Should books be refunded if the reader cannot finish them?

Question

Apparently, the public doesn't finish reading 85% of all books bought because of poor writing.
If you buy goods from any supermartket, and you're not happy with them, you can return the goods and ask for a refund.
Shouldn't this be replicated in the book industry? It might get rid of some of the old authors who refuse to retire, and bring some fresh writing to the party.
What do you think?

Answer 1

I wish it were possible.
I agree about the old authors who refuse to retire(or who are not allowed to retire because the publishers don't like the Golden Goose to fly away) It would indeed make room for fresh writers.
I seldom buy books now because they are so often disappointing. The blurbs are intriguing but a few pages in, I start to lose interest and so don't buy.

Answer 2

You *can* return books if you don't wreck them in most countries, within a certain amount of time. And if you're a cheapskate, you can try them out free at the library anyway.

But the quality is not in the writing. The book you buy is a copy of the original, and it's quality is not based on the quality of the author's work but on the binding, printing, etc... the quality of the copy.

It's just like, you can't buy an orange and decide you don't like oranges and return it. You aren't buying the orange's DNA blueprint, you're buying one instance of it.

And if you don't like orange DNA, or what a quality orange is supposed to taste like, then you should buy an apple instead.

I think the reason the public doesn't finish 85% has nothing to do with quality. It has to do with the public, we live in a 85% unfinished culture. I've also got DIY projects that I've never finished, and I never got that black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

I've not yet finished my decade old copy of the complete works of Shakespeare.

Answer 3

Terrific question.
I've not finished a book in years.
I don't think it's because I've got a throw-away mentality either, as another poster said: it's because the books do not hold my attention. They're of very poor quality and should never have been put on the shelves in the first place. Moreover, most books are aimed at women, "Bittch Lit or Chick Lit" , so I feel totally left out.
I suppose these are the reasons why books have blurbs on the front, to sucker us into buying them.
Not anymore.

Answer 4

I do this each and all the time! in many circumstances I purely proceed analyzing because of the fact i'm merely hoping it could get somewhat extra effective; it in many circumstances does not. I in many circumstances get those form of books once I choose via the canopy (besides the certainty that i will additionally get extraordinary books this form). i've got had some e book sequence' the place i'm initially skeptical. a pair of three hundred and sixty 5 days in the past a chum counseled the utmost holiday sequence to me. i did no longer rather need to envision it because of the fact i assumed the precis replaced right into somewhat marvelous yet as quickly as i began out analyzing i could no longer supply up. I examine the full (around) seven books interior the span of a week :)

Answer 5

When food is brought back, it is obvious what hasn't been used.
When a book is brought back, it isn't obvious what has and what has not been read, just as it isn't possible to determine if a CD has been copied.
The mechanism for eliminating authors is reviews and word of mouth. It has worked fine for several centuries and should work even better on the Internet.
Besides, one has to wonder which books are being not finished, the 125th in the Star Trek series or the copies of Moby Dick that people buy because "I really ought to read this."

Answer 6

I must be picky - there's very few books I don't finish, but then I'm particular about the books I buy (or borrow from friends).

As several posters have pointed out, once a book has been thumbed through, whether you finish it or not, it is second-hand.

What's all this 'old writers should retire' nonsense? If a writer can still capture the imagination, entertain and/or inform, no matter what age he/she is, why shouldn't they carry on? If a 'new' writer is any good, they will be recognised as such - so please, drop the ageism - it's every bit as offensive as racism or sexism.

Answer 7

Not liking a book is a valid reason to refund someone however the refund is based on 2 things.

1.the book is in the same condition as when sold, highly unlikly with most paperback, but if you dont like something how far will you get

2. its returned within 21 days.

Now that the common policy legally in the U.K the ONLY reason to allow a refund of goods is if the item is defective or not fit for purpose of sale (i.e. you were told you could make crepes with the cd drive on your lap top and all you get is a coffee

Answer 8

thats something i never thought about! i work at a bookshop and clients tell me that most of the books they buy is rubbish. besides, we dont exactly choose books since we have no idea whats written inside! we only see a few words at the back side of the book. i understand that of course its not possible to return them even though it would be good, since the book industry would collapse but publishers should look for new blood. i am tired seeing the same authors all the time and numerous series of too many books.

Answer 9

I understand your point..however, in the sales industry..merchandise can be returned, and money refunded if you are dissatisfied with it and the quality of it.
I believe that if you have your receipt and its with in the time period you are allowed to return a book(at a book store)..you could probably return it for whatever reason. They just have that 14 or 30 day time frame of which you can return. They probably wouldnt care what the reason is youre asking for a refund unless like..the book is physically damage or unable to be read.

Answer 10

I don't buy any books because they take up space, but even so no refunds should be given, if the writing is rubbish that lies with the publishing house's decision to invest in that author.