Are Amazon Review Eligibility Rules Fair To Writers?
How many books must we buy to post a review on Amazon?
As a writer, I believe that I must support other writers. If we all do, then we all benefit. On February 2, 2021, I bought a poetry book of one of my favorite Medium poetry writers on Amazon. It was short and sweet. This was the review I wanted to post:
“In my country, we say Coconut Water is the only fluid that reaches the heart. Well, My Voice Awakens, by Ivette Cruz is my coconut water.”
As a writer that writes from the heart, my heart reacts to these poems. Giving Love, Every Day Is A Joy, Fighting Like A Warrior, Scars on My Heart, are just a few that touches my heart.
I have bought other writers’ books and had no problem posting reviews. I called last Friday, and I explained my situation. They said someone would respond in 24–48 hours. Nobody did. I called again yesterday. I had to explain myself all over again.
I tried to post a review, and this is what Amazon says: We apologize but this account has not met the minimum eligibility requirements to write a review. If you would like to learn more about our eligibility requirements, please see our community guidelines.
This book is the eighth book I have purchased on Amazon. I called directly from Jamaica and was told to click community Guidelines, and I did. I was instructed to scroll down to this:
Eligibility To contribute to Customer features (for example, Customer Reviews, Customer Questions, Customer Answers, Idea Lists) or to follow other contributors, you must have spent at least $50 on Amazon.com using a valid credit or debit card in the past 12 months. Promotional discounts don’t qualify towards the $50 minimum. You do not need to meet this requirement to read content posted by other contributors, or create or modify Profile pages, Shopping Lists, Wish Lists or Registries.
Is this a mistake? Do any other writers experience this?
I asked the Customer Service Rep; do I have to buy ten books of the same author before I can post a review? SHE SAID YES!
(PS. I don’t think she understood what I said.) This makes no sense. I, as a writer, and I know others share my plight, we must fight to get our material out there.
Amazon is a dream come through for millions of writers.
If the rules have changed, shouldn’t the writers be notified? If this is an error.
Amazon needs to fix it NOW! Writers are having enough problems. Without us, Amazon cannot make money, writers or not. Can someone please explain this to me?
Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoyed it. Please support other writers if you can.
https://mediumauthor.com/@thisisanneliselords
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medium.com/illumination/interview-with-annelise-lords-421238e49b9f
