holy crap retailers are stupid

[gnomeuser]

Recently my sister asked me to research some audiobook mp3 downloads she wanted. I warned her of DRM which might make it impossible to do certain things she might like such as listening to the files anywhere she pleased so naturally she was some what concerned about pouring out a lot of money on this.

However when looking at the site there was no indication of their stance on DRM nor if the files contained it. Searching their policy pages they not once mentioned DRM. Leaving the consumer totally blindsided on this important issue. So I decided to write their support department to ask if their audiobook downloads had DRM and what the company policy was on DRM so that the policy page might be updated and files clearly labeled as DRM infected or DRM-free to guide the consumer.

They wrote back a one line reply:

"Please give an example"

My faith in mankind has vanished. You would have thought that was a simple set of questions with a straight forward answer.

[HappinessNow]

Recently my sister asked me to research some audiobook mp3 downloads she wanted. I warned her of DRM which might make it impossible to do certain things she might like such as listening to the files anywhere she pleased so naturally she was some what concerned about pouring out a lot of money on this.

However when looking at the site there was no indication of their stance on DRM nor if the files contained it. Searching their policy pages they not once mentioned DRM. Leaving the consumer totally blindsided on this important issue. So I decided to write their support department to ask if their audiobook downloads had DRM and what the company policy was on DRM so that the policy page might be updated and files clearly labeled as DRM infected or DRM-free to guide the consumer.

They wrote back a one line reply:

"Please give an example"

My faith in mankind has vanished. You would have thought that was a simple set of questions with a straight forward answer.

For any such company jurisprudence would be most reasonable.

[glotz]

Haha, it's so true! And if they don't implement it, saying so in HUEG BOLD LETTERS would mean more sales...

Oh dear...

I guess you won't be doing business with them.

[BuffaloX]

I think that under danish copyright law, you are allowed to remove the DRM.
But of course it requires that you are able to do it.

[lovinglinux]

They wrote back a one line reply:

"Please give an example"

My faith in mankind has vanished. You would have thought that was a simple set of questions with a straight forward answer.

I was so mad because my phone company wanted to charge a $120 tax to change my subscription plan to one less expensive, that I asked if they charge for "breathing". Do you know what they said?

"This is not a service we provide, so we can't charge for it."

Seriously?

My faith in mankind has vanished a long time ago.

[MikeTheC]

In other news, night follows day.

[CraigPaleo]

In other news, night follows day.

Smart Alec!
http://ubuntuforums.org/customavatars/avatar378984_7.gifhttp://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/696_laser_shooting_smiley.gif

[MikeTheC]

Smart Alec!
http://ubuntuforums.org/customavatars/avatar378984_7.gifhttp://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/696_laser_shooting_smiley.gif

See what you get for trying to attack my TARDIS? :) :P

[pwnst*r]

Recently my sister asked me to research some audiobook mp3 downloads she wanted. I warned her of DRM which might make it impossible to do certain things she might like such as listening to the files anywhere she pleased so naturally she was some what concerned about pouring out a lot of money on this.

However when looking at the site there was no indication of their stance on DRM nor if the files contained it. Searching their policy pages they not once mentioned DRM. Leaving the consumer totally blindsided on this important issue. So I decided to write their support department to ask if their audiobook downloads had DRM and what the company policy was on DRM so that the policy page might be updated and files clearly labeled as DRM infected or DRM-free to guide the consumer.

They wrote back a one line reply:

"Please give an example"

My faith in mankind has vanished. You would have thought that was a simple set of questions with a straight forward answer.

LOL! i almost totally agree with you. most retailers are stupid.

[FuturePilot]

Recently my sister asked me to research some audiobook mp3 downloads she wanted. I warned her of DRM which might make it impossible to do certain things she might like such as listening to the files anywhere she pleased so naturally she was some what concerned about pouring out a lot of money on this.

However when looking at the site there was no indication of their stance on DRM nor if the files contained it. Searching their policy pages they not once mentioned DRM. Leaving the consumer totally blindsided on this important issue. So I decided to write their support department to ask if their audiobook downloads had DRM and what the company policy was on DRM so that the policy page might be updated and files clearly labeled as DRM infected or DRM-free to guide the consumer.

They wrote back a one line reply:

"Please give an example"

My faith in mankind has vanished. You would have thought that was a simple set of questions with a straight forward answer.

*facepalm*
wow, I totally agree.

[Jive Turkey]

Recently my sister asked me to research some audiobook mp3 downloads she wanted. I warned her of DRM which might make it impossible to do certain things she might like such as listening to the files anywhere she pleased so naturally she was some what concerned about pouring out a lot of money on this.

However when looking at the site there was no indication of their stance on DRM nor if the files contained it. Searching their policy pages they not once mentioned DRM. Leaving the consumer totally blindsided on this important issue. So I decided to write their support department to ask if their audiobook downloads had DRM and what the company policy was on DRM so that the policy page might be updated and files clearly labeled as DRM infected or DRM-free to guide the consumer.

