Please lose the sampler books

Call me crazy but I'd rather you not clutter up the Vyrso listings with books that aren't really books. i.e. samplers that only include a few chapters or choice quotes to entice you to buy the actual book. e.g.

http://vyrso.com/product/29530/

http://vyrso.com/product/29531/

http://vyrso.com/product/29640/

http://vyrso.com/product/29641/

Thanks!

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Tom

Call me crazy but I'd rather you not clutter up the Vyrso listings with books that aren't really books. i.e. samplers that only include a few chapters or choice quotes to entice you to buy the actual book. e.g.

http://vyrso.com/product/29530/

http://vyrso.com/product/29531/

http://vyrso.com/product/29640/

http://vyrso.com/product/29641/

Thanks!

[Y]

Erwin Stull, Sr.

I may be the odd ball here, but I don't mind the samplers. Although free would be better, the sampler does not present a hindrance.

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/451872#Comment_451872

I may be the odd ball here, but I don't mind the samplers. Although free would be better, the sampler does not present a hindrance.

The four samplers referenced in this thread are free.

Philana Crouch

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/451877#Comment_451877

One solution is to buy the free samplers to see in the books are interesting, then hide them on your desktop to get rid of them, this will also sync to your mobile apps as well.

Erwin Stull, Sr.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/451877#Comment_451877

I may be the odd ball here, but I don't mind the samplers. Although free would be better, the sampler does not present a hindrance.

The four samplers referenced in this thread are free.

Hi Graham;

My wording did not accurately state what was on my mind. I meant to express that the full versions being free would be better. Thanks. [:)]

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/452088#Comment_452088

Hi Erwin

Thanks for clarifying

Graham

Ward Walker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/452144#Comment_452144

I'm not a fan of the free samplers either; I'd prefer a limited time sneak peek as Logos did earlier (or my usual method, see if Google Books has digitized the book--they only hide a few pages).

toughski

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/452460#Comment_452460

I hate the sampler books - I would not even open them. They really put off a lot of users.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/480970#Comment_480970

I hate the sampler books

Me too.

They really put off a lot of users.

Unfortunately, they also help to sell a lot of books.

toughski

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/480983#Comment_480983

They really put off a lot of users.

Unfortunately, they also help to sell a lot of books.

Actually, a good name and good content helps to sell a lot of books.

I have an issue with sampler books for this small reason: there is no material difference between a "sample book" and a preview available on a website. Giving me a "sampler" book does not actually give me anything more, than what was available in the past. It is simply another marketing gimmick to make it appear I got something free.

Following this new marketing logic, Why not publish a SAMPLER version of EVERY book in the catalog? Sounds ridiculous, I know.

Brian Williams

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481161#Comment_481161

Hi everyone! I just retired the samplers that were listed above. We appreciate your feedback!

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481165#Comment_481165

I just retired the samplers that were listed above.

Thanks!

Wild Eagle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481165#Comment_481165

Hi everyone! I just retired the samplers that were listed above. We appreciate your feedback!

That's Awesome!!!! Thank you Brian

Paul Golder

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481172#Comment_481172

I remember, back in the day when publishers were pushing authors to go digital, and one of the big profit points was:

"Just think how many more sales you will get if you could get a chapter or two into the hands of the readers, once you got them hooked it's money in the bank..."

There was a lot of comparison about how people sat in bookstores to read the first chapter and then end up buying the book, but now they could do it anywhere.

Funny how things don't work out...

fgh

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481170#Comment_481170

I just retired the samplers that were listed above.

Thanks!

[Y]

toughski

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481200#Comment_481200

Thank you!

Tom Reynolds

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481272#Comment_481272

Thanks Brian!

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481165#Comment_481165

Hi everyone! I just retired the samplers that were listed above. We appreciate your feedback!

Thanks, Brian.

What might work better would be to do what Amazon does. When you go to the main page of a Kindle book for which a sample is available, there's a separate button you can click to download the free sample. If Logos could do something like that it might increase book sales, and it wouldn't clutter up the regular catalog of books. I've downloaded a free sample and followed up by purchasing the entire book a number of times with Kindle books. It does help make the decision when you're not quite sure. Without that, most people who are undecided would likely choose to lean towards caution and not buy the book. But if a book is worth buying, usually the first chapter will sell you on it.

fgh

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481307#Comment_481307

if a book is worth buying, usually the first chapter will sell you on it

I was researching Wright books for March Madness Monday, and it really brought home how lousy Logos' current previews are for their purpose. Again and again I started reading, Wright summarized the questions people might have about the subject, or an opponent's view, and then he was just about to start describing and explaining his own opinion: half a sentence, and then the preview broke off, and moved me to another chapter, which again gave me the intro and then cut off. It's not enough to tell me that the author has found something interesting to write about; what I mainly need to know is if he's got something interesting to say about it.

