Audio Book Rentals

Audio book sales are up and are expected to continue to rise. The public is discovering audio books as a great multitasking tool. Pop in an audio book and learn about gardening, auto repair, Spanish, American History or hear the latest novel by your favorite author- all while getting the housework done or driving the children to soccer practice. Many public libraries now offer a selection of audio books free of charge. The local library’s selections may quickly become exhausted or they may not carry any titles by a particular author. There may also be a waiting list to borrow the newest best selling releases. These factors have contributed to the development of audio book rental companies.

Which Companies are Available Online?

America’s preference for online shopping has resulted in a multitude of online shops. More are added every day and it can become confusing to try and navigate through the sea of businesses who offer products to consumers. Who has the best price? Which companies are trustworthy? Who has the best quality product? These questions and more can bog down the consumer in the quagmire of promotional advertisements and promises. Several web sites are available to help the online shopper sort through the maze. Amazon, bizrate, cNet, price grabber, nex tag and shopping.com offer price comparisons and reviews by other customers. They can also provide links to informational articles related to the product of interest.

Some popular audio book rental companies are: simplyaudiobooks.com, sounds good, talking book world, audiobookworld.com, audio adventures and audio Bible. The use of your preferred search engine will also return many more options. Most audio book rental companies are similar, so choosing a company may come down to the proximity of the business to your home, the number of selections available or the availability of the staff for help if needed..

The Good

The perks of audio book rentals are the ease of use, affordability, wide selections, and you can shop in your underwear at two am if the mood strikes you. Most companies put your selections in the mail and you simply return them when the specified time allowance is up. Some companies allow you to keep a limited number of selections as long as you want but you must return these items before choosing new titles to be sent out.

The Bad

The drawbacks to audio book rentals are possible late fees, possible technical difficulties with the web site and paying the monthly fee even if you have made no selections for a period of time. You must use the service regularly to get your money’s worth. Reading the terms of service and making sure you understand how the process works is vital to a good audio book rental experience. Check the company’s web site for frequently asked questions or utilize the help desk to clarify any lingering questions.

The Ugly

There are risks to shopping online. Identity theft, unknown companies, technical problems, computer and server crashes and the lack of personal interaction all pose potential disasters for the online audio book renter. You can minimize these risks by doing some research on safe internet shopping practices and researching a company before doing business with them.

Audio book rental can be a rewarding experience for the busy book lover but it takes a little caution and research to protect your shopping experience from the thieves of discontent and disappointment.