tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903848080840259127.post1360131123524174251..comments2024-02-16T14:10:12.166+08:00Comments on Bibliophile Stalker: Essay: Should eBooks be Cheaper than Print?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903848080840259127.post-56157617095095240112011-12-16T01:17:32.637+08:002011-12-16T01:17:32.637+08:00This industry is going the same direction that the...This industry is going the same direction that the real estate industry is...<br /><br />A realtor serves virtually no purpose, and certainly no longer merits 6% or more of the sales price when all the information is available online and a real estate attorney can do the paperwork for $500.<br /><br />Similarly, the publisher is no longer relevant for printing, if the distribution is electronic. It will eventually be an electronic forum with the author recouping 75%+ of the sales cost through direct distribution a la Apple App Store, or Amazon e-delivery.<br /><br />Technology cuts out the parasitic middle-men. There is no rational argument for why e-books cost as much or more than e-delivery.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903848080840259127.post-19922516578948951482011-06-19T13:32:58.469+08:002011-06-19T13:32:58.469+08:00""""I don't care" or ...""""I don't care" or "I just won't", what they really mean is "I'm attached to the tactile element of print and I'm willing to pay a premium price for it." That's why no matter how much logic publishers and critics might throw at readers (see my previous paragraphs for example), a lot of consumers won't budge because they're reacting from gut feelings."""""<br /><br />It's not just the tactile element but the permanence element. My family has over the years lost many books (we like and collect or hoard them) through moving, flooding and even fire. But in spite of these set backs between us we have quite a lot of books, some of which were salvaged from disaster. On the other hand when it comes to things electronic or computer well I can't even begin to count how many devices have failed, how many "things" have been lost because of it and all of them are just gone, no salvaging possible. Any ebook collection is subject to the same whims of hardware and malicious software that any computer is subject to, not to mention a "recall" like the 1984 situation with Amazon. Having all of your books open to the world requires more maintenance than is required to keep a print version safe and available. And the collection is available to member of the household or friends with out depriving anyone access to what's available.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903848080840259127.post-79343102282859052162011-04-28T22:03:27.454+08:002011-04-28T22:03:27.454+08:00Nessa:
And if what you say about the difference i...<b>Nessa:</b><br /><br /><i>And if what you say about the difference in savings for an ebook compared to a paperback is not that significant shouldn't the price differ slightly.</i><br /><br />I wouldn't say should. The only law in any business is that you sell a product at a price you can get away with. As a consumer, sure, I think an eBook should be slightly cheaper than its print equivalent. But how much that is varies (and some will measure it using a scientific and empirical formula, while others will rely on gut feel). But production cost is only one part of the equation. If you get more utility from something for example, then shouldn't you charge more for it?<br /><br /><i>I also do not think you adequately explained why the price of ebooks do not normally decrease after time.</i><br /><br />I didn't explain it because that's an entirely different subject matter and can be quite lengthy. Just bear in mind that a) eBooks as a profitable business is still relatively new, b) some eBooks ARE being discounted over time, and c) why should the publisher reduce the price? Lower price for example means lower royalties--you don't expect a pay cut five years into your job (in fact, you expect a raise). Price reduction in print books is usually "damage control" (i.e. unsold stock), and not exactly the most progressive tool.<br /><br /><i>Shouldn't the profits already have been maintained?</i><br /><br />That's a big assumption. It could also have been a total failure and the publisher is just attempting to recoup whatever expenses they have.Charleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02773038335190893557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903848080840259127.post-36965209177709489242011-04-28T21:19:53.775+08:002011-04-28T21:19:53.775+08:00I understand everything that you have said about d...I understand everything that you have said about different cost for different books. <br /><br />And if what you say about the difference in savings for an ebook compared to a paperback is not that significant shouldn't the price differ slightly. If the publishing saves 50 cents it should be reflected in the cost of the ebook.<br /><br />I also do not think you adequately explained why the price of ebooks do not normally decrease after time. For example, If I try to purchase a book in a series that came out 5 years ago it is the same price as if it were new. Shouldn't the profits already have been maintained? Are the publishers/authors just being greedy?Nessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348680981395130599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903848080840259127.post-1871812954870178292011-03-21T10:47:01.107+08:002011-03-21T10:47:01.107+08:00No offense Che, but if you're citing video gam...No offense Che, but if you're citing video games, then you missed the point of the analogy.<br /><br />(I'd also like to argue that not all video games costs $100 million, and some books do cost a lot to produce, whether it's marketing or the advance. There is also the magnitude in the price [i.e. $75.00 for a video game vs. $30.00 for a a hardcover]. But at the end of the day, it's not really a cost of production vs. final price argument; not all books or video games cost the same to produce, nor are they all priced identically.)<br /><br />While there is some savings for an electronic publisher--such as not paying for ink/paper--the difference is not that significant.<br /><br />Also, arbitrary time ("2 years ago") and arbitrary amount ($4.99~$5.99) is a good example of "gut feeling" without understanding the industry. I'm not saying that's not a fair price, but if I were the publisher, I'd be asking if I already had a return on my investment in 2 years time, and what would be the optimal price to sell the book and still maintain my profits.Charleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02773038335190893557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903848080840259127.post-22833913468443836012011-03-21T10:18:33.240+08:002011-03-21T10:18:33.240+08:00I have to say personally I will not buy an e-book ...I have to say personally I will not buy an e-book at over $9.99 and it does have to do with the fact it isn't a physical entity.<br /><br />Video games cost as much as they do because HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of dollars go into making them and I doubt that any single book takes $100mil to acquire, edit, copy edit, and promote.<br /><br />Specialized books cost more of course, like text books and those will no doubt stay high even in e-book form. <br /><br />But for a mass market book that came out 2 years ago I think $4.99-$5.99 from a major publisher is an ok price. And as e-books catch on I do believe publishers will see a savings in regards to printing, paper purchases, freight distribution etc. And that savings should be passed on to the consumer.Che Gilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01143475504520189361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903848080840259127.post-22672437791249859472011-03-21T09:33:25.804+08:002011-03-21T09:33:25.804+08:00My apologies Jennifer. It's my mistake and it&...My apologies Jennifer. It's my mistake and it's been corrected now. #mybrainfailCharleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02773038335190893557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903848080840259127.post-62601692589696330162011-03-21T09:30:48.030+08:002011-03-21T09:30:48.030+08:00Quick correction. Zoe Winters doesn't have e-b...Quick correction. Zoe Winters doesn't have e-books at the three price points you mentioned. I do. I own that site, and you read that in the introduction to my interview with Zoe. ;)Jennifer Matternhttp://allfreelancewriting.comnoreply@blogger.com