Disabling an ebook once someone asks for a refund?

[Alan Petersen]

I have a question on how to handle refunds on an ebook. I'm getting ready to have my first ebook, format is PDF. I'll offer a money back gurantee so if someone asks for a refund what happens to the ebook? They shouldn't be able to keep it should they? I know about services to lock down digital products and such, how does that work?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[americanwahm]

I've only ever delivered a simple PDF and Mp3 file so once the customer has it - it's in their hands and out of mine. Fortunately I've only had a couple of refund requests all these years now.

Since I haven't ever looked deeply into a secured system I can't give you much advice - but I would encourage you to focus on keeping things simple and accessible for your happy customers and worry less about the potentially unhappy ones.

Perhaps someone else will have a solution for you though

[theuniek1]

There's no way to actually disable an ebook once a refund is given unless you use a third party service. (Or set up a verification system on your own server, which could be a serious pain in the butt.)

Like Kelly says, once someone has your product, they have your product.

Depending on the product, a third party service may be worthwhile, however, if it's not a high ticket item, then the service may not be feasible.

~ Teli

[Jim Guinn]

[Johnny]

To implement this type of solution, a central authorization is required. So to say, whenever the ebook is opened, it will need to connect to the internet to check for access.

The technology is there, the solution is there.

The problem is, as a user. I found it troublesome.

You will have to weight the pros and cons.

If the item is not too expensive, just let it be
Maybe, once a while (during the refund period), send them some goodie, and inform them more goodie is on the way. Might reduce the refund rate.

[Alan Petersen]

[kiatlc]

[eBookWriter]