One to avoid? Amazon MP3

Nearly a year after they launched it in the USA, Amazon finally launched the UK version of their MP3 store at the start of December. When the store launched in the States it gained lots of press coverage thanks to the fact that a major retailer was selling DRM-free MP3s of mainstream music for the first time. Finally a contender to Apple’s iTunes had arrived and unlike most of iTunes’ stock, which has copy protection that limits the number of copies you can make and machines you can use it on, this one offered 100% unprotected MP3s.

Here in the UK we’ve had DRM-free music available online for a long time. Bleep.com was first, with a catalogue of mainly experimental electronic music although it has incorporated a wider range of indie label stock since then. eMusic offers indie, electronic and jazz music but you won’t find the music that most customers are looking for. No Girls Aloud or X Factor winners at Bleep or eMusic.

So, with its mainstream catalogue, you’d think that the UK launch of Amazon’s MP3 store would be met with relief and celebration by music fans but that’s not the impression I’ve been getting. This year has seen at least two digital music sites, Play.com and 7 Digital, start offering a mainstream catalogue of DRM-free MP3s this side of the Atlantic and both of them have a significant advantage over Amazon. Put it this way, if you like paying twice and then getting a refund a few days later Amazon is for you! Let me explain…

A couple of weeks ago I was DJing at a local bar and wanted to quickly download a couple of new tracks to add to my set. I thought I’d try Amazon’s MP3 store. There was no problem finding the tracks I wanted. I entered my payment details and clicked ‘Download’. Here’s where the problem began.

Pointless software

For some reason, Amazon feels the need to encourage you to use the Amazon MP3 Download Manager before you’re allowed to get your hands on the music you’ve just bought. Using the Download Manager is compulsory if you’re buying full releases, rather than individual tracks, as I was. Why? I’ve downloaded thousands of files over the past twelve years of internet usage and I’m perfectly capable of doing it without the help of some annoying software.

Anyway, once it was installed I tried downloading again. The usual ’save/open’ prompt appeared and without thinking I clicked ’save’ and then… nothing happened. The files didn’t start downloading.

Because I was using a download manager I should have clicked ‘open’ to allow the software to handle the MP3s. Because I was in a rush I missed Amazon’s warning about this and now I had a problem. The files hadn’t downloaded but Amazon reckoned I had them.

No second chances

At this point, if I was using Play.com or 7 Digital, I’d be able to visit a page where I could re-download any songs I’d already bought. They’re DRM free so there should be no limit on the number of times I download them, surely? Amazon don’t seem to agree. If you want to re-download you have to pay again.

Pay again I did. I was in a rush, remember, and I wanted to play the tracks during my DJ set. 3 tracks that should have cost around £2.50 ended up costing me twice that. Luckily, Amazon noticed the error and I got an automatic refund a few days later but the experience was enough to put me off Amazon for the time being, especially when there are better thought out alternatives on the market.

I’ve seen other people mention the same problem on Twitter, so I’m not alone. If Amazon wants our custom back it needs to ditch the unnecessary software and allow free re-downloading of MP3s we’ve bought. Until then, I’m sticking with the alternatives.