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I'm impressed

Switch Blayde ๐Ÿšซ

I asked on Harold's thread if I could set up two author pages on Amazon. It's no longer there because I figured out how to do it.

But that's not what impressed me.

I first created the author page for my real name. Then, when I created the author page for my S. W. Blayde pen name, it listed two books on my author's page, mine and another one (same author name). I couldn't figure out how to remove the one that wasn't mine (as it turns out, I can't).

I clicked on the contact link at the bottom and had a choice of email or phone (with a one minute wait). I chose phone. As soon as I hit enter, my phone rang. About 20 seconds later, someone picked up. I told him I created my author page under my pen name and that one of the books wasn't mine. He asked me if it was [the book title]. I said yes. So by clicking on the contact while logged into my pen name on Author Central he must have had all the info on his screen. He said he'll delete it.

Replies:   Vincent Berg
Vincent Berg ๐Ÿšซ

@Switch Blayde

I clicked on the contact link at the bottom and had a choice of email or phone (with a one minute wait). I chose phone. As soon as I hit enter, my phone rang. About 20 seconds later, someone picked up. I told him I created my author page under my pen name and that one of the books wasn't mine. He asked me if it was [the book title]. I said yes. So by clicking on the contact while logged into my pen name on Author Central he must have had all the info on his screen. He said he'll delete it.

If I'm not mistaken, there's a 'confirm these books are yours', probably on another page (more of a 'select any books not listed), though I may be confusing it with another site.

Replies:   Switch Blayde
Switch Blayde ๐Ÿšซ

@Vincent Berg

If I'm not mistaken, there's a 'confirm these books are yours', probably on another page (more of a 'select any books not listed), though I may be confusing it with another site.

There's a way to add a book, but not a way to delete one.

Replies:   Vincent Berg
Vincent Berg ๐Ÿšซ

@Switch Blayde

There's a way to add a book, but not a way to delete one.

I recall using the form to remove other books being listed on my page, the same as you're facing. But it's been so long since I used it, I may either be forgetting the details or the form may have changed. (I may also be confusing the many sites offering similar services, though I'm pretty sure it was Amazon).

However, as long as you resolved the issue (I resolved it myself a long time ago), I'm not overly concerned with the specifics.

Replies:   Switch Blayde
Switch Blayde ๐Ÿšซ

@Vincent Berg

I recall using the form to remove other books being listed on my page

The Amazon person I spoke to said I can't do it myself. Since he said that and I didn't find a way to do it, I assume only Amazon can do it.

Btw, it's gone. He said it would take 2 days to disappear, but it's already gone.

What I was impressed with was the ability to talk to a live person. I always liked how quickly Amazon responded via email, but this was something.

Ross at Play ๐Ÿšซ
Updated:

@Switch Blayde

What I was impressed with was the ability to talk to a live person.

As opposed to PayPal which apparently has no service staff at all.

I had a problem, not one that its system allowed users to select options to fix: I did not know why all my attempted transactions were being rejected.
I suspect it was because I attempted to purchase something from the same country as my bank account, but I was doing so from a computer in another country, and the delivery address was in yet another.
I just wanted to know whether there was any point for someone with my circumstances trying to use the service. I wasted a lot of time asking but did not get any response from them. I suppose I did find a good reason for refusing to ever use their service again.

Replies:   Vincent Berg
Vincent Berg ๐Ÿšซ

@Ross at Play

As opposed to PayPal which apparently has no service staff at all.

I had a problem, not one that its system allowed users to select options to fix: I did not know why all my attempted transactions were being rejected.
I suspect it was because I attempted to purchase something from the same country as my bank account, but I was doing so from a computer in another country, and the delivery address was in yet another.

Have you tried their Customer Support Page (located at the bottom of your account after you've signed in)? One of the tabs, beside "Resolution Center" and "Message Center" is Call Customer Support. It lists a phone number you can call. Granted, it's a U.S. number, but they list a separate number for calling from outside the U.S. (Of course, that means you'll have to wait in line for the 'next call' among everyone else having a problem across the entire globe!

Replies:   Ross at Play
Ross at Play ๐Ÿšซ

@Vincent Berg

Have you tried their Customer Support Page (located at the bottom of your account after you've signed in)?

As I recall, I could not sign in because my account was frozen when an unauthorised attempt to access it was made. Fair enough.
I wasn't going to send a scan of my passport, etc. to get the account reopened if every time I wanted to use it I would fall foul of some cross-border checks in place as a security measure.
I certainly tried everything I saw to get an answer to a question about their procedures - not about my account which they could not do until I proved I was me. (or if you prefer, 'I was I' :-)

Replies:   Vincent Berg
Vincent Berg ๐Ÿšซ

@Ross at Play

As I recall, I could not sign in because my account was frozen when an unauthorised attempt to access it was made. Fair enough.
I wasn't going to send a scan of my passport, etc. to get the account reopened if every time I wanted to use it I would fall foul of some cross-border checks in place as a security measure.

Did they send you a 'disconnection' or 'Freezing your account' notice? If so, I'd think you could reply to that. After all, it wouldn't help freezing an account if there wasn't any mechanism for unfreezing it.

However, from what Ernest has said in the past, PayPal has a problematic history in Australia and other countries in the region. I'm guessing this is due to paranoia about stealing of accounts and passwords, rather than specific countries.

Send me your account name and I'll see whether I can get them to respond to an inquiry made on your behalf.

Replies:   Ross at Play
Ross at Play ๐Ÿšซ

@Vincent Berg

Send me your account name and I'll see whether I can get them to respond to an inquiry made on your behalf.

