magz811
Junior Member
Posts: 94
Jul 8, 2014 18:51:11 GMT
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Post by magz811 on Mar 17, 2016 16:59:57 GMT
I've been out of the book-buying scene for a while as I was trying to work my way through the books I own (see my signature lol). Since I'm working on the last book in my collection (The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant - love it so far), I've become quite irritated at the pricing of books. First world problem, I know. Here's a perfect example: Miss Peregrine's Home on AmazonTo get the Kindle version is almost as much as purchasing the hardcover. If I were to go to Barnes & Noble and purchase it (in the store, not online), it would be the same as the ebook. I understand the convenience of the Kindle, why don't I just get the physical book and then donate it or pass it on when I'm done? Is convenience really worth twice the price?
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Mar 17, 2016 17:07:07 GMT
I don't understand why the price of ebooks is not much lower than the print copy. If I buy a traditional book, someone had to print it, ship it, store it, etc. And I can pass it on to someone else, making the copies of books sold potentially less. If I buy an ebook, it is delivered electronically with no additional costs. So why are they not always significantly cheaper?
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grinningcat
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,663
Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Mar 17, 2016 17:11:12 GMT
You aren't paying for the method of delivery, you're paying for the message. Regardless if it's delivered on bound paper or electronically, it still has a value for the content of the book. Which should definitely be compensated well.
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MsKnit
Pearl Clutcher
RefuPea #1406
Posts: 2,648
Jun 26, 2014 19:06:42 GMT
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Post by MsKnit on Mar 17, 2016 17:12:12 GMT
I've been out of the book-buying scene for a while as I was trying to work my way through the books I own (see my signature lol). Since I'm working on the last book in my collection (The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant - love it so far), I've become quite irritated at the pricing of books. First world problem, I know. Here's a perfect example: Miss Peregrine's Home on AmazonTo get the Kindle version is almost as much as purchasing the hardcover. If I were to go to Barnes & Noble and purchase it (in the store, not online), it would be the same as the ebook. I understand the convenience of the Kindle, why don't I just get the physical book and then donate it or pass it on when I'm done? Is convenience really worth twice the price? In that instance, I would buy the paperback. I enjoyed that series. Sometimes, the convenience is worth the extra cost though. Particularly when you need to know what happened NOW. Not in 2 days or 4 days, if you buy it on Saturday. LOL!
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marianne
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys. . . My monkeys fly!
Posts: 4,176
Location: right smack dab in the middle of SC
Site Supporter
Jun 25, 2014 21:08:26 GMT
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Post by marianne on Mar 17, 2016 17:18:18 GMT
I couldn't agree more! It irritates me to death and as much as I love my Kindle, I refuse to pay the exorbitant prices being charged (which I believe is dictated by the publishers.) I've been using my library more frequently for e-books and get a bunch of freebies from Bookbub. Once and awhle I'll cave and pay for a more popular title or a favorite author, but generally not. eta: oh, and before I started having eye issues, I was getting used paperbacks from Amazon... much cheaper and I could still keep up with my favorites.
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Post by annabella on Mar 17, 2016 17:25:23 GMT
I tried to read that book a year ago but couldn't get into it and decided to just wait for the movie. I saw a clip of it yesterday and it looks awesome! Maybe that's why there are no discounts on the book because they know it's popular now. I now get all my kindle books from the library.
