Special Offers - good, bad, or the devil?

[jonathanmoeller]

For those of you with Special Offers devices, what do you think of the ads?

Myself, they used to creep me out. But, then I started making money off Google AdSense and Amazon Affiliates, so that attitude seemed hypocritical. Plus, it seems that the future of humanity is personalized ads appearing on pretty much every electronic device, so I may as well make (and save) some money off it.

But if you find it creepy, I totally understand where you're coming from. Orwell might have been right about Big Brother, but he didn't realize that Big Brother would want to get rich like everybody else, and that rather than enforcing loyalty to The Party via telescreen, it made much more sense to use the telescreens to sell ad space. So I can understand why someone would pay more for the ad-free device.

After you click one of my ads, of course. 

[CrystalStarr]

Honestly, they aren't what I expected. I expected more art like ads and less of something I'd see in my local news paper. I expected them to mostly look like something I might choose to put on my Kindle anyway.

I bought an SO Kindle because I wanted the deals but I've yet to jump on one. 

I have my Touch in a nice leather Oberon case with a pretty skin and now I have a tacky cell phone ad or some strange person staring at me. It isn't making sense in my brain. I might pony up the cash and back out.

[The Hooded Claw]

I don't have an opinion about the ads.  Occasionally I pull up "show all special offers" on the home menu and look at the offers.  I may see the ad briefly when accepting an offer that interests me (I don't really remember).  But in routine use, I don't notice them.  Once in a great while, I look at the pictures in the ads and notice that the image quality is usually better than the dead authors on my older Kindles, but again, I'm looking at the image quality, not really absorbing the ads.  Benefits of growing up in the television age--I have learned to largely tune out commercial blather.  Conceivably I'm being indoctrinated to brand names by constantly having the names hammered into my subconscious by repetition, but I'm not aware of it.

I was happy to get my $40 (or whatever it was) off of my Kindle, and I have been interested in some of the special offers, mostly the ones offering one of a selection of books for a dollar and the recent one that gave five dollars off an Amazon order.

So I'd say the effects of the ads are good, as for the ads themselves, I have no opinion (or interest).  Of course, I was mostly indifferent (mild favorable opinion, but didn't really care) to the famed dead authors screensavers that are loathed by so many.

[jonathanmoeller]

Benefits of growing up in the television age--I have learned to largely tune out commercial blather.

Yes. I'm sure some early to mid-20th century SF authors would think we live in a cyberpunk dystopia, but it's amazing what you can get used to.

[Ann in Arlington]

Ads are ads. . . . . I don't spend a lot of time looking at them.  I do notice when it's a new picture, see what the offer is, and decide whether or not to click for an email.  I usually do unless I'm dead sure it's something I'll absolutely not want.  I don't have to use it just 'cause they send me an email about it.

You can go to Manage Your Kindle and specify what sorts of images you'd like to see in the ads you get.  The setting is on the Manage Your Devices page.

But. . .no . . . .totally NOT creepy. . . . I more or less asked for them.  On the other hand, I have adblock running on my web broswer so I don't see ads while on the computer. I wouldn't mind them if they'd sit still but so many of them have so much moving going on that it's distracting and gives me a headache if I have the screen up for too long. . .like when I'm typing a reply like this, for instance!

Now if you want a creepy ad, try the Burger King King!

[jonathanmoeller]

Now if you want a creepy ad, try the Burger King King!

But His Most Serene Burger Majesty merely wants to share deliciousness with us, his loyal subjects!

But. . .no . . . .totally NOT creepy. . . . I more or less asked for them.

When they show up without asking, that's when it's annoying. My local paper's website has the most annoying pop-under ad.

[Ann in Arlington]

When they show up without asking, that's when it's annoying. My local paper's website has the most annoying pop-under ad.

Well. . . but. . . .you were asking about the ads on the SO Kindles. . . . .they're showing up by request.

[Sandpiper]

You can go to Manage Your Kindle and specify what sorts of images you'd like to see in the ads you get.  The setting is on the Manage Your Devices page.

If you have SOs, that's a nice feature.  I didn't know it was there.  I just changed mine.  Thanks, Ann. 

[VictoriaP]

If you have SOs, that's a nice feature.  I didn't know it was there.  I just changed mine.  Thanks, Ann. 

