Originally, it was a LinkedIn article which pointed out the fact that books written by indie authors are being pirated. The article referred to a site, ‘Blasty’, to take down one’s books from pirate sites. I looked at the site and asked a few questions which were answered to my satisfaction and in a timely manner. The site also offered 40 free ‘blasts’ to take my books down from 40 possible piracy sites.
I saw that one of my books, of which I have three, appeared many times on piracy sites.
The pricing page on ‘Blasty’ says, ‘Downgrade or Cancel at Any Time’. This appears directly beneath the annual rate, without referral to the fact that cancelling is only permitted with monthly payments which Blasty claim costs 35 % more than an annual payment. The cost is $6.49 per month for ONE year for the cheaper version. I decided to join but saw no option to pay other than for ONE year. I took the site at its word ‘Downgrade or Cancel at Any Time’ and paid by credit card.
After a week or two, I decided that I didn’t need to take my books off pirate sites as they really posed very little threat to the sale of my books.
I wrote to cancel my subscription and asked whether my credit card would be credited.
I was told my request was being attended to and since asking to cancel my subscription, I haven't had any emails with a list of sites possibly pirating my books.
But since, I have received emails from Olivier Zetlers, one of the founders of Blasty, telling me that due to the fact that I had paid for ONE year, I would not be credited. I showed my dismay immediately and sent Blasty a screenshot of their site payment page with ‘Downgrade or Cancel at Any Time’. The moral of the story: there are pirates everywhere, not only those who steal books. Here is the screenshot:
I saw that one of my books, of which I have three, appeared many times on piracy sites.
The pricing page on ‘Blasty’ says, ‘Downgrade or Cancel at Any Time’. This appears directly beneath the annual rate, without referral to the fact that cancelling is only permitted with monthly payments which Blasty claim costs 35 % more than an annual payment. The cost is $6.49 per month for ONE year for the cheaper version. I decided to join but saw no option to pay other than for ONE year. I took the site at its word ‘Downgrade or Cancel at Any Time’ and paid by credit card.
After a week or two, I decided that I didn’t need to take my books off pirate sites as they really posed very little threat to the sale of my books.
I wrote to cancel my subscription and asked whether my credit card would be credited.
I was told my request was being attended to and since asking to cancel my subscription, I haven't had any emails with a list of sites possibly pirating my books.
But since, I have received emails from Olivier Zetlers, one of the founders of Blasty, telling me that due to the fact that I had paid for ONE year, I would not be credited. I showed my dismay immediately and sent Blasty a screenshot of their site payment page with ‘Downgrade or Cancel at Any Time’. The moral of the story: there are pirates everywhere, not only those who steal books. Here is the screenshot:
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