Audible UltimateListener membership

THIS PLAN IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM AUDIBLE(Dec, '05). For current plans current members sign in or go to audible.com home (and on most pages)>Account Details>Sign in process>Change Membership Plan for . Others should go to Audible.com and search for plan details.

More than two books a months at a cost of $10 each

Choosing payment methods on each book -- use book credit or 20% off.

Buying books that require more than two credits

Renewing when the 12 books credits are used up (say at 6, 10, 12, 14, 24 etc. months).

No expiration of book credits each month. Less pressure.

Backlogging books so that when you get an unexpected bad book that you have a "library" to chose from

Two years to use the entire 12 book credits

Alternative of discount of 20%, so that buying a $12 - $13 book can be bought for around $10 without using up a credit. (Save book credit for more expensive books)

50% discount on subscriptions.

Those of you grandfathered in at $13.95 per month for two books, just go away and not confuse the rest of us less fortunate (are you rubbing it in?). However, agree with problem of abridged books -- I have regretted every time that I have purchased an abridged book.
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Response from Audible Customer Service on UL Renewal and Referrrals with UL:

"Response (Kathy) 02/20/2004 11:11 AM
Dear Robert,

Does the sentence: "The plan renews itself in a year but credits remain in for two years." mean that Audible will require another $120 on the November '04 anniversary date of my Ultimate Listener Plan

Yes. Each year you will be charged $119 and receive another 12 books and have another 2 years to use the book credits. For instance, if you purchase the UL plan on 1/1/03 you will be charged another $119 and get another 12 books with 2 years to use those 12 books on 1/1/04.

can I pay another $120 anytime during the two years to renew

You can call us at any time to renew. Most people want more than 12 books per year and call us 2 or 3 times in the year so that we can add another 12 books to their account at $119.

For example, I have two book credits left and a Nov 6 anniversary date. If I did not use any further book credits until 2005, would you require me to pay $120 on my November 6 anniversary date?

Yes. You would be charged another $119 on the anniversary date. Of course, if you do not want this to happen you would call us and we would cancel the UL plan and you would still keep the credits that you paid for until the 2 year period is up and then the credits would expire.

what would be the best way to refer someone to Audible who would like the Ultimate Listener Plan?

Customers must call us if they want this plan as it is not offered on the website. They do not have to purchase a different plan first. They can sign up for the first time with the UL plan by calling us at the number below."
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Added 3-18-04:
[B]Renewing UL on date other than Anniversary Date of Plan:

Early Renewal. If you use up your credits before the first annual anniversary and contact Audible to get 12 new book credits, they will want to renew on the same day of the month as your annual anniversary date/day or on the first day of the next month, if that is earlier.
If you are out of credits and want to have a book credit to download prior to your anniversary date/day, Audible will cancel your existing 'used-up' UL plan and begin a new one. I did this with on-line help. No problem, but took a little longer than a plain renewal on an anniversary date.
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Added 5-4-04
Converting to UL After signing up with an Otis or iPod Promotion response by Audible Customer Service:
Response (Erik) 05/01/2004 11:55 AM
"Dear Robert,.

If a customer signs up with a free otis it comes with a 1 year commitment. However if the customer wants to switch to the Ultimate Listener plan it will void out the commitment. When a customer receives a $100 off promotion it also comes with a 1 year commitment, but you cannot switch to the Ultimate Listener until 6 months of the commitment has been fulfilled.

... if you need further assistance please call our Customer Service group at 1-888-283-5051, or from overseas by calling 1-973-837-2700 to resolve your issue. You can also visit our Help Center and "Find an Answer", or enter our Live Chat for online assistance. Our hours of operation are Monday thru Friday, 9 am to 9 pm, and Saturday 10 am to 4 pm Eastern Time.

Sincerely,
Erik
Audible Customer Support"

From my experience and posts in threads, I think emailing or on-line customer service would be as good as a call.