Unfortunately, from what others have said elsewhere and from what I personally observed, it doesn't really change anything. I'd love to hear from others that it had some positive effect relatively recently; some have said it was more effective prior to the implementation of the AdMash voting app and AdMash.com (both of the allow you to "vote" on ads on an either/or, "which of these two do you prefer?" basis.)

[mikeschr]

I'm just happy to get the deals.  I don't care what they look like.

[Ann in Arlington]

Unfortunately, from what others have said elsewhere and from what I personally observed, it doesn't really change anything. I'd love to hear from others that it had some positive effect relatively recently; some have said it was more effective prior to the implementation of the AdMash voting app and AdMash.com (both of the allow you to "vote" on ads on an either/or, "which of these two do you prefer?" basis.)

It changed for me.  I switched mine not to show families or babies or people and to show landscapes, architecture, literary references, and illustrations.  I've only seen one ad since with a person in it and I'm pretty sure that's one that was already queued up on the device before I switched.  Remember, they load in batches and are triggered to start displaying based on the date.  So you may need to wait a week or so before all the ones you don't like go away.  

Also, when I do the AdMash thing, there are many fewer pictures with people and many more with just things in my choices.  Incidentally, I think AdMash really doesn't affect anything for you, personally.  It ends up being aggregate data they use to choose which images to use.

(Also, incidentally, there's apparently a local offer coming up for photography services. )

[CrystalStarr]

Yeah I changed my settings about 2 1/2 weeks ago.  I asked to see no people.  And I guess I see fewer people. Like no more Dove hair girl.  But I still have seen 3 or 4 ads with people.  Yep!  I just looked. An ad for Amazon's credit card with a great big photo of some strange man.  Now I see one for cards with smiling people on them.

The floating cell phone ones for at&t irk me.  They just look bad!

I guess part if it is not being able to so no, not interested please send me something else or at least no more of this one.

I have at&t. I have an amazon card. I already dealt with my Christmas cards thank you very much.   Could we please move on now?

I'm a photographer and designer. I guess I may be more sensitive to visual stimuli than I might of imagined.

Yep, I'm thinking the ads are going to have to go.  Too Bad!  I wanted to love them.

[Pawz4me]

Neither good nor bad, and certainly not the devil.

To me they're pretty much . . . nothing.  I don't even notice them.  I never paid any attention to the dead authors, either.

I appreciate it VERY much when someone posts about a new special offer involving books.  'Cause I'd never notice the SO on my Kindle, and I do like to take advantage of those.

[jonathanmoeller]

Yeah I changed my settings about 2 1/2 weeks ago.  I asked to see no people.  And I guess I see fewer people. Like no more Dove hair girl.  But I still have seen 3 or 4 ads with people.  Yep!  I just looked. An ad for Amazon's credit card with a great big photo of some strange man.  Now I see one for cards with smiling people on them.

One of the downsides for the SO is the potentially embarrassing ads turning up on your Kindle's screen.

[sanshoku]

It seems like most customers give negative feedback for special offers not even the screen saver but also admash.com where you can vote ads to show as your screen saver.

Anyway, it's good for $30-40 discount.

[Ann in Arlington]

One of the downsides for the SO is the potentially embarrassing ads turning up on your Kindle's screen.

  Really?   I've not seen anything embarrassing. . . .I mean, they don't have specials on 'personal products', or any sort of 'enhancements' or anything like that.  Everything is absolutely G rated.  I'm not necessarily interested in taking them up on everything. . . but there's not been anything "embarrassing".

[KayakerNC]

Neither good nor bad, and certainly not the devil.
To me they're pretty much . . . nothing.  I don't even notice them.  I never paid any attention to the dead authors, either.
I appreciate it VERY much when someone posts about a new special offer involving books.  'Cause I'd never notice the SO on my Kindle, and I do like to take advantage of those.

Totally agree!

[maries]

Ads are ads. . . . . I don't spend a lot of time looking at them.  I do notice when it's a new picture, see what the offer is, and decide whether or not to click for an email.  I usually do unless I'm dead sure it's something I'll absolutely not want.  I don't have to use it just 'cause they send me an email about it.

But. . .no . . . .totally NOT creepy. . . . I more or less asked for them.  Now if you want a creepy ad, try the Burger King King!

