Okay, So What’s the Catch? (Spoiler: There isn’t really one)
Look, I’ve seen a lot of “deals” in my fifteen years of slogging through press releases and promo emails. Most of them are… fine. They’re okay. Like, “Oh, ten percent off if you buy two things you didn’t even want.” Or “Sign up for a year and get a free trial of something you’ll forget to cancel.” But this Audible thing? This is different. This is the kind of deal that makes you stop scrolling and actually squint at your screen.
It’s pretty straightforward, actually. Amazon’s doing it again – throwing money at you to get you hooked. For new subscribers, or if you’re one of those folks who tried Audible ages ago and then bailed (which, hey, no judgment, life gets busy), you can snag three months of Audible Premium Plus for just a grand total of three dollars. Not three dollars per month. Three dollars total. For the whole shebang. That’s a whopping 90-plus percent off the usual price. I mean, who doesn’t like saving money? And this is some serious saving.
What’s “Premium Plus” Even Mean?
Alright, good question. Because Amazon loves to complicate things with their naming conventions, right? Basically, Premium Plus gets you a credit every month to pick any audiobook you want from their “premium selection” – think the big bestsellers, the new releases, all the stuff you actually want to listen to. And you keep that book forever, even if you cancel your subscription later. Plus, you get unlimited access to the “Plus Catalog,” which is this massive, rotating library of thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals. So, you’re not just getting one book a month; you’re getting one premium pick and all-you-can-listen access to a ton of other stuff. It’s a pretty sweet deal if you’re into audiobooks, or even just curious about them. And if you’re not, well, maybe you should be.
But Seriously, Why Now? And Why So Cheap?
That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Or, in this case, the three-dollar question. Amazon, bless their giant, all-consuming heart, doesn’t do anything without a reason. And usually, that reason involves getting you deeper into their ecosystem.
“It’s not charity, folks. It’s a calculated move to turn a curious listener into a loyal customer. And honestly, it’s pretty smart.”
They know a good chunk of people who try it for three months will probably stick around. Maybe they’ll forget to cancel. Or maybe, just maybe, they’ll fall in love with audiobooks. Because that’s the thing with audiobooks – once you get into them, they kinda change your life. Suddenly, your commute isn’t just traffic; it’s story time. Doing dishes? Nope, you’re solving a murder mystery. Walking the dog? You’re learning about the Roman Empire. It’s a gateway drug, basically. And Amazon is slinging it for next to nothing.
The Long Game and Your Brain
So, here’s what’s actually happening. Amazon isn’t worried about losing a few bucks on three months of service. They’re playing the long game. They want your attention. They want your habits. They want you to integrate Audible into your daily routine. Because once you’re listening regularly, once you’ve got a backlog of books you want to hear, that monthly subscription fee (which will jump to the usual $14.95 after the three months are up, don’t you forget it) starts to feel less like an expense and more like… well, just part of your life. Like Netflix, or Spotify. It just is.
And honestly, for three dollars, it’s a fantastic way to try it out without any real financial commitment. Think about it. You get three full-length premium audiobooks (one each month), plus access to a whole library of other stuff, for less than the price of a single paperback. It’s almost irresponsible not to try it if you’ve ever had even a passing thought about audiobooks.
What This Actually Means
Okay, so here’s my honest take. If you’ve been on the fence about audiobooks, or you’re looking for a new way to consume content that doesn’t involve staring at another screen, this is your shot. This is a no-brainer. Go get it. Seriously. The Engadget article points you right there, so no excuses.
But, and this is a big “but” with Amazon, remember to mark your calendar. Set a reminder. Put a sticky note on your forehead. Because after those three glorious, dollar-a-month months are up, that price will jump to the standard monthly fee. If you’re loving it, great! Keep it going. If you’ve listened to your three books and decided audio isn’t your jam, or you just don’t have the time, then cancel. It’s easy enough to do. Don’t let Amazon quietly auto-renew you into oblivion. That’s their real play, after all. Get you in cheap, hope you forget to leave. But for three dollars? For three whole months of stories, knowledge, and entertainment? That’s a gamble I’m willing to take. And you probably should too. Just… remember that calendar.