I just don't see this as being a good deal. I currently pay 13.95 each month and I get two book selections.

This works out to be 167.40 a year but I get 24 audio books.

My Plan = 6.97 per book
Ultimate Plan = 10.00 per book

I have been a member for several years so this may be grandfather type plan or something-- not sure. It used to be 12.95 a month but they raised it a few months ago.

Grant

gshipley, you're grandfathered. I pay 14.95/mo for 2 books. If someone were to go today, they'd pay 19.95/mo instead. The difference between the UL plan and the monthly subscription: With UL you pay up front and have 2 years to get the books, with a subscription, you pay each month and have a use it or loose it credit for 2 books in that month, but you can quit before a year's up. So if you're unsure, do the monthly thing for a few months, then go with the UL if you find there's plenty of titles you want.

Me? I'm debating dropping my subscription. I have all the unabridged SF titles they offer and am not interested in abridged selections, those I can listen to for free from my Library, as I sure wouldn't want to own half (or less) of a book. Once I peruse their history section and find what few titles interest me, they'll be out of content. And they really don't seem to be adding content particularly quickly, which is unfortunate. Then again, if they add a 'new' title, I'm sure almost all the purchases of that title are folks with subscriptions, which means they don't make nearly the profit the price of the title implies. On the other hand, without new content, they'll never keep customers.

Grant--

Like me, you must be a long time audible customer. I also get two books a month for $13.95, so the ultimate listener plan really isn't advantageous to me.

New customers signing up for one of audible's monthly plans get two books for $19.95. This is roughly equal to 12 books for $119.95. The advantage to the UltimateListener Plan is that you don't have time limits on your purchase. If you find three or four books the first month, you can buy them, and then save your credits for a few months until you see something else that sounds good.

dordale :)

***Sorry--I got into the discussion late...after posting, I noticed that this has already been discussed :rolleyes:

Sparkyewu--

Look at it this way-- you get two books a month for 19.95 or about $10 per book. Under the Ultimate Listener Plan, a subscriber gets 12 books for $119 or about $10 per book. So the cost of the books is about the same under either plan. Some people prefer the flexibility of the Ultimate Listener Plan...you're not tied in to monthly purchases, but can purchase books at your leisure (as long as you do it within the two year period).

dordale :)

Robert, sounds like more of an issue with their subscription software than from a customer service standpoint. I can't imagine a company turning away a customer willing to hand over $120 now just because of some silly rule about renewal dates. Perhaps the only way around the software-imposed restriction is to cancel and rejoin with the same plan.

In any case, I've always found Audible customer service to be very helpful and willing to work with me, whatever my problem or concern might be.

My UltimateListener renewal doesn't come around until December, but I've already marked my calendar so it doesn't sneak up on me.

Burning an audiobook to CD will give varying degrees of sound quality. Format 1 files will sound the worst, with Format 4 files sounding the best. The format you choose will depend on your connection speed, available hard drive space, listening device (iPod, Otis, etc), and personal preference. Always go with the highest quality file, if you can.

Burning the title to CD creates an AIFF file on the CD, which is the standard audio file for CD audio. A 1 hour title will always be the same size AIFF file on the CD, with sound quality dependant on the format you chose to download. Just remember, regardless of which format you choose, you will only get 75-80 minutes of audio on the CD, so a 20 hour audiobook will require about 16 CDs. For this reason it's a great deal more convenient if you have a portable player that's capable of playing Audible content.

Originally posted by sbc44
I just spoke with a customer service rep via "live assistance" and was refused ultimate listener membership because I had not yet fulfilled my 12-month premium listener membership agreement (got the free otis).

I was under the impression that upgrading to the ultimate listener plan would fulfill the obligation.

Anyone else had this problem? If so, what can I do ?

Thanks!

I suggest you try again with a different customer service rep until you find a cooperative one. It shouldn't take more than a call or two.

I just called today (4/28) and switched my membership to the "Ultimate Listener" level.