Thanks for the offer, but yawn.
Not having enough methods of spending my money is not my problem. :-)

Replies:   Vincent Berg
Vincent Berg ๐Ÿšซ

@Ross at Play

Not having enough methods of spending my money is not my problem. :-)

Uh, having an open account shouldn't cost your anything, and even if you use it for professional payments, you only pay a percentage (2.9%, which is standard for credit card purchases) plus a small (?) per-charge charge.

My favorite uses of the site is that it allows me to avoid giving every tom, dick and Hairy website who doesn't give a damn about user security from storing my credit card and personal information on their sites. I use it like a cash card since it's linked to my bank account, but it avoids my being exposed to computer hacking. The 'Pay your friends' feature is nice, since there's no fee for any money transferred, no matter the amount (for the ex-wife).

Still, the owner is a Colossal ass-hat!

Ross at Play ๐Ÿšซ

@Vincent Berg

The 'Pay your friends' feature is nice
Websites who doesn't give a damn about user security storing credit card information

I got no friends payin' me nuttin', nor ... you can guess.
Honestly, I haven't used plastic this year except for ATM withdrawals and booking airline tickets.

Replies:   Dominions Son
Dominions Son ๐Ÿšซ

@Ross at Play

I haven't used plastic this year except for ATM withdrawals and booking airline tickets.

I use almost nothing but plastic. I haven't used more than a few hundred in cash and one or two checks in the last 18 months.

And the few times I've had any trouble with any of my cards in the last couple of decades have been from either employee run scams or computer security breaches at brick and mortar retailers.

Replies:   Switch Blayde
Switch Blayde ๐Ÿšซ

@Dominions Son

I use almost nothing but plastic.

Me too. It's free float (as long as you pay the entire bill each month). And you don't have to carry much cash.

I get 2% back on my Fidelity VISA for each dollar spent. And Chase VISA runs quarterly promotions that pay 5% back. This quarter it's restaurants and movie theaters.

That cash back adds up, and it's tax free.

Switch Blayde ๐Ÿšซ

@Vincent Berg

The 'Pay your friends' feature is nice,

Someone once asked me about a story I wrote that used to be on my story site. Since the site was gone so was the story. I told him I'd put it up on SOL for him, but there was so much head-hopping it would have been too hard to revise so I told him I couldn't. He ended up buying the story as is, paying me via PayPal. There were no fees deducted so I guess PayPal considered it a "Pay your friend."

PayPal was also how the comic book site paid me, but those payments had a deduction. That was the last time I ever used PayPal.

Vincent Berg ๐Ÿšซ

@Switch Blayde

What I was impressed with was the ability to talk to a live person. I always liked how quickly Amazon responded via email, but this was something.

That's new. For years, no matter what you did, it was virtually impossible to EVER reach an actual human being at the company. Instead, you had to reach out to third parties who'd pass on complaints.

Might Amazon actually be listing to users? Nah! Just kidding. We all know that Amazon is the devil incarnate (since they took over Bill Gates roll years ago).

Replies:   Switch Blayde
Switch Blayde ๐Ÿšซ

@Vincent Berg

We all know that Amazon is the devil incarnate (since they took over Bill Gates roll years ago).

And the founder of Amazon just passed Bill Gates as the richest man in the world. (Although I thought a telecommunications guy in Mexico was the richest). Bezos passed Gated yesterday or the day before because of the Amazon stock price.

Replies:   Vincent Berg
Vincent Berg ๐Ÿšซ

@Switch Blayde

And the founder of Amazon just passed Bill Gates as the richest man in the world. (Although I thought a telecommunications guy in Mexico was the richest). Bezos passed Gated yesterday or the day before because of the Amazon stock price.

Only for four hours. Once Amazon reported how little profit they'd made, they dropped back to their perennial 2nd place spot.

You can never overstate traders overconfidence in blind stupidity.

Ross at Play ๐Ÿšซ

I'M IMPRESSED about the service at SOL.
I had extreme trouble getting through for some hours. I became convinced my ISP was using a new way to block access to particular sites. I wrote to Lazeez asking if I need to use an encrypted service, what do I need to ask for - assuming SOL, as a pay site, must disallow some types of anonymous access.
The answer was, "We have an anonymous service. I've given you 7 days access to test it out."
I tested it, and response times are about one-tenth of whatI'm accustomed to.
YET AGAIN, I ask for or suggest something and am told it's already been done. :-)

Replies:   Vincent Berg
Vincent Berg ๐Ÿšซ

@Ross at Play

I tested it, and response times are about one-tenth of whatI'm accustomed to.
YET AGAIN, I ask for or suggest something and am told it's already been done. :-)

Glad you finally got that resolved. You've bitched about that for some time (not attacking, just observing).

Replies:   Ross at Play
Ross at Play ๐Ÿšซ

@Vincent Berg

Glad you finally got that resolved. You've bitched about that for some time

At only $2 per month, it's worth it just to make you happy. :-)

Ross at Play ๐Ÿšซ

I understand why, but the anonymous site only refreshes forum threads every 10 minutes.
That's not fast enough for me when I want to the first in to point out some dumbass's mistake.

Replies:   Joe Long
Joe Long ๐Ÿšซ

@Ross at Play

I want to the first in to point out some dumbass's mistake.

You were born to be an editor.

However, as 'dumbass' end with 's', does it need the extra 's' after the apostrophe?

Replies:   Ross at Play
Ross at Play ๐Ÿšซ

@Joe Long

However, as 'dumbass' end with 's', does it need the extra 's' after the apostrophe?

The brief answer is: that is a matter of style and style guides differ in their recommendations.
It's a question we have have discussed before, and, quelle surprise, I made a lengthy contribution myself.
See https://storiesonline.net/d/s2/t2645/double-possessives.
You will be entitled to scream "Gotcha" if you see me using something other than Ross's or Rosses'.

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