3 ms·

Ooh I got another one for the FTC (I’ve shared this here before, in case it sounds familiar)!! I was at the Amazon Bookstore in Seattle maybe 4-5 years ago and

Ooh I got another one for the FTC (I’ve shared this here before, in case it sounds familiar)!! I was at the Amazon Bookstore in Seattle maybe 4-5 years ago and I overheard one of the cashiers telling customers “oh nice, your purchase qualifies for a free audiobook/free trial of Audible! I’ll get that set up for you real quick.” And then they immediately moved onto another topic before anyone they were checking out had time to ask questions about Audible. Was sitting there for maybe 15 min just curiously listening and it was one sign up after another, and from my purview not a single customer had a clue what they were actually signing up for. I’m guessing, given how little I actually check my credit statements, most never discovered it. Can only imagine what shittily obnoxious goals corporate put on those stores…

politelemon 3y ago
I'm not familiar with a physical Amazon bookstore. Do they already have your details, to be able to sign you up like that? Were the people able to say no to the trial? It's hard for me to imagine giving online details in a physical store. Here when I'm sometimes asked if they can have my email address to send a receipt I simply say no.
- sharkweek 3y ago
  I do think most of the physical bookstores got shut down. But they always would ask if you were a prime member and they’d ask for an email or card on file they could use to identify you in exchange for online pricing of whatever you were buying. With that info I’m sure getting your account signed up for Audible was probably a one button activation. I didn’t see a single customer in my time watching even really process what was happening let alone reject the offer. I’m sure a simple “no I’m not interested” would have worked but this particular cashier didn’t even give them the chance to say anything about it.

politelemon 3y ago

I'm not familiar with a physical Amazon bookstore. Do they already have your details, to be able to sign you up like that? Were the people able to say no to the trial? It's hard for me to imagine giving online details in a physical store. Here when I'm sometimes asked if they can have my email address to send a receipt I simply say no.

sharkweek 3y ago
I do think most of the physical bookstores got shut down. But they always would ask if you were a prime member and they’d ask for an email or card on file they could use to identify you in exchange for online pricing of whatever you were buying. With that info I’m sure getting your account signed up for Audible was probably a one button activation. I didn’t see a single customer in my time watching even really process what was happening let alone reject the offer. I’m sure a simple “no I’m not interested” would have worked but this particular cashier didn’t even give them the chance to say anything about it.