If anyone has been considering making the change, the rep told me there is currently a sale going on (until 5/5) offering the "Ultimate" membership for $99 instead of $120.

that's weird... i would think you would be more likely to get the membership WITHOUT having the free OTIS than with it...

The first customer service rep i spoke with told me that was the reason i could NOT get the membership, then the second put it through.

I'd just keep trying if i were you... that just doesn't make much sense.

Aristotle in 90 Minutes ( Plato in 90 Minutes is also available)

$9.95 at Audible
$8.95 at iTunes

But, wait, with UL plan, you get 20% off at Audible, so $9.95 = $7.96 with Audible Ultimate Listener Plan.

Then there is the fact that 'Aristotle in 90 Minutes' is amusingly 1:15 long. No doubt, it is read more quickly than listened to unless you are driving down an interstate highway or exercising.

What? really, you had this problem? Wow, I was about to call and get into the premium listener plan and then switch to the Ultimate Listener Plan.
I understood from "Jim Reese" and also according to
Erik
Audible Customer Support" That if you get the free Otis, you get the free Otis you can transfer any time and if you get $100 off the ipod you'd have to wait 6months in order to transfer.

mmmm... thanks for the feedback. I was just going to try this thing you... Guess I'm not... I'll stick with my $19.99/month

Originally posted by Maria711
What? really, you had this problem? Wow, I was about to call and get into the premium listener plan and then switch to the Ultimate Listener Plan.
I understood from "Jim Reese" and also according to
Erik
Audible Customer Support" That if you get the free Otis, you get the free Otis you can transfer any time and if you get $100 off the ipod you'd have to wait 6months in order to transfer.

mmmm... thanks for the feedback. I was just going to try this thing you... Guess I'm not... I'll stick with my $19.99/month

Even if Otis is free, why would anyone want a town drunk instread of an Ipod?

Beats me.

BP

OK, here is the deal. By transferrring from Ultimate Listener to Premium plan at the current $21.95 per month, I am getting $100 off a 4G iPod from Amazon. Audible very agreeably changed me from Crutchfield, whose price for a 4G 20GB iPod was $299 to Amazon.com whose price is $284 (see earlier post for my screw up). Amazon is back ordered as is everyone else on the 20gb, 4g. So, I will get a 4G for $184. no shippping cost, by changing to a one-year Premium Plan. Basic is also avail.

You cannot change or cancel the plan until a year is up. Unlike someone signing up initially, you can't change to UL in six months, you have to honor the entire year obligation. If you want more than two books a month, you can call audible.com and have them add Ulitimate Listener on top of your plan -- that is, pay $120 for 10 books with two years to use the book credits on top of your Premium or Basic plans.

The requirement is that you buy the iPod from amazon.com -- NOT one of the amazon partners. You will have to look around to find the right button to click to get to the amazon iPod (as opposed to a partner iPod). Sometimes they do not have the iPod offerred at all directly, so it may be necessary to visit the site several times to get them when they have a shipment coming in or actually in stock. I put the iPod in my shopping cart and then when I called audible and they sent me the $100 code, I completed the order and put the promotion code in at checkout. The Crutchfield deal is totally automated, but you have to call audible to get the amazon deal. 1-888-283-5051

The amazon promo on the audible site has an expired date, but obviously, they are still offering the $100 deal.

The audible rep didn't think UL pricing was likely to change anytime soon. However, just in case, sometime around six months + from now, I think I will call and have them add the UL on top of the premium account.

Not bad to get a 4G for $148. Now if it will just play the homemade m4b files or figure a workaround to keep it from crashing with them. Maybe I will just keep two iPods and put my m4b files on the 3G and listen to other books on the 4G if it doesn't work. Would be perfect if my spouse liked audio books to add a second iPod, 4G at that, for this price.

See my immediate prior post discussing this and for the links.

Cheers.

Try again. Looks like mixed signals. In the process of submitting the question at the end of this post, the first two links were presented to me on audible site just now. I will post the answer from audible.

