Ultimate Listener policy change?

[Stomp]

I just spoke to an Audible person about upgrading my account from Premium to Ultimate, and was told that I wouldn't be able to change plans until my one-year agreement (Free Otis, you know) was fulfilled. That's contrary to what I've read in this forum, so I wonder if they've changed their policy. Either that or the person I spoke to via Live Chat wasn't clear on the rules.

Have any of you recently upgraded your account to Ultimate despite a years commitment to Premium?

If this is a rule change at Audible, it's certainly a bummer.

---

Update: It's not a bummer. See below. :D

[GearHead]

Well, just last week (on 2/13/04), I was able to upgrade from Premium to Ultimate, and I'd only been a Premium subscriber for 2 weeks or so. So I suspect that you just need to talk to a different customer service rep. Please update the thread after you've had a chance to contact Audible again.

Rick


Originally posted by Stomp
I just spoke to an Audible person about upgrading my account from Premium to Ultimate, and was told that I wouldn't be able to change plans until my one-year agreement (Free Otis, you know) was fulfilled. That's contrary to what I've read in this forum, so I wonder if they've changed their policy. Either that or the person I spoke to via Live Chat wasn't clear on the rules.

Have any of you recently upgraded your account to Ultimate despite a years commitment to Premium?

If this is a rule change at Audible, it's certainly a bummer.

[Podunk]

I don't think the question was merely whether anyone could upgrade from PremiumListener to UltimateListener.

The question is whether someone who recently signed up for a one year term and got a free player with signup, can turn around and switch to UltimateListener.

[abalboa]

This might be a dumb question but what exactly is an UltimateListener plan? I am currently a PremiumListener, have been for about 6 months, and I don't ever remember seeing that plan on there. What are the benefits, and how do you sign-up. Thanks.

[GearHead]

Well, Parannoya, that exactly describes me, though apparently I forgot to clarify it enough. I was on a 1 year committment after taking advantage of the Audible/J&R $50 discount offer for purchasing an iPod and joining Audible. And just weeks after making that committment, I upgraded to UltimateListener. I hope that clarifies what I was talking about.


Originally posted by parannoya
I don't think the question was merely whether anyone could upgrade from PremiumListener to UltimateListener.

The question is whether someone who recently signed up for a one year term and got a free player with signup, can turn around and switch to UltimateListener.

[GearHead]

Not a dumb question it all, especially since the UltimateListener plan isn't available on the website; you have to talk to customer service to sign up. Ultimate is for listeners whose appetite isn't satisfied with only 2 audiobooks per month. It works this way, you pay $120.00 up front, and 12 book credits are immediately deposited into your account. You can use them anytime within a 2 year period, and you can acquire an additional 12 books whenever you like (again by contacting Customer Service). Post again if you have any other questions.

Originally posted by abalboa
This might be a dumb question but what exactly is an UltimateListener plan? I am currently a PremiumListener, have been for about 6 months, and I don't ever remember seeing that plan on there. What are the benefits, and how do you sign-up. Thanks.

[abalboa]

Thanks that sounds kind of nice. I might end up going with that memership instead.

[Podunk]

Originally posted by GearHead
I was on a 1 year committment after taking advantage of the Audible/J&R $50 discount offer for purchasing an iPod and joining Audible. And just weeks after making that committment, I upgraded to UltimateListener. I hope that clarifies what I was talking about.

Yes, thank for clarification Gearhead:)

[Stomp]

Good news! I got in touch with yon Audible support this morning and once again requested an Ultimate Listener account. During this Live Chat session I spoke with Alejandro, and he signed me up in roughly two minutes with no complaints.

So the moral of this story is: If at first you don't succeed, talk to somebody else.

[Mediahound]

so with the Ultimate listener plan do you have to get 2 book a month? is it use them or lose them, or do they carry over so that i could get any 12 books at any time i want?

this plan sounds interesting to me because i want to be able to download as many or as little books as i want to, whenever i want to without having to worry about whether or not i have already exceeded my allotment for the month, etc.

[robert]

Originally posted by Mediahound
so with the Ultimate listener plan do you have to get 2 book a month? is it use them or lose them, or do they carry over so that i could get any 12 books at any time i want?

this plan sounds interesting to me because ...

See this link/thread for fuller explanation of Ultimate Listener Plan:
iPodlounge Forums > iPod > Audible.com + iPod > Audible UltimateListener membership (Click here) (http://ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13888)

Nope, buy them as you want. No use or lose unless you go beyond two years. You also get a 20% discount on any book and 50% on periodicals. So if a book is less than $12.50 go with the disount unless you are against the wall on deadline on using up your credits in the two years.


See this link/thread for fuller explanation of Ultimate Listener Plan:
iPodlounge Forums > iPod > Audible.com + iPod > Audible UltimateListener membership (click here) (http://ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13888)


Response from Audible Customer Service:

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

We thank you for contacting the home of the best audio ? Audible.com.

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 antoher $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.


As always, 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

[GearHead]

Originally posted by robert
I wonder if the statement in the email they sent: "The plan renews itself in a year but credits remain in for two years." means that they will be asking for another $120 on my Novemember renewal date? It doesn't matter to me since I am using far more than 12 books a year, but others may find this a problem. Anyone know?

That's a legitimate question, and one I asked to the rep who signed me up for UltimateListener. According to that salesperson, there is not an auto-renew on the Ultimate program. The only time they charge you is when you specifically ask them to. Whether that person had all of the information or the right information is anyone's guess.

[pmoto]

After talking to an Audible rep last night I upgraded to the Ultimate Listener Plan.

As someone mentioned in an earlier post, in addition to the 12 book credits, you also get an additional 20% discount on any book purchases made (i.e. you don't use one of your book credits).

Also, if you use up your 12 book credits you don't have to wait until the anniversary of your plan to renew. You can renew early and immediately get 12 additional book credits.

In essense this plan allows you to purchase an unlimited number of books for just under $10 each. The only stipulation is that you must purchase these books in blocks of 12 credits. For most this isn't a big deal since you can use these credits as you see fit, and get 2 years to use the credits.

[Mediahound]

so, to sum up, the Ultimate Listener plan is $119. per year every year unless you call to cancel and you get 12 titles with that. if you use up your 12 titles before it's time for the year to renew, you can buy another 12 for $119.

now my question is, how does it work for periodicals like weekly or even daily radio shows?

[Mediahound]

does that 50% off come off the $119. annual, or would it be a separate charge to my credit card?