They wrote back a one line reply:

"Please give an example"

My faith in mankind has vanished. You would have thought that was a simple set of questions with a straight forward answer.
Taking your description literally, I don't think mp3's are DRMable, AFAIK anyway. I've never encountered a DRM protected one. Perhaps they dont even know what DRM is, (that would be funny, and would further support your thesis about stupid retailers). If you ask more specific questions about playback restrictions, expiration of the file, or how to play the file, you might get a more coherent response. Then again, they might be recordings of someone with down syndrome reading the book while eating potato chips.

[Godly]

Give them an example!

[Therion]

Taking your description literally, I don't think mp3's are DRMable, AFAIK anyway. I've never encountered a DRM protected one.
Yarrr matey, ya gots to PAY MONEY to get DRM...





/See the logic?

[Maheriano]

But sometimes their stupidity works out in your favour. I have internet service with a local provider and one day they called me:
them - Hi, we notice you have internet but no cable service. Can we interest you in cable?
me - No thanks, I don't watch it much.
them - Well, we'd like to offer you 2 months of free cable with no obligation and no charge.
me - Hook me up!

--- 2 months later ---

me - Hi, I'd like to cancel my cable.
them - Why?
me - Well, I didn't have very many channels and it was only in 480i, I didn't like it.
them - What do you mean?
me - Well it's....what? 480i......high definition is broadcast in 480p or 720p, this was 480i.
them - Oh, we have high definition too!
me - Right but I can't buy something I haven't tried, I only tried basic.
them - I see. Well we can give you a 6 month trial of high definition cable, a PVR and a high definition television with no obligation and no charge.
me - Sign me up again!

They're coming to install everything Sunday morning!

[HavocXphere]

@Maheriano: Thats brilliant.

Yeah some people & tech just don't mix.

I've noticed the same thing with phone support. Step #1 is to hit them with something mad technical. This has two advantages 1) Figure out whether they know their stuff 2) Increases the chance of being transferred to a supervisor.:)

[beercz]

Banks are retailers in money. I rest my case!

[forrestcupp]

Taking your description literally, I don't think mp3's are DRMable, AFAIK anyway.

That's what I thought. I didn't think an mp3 could have drm.

That was pretty stupid.

[gnomeuser]

Taking your description literally, I don't think mp3's are DRMable, AFAIK anyway. I've never encountered a DRM protected one. Perhaps they dont even know what DRM is, (that would be funny, and would further support your thesis about stupid retailers). If you ask more specific questions about playback restrictions, expiration of the file, or how to play the file, you might get a more coherent response. Then again, they might be recordings of someone with down syndrome reading the book while eating potato chips.

what I would be afraid of would be that the download says mp3 but that might not be what it inside, it might be mp3 + drm in a wrapper which I have seen before.

Regardless my sister went and bought them, I will however continue my battle to get them to label the downloads. If they are DRM free then I think they should be labeled as such to increase their sales, for their benefit. I care mostly about having the information be available and displayed for the consumer as well as letting them know that I am unhappy with drm'ed solutions and will refuse to buy them.

[I-75]

In other news, night follows day.


Tonight's forecast...dark. Followed by widely scattered light in the morning......(George Carlin)

I couldn't resist....

:guitar:

[-grubby]

in other news, night follows day.

more at 11!

[monsterstack]

what I would be afraid of would be that the download says mp3 but that might not be what it inside, it might be mp3 + drm in a wrapper which I have seen before.

Regardless my sister went and bought them, I will however continue my battle to get them to label the downloads. If they are DRM free then I think they should be labeled as such to increase their sales, for their benefit. I care mostly about having the information be available and displayed for the consumer as well as letting them know that I am unhappy with drm'ed solutions and will refuse to buy them.

There are a bunch of other sites to get non-DRM'd audio books.

[meeples]

haha retailers are very stupid.


i remember when i was buying my linux netbook, the employee at i think comet tried to sell my mum a mcaffee antivirus cdrom with it haha

i though thtat was hilarious

[myusername]

There are a bunch of other sites to get non-DRM'd audio books. Like **** [mininova.org] for instance.

those sites are not considered legal

[glotz]

those sites are not considered legal
Probably depends quite a bit where you live.

[monsterstack]

So there is copyrighted content. Then there are torrent files that link to that content. Then there are torrent sites that link to links of that content. But just in case linking to links of links of copyrighted content is illegal, I will remove the link to the link to the link from my original post.

[lisati]

This reminds me of an email I received after doing a rant about something (I forget exactly what) to my ISP - basically it said "what was your problem?", and it had my initial report quoted at the end!

Or another time when I received in the mail an unsolicited CD with "free" access to an online casino. What followed was an email exchange of several "Your CD/advice won't work, I use Ubuntu", "try this (Windows specific) command" emails. It took a little while before they clicked!