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Get 13 audiobooks for $99!
Get 12 audiobook credits per year. The audiobook credits can be used to purchase any audiobook product. The audiobook credits expire 2 years from their date they are issued. In addition, UltimateListener members get discounts of 50% off any subscription product and 20% off audiobook product not bought using your UltimateListener audiobook credits. The 13th audiobook credit will be issued when the 12 th credit is used. Please allow for 48 hours to see the 13th credit. Your Ultimate Listener Plan will renew one (1) year from your enrollment anniversary at the price for the membership at that date.
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How do I renew my Ultimate Listener Plan?


Answer
The Ultimate Listener Plan is a newer plan that we are still developing and has not been placed on our website yet. At this time we do ask that you either send an e-mail or call us to continue with the Ultimate Listener Plan. Please call our Customer Service group at 1-888-283-5051, from overseas by calling 1-973-837-2700. Our hours of operation are Monday thru Friday, 9 am to 9 pm, and Saturday 10 am to 4 pm Eastern Time.
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Question submitted to audible help:

Has Ultimate Listener Subscription been terminated?
This post at iPodlounge indicates that the Ultimate Listener Subscription has been terminated. Puhhleeeezze say it isn't so. I am begging. The post conflicts with the 13 books for $99 promotion on your site also copied below.

Posted in the Ultimate Listener Thread of the iPodlounge.com
Audible.com + iPod Forum
http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=46
Specific Post=
http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?
s=&postid=403604#post403604

Whew! Response from Audible
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Discussion Thread
Response (Lori B. CC) 01/14/2005 10:15 PM
Dear Robert,

Thanks for contacting Audible, the world's largest online destination for downloadable audiobooks and other spoken-word entertainment.

The Ultimate Listener Membership has not been terminated. The $99 promotion was offered at Christmas time for 12 books plus a 13th book if all 12 books were selected before Dec. 30/4. The offer was also extended. The regular Membership fee is $119.

Title: How do I renew my Ultimate Listener Plan?
Link: http://audible.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/audible.cfg/php/enduser/popup_adp.php?p_faqid=1385&p_created=1074551528

Title: My Library-Everything you will need to know regarding MY Library Functions, Navigations, and more...
Link: http://audible.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/audible.cfg/php/enduser/popup_adp.php?p_faqid=1388&p_created=1074974451

Title: What is the 13 books for $99.00 promotion?
Link: http://audible.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/audible.cfg/php/enduser/popup_adp.php?p_faqid=1985&p_created=1103637467

Title: What forms of payment are accepted at audible.com?
Link: http://audible.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/audible.cfg/php/enduser/popup_adp.php?p_faqid=108&p_created=1005171042

Title: Everything to know about Subscriptions-Newspapers, Radio, Magazines?
Link: http://audible.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/audible.cfg/php/enduser/popup_adp.php?p_faqid=1018&p_created=1037999707

End
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Noya, wondering if my bump was necessary. May not have gotten this post here if hadn't. Guess we shall never know. :-)

Cheers!

Robert

Originally posted by ctsport
Nope, I didn't get any discounts or freebies and Iam already on the Ulitmate plan, I just used up all my credits. :confused:

Suggest you call again and keep calling, or ask for a supervisior until you get your UL renewed. The email I got and quoted above clearly says that UL is still available. Cite that response to them and tell them they have created an international crisis with their refusal or your renewal request for UL. :D You must have either gotten an uninformed rep or one who read your record wrong. Uninformed reps are all to common at many sites.

Originally posted by robert
UL provides 50% off any subscription product and 20% off audiobook product not bought using your UltimateListener audiobook credits.

