Streetlib review scheme

[A. N. Onymous]

Just had an email from Streetlib advising its members of a new method being introduced to allow bloggers/readers to access books via the Streetlib library with a $50 voucher. The voucher becomes perpetually renewable upon verified reviews of the book 'purchased'? They obviously don't see this as contravening the Zon's TOS. I am waiting to see if it becomes an opt-in scheme or if they are going to automatically include all member's books as being available for voucher redemption. If it becomes automatic I will remove my books from their catalogue. Doesn't pay to upset the Zon, or flirt in the grey areas of their TOS as far as I am concerned.

[LilyBLily]

Wasn't sure if you were using  "scheme" in the British sense--which as I understand it just means a plan--or in the American sense--which definitely has overtones of illegitimacy.

I'll wait and see. On the face of it, it seems fishy.

Hmm. Is "fishy" the same for all English speakers?

[RPatton]

Just had an email from Streetlib advising its members of a new method being introduced to allow bloggers/readers to access books via the Streetlib library with a $50 voucher. The voucher becomes perpetually renewable upon verified reviews of the book 'purchased'? They obviously don't see this as contravening the Zon's TOS. I am waiting to see if it becomes an opt-in scheme or if they are going to automatically include all member's books as being available for voucher redemption. If it becomes automatic I will remove my books from their catalogue. Doesn't pay to upset the Zon, or flirt in the grey areas of their TOS as far as I am concerned.

Considering that some of the readers who lost their reviewing privileges were the same people who accepted gift cards from authors to be in their Arc teams, I'm going to go out a limb and say most authors should probably stay away from this. Even if StreetLib has it in writing that Amazon says it's okay, Amazon can change thier mind at any time.

[A. N. Onymous]

Well, I view it as incentivised reviewing, which is strictly against the Zon's TOS. So 'scheme' for me is on the shady side of things. If Streelib were to come up with some BS about the Zon being okay with it, I wouldn't trust it and wouldn't opt in.