Todd Phillips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481505#Comment_481505

if a book is worth buying, usually the first chapter will sell you on it

I was researching Wright books for March Madness Monday, and it really brought home how lousy Logos' current previews are for their purpose. Again and again I started reading, Wright summarized the questions people might have about the subject, or an opponent's view, and then he was just about to start describing and explaining his own opinion: half a sentence, and then the preview broke off, and moved me to another chapter, which again gave me the intro and then cut off. It's not enough to tell me that the author has found something interesting to write about; what I mainly need to know is if he's got something interesting to say about it.

Preach it. The current samples are better than nothing, but they often cut off the TOC, and the sample length isn't long enough to get a feel for a book, as you said.

I still find myself running to Amazon to get better samples.

toughski

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481511#Comment_481511

I still find myself running to Amazon to get better samples.

I find it a recurring theme, where Amazon sort of sets the standard

better sample experience
better reviews
better synchronization
better at advocating for consumer
better wishlist and cart user experience
better lending

So, I think Logos could be better off imitating Amazon's strengths.

as far as reviews, it is our (Logos users') fault shortcoming. So I am off to review a book [8-|]

Todd Phillips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481572#Comment_481572

I find it a recurring theme, where Amazon sort of sets the standard

better sample experience

better reviews

better synchronization

better at advocating for consumer

better wishlist and cart user experience

better lending

So, I think Logos could be better off imitating Amazon's strengths.

Also, Amazon is better at releasing ebooks the same date the hardcover is released.

To be fair, Logos' ebook features are far superior to Kindle's (footnotes, crosslinking, copying text, table of contents, searching). I find myself wishing Amazon would imitate Logos in that regard. I'd always rather own a book in Logos than in Kindle.

toughski

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481575#Comment_481575

I'd always rather own a book in Logos than in Kindle.

I believe I understand what you mean. I too would prefer to buy a Logos edition of a book for the functionality

However, I would prefer to read (as opposed to study) it on an e-ink screen.

So here lies the irony: Logos is the champion of "buy once, read everywhere" philosophy. You can read (and sync, and highlight,and ...) a logos edition on pretty much any kind of screen: huge desktop ones, tiny phone ones and everything in between. Any screen, with the exception of screens specifically designed for easier reading!!![:'(]

but that is the topic for another thread.

I appreciate Logos' decision to pull sampler books off. Thank you, Logos.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481578#Comment_481578

Any screen, with the exception of screens specifically designed for easier reading!!!

It is my understanding that some of the e-ink readers have some sort of "experimental" web browsing capabilities... If yours fits into that category, have you tried using biblia.com to access your Logos resources?

toughski

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481592#Comment_481592

It is my understanding that some of the e-ink readers have some sort of "experimental" web browsing capabilities... If yours fits into that category, have you tried using biblia.com to access your Logos resources?

ok, I stand TECHNICALLY corrected, but come on! Reading Logos resources on Kindle via a browser is torture - both you, I and Logos knows it. I dare say that you would not use biblia.com on your beloved iPad INSTEAD of a dedicated app on a constant basis. biblia.com on Kindle is not the solution, that I am talking about here.

Logos COULD make transfer to Kindle easy, even make it a one-click option, but it does not. I assume, that severe legal consequences prevent it from providing this functionality. It is ironic and sad, however [:'(]

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481608#Comment_481608

ok, I stand TECHNICALLY corrected, but come on! Reading Logos resources on Kindle via a browser is torture - both you, I and Logos knows it. I dare say that you would not use biblia.com on your beloved iPad INSTEAD of a dedicated app on a constant basis. biblia.com on Kindle is not the solution, that I am talking about here.

toughski - I'm not sure why we have gotten off on the wrong foot. [:S] I wasn't trying to "correct" you... I was trying to help. I have no idea how "good" or "bad" the solution is... only that it is a solution for some users. I have never even touched a Kindle. I have seen Nook e-ink readers, and have to admit that I really like the screen for reading... but it wouldn't work for most of my reading since I like to highlight, and switch between many styles.

I assume, that severe legal consequences prevent it from providing this functionality.

I think you are right.

Philana Crouch

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481182#Comment_481182

I remember, back in the day when publishers were pushing authors to go digital, and one of the big profit points was:

"Just think how many more sales you will get if you could get a chapter or two into the hands of the readers, once you got them hooked it's money in the bank..."

There was a lot of comparison about how people sat in bookstores to read the first chapter and then end up buying the book, but now they could do it anywhere.

Funny how things don't work out...

I think the issue is how samples are treated. I have downloaded samples from Kindle and ended up purchasing the book. But if I got a sample from Kindle I didn't like it wasn't a permanent part of my library. I didn't have to go "hide" the sample. These samples from Vyrso are treated like resources and have to be hidden. I ended up deciding not to get some of the samples for that reason. If somehow samples could be easily deleted they would work better.

Paul Golder

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481656#Comment_481656

I think the issue is how samples are treated. I have downloaded samples from Kindle and ended up purchasing the book. But if I got a sample from Kindle I didn't like it wasn't a permanent part of my library. I didn't have to go "hide" the sample. These samples from Vyrso are treated like resources and have to be hidden. I ended up deciding not to get some of the samples for that reason. If somehow samples could be easily deleted they would work better.

