Why I never think to return an e-book.
Picture this, my face is puckered in horror and distaste, just as if I'd bitten into a shiny juicy apple and discovered it is rotten to the core - okay, now translate that experience to my last e-book purchase.
On the outside - the book had everything. A glossy cover. A book blurb that sounded fun, action packed, with the promise of a hot, hot romance. And lots and lots of glowing five star reviews.
And for complete sucker bait, at least two of my favourite authors had endorsed it.
I couldn't click the - buy now - button fast enough.
But from the first page things began to go horribly wrong. The h, was limp and seemed to burst into tears every other page. The H was stoic, and by that I mean one dimensional, making cardboard cutouts look lively and fully fleshed in comparison.
I knew who the bad guy was by the end of chapter two - problem was this book was supposed to be a mystery - so there went the suspense element.
I trudged on, in hope that things would improve - foolish me. By the 50% mark I was done. Another one for the DNF pile.
But not once did I consider returning the book for a refund. I know people do it. They even do it to me... occasionally. Probably downloaded it accidentally - I like to think.
But why can't I demand a refund?
First off because I did my research, checked the reviews and clearly the book sounded like something I would/should enjoy.
The fact that I didn't... does the fault lie with me or the author/or all the five star reviewers?
I've read many books where the actual contents of the book have little, sometimes nothing, to do with the enticing book blurb that sucked me in.
I've even been badly burnt by long time favourite authors whose latest offering stunk to high heaven - but I would never consider asking for a refund.
In my mind - it's like a roll of the dice. Sometimes, you win, sometimes you lose.
Because let's face it, when you do come across a great new book/series or author, it is literally like winning the lottery. And double the jackpot if they are an established author and have a big back-catalogue of books for you to get your mitts on immediately.
So, no, asking for a refund, just isn't in me. Leaving a constructive, alternative review... much more my style.
On the outside - the book had everything. A glossy cover. A book blurb that sounded fun, action packed, with the promise of a hot, hot romance. And lots and lots of glowing five star reviews.
And for complete sucker bait, at least two of my favourite authors had endorsed it.
I couldn't click the - buy now - button fast enough.
But from the first page things began to go horribly wrong. The h, was limp and seemed to burst into tears every other page. The H was stoic, and by that I mean one dimensional, making cardboard cutouts look lively and fully fleshed in comparison.
I knew who the bad guy was by the end of chapter two - problem was this book was supposed to be a mystery - so there went the suspense element.
I trudged on, in hope that things would improve - foolish me. By the 50% mark I was done. Another one for the DNF pile.
But not once did I consider returning the book for a refund. I know people do it. They even do it to me... occasionally. Probably downloaded it accidentally - I like to think.
But why can't I demand a refund?
First off because I did my research, checked the reviews and clearly the book sounded like something I would/should enjoy.
The fact that I didn't... does the fault lie with me or the author/or all the five star reviewers?
I've read many books where the actual contents of the book have little, sometimes nothing, to do with the enticing book blurb that sucked me in.
I've even been badly burnt by long time favourite authors whose latest offering stunk to high heaven - but I would never consider asking for a refund.
In my mind - it's like a roll of the dice. Sometimes, you win, sometimes you lose.
Because let's face it, when you do come across a great new book/series or author, it is literally like winning the lottery. And double the jackpot if they are an established author and have a big back-catalogue of books for you to get your mitts on immediately.
So, no, asking for a refund, just isn't in me. Leaving a constructive, alternative review... much more my style.
No comments have been added yet.
