Audible has a rating of 1.3 stars from 575 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Audible most frequently mention customer service, credit card, and free trial problems. Audible ranks 75th among Audio Books sites.
This company does not typically respond to reviews
For the past six months I have struggled with Audible over issue that the Audible sync app does not see my MP3 player and so I cannot load books onto the player. This leaves only my phone for playing book and that is just not always convenient and it uses up battery. I have contacted Audible no less than 6 times asking about the resolution and sometimes I get a person who just reads through the screen script about try reloading the app, etc etc. All of which I have done countless times. Once I got a very nice woman who contacted tech department and then said there were lots of customers all having this problem. Assured me the tech department would be focused on fixing this fast. That was three months ago and not fixed yet. The last person suggested I buy a new player which would absolutely work with audible and amazon has them... probably just a coincidence, I am sure. So I like Audible and have hundreds of titles in my library but am I going to keep my account... not sure. WHY can't this be fixed or if it can't then send me a player that works for free.
Tip for consumers:
Your MP3 player might NOT work
Products used:
recorded books
Date of experience: July 19, 2022
Don't even care to open, they simply charge you.its a big scam did not expect this from Amazon.its simply consider you as subscribed and without notifying charge to the credit/debit card. Worst ever
Date of experience: January 7, 2019
Been using it for years. Huge book collection and great customer service. Only wish it could have an option to stream audiobooks for heavy listeners like me.
Date of experience: August 10, 2017
Completely unprofessional without my approval it auto enrolled me using my amazon.com credit card details and keep charging me! People beware of amazon they charge u unknowingly!
Date of experience: September 10, 2017
Hi Shank. We're sorry about the experience. We can help look into the charges. Email us at social-support@audible.com.^BF
I just re-opened my membership 3 months ago and bought another book. Sat down tonight (July 1) to start it and my ID info will NOT get me in. I (nor you) can contact them without logging in. They do NOT make any contact info available. PUT YOUR MONEY ELSEWHERE.
Date of experience: July 1, 2020
I was a member for many years until I ran into financial trouble and had to temporarily shut off my account. I read on here where people complained about it being nearly impossible to cancel your account, it is simple. You just go to their site and follow the instructions. If you can't then you are not paying attention. The price for the audio books without a credit are a bit high in my opinion but the value for the monthly membership with credits is well worth it. They also have an exchange process where if you get a book (has happened twice for me) where you are unhappy with the recording you can return the book for a credit and get something else instead. I returned a book because I could not stand the voice of the reader and another because it was evident during the first chapter that It was not a book I would enjoy after all. I don't know why people are giving bad reviews on the site or having difficulty downloading/playing the books. I have at least 50 books from Audible and have not experienced any of those problems myself. I am hoping to reactivate my account once my finances shape up a bit more.
Tip for consumers:
Read the pages so you know the steps involved in downloading, playing, returning and even cancelling your account. Someone took the time to write out the instructions so rather than get all frustrated, take the few minutes to read them over and you will see how easy the site and processes really are.
Date of experience: May 15, 2017
So Audible gave me a free trial of Audible for the second time to try out there new (to me) that includes a selection of books that are included with your membership in addition thee the one credit a month. Price is the same at $14.99. So I thought why not. Got my 2 free book plus my membership.
But there's a major problem. The rating system is completely rigged. Out of the three book I chose two were terrible. The third I have yet to start. In choosing my books I look at the overall rating. Sometimes I look at individual reviews but don't often want or have the time. Then it occurs to me that I had yet to see any reviews below 4.5 stars. Upon further exploration, I couldn't even find many 4 star rating. Not a single rating under 4 stars. Given the number of crap books on Audible that should be statically impossible.
This makes choosing books on reviews completely pointless and untrustworthy.
Didn't Amazon get sued before for false and fake reviews and lose? Audible need to be closely looked at as well.
Tip for consumers:
Okay if you want to use the trial. Just remember to cancel before it ends.
Products used:
Audiobooks only site.
Date of experience: January 27, 2022
Offered a free download if joined and wanted card details. Closed account within the 30 days and was still charged. Contacted Customer services twice and heard nothing from them and no refund.
Date of experience: April 7, 2013
Audible is fraudulent company operating under the name of Amazon. They charged my credit card for five months without my consent and returned only three months of it.