And in the current buy-one-get-one free sale (which applies when audiobook credits are not used for payment) the 20% discount is also applied. For example, two $10 audiobooks would cost an UL subscriber $8. :)

Cloyster, the Ultimate Listener plan is not offered as a sign-up plan on their website. You can only switch to the plan after you've joined one of their other plans. I was in their Premium Listener plan for over a year when I received an email from Audible informing me of the Ultimate plan. It's been a good plan for me. I never liked having to keep up with when my monthly credits would expire if I didn't use them.

The Ultimate Listener plan gets you 12 credits, which can be used to purchase any title on their website. Of course, during certain promotions, such as the Buy 1 Get 1 Free sale, you can't use your credits toward those, but the 20% discount you enjoy as part of the plan still applies during most of these special events.

The prices you see for audiobook titles on Audible's website are for the non-subscriber. These are similar to the prices you see for Audible content on Apple's iTunes Music Store. Rest assured the $50 title you desire can be purchased using one of the book credits in your monthly or annual plan, so you effectively end up getting the title for about $10. You aren't charged for the purchase, but your book credit is reduced by one credit.

If you are interested in the Ultimate Listener plan, you'll have to join with a monthly membership, then after a month or two, call Audible and request to be switched. This will also give you some time with their regular monthly plan, which might be more to your liking. In any case, when you call to request the switch, if the first person you talk to tells you they can't switch you, keep calling and talking to different people. It's been shown in these forums that some people you talk to at Audible are more empowered than others.

Good luck, and if you have any further questions, feel free to post here or simply call Audible and ask.

I have read of others wanting to wait to see if the Ultimate Listener plan is offered as an initial subscriber option. It's been more than a year since I have been in this plan, and nothing has changed, it still isn't offered to new subscribers. So, I wouldn't hold my breath.

You can browse Audible's site to see if they offer a lot of the content you're interested in. I'm sure they don't have the entire Stephen King collection, but I thought there were more than 10 titles. I know that in the same sense that iTunes Music Store is at the mercy of the music publishers, Audible sometimes suffers from the same limitations, in that a title may be available for a while, and then later it's no longer available. I have seen several titles disappear from my wish list when this happens. I was sorry I didn't purchase those titles when I had the chance. I've seen the exact same thing happen with songs or entire albums on the iTunes Music Store. Audible, like Apple, is only the conduit for material created elsewhere. While some content is originated by Audible and Apple, the majority of it is controlled by the publishing house that originally recorded the material.

You have to also realize that every new title isn't automatically converted to audio. In many cases, I've seen new titles appear on Audible as soon as the audio version was available from other sources, as in CD format. Michael Crichton's lastest title is a prime example.

It certainly won't hurt to try the monthly subscription for a few months. You're not locked into a contract unless you take advantage of their $100 discount program for the iPod or one of the other devices. You could cancel at any time if not satisfied.

Just realize that Audible content is available in various formats, the highest quality is Format 4 (MP3), which is encoded at 32 kbps mono. This is fine for spoken word, but there is a difference in quality compared to an audiobook you purchase on CD, which is usually in stereo and AIFF format. Of course, a typical audiobook on CD consists of a dozen or more CDs. Some publishers are starting to release unabridged MP3 audio CDs, such as some of the Tom Clancy novels. You cannot expect to be able to download that quality of audiobook from Audible. The file sizes would be in the many-gigabyte range, which even with a broadband connection, is not feasible for large-scale content delivery. For example, Stephen King's Dreamcatcher (an excellent audiobook) is available in Format 4 in 3 parts. The total file size is 312 MB for 22 hrs. 45 min. of content. Other formats offer smaller file sizes but also lower quality audio. Some titles, such as Rocket Boys (the basis for the movie October Sky) are only available in Format 1, their lowest quality. I listened to Lonesome Dove in this format (only one available), and it was not a great experience. I was constantly adjusting my volume, and having to back up and repeat sequences where I missed things. The differences between someone shouting and whispering in the story is very annoying in Format 1 and 2, and not a problem in Format 4.

I hope this answers some of your questions.

Just re-checked Audible have 32 Stephen King titles, much better than the 10 I found last time.