Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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An Unfortunate Update To Existing Audible Customers. (self.Blind)
submitted by BIIANSU
Amazon have decided to remove their 'Daily Deal' offerings in Audible. Where each day, a selected audiobook would be reduced to £1.99 for 24 hours.
As we all know, audiobooks aren't cheap. Personally, I think that this was a terrible decision as a lot of blind and V.I. listeners are on a fixed income through state benefits.
I for one have valued these daily promotions over the years and I'm sure, a number of you have too.
I highly doubt they will reverse the decision, after all, Jeff Bezos could really use the extra money. Poor guy could really do with a break.
As we all know, audiobooks aren't cheap. Personally, I think that this was a terrible decision as a lot of blind and V.I. listeners are on a fixed income through state benefits.
I for one have valued these daily promotions over the years and I'm sure, a number of you have too.
I highly doubt they will reverse the decision, after all, Jeff Bezos could really use the extra money. Poor guy could really do with a break.
Mamamagpie 10 points 1y ago
I know in America many titles from commercial audiobooks are part of National Library Services for the Blind. I’ve downloaded them in Bard and binged whole series.
Does the UK have a talking books program?
Does the UK have a talking books program?
BIIANSU [OP] 5 points 1y ago
We have a few things in place, but the audio quality is quite poor and the books, not necessarily to my taste.
I'm a stickler for a) a good narrator who also does great character acting and b) good quality audio.
I'm a stickler for a) a good narrator who also does great character acting and b) good quality audio.
Mamamagpie 5 points 1y ago
I’m not from there… but does any of this help? $1
BIIANSU [OP] 6 points 1y ago
Very good resource. Thanks for sharing :)
breathelessoften 8 points 1y ago
I don't know how difficult it would be for you to torrent, but maybe that would be an option. Get a VPN(maybe), torrent client, and go to a piratebay clone is all you gotta do.
BIIANSU [OP] 3 points 1y ago
As much as I appreciate the response, I don't generally like to torrent stuff from lesser known creatives of sorts. Your JK Rowling's, I'm fine with torrenting (she's worth £820m).
I listen to a lot of up and coming authors so prefer to support them wherever I can :)
I listen to a lot of up and coming authors so prefer to support them wherever I can :)
breathelessoften 1 points 1y ago
Fair enough, good on you :)
honestduane 7 points 1y ago
Amazon does not care about the blind because they are not profitable enough to cater to.
BIIANSU [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Amen.
mehgcap 2 points 1y ago
To be fair, I've been an Audible member for several years. Twice, I've reported accessibility-related issues about their iOS app. Both times, they've addressed the problem in just a few weeks, which is fast for an app from such a large company.
honestduane 1 points 1y ago
I have never had any of my issues fixed and I am still waiting on tickets filed years ago that they just ghosted me on.
Kamirose 6 points 1y ago
If you're in the US and your library system participates, you may have access to free audiobook rentals via Libby/Overdrive (they're the same thing) or Hoopla apps. It's worth checking into.
If your local library system doesn't participate or have a limited catalog, out of state Americans can access the Brooklyn digital collection for, I think, $50/yr.
If your local library system doesn't participate or have a limited catalog, out of state Americans can access the Brooklyn digital collection for, I think, $50/yr.
angelbane83 4 points 1y ago
YouTube has quite a few audio books. I pay for premium because of it. With premium, you can listen with the screen off or even when leaving the app.
Half of my library are classics (most are public domain) and the other half is true crime. You can check out librevox as well.
Half of my library are classics (most are public domain) and the other half is true crime. You can check out librevox as well.
BIIANSU [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Interesting! I had no idea that audiobooks were included in the premium subscription. I'll have to look into this :)
bradley22 1 points 1y ago
They’re not, The books are technically illegally uploaded to YouTube, not that bothers me at all, having said that, premium is amazing!
Yeah yeah, you’re paying YouTube, but I pay it every month because you can lock your phone and still listen to YouTube stuff.
Yeah yeah, you’re paying YouTube, but I pay it every month because you can lock your phone and still listen to YouTube stuff.