I agree with the above especially the creepy Burger King King!    I have a K3 with SOs and one without.   The ads don't bother me and I have taken advantage of enough of the SOs to pay for my spare K3 so totally worth it.   The SOs seemed to have slowed down but hoping they will pick up again.   When I pick up my K3 it is to read or check the SOs so I don't really notice the ads unless I am wanting to check out the offers.

[The Hooded Claw]

For years, I've seen the poor Burger King King derided as creepy, and I've never understood it.  Dorky and stupid (like most product mascots), yes.  But creepy, not really.

[Sean Patrick Fox]

The ads barely register in my brain. I don't spend a lot of time looking at the screensaver - no matter what it is - so the SO Kindle Touch for $40 less was a great deal for me.

[jbcohen]

Personally I do not like looking at the same screen saver for days, weeks and months until I get around to switching it to a new photo.  Thus the ads put a different screen saver on the screen automatically for me every so day or two.  Thus they help keep me interested without my waiting around until I get around to refreshing the screen blanker.  Other than that I don't pay much attention to them.

[Ann in Arlington]

For years, I've seen the poor Burger King King derided as creepy, and I've never understood it.  Dorky and stupid (like most product mascots), yes.  But creepy, not really.

For me the creepiness factor is in the ads where the woman wakes up and expects to find her husband and there's this guy with a giant head.  Or the one where the guy opens his curtains and giant head guy is peeping in his windows. Neither ad makes me want to rush out and get Burger King food!

[mooshie78]

I'd probably get an SO model if I ever buy another Kindle. 

I spend very little time in the menu and pay no attention to the screen saver anyway.  So might as well save some money on the device and maybe get in on a decent deal every once in a while through the offers.

[KayakerNC]

For years, I've seen the poor Burger King King derided as creepy, and I've never understood it.  Dorky and stupid (like most product mascots), yes.  But creepy, not really.

Big head, frozen face...yeah....creepy.
But then I think the Polar Express movie was also very creepy.   

[mooshie78]

For me the creepiness factor is in the ads where the woman wakes up and expects to find her husband and there's this guy with a giant head.  Or the one where the guy opens his curtains and giant head guy is peeping in his windows. Neither ad makes me want to rush out and get Burger King food!

But the ads are memorable and stick in your mind.  So when you're out and about and hungry, maybe Burger King pops to mind even without any conscious thought of the ads.

[The Hooded Claw]

Of course, anyone who has read IT! Has to consider the McDonald's mascot creepy....

[EydieG]

Personally I love them. I just recently found out that I could add them to my Kindle and jumped on it.  I don't really look at them that closely, but after a year of looking at the "dead authors" anything new is a great change!

[zeppo]

Actually, I got a Black Friday deal on a Kindle Keyboard with 3g without Special Offers for $85.  But if I could turn on the Special Offers, I would certainly do it if I knew I could turn them back off again.    If they couldn't be turned off then I probably wouldn't do it.  That is, unless Amazon wants to give me $40 for turning them on, then I'm all for turning them on.  That would be a $45 Kindle.  I'd take it.

Hmmm.  You got me thinking.  I wonder if they would credit my Amazon account in return for being able to feed me ads.

[DreamWeaver]

Actually, I got a Black Friday deal on a Kindle Keyboard with 3g without Special Offers for $85.  But if I could turn on the Special Offers, I would certainly do it if I knew I could turn them back off again.

With the Kindle Keyboard without Special Offers, you can request special offers from your Amazon account online. Go to Your Account, then select "Manage Your Kindle." Next, go to "Manage Your Devices" and just choose to subscribe there. And you can unsubscribe/resubscribe at any time.

I don't mind the ads, and I've taken advantage of several offers since subscribing about a month ago.

[jonathanmoeller]

Personally I love them. I just recently found out that I could add them to my Kindle and jumped on it.  I don't really look at them that closely, but after a year of looking at the "dead authors" anything new is a great change!

Everyone knocks the poor dead authors! 

[zeppo]

you can unsubscribe/resubscribe at any time.

I don't mind the ads, and I've taken advantage of several offers since subscribing about a month ago.

