The Sword and Laser discussion
Audible-- worth it?
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I've just started making my books available as audio books and I have just purchased my first audio book via that site. I am not paying the sub though, I know I won't buy that many. Is that $15 per year? If so, and the audio book per month is free (like one book per month on Kindle with Prime) then that isn't bad - as some people don't buy a lot, but I guess some might. Once you have it, then it is yours. I guess the question is do you think you will buy more audio books with the discount to make up for the fee?
I get the two credits a month plan that works out to eleven-something per credit. I mostly use credits for new releases because they usually cost more than a credit for the ebook and the Whispersync isn't such a great deal for books that are in hardcover print release. I also use credits on the two for one credit or three for two credit sales. There's a secret with these sales. If you don't find enough interesting books on the list, add the one(s) you do want to the special cart. The next time they have the same kind of sale, any book in your special cart will still be there.
My son and I share an audible account. Some months we buy no books, others we do the ebook/audio thing, and other months (like cyber Monday) we buy tons on sale using no credits. IF you will buy using credits - he has a long work commute and listens on his merry way - it is worth it. IF you will not, it isn't. Note: even being part of the program gets you a discount on straight purchases.
So is this correct - a person pays the sub and gets X credits a month - which can be traded in for books - or not. Du you keep them from month to month or do they go. I am quite interested in getting some more audio books but don't know whether to just buy them as I go or sign up. I am not sure when I'd listen.
Your credits carry over if you don't use them. I don't remember the details, but you are only allowed to accumulate a certain number for a certain length of time. I don't worry about it. I use all my credits.
I'm on the one credit a month plan, and I have used it to get a new release, to get an audio copy of an ebook I bought somewhere other than Amazon, or for an older book I have in paper but want to listen to. I will pay for the Kindle whispersync deals when they are really cheap. And I have bought some of the daily deals, which I think are for members only.
Also Audible has a lot of classics you can get really cheap and members get I think 30% off the regular price.
Remember if you do sign up to use the S&L code and get another freebie.
It depends on how much use you get out of Audible. I DEVOUR audiobooks, so it works out well for me. Subscribers also get access to special sales - a lot of 4.95/book sales. Selection isn't always great, but I almost always find at least one book. Even at $15 a credit with the 1 credit plan, I've paid an average of about $6.50 a book in the past year by taking advantage of member only sales.
A.L. Since you are just starting out, I would go with the month to month plan. I was on that for a while (a few years back), but ended up with a backlog of credits. By the way you can only roll over 4 credits. So I used those and quit for a while. I then hit a spot where I was going to be doing a lot of driving for a while. And what I found was Audible also has a package that that gives you 12 credits, that you have a year to spend. I like this because I can buy a few at a time, and I don't feel bad if I go several months with out buying a book.
Just another option to consider.
Thanks.I'll look into the options. I am resisting so far as I buy stacks of e-books as it is, and this is something else to take my money.
Wow! That deal for the ebook and audio book is awesome. I wish we had that in the uk. Here, there is no such thing. I just cancelled a one credit a month subscription, which was £7.99 a month, and most books I bought were around £20, so it was a massive saving. I only cancelled because I have limited income and it had to go, so I will probably not be buying audiobooks in the near future (my library has a fair collection available via overdrive, so I will probably just use that). I can't think why I would subscribe with deals like the one mentioned though. I had no idea they were so cheap!
:) I am a bit worried about spending too much. I had a look through and I could have spent a lot.
I do 2 credits/month and usually end up buying more with Whispersync for Voice and the infernal sales.
Mod
My only complaint is the DRM.
Michele wrote: "And I have bought some of the daily deals, which I think are for members only. "Actually the daily deals are open to anybody, I've bought them many times.
I have found enough Whispersync books whose total comes to $10 - $15 (or less) that - between this and the Daily deals - I have a year or two worth of listening queued up... I doubt I'll ever feel the need for a subscription.
One of the best deals I've found so far: Some of Peter Hamilton's books are only $10 - $12 for the Whispersync...that's 12 bucks for 35+ hours of audiobook!
If you're only a sporadic listener I'd second what Ruth said and check out what your library has available. The Chicago system has a decent number of audiobooks available, it's in the same system as the ebook rentals. I stack up my library queue both print and electronic, which gets me titles frequently enough.
I do the 24 credits per year plan, which comes out to 9.45 per credit (I think). So I buy more expensive audio books with credits and cheaper stuff with the kindle bundle or just when it's on sale.
Yeah the OP is correct. It's fairly easy to get audible books at less than the cost of 1 credit. I signed up for Audible at Christmas through an Amazon daily deal that was $14 off for 3 months. i.e. 95 cents per credit for 3 months. During this period I bought a lot of books through the Audible sales etc and now have a backlog of 10+ audiobooks. Note that credits can only accumulate for 6 months and they are deleted if you quit your subscription without spending them. Once you spend them the books stay in your Audible library even if you quit, so that should not be a problem.
Just remember your local library may have plenty of audio books for download to supplement your purchases. Hoopla has lots of recent titles, Overdrive has thousands of titles, one-click digital has over 3,000 titles, Ebsconet has more of the classics and non-fiction.
The problem is the publishers don't want you using libraries. So, they make it difficult for the library to lend titles. Each of the services had different requirements and interface. But if you're using Downpour, Amazon and Audible you have the same problem. Some of the services work better on a phone, others on a computer/player. Best bet is to find the service you like the best and get familiar with that one. Ask your librarian for tips on which to use and how to use it.
Another place to find audio is the Internet Archive. Lots of old radio shows there. I've listened to Horatio Hornblower, Fantastic Four, The Shadow, Archie, Philip Marlow, and plenty more. Aside from the serials there are the playhouse shows that often did classics and recent movies. Some excellent stories there.
The problem is the publishers don't want you using libraries. So, they make it difficult for the library to lend titles. Each of the services had different requirements and interface. But if you're using Downpour, Amazon and Audible you have the same problem. Some of the services work better on a phone, others on a computer/player. Best bet is to find the service you like the best and get familiar with that one. Ask your librarian for tips on which to use and how to use it.
Another place to find audio is the Internet Archive. Lots of old radio shows there. I've listened to Horatio Hornblower, Fantastic Four, The Shadow, Archie, Philip Marlow, and plenty more. Aside from the serials there are the playhouse shows that often did classics and recent movies. Some excellent stories there.
What am I missing guys?