[3rdalbum]

me - Well it's....what? 480i......high definition is broadcast in 480p or 720p, this was 480i.

Wow, you're easy to please. I'd kick up an awful stink if someone tried to offer me "high definition" and it was only 480p. Heck, I'd kick up a stink if it was 576p.

I would really define high definition as being "720p or greater" or "1080i or greater". Anything lower will look disappointing on a high definition TV.

[t0p]

I think that under danish copyright law, you are allowed to remove the DRM.
But of course it requires that you are able to do it.

It also requires that you know it's there.

[gnomeuser]

It also requires that you know it's there.

Also I would prefer not having to and regardless it's extra work for silliness - often hard work that requires me to think and research how. I shouldn't have to.

[Maheriano]

Wow, you're easy to please. I'd kick up an awful stink if someone tried to offer me "high definition" and it was only 480p. Heck, I'd kick up a stink if it was 576p.

I would really define high definition as being "720p or greater" or "1080i or greater". Anything lower will look disappointing on a high definition TV.
It depends, some people are a victim of numbers but don't really know what they mean. I don't mean to pick on your post, but it's arguable that 720p is actually better than 1080i because interlaced actually only puts half the lines on the screen at one time and your brain fills in the rest. So 1080i only really has 540 lines in each frame where as 720p has a full 720 lines in each frame even though the resolution of the screen is smaller.

So 480p is okay but I've also never ever used/seen high definition outside of a demo television at Best Buy. My family's never had it and I don't even own a television at this point, I don't watch cable. So I'd be easier to please than most.

[Jive Turkey]

Yarrr matey, ya gots to PAY MONEY to get DRM...

/See the logic?
That's funny, but my mp3's are paid for, mostly from here (http://www.emusic.com) or were legitimately released for free by the artists themselves. Ripping my own CDs is also fair use, so nya!

So, to clarify my point from before, the mp3 format doesn't support DRM unless it's encapsulated by some other mechanism like encryption which requires a proprietary decoder, in which case it wouldn't really be an mp3. If the OP is referring to mp3's incorectly, like my grandmother refers to say, any video game console as the "Nintendo," then yeah the files could have DRM. If the files available on the site come as *.mp3 files, then DRM is not likely.

[lisati]

i remember when i was buying my linux netbook, the employee at i think comet tried to sell my mum a mcaffee antivirus cdrom with it haha

i though thtat was hilarious
My ISP provides a "free" security suite based around McAffee, which I don't currently use (I have AVG Free on my XP & Vista installations) - if I visit my ISP's "PC health check" page when running Windows, it "complains" that I don't have anti-virus software installed, even though I do! D'oh!


So 480p is okay but I've also never ever used/seen high definition outside of a demo television at Best Buy. My family's never had it and I don't even own a television at this point, I don't watch cable. So I'd be easier to please than most.
I have a set-top box (http://www.freeviewnz.tv/products/detail/dse_hd_dvb-t_freeview_receiver_g7503) for FreeView HD (http://www.freeviewnz.tv/). Definitely better than a properly tuned analogue receiver, even though my TV can't take the HDMI connection.

[Jive Turkey]

what I would be afraid of would be that the download says mp3 but that might not be what it inside, it might be mp3 + drm in a wrapper which I have seen before.

I stand corrected. You/she might enjoy www.emusic.com if it is available where you live, they have audio books too, and thier tech support people are not stupid in my experience. They also have a linux download client, the download client is about the only DRM like feature but they are pure mp3 files.

[scottuss]

Retailers aren't stupid, the general population of this planet are. Whilst there are people who will willingly pay for DRM infected files, why should the retailers not continue to use it? It's in their advantage after all. It's all about money, not being nice to people.

If the general public actually thought about it and realised that having DRM free music made sense, the retailers would have no option but to cut DRM all together.

It happens with loads of stuff, people are stupid and pay for crap that could be better, but they don't really care. The majority of consumers don't know what DRM is, never mind realise that it affects them. All they know is "hey that tune I bought from iTunes won't play on my friends MP3 player, must be a bad MP3 Player" or whatever...

[jflaker]

Recently my sister asked me to research some audiobook mp3 downloads she wanted. I warned her of DRM which might make it impossible to do certain things she might like such as listening to the files anywhere she pleased so naturally she was some what concerned about pouring out a lot of money on this.

However when looking at the site there was no indication of their stance on DRM nor if the files contained it. Searching their policy pages they not once mentioned DRM. Leaving the consumer totally blindsided on this important issue. So I decided to write their support department to ask if their audiobook downloads had DRM and what the company policy was on DRM so that the policy page might be updated and files clearly labeled as DRM infected or DRM-free to guide the consumer.

They wrote back a one line reply:

"Please give an example"

My faith in mankind has vanished. You would have thought that was a simple set of questions with a straight forward answer.

Why were you having a battle of wits with unarmed people? That's not right.