“We Are Sorry”: My Free Trial at Audible.com.
Instead of diving into my usual rhetoric, I’m just going to tell you about my experience with Audible.com. It’s not Facebook related, but if someone at Audible reads this, they can let somebody in their company know how not to launch their eventual social networking application.
8:30pm: I’m keen to get this fantastic audio book, recommended to me wholeheartedly by my girlfriend. It’s like a Coles note for introductory Macroeconomics. I want to burn it for our two-hour late-night drive.
8:45pm: After a Google search for “Audible.com free offer”, I find a 14-day free trial offer. I sign up and am asked to download some software.
8:50pm: The installation asks me what device I use to play music. I want to burn a CD, but I also use an iPod. Their options have “iPod” and “I want to burn CDs” as separate options. I’m not sure which one to pick so I pick the second one.
9:00pm: I install the software, and in addition to looking *vaguely similar* to iTunes (see screenshot below), it presents me with two empty databases: library and trash.
9:02pm: After realizing there’s no way to actually download or buy anything from within the software, I head back to Audible.com, and find the audio book I like. I check it out, and buy it. The system recognizes I have a free trial, and I proceed to order and purchase the book at no cost.
9:10pm: I am forwarded to a download page, where strangely, all 20 chapters of the book are individually listed, with no button for download all. I click download on the first link, and a pop-up appears: “You do not have the Audible.com download software.” … “Yes, I do” I mutter, feeling the way no usability designer ever hopes their users would.
9:15pm: I eventually find a link explaining I need to restart Mozilla for changes to take effect. I do. I still get the same error message. I see a small checkbox indicating that I have to click the checkbox if my computer uses cookies and is not properly registering the software. Finally, it downloads.
9:30pm: I have now downloaded my 20 chapters, one by one, and now want to burn it to a CD. I launch the Audible software, drag and drop the files, and click “burn”. Audible software indicates I must install Nero 7.
9:50pm: Nero 7 trial version is now on my computer (all 512 Mb worth). I see an option for “burn Audible.com audiobook”. I choose it and drag and drop the files in. Nero asks me for my Audible username and password. I enter them. Nero smiles mischievously: “You can not burn these files.”
9:53pm: I head back to the Audible.com software, drag and drop the chapters into the software, and click “Burn using Nero 7″. I then received this notice.
10:00pm: We merrily start our trip, listening to Ricky Gervais podcasts and the Flight of the Conchords radio show. I crash.
I’m not sure how long ago this was posted, and you may have written audible off, but I’ve been using them for years. I have had problems like this, but their support has always been top notch–give them a call.
What a idiot anytime u have 2 register ur credit card 4 a free trial ur fucked
Audible sucks. 16th April 2011. Believe the haters. Bear in mind that defenders may have a vested intrest. It is companies like AUdible which make people use torrents, firewire etc. If you work for Audible change your company if you get the chance.
I need a site where I can download books unto MP3 players for third graders. I have been having trouble finding MP3 players to use that do not cost much. When I find one, I am not sure if it is compatible to use with Audible.com because I can’t find it on their list. Does anybody have any advice about inexpensive MP3 players that will work with Audible.com or is there another place to find easy books to download? I started to look at the Public Library site but they only let you download for a short time and do not have many easy books.
They just deducted 7.49 from my checking account without my permission.
I didn’t even know who they were. I was probably just looking around concerning a Kindle and their website popped up, I guess.
On average, most people spend an hour a day commuting to and from work and audible in theory is a good concept. I don’t know if they fixed the issues so a current review would help. I have also added audible offers I was able to find on my site. If you have better ones feel free to post them here:
http://www.topdealcoupons.com/audible.com/
Mike C.
After finding Audible.com to be a total disaster when I first tried them around 9 years ago, I thought they’d have gotten their act together by now. After hearing of them on a podcast, I was ready to give them a second chance. But I see they haven’t improved at all.
And as “Anonymous” said, they, like many other companies, will debit your credit card without permission—or by permission they’ve tricked you into giving them in one way or another. Because companies like Audible debit your credit card account with permission APPARENTLY given, or “technically” given, I tend to shy away from ANY company which asks for my credit card details. I’d rather pay by PayPal, but PayPal tends to charge too much for this service; i.e. I’d have to factor in PayPal’s own (additional) charge–is it US$8?–into the price. And that’s only IF the seller will accept payment by PayPal, which they often won’t, because, well, THEY WANT YOUR CREDIT CARD!!
Audible is the best “pay for audio books” site i have found. if you want free – try books should be free dot com. lots of well made and many not so well made audio books. BUT FREE
I use audible for current books, but only after i exuasted book should be free. I recomend “Mysterious Island” as a good first listen.