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Old 09-11-2010, 06:07 AM   #1
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WH Smith - geo-restrictions circumvented
The new WH Smith e-book store is part of the regular WH Smith website.
It seems like the new store is completely seperate from the old one. I had to register a new account.
I was hoping that geo-restrictions at the new store would be less severe than those at the old one.

There are no geo-restictons mentioned in the e-book information. I first registered my account with my Dutch address and bought some books that are UK only in the old store. I could not proceed to the payment page without supplying a UK address.
Than I registered my account with a UK address. Bought the same books again. Now I could proceed to the payment page. I used the UK address with my Dutch credit card. Payment accepted. Received order confirmation by e-mail.
After waiting a few minutes the download button was available for the books in my account. Downloading went without a problem.

So for the moment it seems using a UK address registering your account and as billing address for your credit card is enough to circumvent geo-restrictions.
There seems to be no IP-address check, and no verification of the credit card billing address.
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Old 09-11-2010, 07:46 AM   #2
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Old 09-11-2010, 01:58 PM   #3
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Old 09-11-2010, 02:02 PM   #4
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answer already given. "please" would have been nice though...
Last edited by aceflor; 09-11-2010 at 02:04 PM. Reason: Saw that geertm was gracious enough.
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Old 09-11-2010, 02:16 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by geertm View Post
I was hoping that geo-restrictions at the new store would be less severe than those at the old one.
Just to be completely accurate, it's not the store that imposes the restrictions; it's the publisher.

The fact that you could circumvent the restrictions points to inefficiency or incompetence on the part of Smiths in enforcing the restrictions - not any loosening of the restrictions. Take advantage of that while you can. They'll probably fix it once the publishers start to complain.
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Old 09-11-2010, 02:31 PM   #6
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I wonder if Overdrive is still "powering" their ebook store.
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Old 09-11-2010, 04:48 PM   #7
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If Mike is right, they may "fix" the "problem".

You'll need someway to protect your purchases from future loss.

As we all know, when you buy a DRM ebook all you have is the right to read it. And even that right may be, and has in the past has been, taken away. Never mind that you're paying the same price as you would to actually buy a paper copy.

Some of the books that I've wanted from the UK are now legally available here in the US. I truly hope things may improve in Europe and the rest of the world.

Good luck and best wishes.
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Old 09-11-2010, 04:48 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Mike L View Post
Just to be completely accurate, it's not the store that imposes the restrictions; it's the publisher.

The fact that you could circumvent the restrictions points to inefficiency or incompetence on the part of Smiths in enforcing the restrictions - not any loosening of the restrictions. Take advantage of that while you can. They'll probably fix it once the publishers start to complain.
I know the publisher imposes the restrictions.
The restrictions of the old store could not be circumvented because the credit card billing address was verified.
I justed wanted to let people know that for the moment (because of the new store) it is possible to circumvent the restrictions.
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Old 09-11-2010, 05:16 PM   #9
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answer already given. "please" would have been nice though...
It wasn't and it would. I was on my way out however so in too much of a hurry. From the OP I got the impression that a new store implied a new URL.
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Old 09-11-2010, 09:29 PM   #10
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Took a quick scan through their site and the prices seem to have increased. I thought they had matched Amazon's prices more closely.

Also, dont see any mention of Overdrive. That may account for the changes.
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Old 09-12-2010, 08:21 AM   #11
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Took a quick scan through their site and the prices seem to have increased. I thought they had matched Amazon's prices more closely.
They recently had a half-price sale. That's now ended, though.
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