Thanks for the info.  I still like the idea of them giving me the difference in Amazon credit to agree to permanently get the ads. 
Wish there was a way!  I see it is actually a $50 difference for the Keyboard 3G with or without ads.  I'd take the ads in a heartbeat for $50.  I'll be getting a cover anyway to keep myself from dropping and breaking it, which is bound to happen if I don't.

[Ann in Arlington]

But the ads are memorable and stick in your mind.  So when you're out and about and hungry, maybe Burger King pops to mind even without any conscious thought of the ads.

And if it does I go look for a Wendy's or McDonald's.

Seriously. . . .I find the ads bothersome enough that I actively avoid the place.  I feel the same way about Quiznos based on some really weird ads a few years ago.

[Ann in Arlington]

Thanks for the info.  I still like the idea of them giving me the difference in Amazon credit to agree to permanently get the ads. 
Wish there was a way!  I see it is actually a $50 difference for the Keyboard 3G with or without ads.  I'd take the ads in a heartbeat for $50.  I'll be getting a cover anyway to keep myself from dropping and breaking it, which is bound to happen if I don't.

Yeah. . .not going to happen.  You have to 'buy out' of them if you purchased an SO kindle in the first place.  The buy out is $30 for the basic Kindle and $40 for the Touch.  I don't think you can buy out with the Keyboard. (They're not even selling, any more, the SO Keyboard Kindle, WiFi Only.)

OTOH, if you want to 'opt in', that's available on the Basic, Touch, or Keyboard. . .but there's no Amazon credit for doing so.  And why would there be?  If they gave a credit then you'd have to pay to opt back out. . .that's a ton of extra accounting that doesn't make sense.  And they might end up having to refund money because people don't understand what they're doing.  Better that there's two prices, and you can 'buy out' once and then after that just turn it off and on as you wish.

[QuantumIguana]

And if it does I go look for a Wendy's or McDonald's.

Seriously. . . .I find the ads bothersome enough that I actively avoid the place.  I feel the same way about Quiznos based on some really weird ads a few years ago.

Sure, for some, the commercials will make them less likely to go to Burger King, but a lot of other people are going to be more likely to go. If on the whole, the ad campaign increases sales, they will continue it. People are a lot more influenced by TV commercials than they tend to think. I ditched cable and I'm not sorry to see the commercials go.

[Ann in Arlington]

Sure, for some, the commercials will make them less likely to go to Burger King, but a lot of other people are going to be more likely to go. If on the whole, the ad campaign increases sales, they will continue it. People are a lot more influenced by TV commercials than they tend to think. I ditched cable and I'm not sorry to see the commercials go.

Obviously that's what they think or they wouldn't use 'em. . . I'm only speaking for myself. I do understand they have recently retired "the King".

As to ads on the Kindle. . .which is really the topic of this thread. . . .as I said, the fact of them being on the device doesn't bother me.  I've not been offended or anything by any of them -- they're generally quite tasteful.  I do notice when a new one pops up.  And then I wake it from sleep and read.  And that's the last I think of the ads until I put it back to sleep.  If it's something I decided to take advantage of, I evaluate it when the email comes.

[Betsy the Quilter]

The screensavers have always been something that gets in the way on my way to read...an extra step I have to take to get to my book.  So I don't much care whether they're "dead authors" or pictures or special offers. But that's me.

Betsy

[jonathanmoeller]

But the ads are memorable and stick in your mind.  So when you're out and about and hungry, maybe Burger King pops to mind even without any conscious thought of the ads.

I love Burger King.

Love it, love it, love it.

Maybe...even a little too much:




sorry, no self promotion outside the book Bazaar -- that includes links to personal blogs or books.

[DreamWeaver]

I do understand they have recently retired "the King".

Well, that's good news! The King gave me the willies, and he definitely didn't entice me to dine at Burger King.

I didn't think I would want a Kindle with special offers, but when the opportunity came to opt-in I decided to try it on my K3 Kindle Keyboard. I find most of the screensaver ads to be more interesting than the dead author pictures. I don't pay much attention to the screensaver, though. The offers themselves have been underwhelming for the most part, but I'll probably keep special offers on the device.

[LaraAmber]

Well, that's good news! The King gave me the willies, and he definitely didn't entice me to dine at Burger King.

The King made me think of sexual predators, not food.