary to offer a refund on my blood, sweat and toil.
Hey, I wrote the best I could. I polished it till it shined. You buy it, you beware. If you don’t like it I’m sorry. Don’t buy another.
I think it’s time writers started to care more about these things. Instead it seems like we cheapen ourselves for a chance to be spotted. Like hookers on the street corner. We’re selling out and we’re selling out cheaper and cheaper all the time. Yeah, there’s a dime a dozen writers out there. So what, there’s only one of you.
I’m talking about giving away our soul for free, our ebooks for pennies. No wonder readers think what we produce is cheapened. Anyway, this is turning into a rant. Bottom line dear reader, don’t screw the writer just because you made a bad choice with the information in front of you. And Amazon and other retailers, really, this is art, not socks, there should be no refunds on ebooks or books at all. If I want a loaner I’ll go to my library thanks.
I was going to say I’m amazed anyone would ask for a refund because they didn’t like a book, but actually I’m not, some people just try their luck. Personally would never dream of doing it, especially as you can use the sample to get a feel for a book. The only time I might ask for a refund was if I’d paid a decent price and it was poorly proofread, never just because I disliked it. Caveat emptor, like you say.
Good points TC. I think it is poor form. But it takes all kinds I guess.
I agree with you, Jason. I guess it’s just the writer’s version of “unfair things we have to put up with.” Good (if infuriatingly true) post.
Speaking of “library” have you seen that Amazon is thinking of turning the eBooks into a lending library a la Netflix? Wonder what that will mean for author payments?
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for that tasty morsel
I didn’t know that at all. Very interesting. I’d like to know what that would mean for author payments. Do you have a link to a source for that?
Best,
Jason