Saturday, July 6, 2013

Well....Duh

It had never happened to me before, but today I received a one star review on Amazon for one of my books. The poor guy said he wanted his money back because it was a more a romance novel than a science fiction book. Well...duh. Didn't he read my bio or any of the other reviews before he bought it?

I've been thrilled that the book had been selling so well in science fiction categories because it was written as a ROMANCE novel under my romance pen name, Susan Kelley.

But maybe not all book buyers look are reviews. Maybe not all book buyers look at what else an author has written. When I find a book by an author I like, I tend to look up all their books. Sell me one of your books and I might buy them all or get them out of the library. When a book by an unknown to me author catches my eye, I look at reviews, I read excerpts, I might see what else they wrote.

With two children in college, dollars are important to me and somewhat limited. I buy books carefully. I make sure before I make a purchase. Of the books I've purchased over the past year, I only had one I was disappointed  in and wish I hadn't bought.

I didn't upset when I saw the guy's review where he says, 'don't waste your money.' I actually laughed, though he must have been really incensed since it was the only book review he's ever bothered with. My advice to him is know what you're buying. But then again, it's not my fault if the Amazon rankings indicate good sales in the scifi categories. Obviously, some scifi readers liked the book.

Do you investigate before you buy a book by reading reviews or checking out an author's backlist? Have you ever purchased a book and felt you were mislead as to the genre? Ever give someone a one star review?

23 comments:

Maria Zannini said...

People like that drive me insane. I'm glad you're not letting it bother you.

It is his fault. There is enough information out there for most people to make a reasoned purchase. Just because he failed to look into it is not your problem.

I always read reviews, excerpts, and the blurbs at the back of the book. My TBR pile is too big already. Why should I spend more money on something without checking it out?

shelly said...

Probably the only thing I won't read is erotica, but I try to buy Indie only to help out my fellow authors or peeps that I follow by way of blog.

But yeah, peeps don't read very well. Do they?

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly

Paula RC said...

Hi Susan, I've posted a question on facebook & my blog which links in with your posting.

I just find it odd that people can ask for their money back, yet I can't take my book back to the shop if I don't like it.

Anonymous said...

When I'm book buying, I don't usually read reviews or look at the other author's books. But I'm easy to please when it comes to reading and there are few instances where I ended up not liking the book. Even then, I know it's my personal experience and wouldn't recommend others not waste their money.

As for my own books, my first novel has the same title as a popular TV show, so I knew there would be people buying it thinking it has to do with the TV show. Sure enough, I have a review on Amazon that states disappointment that the book is nothing like the TV show. Of course, a little researching would unearth clues that would indicate my book isn't related to the TV show.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Bummer that had to be your first one star. (I have several for my first book and most are about as intelligent.) There is the feature where one can read the first few pages. He should've done that. Oh well, don't worry about it!

Annalisa Crawford said...

The blurb usually gives me enough info to decide if I might like it. If I'd bought a book by mistake like that I certainly wouldn't blame the author with a bad review.

M.J. Fifield said...

I'll occasionally skim reviews before buying a book, but they don't usually influence whether I purchase it or not. An author's backlist has more to do with it.

Sorry about your one star review.

Cate Masters said...

So well said, Susan. Good for you, not letting him get to you. So many stories cross over into multiple genres these days, it's rare to find one that fits only one category. And Amazon provides a peek into the story, so that's another way to check an author out.
I never leave reviews unless I've enjoyed a book and can give it a high rating.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

It's great to hear all the support. I knew I would get a bad review one day but I didn't expect it to be so off the wall.

Amy Jarecki said...

Well, shoot. Dumb people are everywhere. Fortunately, smart buyers will see past his stupidity. But just thinking, can you send a note to Amazon and have them take it off? :-/ If not, like I said, good readers will know he's nuts.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Thanks, Cate. Amy, does Amazon do that?

Jemi Fraser said...

Duh for sure! I always check the blurb for sure and often take a quick peek at reviews. I don't think I've ever been surprised like that! And I would never give a 1 star review! I only review books I've enjoyed and can give a 4 or 5 star.

Christine Rains said...

I always check on a book and its reviews before buying. I've never been misled that way. There are a few big name books that I've given a one star review to, but those are rare, and they really prompted me to rant!

Ava Quinn said...

Glad you're taking it in stride, Sue. It's really a reflection on him. Giving a one star review because it wasn't the genre he wanted is just dumb.

I kept looking for you today at our meeting. Misty mentioned that she hoped you'd be back soon too! :)

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

No, I can't say that I've ever been misled about a book's genre, but I have occasionally been surprised. That'a because I sometimes buy a book primarily to support a blogging buddy, without concern for genre. Not a bad thing, either. It opens me up to reading genres outside of my usual comfort zone.

No, I have never given a one-star review, and hope to never give one. That's just mean. If I disliked a book that much, I probably wouldn't finish reading it, so I wouldn't be qualified to review it at all.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Glad to hear you're taking it so well and putting it in perspective. :)

I tend not to give "bad" reviews. If I don't like a book, I stop reading it, and I don't feel it's right to review it if I haven't finished it. I tend to talk up books I like or love, and I try not to broadcast the ones I didn't.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

If the guys wasn't smart enough to check out the synopsis, reviews, and read the first few pages for free, then he's the one that looks bad.

Patrick Stahl said...

I believe the lowest rating I've ever given was two stars to Romeo and Juliette (fifty percent of the words shouldn't have existed). Very rarely do I read any book that hasn't been recommended to me, so I almost never end up disappointed.

Stephen Tremp said...

I look at reader reviews om Amazon. They are usually pretty accurate with their assessmemts.

And I omly give three to five star reviews. Anything less I do not give, let alone finish reading after the first few chapters.

Unknown said...

I do read reviews sometimes before I purchase a book, but the one or two one-star reviews rarely influence me. I tend to look for an overall tone. No book is going to get a rave from every reader. We're too diverse in our opinions and preferences as readers.

I don't rate a book on Amazon unless I can give it a 4-5 star review. I rarely give 5-stars. I don't know why; a book just has to really strike me to do that.

I write reviews on Goodreads, but that's more for my own record keeping. I have given a 1-2 star review (rarely) and even a "couldn't finish".

Elizabeth Sara said...

That's his fault. If he didn't bother to figure out what genre he was reading then the joke's on him.

The Happy Whisk said...

I don't read reviews, or even the back cover. Back when I read fiction regularly, I read the first page. From there, I would either pass or buy.

Sorry about the one star. Just so you know, you're a five star writer, to me. Cheesy, sure. But that's okay.

Melissa said...

I do investigate before buying (blur, reviews). If the book description wasn't misleading, he hasn't got a leg to stand on.