Surprisingly, this is actually my first "rant" of 2005. I am completely frustrated with Real Networks new Rhapsody subscription, "Rhapsody to Go."
On April 26th, Real Networks announced Rhapsody 3.0 and a new subscription tiers. So I upgraded to Rhapsody to Go. This subscription is $14.99 per month, and is supposed to allow you to download all the music you want to your portable device. Take a look at their help documentation here.
The device I am transferring to is my IPod Shuffle which is supported (http://music.guide.real.com/rhapsodydevices). Here is my problem: every time I try to transfer music to my portable device, I get prompted to pay 89 cents for each song that I want to transfer.
So I emailed customer support twice, then finally called (to get a phone number, you have to try to cancel your subscription from within Rhapsody). They told me that anytime I want to transfer music I have to pay 89 cents regardless of the "To Go" subscription that I have. This in complete contradiction to what they are advertising with their subscription service. Quite frankly, I am in disbelief. This seems to me like false advertising, pure and simple.
[Update (thanks to Brandon Paddock) : It seems that I, along with the Rhapsody customer service reps missed the little bit of info :
Basic: Plays simple MP3, WMA, AAC etc.
Download: Plays all of the above, PLUS secure music purchased from Rhapsody
Subscription: Plays all of the above, PLUS subscription downloads from Rhapsody To Go
I wish this was posted in a more conspicuous place]
This is the first paragraph from this help file:
"A portable player or device allows you to take your local music with you wherever you go. But with a the appropriate Rhapsody subscription, you can download and transfer thousands of Rhapsody subscription tracks, at no additional cost beyond your subscription rates. Much of the vast Rhapsody Music Guide library is yours to put in your pocket and take with you anywhere."
This is from their advertisement from their site:
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Unlimited access to over 1 million songs
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Unlimited transfers to your portable devices
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Unlimited pre-programmed and custom radio
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Effortless music playback and discovery
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Personalized music recommendations
These statements clearly state that I do not have to pay for each song. What part of "no additional cost" includes 89 cents per track? What part of "Unlimited transfers to your portable devices" includes 89 cents per track?
I have since cancelled my Rhapsody subscription, and I will purchase one or two albums from ITunes a month from now on.
--Mark