I’m a bit confused:
1. As far as I’m aware, Audible books play on the Clip players; I’ve played them on my players just fine before.
And I just checked, and an Audible audiobook plays just fine on each of my original Clip and my Clip Zip.
If Audible is telling you something different, the rep. is wrong.
Right now, there is a glitch in using, with at least the new Clip Zip player, the Audible Manager software on a PC to transfer an Audible audiobook file from the PC to the player, but the file simply can be transferred using good old copy and paste from where the file is stored on one’s computer to the player; Windows Media Player (at least WMP 11) can be used as well. (Before doing this, your player still needs to be activated using the Audible Manager or Audible Download Manager.)
Perhaps that’s an issue you’re having? And perhaps the above method will work for you.
And an update: I just checked and I also was able to play an Audible audiobook file on my Clip+. I did have the Audible file transfer issue mentioned above, using Audible Manager. And so I simply copy and pasted my Audible book from my computer to my player–in fact, easier than firing up and using the Audible Manager.
2. The cost of conversion software? iTunes (both Mac and PC) can be used to burn Audible content, and is free. Here’s a link to Audible burning info. http://audible.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1979
Keep us advised.