Date of experience: September 27, 2023
I received an email from Audible yesterday that unless I upgrade my Android OS, I will be unable to access any of the content I have purchased on that device.
Two problems.
1) They have no possible right to mandate what OS version I choose to use.
2) I'm already at the highest OS - so I'm fully expecting to be cut off - for no reason.
Given this - and my years of miserable experiences with the worst customer service I've ever encountered - I decided to simply download my library to my tablet, and be done.
First problem. Audible no longer allows me to download the books I'VE PURCHASED to an SD card. After 7 calls with incompetent - and in one case, extremely rude - customer services reps, I've decided I've had enough.
Second problem. The Audible app is all but useless. It generally takes 10-20 tries to start a download. About half of those are interrupted. And the download speed? About 7 hours to download 5 gigs of content.
I may lose some of the titles I'VE PURCHASED. But you know? It's worth it. There was a time when Audible was the only game in town. Happily, that's no longer the case. They have competition. And I'll give my business to companies that have at least a modicum of competency.
Date of experience: June 30, 2015
I signed up for a particular book to listen to. The audible site did not recognize my amazone site. On the Amazon site there was no audible transaction. When, after hours of downloading "Brothers Karamazow" I wanted to listen to the piece, they wanted me to identify again. But that did not work. I amdeeply frustrated and cannot recommend this type of misarable service.
Date of experience: September 10, 2018
I get it, pay for the audiobooks, but don't I should not have to pay to use the audio book player app, Also I do not want to support the ceo of Amazon due to this persons greedy and narcissistic views of the world and other silicon valley types
Date of experience: August 26, 2020
Csr asked the same questions over and over never listening to the information the 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd time given. Then on one question, she asked I politely began to answer it and she started totally talking over me while I was answering her question. I told her I wanted a supervisor. She was gone, probably put me on mute but I thought she was transferring me to a supervisor, she wasn't she came back on the line and asked that question for the 5th time the one she had spoken over me when I was answering it for the 4th time. I asked, where is the supervisor and she hung up on me.
Products used:
audible book
Date of experience: March 21, 2023
I was shocked when realise I wasted my money buying aax file from audible.
You cannot listen this file on a device of your choice. I was unable to activate a device i have - rca mp3 player using audible manager software. This software telling me that the RCA digital player is not connected when the file copied from pc to the device successfull.
By protecticting copyright rights Audible ignored my rights - I have paid for a book and want to listen it on a device of my choice.
Shame to me lost some bucks.
Before you buy a book from Audible, make sure you will be able to listen especially if you dont have an apple device.
Pavel Gouchtchine
Date of experience: March 8, 2019
They blocked my account for no reason. They require documents from the bank that this is really my bank card. All possible statements and documents were provided, but they are still not enough. They just stole my account and all the purchased books on it. Thank you.
DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS SERVICE AT ALL UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE ROBBED.
Products used:
Books and other stuff
Date of experience: April 27, 2023
I probably have over (100) Audible books. Often I try to listen to them in my car whilst I am driving. IF IF IF I can download it to my phone it will work reliably, but it is getting Audible to download to my devices (ie Phone (Samsung S21) and laptop (HP x360). Library will NOT refresh when asked online. It looks like from the reviews I am not alone. Customer Service is a joke. Platitudes do not get it.
Tip for consumers:
Carefully consider if it is worth the trouble rather than buying a CD/DVD
Products used:
Audible Book Streaming / Downloading
Date of experience: August 20, 2022
I can't get enough of this app. When I found the discovery and realized I could get books for free I have used the app every day. As a teacher, wife and Mother being able to escape for a little while is good for me and everyone around me. I LOVE TO READ, but didn't always have the time. Now I can listen while shopping, driving and even cleaning. What I think they need to change is in the Discovery section allow you to put in included in membership then pick genres. I get a little frustrated scrolling, finding a book then realizing it is not included. I use my 1 credit when I get it and done in couple of days. Have 27 days left and need to use free library- just wish that was easier to navigate. Other than that if a Prime member the cost is SO WORTH IT. One other quick note LOVE THE INFO WHEN CLICK ON BOOK it help me decide if I want it or not easily. If you love to read and don't have time this app is a must!
