ebooks not available in our geographical zone, NZ

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onetapu

242 posts

Master Geek

#91459 13-Oct-2011 15:54

Are we any further ahead at solving this issue? It makes me so mad that I can't buy the ebooks on Amazon that I want simply because I live in NZ ie. my latest frustration is "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese which is not available to me. Don't they get it - I'm not going to pay $40+ NZ dollars for it but I want to read it on my kindle now.

Bung

6392 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#532941 13-Oct-2011 16:08

If you can convert DRM'd Epub to Mobi that title is available from Kobo for NZ$14.19

Mighty Ape

Shop now on Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

dontpanic42

1574 posts

Uber Geek

#532943 13-Oct-2011 16:14

Unfortunately it is up to the publisher of the content to make the call on regional availability.
There have been too many books I've wanted to buy on my Kindle that haven't been available in the NZ region as well.

I just can't understand the mentality of some publishers when they are doing this.
Essentially, they have lost a sale, because I just can't be bothered buying it in physical form.

I actually suggested to Amazon a while back that they should have some sort of "Demand It" button on titles that aren't available in the region you are attempting to purchase it from. This way, when someone "demands it" from their location, the publisher gets notified and may see the potential benefit from making it available to that region.

The idea doesn't seem to have made it through, sadly.

onetapu

242 posts

Master Geek

#532953 13-Oct-2011 16:29

Amazon should take this idea up cos it's brilliant.

Yes, I see it is available on Kobo so now have to wrap my head around using Calibre to un-DRM it. It all sounded too difficult last time I tried, but will now persevere as I am getting so mad.....

blakamin

4431 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#532997 13-Oct-2011 17:01

It drives me nuts!
dontpanic42, your idea is brilliant and they should take it up! b'stards!

dontpanic42

1574 posts

Uber Geek

#533012 13-Oct-2011 17:33

blakamin: It drives me nuts!
dontpanic42, your idea is brilliant and they should take it up! b'stards!

Suggestion:
why not run with my idea and contact Amazon suggesting the same idea.

If enough people start suggesting the same idea to Amazon, they might take it more seriously and think about implementing it.

blakamin

4431 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#533019 13-Oct-2011 17:49

dontpanic42:
Suggestion:
why not run with my idea and contact Amazon suggesting the same idea.

If enough people start suggesting the same idea to Amazon, they might take it more seriously and think about implementing it.

Will do!

onetapu

242 posts

Master Geek

#539874 1-Nov-2011 12:59

Thanks for that suggestion, Bung, but I can not find the "Cutting for Stone" ebook on the Whitcoull's site. Where did you find it?

I have mastered un-DRMing with Calibre, so am ready to go!

Bung

6392 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#539893 1-Nov-2011 13:28

I usually go to www.kobobooks.com on the basis that the content is pretty much the same and non NZ sources can't charge GST.

Unfortunately you've just struck another reason the publishers need a bomb under them. Kobo now only shows a book club resource book for the "Cutting for stone" not the novel itself.

Random House have it showing on their NZ site as "temporarily out of stock" - for an eBook??

onetapu

242 posts

Master Geek

#539906 1-Nov-2011 13:48

Yep, the resource book but not the book itself is for sale in NZ - hello hello! I love my kindle but I hate the unavailability of the books I want to read. Makes one want to be devious.

onetapu

242 posts

Master Geek

#539910 1-Nov-2011 13:50

I am sure I saw "Cutting for Stone" available as ebook on Kobo when you first suggested it too, Bung - or is my mind playing tricks? It definitely isn't there now.

Bung

6392 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#539923 1-Nov-2011 14:12

It definitely was there. I don't know if Random House was showing it with epub and kindle versions (at the same RRP as the paperback) with pointless links to NZ retailers then or not.