Good point.

Tom Reynolds

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481816#Comment_481816

It's back...but now it's called "selections from...." vyrso.com/product/33447/selections-from-love-to-stay-sex-grace-and-commitment

Run, Forest, run!

David Carter

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/503281#Comment_503281

It's back...but now it's called "selections from...." vyrso.com/product/33447/selections-from-love-to-stay-sex-grace-and-commitment

Run, Forest, run!

I believe it's also back and called Why? Making Sense of God's Will - the preview seems to suggest there is only one chapter in the book. Frankly if this is just one chapter from the book I think this is a bit pathetic.

Wild Eagle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481165#Comment_481165

Hi everyone! I just retired the samplers that were listed above. We appreciate your feedback!

Kind of upsetting to see them back and the book "Why? Making Sense of God's Will" wasn't even marked with "Selections from"

Paul-C

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/503425#Comment_503425

Kind of upsetting to see them back and the book "Why? Making Sense of God's Will" wasn't even marked with "Selections from"

It is poor. Don't think there's a mention of this being a "selections from" title on the resource page:

When you open up the resource, you get the full cover. All good so far...

Scroll to the next page, then you get the unpleasant surprise:

Erwin

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/503435#Comment_503435

I agree with Paul. I just downloaded "Why" and saw that it was not the actual book, but just selections from it. I went back to the website to see if I missed something. I did not. I am sorry, but this is not what I would consider honest marketing. Now I have a "non-book" in my library that I don't want. Logos, how about an apology and (if this was intentional) a commitment not to repeat this type of thing in the future.

Secondly can anyone suggest how I can remove (not just hide) this book from my computer.

Thanks

Paul-C

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/503521#Comment_503521

Hi Erwin. I believe that if you contact Logos customer services - perhaps an email - they can re-lock this resource and it would be as if you'd never "purchased" it!

Tom Reynolds

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/503522#Comment_503522

customerservice@logos.com

I think we can blame Abingdon on this one - so they owe us a free copy of the actual book seeing as that's what was promised What's even weirder is that Vryso doesn't even sell the actual book - only this sample which doesn't tell us that it's a sample until you buy it...

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/503521#Comment_503521

I am sorry, but this is not what I would consider honest marketing.

I agree with Tom… It is a publisher issue, not a Logos/Vyrso one. There is a possibility that Logos/Vyrso didn't even know it was a sampler when it was converted and added to the store.

Secondly can anyone suggest how I can remove (not just hide) this book from my computer.

I'm not sure what you mean… The "hidden book" feature in Logos DOES "remove (not just hide)" books from your computer (which is why I hate the nomenclature… it should be called "archived" books since the books are removed from your system while the licenses are archived…). If you want to remove the licenses from your account, you must contact Logos and ask them to remove the licenses.

Brian Williams

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/503546#Comment_503546

Hi everyone! I apologize that these ebooks slipped through the cracks, we appreciate you making us aware of them when they do pop-up. We do our best when sorting through the books to catch the sampler ebooks, but occasionally we miss one or two. We appreciate your patience and partnership in making Vyrso a great Christian ebook store.

Lee

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/503558#Comment_503558

Could you allow users to totally expunge some of the sampler books from their current holdings? If it's just a sampler...

Nord Zootman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481307#Comment_481307

Thanks, Brian.

What might work better would be to do what Amazon does. When you go to the main page of a Kindle book for which a sample is available, there's a separate button you can click to download the free sample. If Logos could do something like that it might increase book sales, and it wouldn't clutter up the regular catalog of books. I've downloaded a free sample and followed up by purchasing the entire book a number of times with Kindle books. It does help make the decision when you're not quite sure. Without that, most people who are undecided would likely choose to lean towards caution and not buy the book. But if a book is worth buying, usually the first chapter will sell you on it.

Agreed! I have used that feature with Kindle books a number of times.

Tom Reynolds

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/503560#Comment_503560

Thanks Brian!

Can you remove "Why?" from my account or do I need to email customer service?

BTW vyrso.com/product/33452 has the wrong first name listed as author. Also I'm curious - why are people who write the forward listed as authors? It's kind of confusing and I don't usually care who wrote the forward to a book.

Bruce Dunning

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/481505#Comment_481505

I too appreciate the retirement of the samplers. If anyone is like me I didn't read closely enough that it was only a sampler and so downloaded it thinking that it was the full version. I will have to watch more closely in the future.

Brian Williams

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/503563#Comment_503563

Please email customer service customerservice@logos.com to submit request to have "Why?" from your account.

BTW vyrso.com/product/33452 has the wrong first name listed as author. Also I'm curious - why are people who write the forward listed as authors? It's kind of confusing and I don't usually care who wrote the forward to a book.

Thanks for making us aware of the mistake with the author's name. We list the authors of forewords to acknowledge their contribution to the ebook; I'll revisit this logic with our team to see if we can better display the information or remove the foreword author from the author list.