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Mar 17, 2016 17:32:16 GMT
I buy kindle books once in a while. If the library doesn't have it. But mostly I get Eboooks from the library. Make sure you look into that option. It saves a ton of money and you can put books on hold if there's a wait list.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 22:19:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2016 17:34:39 GMT
You aren't paying for the method of delivery, you're paying for the message. Regardless if it's delivered on bound paper or electronically, it still has a value for the content of the book. Which should definitely be compensated well. The actual production of a bound book and its distribution is a relatively small portion of the cost of a printed book. The marketing costs, author compensation, publisher profit, bookseller profit, etc. all have to be figured in and don't change that much between ebooks and printed books. NYT did an article on it (a while ago)
Here's a little summary chart
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,012
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Mar 17, 2016 17:39:19 GMT
Here in the UK, electronic books are subject to tax unlike published books. My own rule is I will pay the price of a coffee and cake for a Kindle book. My logic is that if Amazon shut down tomorrow I have only invested price of lots of coffees and cakes which would also be gone. Dearer than that I will look to buy a paperback. I also buy reference books as usually you are paying for fab photos, quality paper etc. My current first world problem is that one author I like only publishes Kindle books so if I want to read the next novel I have to pay. Luckily, so far, the price is in line with coffee and cake.
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Post by Scrapper100 on Mar 17, 2016 18:02:02 GMT
I get annoyed when the kindle price is several $ more than the paperback price. I no longer buy many books and use the library but there are s few series they don't carry. I don't see why the electronic price is more than a physical book that I can pass on. In that case I just order the physical book.
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,765
Jun 27, 2014 2:21:22 GMT
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Post by valincal on Mar 17, 2016 18:14:21 GMT
You aren't paying for the method of delivery, you're paying for the message. Regardless if it's delivered on bound paper or electronically, it still has a value for the content of the book. Which should definitely be compensated well. The actual production of a bound book and its distribution is a relatively small portion of the cost of a printed book. The marketing costs, author compensation, publisher profit, bookseller profit, etc. all have to be figured in and don't change that much between ebooks and printed books. I worked at a bookstore back in the 90s and we tore the covers from paperbacks that hadn't sold or were being removed to make space for new titles. The covers were returned to the publisher and the rest of the book was disposed of. I mainly purchase e-books when they go on sale. I scored 12 great titles for under 36$ yesterday at Kobo!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 22:19:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2016 18:17:36 GMT
That's the reason I'm on a gazillion waiting lists at the library -- both ebook and paper books. I don't want to clutter up the house with lots of books that I have to store, and I'm too cheap to spend a lot on ebooks. Eventually, I get anything I want from the library. With our consortium, I can order anything from 39 libraries online. And if nobody has it, I can usually talk the librarians into buying it.
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Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,987
Jun 25, 2014 23:13:23 GMT
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Post by Nanner on Mar 17, 2016 18:20:26 GMT
New releases are about $18 here. More than the cost of a a paperback. But I'm not willing to wait months for a library copy.
I don't want to collect paperbacks, and it pisses me off to pay almost $20 for an electronic book, so I find I don't read as much anymore.
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Post by scrapsuzy on Mar 17, 2016 18:55:42 GMT
I'm not sure I've ever seen an ebook cost more than the paper or hard back. I mean, obviously they're out there, but I just haven't seen it. I absolutely do not want to buy a "real" book. I love being able to adjust the font size on my Kindle, and for larger books I can actually read them in bed. (Yeah I've got issues.)
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Post by anniefb on Mar 17, 2016 19:09:21 GMT
I usually don't buy new releases on Kindle but wait for the price to come down a bit.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Mar 17, 2016 20:23:34 GMT
New releases are about $18 here. More than the cost of a a paperback. But I'm not willing to wait months for a library copy. I don't want to collect paperbacks, and it pisses me off to pay almost $20 for an electronic book, so I find I don't read as much anymore. I'm not a fan of e books, just because I still love the look and feel of paper Lucky for me I have lending libraries at RV parks and at work. That would be neat if you could find some of those
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
Jul 8, 2014 20:17:31 GMT
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Post by scrapaddie on Mar 17, 2016 21:11:56 GMT
an interesting bit about marketing...
it costs less to make a hardback than a paperback... but the hardback looks more expensive so they can charge more. Because the paperback is sold in much greater volume, the price can be less even though it costs more to produce it!