RollForParadise 1 points 1y ago
You used to be able to listen to videos with your screen locked years back… It sucks that it’s considered a premium feature now
bradley22 1 points 1y ago
It does.
[deleted] 4 points 1y ago
[deleted]
bpox 1 points 1y ago
Even if your local library doesn't have a great selection, r/romance would like everyone to know that Brooklyn Public library has out of state memberships. My public library is good, so I don't don't go outside it, but a lot of people are enthusiastic about Brooklyn.
Libravox is an option for public domain.
Libravox is an option for public domain.
carolineecouture 4 points 1y ago
I'm in the US, so I hadn't heard this. Did they send you an email, or how was it announced? Does the UK store have the Plus catalog? Here in the US marketplace, there are many books included with membership. While you don't own them, you can listen while you have your membership.
BIIANSU [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Sadly, there wasn't any information or notification. They just...took it off. I emailed them and received confirmation that audible have now stopped doing it.
That, peppered with tye most outrageously repulsive, simpering copy and paste lines.
"We humbly respect and cherish your intrigue in this matter".
"We strive to accomplish utmost satisfaction and graciously blah blah blah"🤢
Yeah, I've had a look at the plus catalogue. Some ok novels but the majority I like on there, I already own.
That, peppered with tye most outrageously repulsive, simpering copy and paste lines.
"We humbly respect and cherish your intrigue in this matter".
"We strive to accomplish utmost satisfaction and graciously blah blah blah"🤢
Yeah, I've had a look at the plus catalogue. Some ok novels but the majority I like on there, I already own.
carolineecouture 3 points 1y ago
I'd suggest you post on the audible subreddit. Audible support is definitely present there and does respond to people. Not that they can change a decision but you will at least be making another level of Audible support aware. Good luck.
I wonder if they have the same plans for the US marketplace? They are still posting Daily Deals and have had a couple of sales which gave you a $5 credit when you made a purchase. Those are perfect for DD since they are at most $5.95 IIRC.
I wonder if they have the same plans for the US marketplace? They are still posting Daily Deals and have had a couple of sales which gave you a $5 credit when you made a purchase. Those are perfect for DD since they are at most $5.95 IIRC.
Laser_Lens_4 3 points 1y ago
They just raised the price of Amazon Prime as well. Poor Jeff. Dude's got it so rough.
BIIANSU [OP] 4 points 1y ago
#PrayForJeff
je97 2 points 1y ago
There's a particular torrent site I use, however I doubt reddit admins would appreciate me posting a link here (it's just audio books and they have many thousands of them.)
I won't lie, because of how much I torrent I only use audible on holidays now, or when my credits mount up. I had no idea the daily deals was a thing.
I won't lie, because of how much I torrent I only use audible on holidays now, or when my credits mount up. I had no idea the daily deals was a thing.
theJohannTan 3 points 1y ago
Can you please send me the link?
BIIANSU [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Right, ok! Well a cheeky top tip, if you go to delete your subscription, they'll offer you a few months free of charge.
Additionally, you can claim a free book from a friend (not the first free book you get when you sign up).
You can only claim a free book like this once. Get a friend to 'send this book' on a book they've already purchased and listened to. You'll receive a link to a free download of the book, regardless of if you're an active subscriber.
Additionally, you can claim a free book from a friend (not the first free book you get when you sign up).
You can only claim a free book like this once. Get a friend to 'send this book' on a book they've already purchased and listened to. You'll receive a link to a free download of the book, regardless of if you're an active subscriber.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
Oh I see. Well. That’s interesting.
I think being entitled won’t help too much here.
I think being entitled won’t help too much here.
nullatonce 1 points 1y ago
There is $1. I learned about them because of Ukraine donation, haven't used it myself yet. Tho people talk good things about them. I browsed the website a bit, didn't fully understand, but seems they offer some free stuff also.
PrincessDie123 1 points 1y ago
So I’ve found a lot of books being read aloud for free on YouTube, some are audiobook uploads others are people just reading chapter by chapter, lots of people read and upload short stories too. Hope that helps
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