Date of experience: June 5, 2022
I have been a customer of audible for 3 or more years and for the most part have been happy with it, with the exception of it being a little costly. I recently decided to cancel my subscription due to needing to tighten my finances with the pandemic. I had 6 credits that I paid for and did not "spend" prior to canceling, but felt my credits would be safe after cancellation because one other time I canceled my credits stayed and I could use them after cancellation. Not this time! The 6 credits that I paid for, $89 worth of books is gone! I had considered joining again once things settled down, NOT NOW! I am soooo disappointed with Amazon audible! Jeff Bezos makes more money than all but one other person in the United States. Guess this is one of the reasons why!
Date of experience: January 9, 2021
Don't sign up for this. They continue to take money even after canceling. To this day have to go to the bank and refresh the stop payment. I filled out the cancelation months ago and they still continue to try and take take the money. I even have the email confirmation that I canceled.
Date of experience: March 20, 2022
I signed up for the 30-day free trial on Dec. 15,2022. When I canceled on Jan. 15,2023 I was charged for an additional month@ $14.95, saying my membership would end on Feb. 14th, 2023. I called to contest this and was told that Dec. 14th was the 30th day, not the 15th. Technically this is correct, but in my experience with 30-day trials they are from the same day you sign up to the following month of that same day...so 15th to the 15th, as an example. Amazon/Audible refused to budge on this, stating I used my monthly free credit. Mind you...you are paying $14.95 for 1 free credit per month! An absolute ripoff in my opinion. Don't waste your time on this overpriced service and use your local library.
Tip for consumers:
Don't waste you money on this service. Use your local library instead.
Products used:
Audible by Amazon
Date of experience: January 18, 2023
Seems like I signed up for audible free trial in August and I was automatically signed up for audiobooks because I have a charge on the same day September 29,2018 and throughout that time until January I have charges between audiobooks and audible so though they seem to be separate companies They both charge my bank account though I only signed up for audible. I have written a letter I should say email and requested all charges from September to January be refunded in full including an overdraft fee in January. Never again.
Date of experience: February 5, 2019
I spend all my time listening to audiobooks, so in spite of my negative experience I decided to renew my membership. After all, Audible now claims that books can be returned for a whole year after purchase.
It is August 2,2021 and, for the first time, I went to my purchase history to return a book. Today I discovered that none of the books I've bought IN THE LAST FIVE DAYS are ELIGIBLE for return!
I usually buy audiobooks from Apple. The few times I've submitted a request for a return I have done so as soon as possible and I have received a refund each time.
Tip for consumers:
Don't believe anything Audible claims. It may not apply to your purchases.
Products used:
Audiobooks
Date of experience: August 2, 2021
In addition to lying about the list price of their audiobooks, your monthly fee buys you one book worth, pretty much, the same as the fee. An extremely over-priced service--which is what one would expect from a company that is pretty much a monopoly.
I am currently a member because when I cancelled after my one month free trial, they offered me a year-long subscription for $95 plus 11 credits.
One positive thing--I've been able to return audiobooks when I realized I didn't like the narrator or got a book I don't like.
Date of experience: August 18, 2020
WARNING DO NOT GIVE THEM CARD DETAILES, THEY WILL STEAL FROM YOU, AMAZON HAVE SET UP AUDIBLE TO UNLAWFULLY TAKE YOU MONEY FOR NOTHING, READ REVIEWS ON DIFFERENT PLATFORMS ALL SAY THE SAME THING FILTHY ROBBERS
Tip for consumers:
JUST DONT GIVE CARD DETAIL ,YOU WILL HAVE MONEY TAKEN
Products used:
None
Date of experience: May 16, 2021
Signed up for the free 14 days trial. But then charged me for a gold memership when i tried to use my 1 free credit. Customer service was terrible and so slow...
Date of experience: March 7, 2018
Try Audible membership free for 30 days and get your first audiobook on us: www.audible.com/facebook Want to hear more? Follow us on Twitter and Instagram@audible_com
If you're a Prime member in the US, you have the option to stream content, including select audiobooks, in Audible Channels. Learn more here: http :// audible. Custhelp. Com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8484/kw/audiobook%20channels.^WW