I signed up about three weeks ago for a BusinessWeek digital subscription. I have been a print subscriber in the past, but decided that I would prefer to receive on the iPad. When I subscribed the only option to receive BusinessWeek digitally was as Zinio eBook.
I see ebooks especially magazines as a hybrid option between print and digital. The extended functionality that digital offers, whether web or app, is typically lost except for rudimentary linking in an ebook.
Yesterday, BusinessWeek released a dedicated iPad app. I immediately downloaded it and discovered that I didn’t have rights to access it. Very disappointed. I contacted BusinessWeek’s subscription department asking to switch my Zinio subscription to the dedicated iPad app. I assumed this wouldn’t be an issue as just wanted my to access through a different reader – dedicated vs. open.
I received the following reply this morning:
We are unable to transfer your subscription.
Bloomberg Businessweek paid print subscribers may register at no additional cost for the iPad app. Unfortunately, we are not yet able to offer this option with a digital subscription.
To receive Bloomberg Businessweek through our iPad app, you will need to place an order for a print subscription or you may purchase a monthly subscription through the iPad app at $2.99 per month.
You may request a refund from Zinio for your digital only subscription.
Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.
I am assuming that BusinessWeek can’t switch my subscription because the new iPad app is using Apple’s subscription service and Apple needs to get their 30%. Another factor can be that Zinio is handling the subscription ordering and fulfilling for BusinessWeek via their eBook.
I am going to contact Zinio to get a refund on the ebook subscription and sign up for an iPad subscription. Should be cheaper by approximately $10 as paid $46 for the Zinio subscription.
