Last night I picked out and downloaded a few songs from Amazon MP3 using their handy Android app. Typically, I’ll “purchase” (I’m using quotes because sometimes these songs are free and sometimes they’re not, but Amazon always refers to it as “buying”) songs in this way and then download them later when I’m at the computer where I want them. Lately, I’ve been working up to moving all my music in an MP3Tunes locker, where I will be able to sync and access my music library from anywhere.
Today I discovered that Amazon is adding new features to their Your Media Library site – which is where all digital items you’ve purchased from them (including MP3s) are maintained. In the past, this is where I’ve gone to download the files for the songs that I’ve purchased.
Only now I can’t.
That functionality – the ability to download the songs you’ve purchased from Amazon – appears to have disappeared. To be fair, it might just be a bug introduced by their current redesign effort, but at the moment I am Not A Happy Camper. Here’s the feedback I sent them:
I am very upset about recent changes to the Your Media Library site. Specifically, I am frustrated at the loss of the ability to download the songs I’ve purchased. Downloading my songs (to a different computer, for example) is the only reason I come to the Media Library, yet this new version appears to have removed that functionality entirely.
I have followed the instructions listed here for downloading my songs:
but I cannot perform step #5. There is no “download link”. Each song listed has only the following:
* The song title links to the standard Amazon purchase page.
* The last column displays either
- a “Buy <song name>” link, or
- the unclickable text “Already downloaded”NOTE: The “Buy” link is also what appears for songs I’ve purchased, but have not yet downloaded to a PC.
I’ve installed the MP3 Downloader, but that only seems to apply to new purchase downloads. I’ve also been poring over the site all day trying to find some other way to download my songs.
I appreciate your efforts to introduce some social aspects to purchasing music through Amazon, but a service that doesn’t allow me to [re-]download the content I’ve paid for is pretty much worthless.
Please fix this.
Thank you,
- Shawn
Now… I wait.
UPDATE 9/10/2010: Amazon’s response (I’ve added the emphasis):
Hello from Amazon.com.
Amazon MP3 files are only available for download at the time of purchase. We display information about the items you’ve purchased from the Amazon MP3 Music Downloads store in Your Media Library so you can keep track of what you’ve bought and find similar items that may be available. However, the files aren’t stored there and can’t be downloaded again after purchase.
Because you can only download an MP3 file once upon purchase, we encourage you to make back-up copies of your MP3 Music files to ensure you will always have access.
However, I’ve passed your feedback along to the Amazon MP3 Music team.
It is always important for us to hear how customers react to all aspects of shopping at Amazon.com. Strong customer feedback like yours helps us continue to improve the selection and service we provide, and we appreciate the time you took to write to us.
We hope to see you again soon.
I’ll give them points for being responsive to customer feedback, but I’m still unhappy about this change. Buyer beware.
