Critics slam Google's video reversal
Days after a study showed that consumers are unhappy with the quality and value behind video downloads, Google (GOOG) gave them further cause for grumpiness: The company announced that it will shut down its video purchase and rental service, a move that will keep consumers from accessing videos they have already purchased.
An excerpt from the e-mail Google sent to users:
As a valued Google user, we’re contacting you with some important information about the videos you’ve purchased or rented from Google Video. In an effort to improve all Google services, we will no longer offer the ability to buy or rent videos for download from Google Video, ending the DTO/DTR (download-to-own/rent) program. This change will be effective August 15, 2007.
The move drew immediate criticism from Google watchers. "It's a mistake not to fully refund every dollar in video purchases," said Michael Arrington at TechCrunch. "Users are going to be hesitant to try out Google services in the future
if they can't believe that something they are buying is really theirs to keep." Also, David Card at JupiterResearch: "We've seen a physical format-device combo go out of manufacture before — wax cylinders, 8-tracks. But can you think of any consumer-purchased medium that actually becomes unusable while there are players that still work? Ouch. … Not a great way to build consumer confidence, guys."
A Parks Associates survey released last week showed that consumers gave low ratings to online video download services, including those from (AAPL) Amazon (AMZN) and Netflix (NFLX). It wasn't just the price that turned people off; even those who pirated videos were unhappy with the quality.
Of course, now that I think about it, they probably worded their TOS in such a way to make it a "too bad, so sad" case if they later decided to pull their video service. Like the earlier poster, I didn't use that service, so I am unharmed too (I'm a Netflix-er)… But I know I'll avoid such services in the future, just because this sort of thing can happen.
Ah, ya, Yello Pgs is much worse… However, Google simple MUST do more against click fraud – especially in their content network.
But back to the subject at hand – preventing people from using/viewing products they've paid for (without at least a full refund) is nothing less than THEFT.
I smell a "class action" in the making, if they don't stop being evil.
I spend $500 – $1000 per month on google adwords. It is by far the best advertising value my money can buy. You guys should be ranting against the yellow pages if you want to talk about wasted advertising money.
Google is big, good luck talking to anyone there, but I have found support regarding services I pay for to be just fine.
Google is one of the biggest "pull the wool over your eyes" companies I have ever seen. I cannot believe for a second that their stock is sooooo highly valued. I wish people actually knew what they did and that some other search engine will come along down the road and do the same thing. "But its their sales/hit/marketing thing that drives revenue…"…let me tell you, I have NEVER once looked or clicked an ad on Google and neither have millions I'm sure. They are definitely fooling everyone. Unless you have a real product, I'm not going to invest in something I cannot touch.
We paid Google for ads too, they charged us a small fortune (for a small business) for supposedly 1000's of clicks.. but we checked our web logs to find no increase in traffic. No logs from google, no way to get them to investigate. They may deal correctly with the other big companies, but for the small business or individual users, they are just a major scam artist.
I just looked for an obvious way to "contact" Google to complain about this. But I didn't find a way to accomplish this simple task.
I've not purchased any Google Video product(s) so I am not harmed. But as a consumer who's lived with the revolving door of various media formats (which require us to re-purchase the sames old things over an over in a newer format), I'm just tired of this obvious racket. I would like to think that if I'm buying a digital copy of something, that I can own and enjoy it for the rest of my life (for once!) Do No Evil, Google? WTF?
Regular DVD's are fine for me. I don't need Super Duper High Res DVD's or a DVD Blue-Laser Quality or any other new format.
I'm still going to use Google as my search engine, but am I the only person who NEVER clicks on any Google ads (ever?).
Note to Apple: Please never allow the 18 songs or 1 movie download I've purchased from iTunes Store to become obsolete, or I'll get really mad. Fake Steve Jobs will catch hell from me!!!
And while I'm on this crazy rant I'll send some venom to George Lucas…stop repackaging the Star Wars movies over and over….Go make some newer and better movies than ever before.
Now, I feel better. Thank you for your attention.
Google is just a multi-billion dollar scam shop. I signed up for adwords, paid them to run my ad, submitted my ad, they started running my ad. Then the arbitrarily stopped running my ad citing a violation of their policy. I'm not in violation but they are ignorant and there is no appeal.
So I asked for a refund. They refused. They want to be paid the signup fee, and the fee for any ad clicks. Thats right they want to be paid for ads that violate their policy.
I wanted a refund and to cancel my account, I can advertise elsewhere. But they decided to cancel my ad and keep my cash.
My advice: http://www.yahoo.com
The hell with dowloading… I just rent n record with my iRecord (www.irecord.com) =D… no worries n no fees… n how I hear they are coming out with an Pro version that will allow you to record PERFECT DVD quality in Oct/Nov… cant wait for that