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81
What are Amazon doing now? [Public] / Re: More boot on the neck pressure...
« Last post by Post-Doctorate D on August 05, 2025, 02:17:08 AM »
Quote from: TimothyEllis on August 05, 2025, 12:34:36 AM
Quote from: R. C. on August 05, 2025, 12:30:37 AM
I'm 98% certain the responses came from a person.

All of Amazon's emails have a person named on them. Even when they're bot generated.

The same is happening with chat bots. They all pretend to be a real person now.

And, even if it is a real person, the eMail could be auto-generated and the person just signs off on it.

AI-generated eMails are one of the purported "time-savers" hyped by AI companies so I would not be surprised if Amazon is utilizing that.  Before AI, they had generic responses or sometimes customizable form letters they used to respond to eMails.  On top of that, some of the people that handle interactions with customers or authors are not the sharpest crayons in the box.
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What are Amazon doing now? [Public] / Re: More boot on the neck pressure...
« Last post by TimothyEllis on August 05, 2025, 12:34:36 AM »
Quote from: R. C. on August 05, 2025, 12:30:37 AM
I'm 98% certain the responses came from a person.

All of Amazon's emails have a person named on them. Even when they're bot generated.

The same is happening with chat bots. They all pretend to be a real person now.
83
What are Amazon doing now? [Public] / Re: More boot on the neck pressure...
« Last post by R. C. on August 05, 2025, 12:30:37 AM »
Quote from: Post-Doctorate D on August 04, 2025, 11:45:55 PM
Quote from: Bill Hiatt on August 04, 2025, 11:07:21 PM
It's curious that Amazon places more emphasis on Apple.

Are they?  Or is it a semi-automated response that just picked up on the mention of Apple in R.C.'s eMail?

I'm 98% certain the responses came from a person.

R.C.
84
What are Amazon doing now? [Public] / Re: More boot on the neck pressure...
« Last post by Post-Doctorate D on August 04, 2025, 11:45:55 PM »
Quote from: Bill Hiatt on August 04, 2025, 11:07:21 PM
It's curious that Amazon places more emphasis on Apple.

Are they?  Or is it a semi-automated response that just picked up on the mention of Apple in R.C.'s eMail?
85
What are Amazon doing now? [Public] / Re: More boot on the neck pressure...
« Last post by Bill Hiatt on August 04, 2025, 11:07:21 PM »
It's curious that Amazon places more emphasis on Apple. Poking around on the internet, it appears that Apple may now be the #2 source for ebooks (after Amazon). But finding accurate figures for 2024 or the first part of 2025 is difficult.

I remember reading at one point that Barnes and Noble or Apple would be the best bets for a price match. Does this situation tell us something about Barnes and Noble's current position?
86
What are Amazon doing now? [Public] / Re: More boot on the neck pressure...
« Last post by R. C. on August 04, 2025, 10:03:24 AM »
Quote from: Jeff Tanyard on August 04, 2025, 09:29:33 AM
Here are a couple of tips for perma-free price-matching.  These are general tips for everyone, not R. C. in particular.

1.)  Request it on a weekday, not a weekend.  I don't know why this matters, but it historically has.

2.)  Follow the correct procedure; i.e., choose the "price matching" option from the menu and follow the email template they give you precisely.  Seriously, don't deviate from their template other than adding a greeting at the top and a thanks at the bottom. 


Quote from: R. C. on August 04, 2025, 03:48:26 AM
UPDATE - EMPHASIS ADDED in the reply to my request for assistance.

I gave five links, including B&N but not Apple.  I indicated the Apple listing was in process.  I'll keep you posted.

-----

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out about price matching your book. I'm <real name> from KDP Senior Support, and I'm here to help you with this process.

I've reviewed the links you provided, but I'm unable to verify the free pricing at this time. Once your book is listed as free on Apple Books, please reply to this email, and I'll be happy to help initiate the price match for you right away.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please don't hesitate to ask.

Best regards, <real name> KDP Senior Support


Thanks for using Amazon KDP,

Your feedback helps us improve our service.

-----

R.C.


Well, there you go.  Wait until you have a live Apple link next time.  Frankly, I'm not sure why didn't wait to begin with.   :icon_think:

I followed the rules, this is not the first permafree I've requested.   Nowhere does it say Apple is required.  In the past, I've not waited for all the other sites to post.   Also, normally I would agree on the weekend/weekday concern. The fact they are responding quickly on the weekend negates the weekday concern.

R.C.


87
What are Amazon doing now? [Public] / Re: More boot on the neck pressure...
« Last post by Jeff Tanyard on August 04, 2025, 09:29:33 AM »
Here are a couple of tips for perma-free price-matching.  These are general tips for everyone, not R. C. in particular.

1.)  Request it on a weekday, not a weekend.  I don't know why this matters, but it historically has.

2.)  Follow the correct procedure; i.e., choose the "price matching" option from the menu and follow the email template they give you precisely.  Seriously, don't deviate from their template other than adding a greeting at the top and a thanks at the bottom. 


Quote from: R. C. on August 04, 2025, 03:48:26 AM
UPDATE - EMPHASIS ADDED in the reply to my request for assistance.

I gave five links, including B&N but not Apple.  I indicated the Apple listing was in process.  I'll keep you posted.

-----

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out about price matching your book. I'm <real name> from KDP Senior Support, and I'm here to help you with this process.

I've reviewed the links you provided, but I'm unable to verify the free pricing at this time. Once your book is listed as free on Apple Books, please reply to this email, and I'll be happy to help initiate the price match for you right away.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please don't hesitate to ask.

Best regards, <real name> KDP Senior Support


Thanks for using Amazon KDP,

Your feedback helps us improve our service.

-----

R.C.


Well, there you go.  Wait until you have a live Apple link next time.  Frankly, I'm not sure why didn't wait to begin with.   :icon_think:
88
What are Amazon doing now? [Public] / Re: More boot on the neck pressure...
« Last post by R. C. on August 04, 2025, 03:48:26 AM »
UPDATE - EMPHASIS ADDED in the reply to my request for assistance.

I gave five links, including B&N but not Apple.  I indicated the Apple listing was in process.  I'll keep you posted.

-----

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out about price matching your book. I'm <real name> from KDP Senior Support, and I'm here to help you with this process.

I've reviewed the links you provided, but I'm unable to verify the free pricing at this time. Once your book is listed as free on Apple Books, please reply to this email, and I'll be happy to help initiate the price match for you right away.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please don't hesitate to ask.

Best regards, <real name> KDP Senior Support


Thanks for using Amazon KDP,

Your feedback helps us improve our service.

-----

R.C.
89
What are Amazon doing now? [Public] / Re: More boot on the neck pressure...
« Last post by R. C. on August 04, 2025, 03:45:53 AM »
Quote from: TimothyEllis on August 04, 2025, 01:57:50 AM
I think that was a typical bot misunderstanding.

The words "price match" was seized on, and the word 'free' was ignored.

I suspect what will com back after questioning how to set a book free now, will be the same procedure, regardless that it contradicts what was just said.

Asking questions of KDP now needs very precise wording.

Because if you use the wrong words, they give you the wrong answer.

But if they have decided to remove free as an option, that will be a huge change. Have to wait and see I guess.

Not a BOT - there is a name in the email.  Unless BOTs now have names --- The uprising has begun.

R.C.
90
What are Amazon doing now? [Public] / Re: More boot on the neck pressure...
« Last post by Lorri Moulton on August 04, 2025, 03:14:11 AM »
I just did one and got approved right away.  At the top, I wrote, "Please price match to FREE.  Thank you!"   

Hope this isn't a new KDP plan...yikes!
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