But yes, I do believe the publishers want the price on kindles to be higher so they don't lose out on their paper publishing as much
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Post by tampascrapper on Mar 17, 2016 23:16:24 GMT
Like other posters, I mainly use the library. I refuse to pay for a book I'm only going to read one. Since I have so many on hold, a book becomes available every few days do it doesn't feel like I've waited such a long time for a popular book.
I get lots of audiobooks from the library as well. Great to listen to in the car!
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Post by femalebusiness on Mar 17, 2016 23:27:35 GMT
About three weeks ago I finally took the time to learn to download books from my library and read them on my tablet. They have all of my favorite authors available. BAD move on my part. I've read 16+ books since then and haven't done any real work in weeks.
I used to prefer real paper books to my Kindle books but now that I am using my iPad I actually prefer reading them on the tablet.
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Post by delilahtwo on Mar 18, 2016 0:11:47 GMT
You aren't paying for the method of delivery, you're paying for the message. Regardless if it's delivered on bound paper or electronically, it still has a value for the content of the book. Which should definitely be compensated well. So at the very least an ebook should cost the same as a paper book, not more.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Mar 18, 2016 7:49:07 GMT
I signed up with Bookbub, and my Kindle app is full of books I got for 1.99, .99, or FREE!!! I'm living it.
I never thought I'd like e books as much as I now do!
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Post by littlemama on Mar 18, 2016 14:01:02 GMT
I'm not sure I've ever seen an ebook cost more than the paper or hard back. I mean, obviously they're out there, but I just haven't seen it. I absolutely do not want to buy a "real" book. I love being able to adjust the font size on my Kindle, and for larger books I can actually read them in bed. (Yeah I've got issues.) PSA: If you are reading your Kindle in bed, and you happen to fall asleep and the Kindle hits you in the mouth, it hurts. Not that it's ever happened to me!
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Post by brina on Mar 18, 2016 14:08:56 GMT
You aren't paying for the method of delivery, you're paying for the message. Regardless if it's delivered on bound paper or electronically, it still has a value for the content of the book. Which should definitely be compensated well. So at the very least an ebook should cost the same as a paper book, not more. but think about the technology that had to be built, the r&d into an e-reader that didn't cause eye strain (I can read longer and more comfortably on my kindle than my iPad), the electronic storage and bandwidth to store the electronic copies and download them to your reader, the built in whisper-net, the convenience of being able to get a new book any time from anywhere within minutes of finishing an old book, etc.
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Post by panda on Mar 18, 2016 14:45:51 GMT
So at the very least an ebook should cost the same as a paper book, not more. but think about the technology that had to be built, the r&d into an e-reader that didn't cause eye strain (I can read longer and more comfortably on my kindle than my iPad), the electronic storage and bandwidth to store the electronic copies and download them to your reader, the built in whisper-net, the convenience of being able to get a new book any time from anywhere within minutes of finishing an old book, etc. Those are all great reasons to get an ereader (Kindle, Kobo, etc), but they're not reasons why an ebook should ever cost more than a paper book.
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Post by katieanna on Mar 18, 2016 14:51:16 GMT
If my memory serves me right, when e-books first came on the market they were $9.99, with the understanding that they wouldn't go up in price. I could be wrong about that, but that's how I remember it. The next thing you knew, e-books were around $15 and I no longer remember the reason/excuse given. I have a Kindle yet I read very little on it. I still enjoy my treks to the used book store - and there are some books that I like so much that I want to keep the actual book. I'm not sure I could ever be totally satisfied with virtual books.
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Post by bianca42 on Mar 18, 2016 15:11:58 GMT
I'm not sure I've ever seen an ebook cost more than the paper or hard back. I mean, obviously they're out there, but I just haven't seen it. I absolutely do not want to buy a "real" book. I love being able to adjust the font size on my Kindle, and for larger books I can actually read them in bed. (Yeah I've got issues.) PSA: If you are reading your Kindle in bed, and you happen to fall asleep and the Kindle hits you in the mouth, it hurts. Not that it's ever happened to me! Your PSA is the reason that I now read everything on my iPhone. It hurts much less when it hits you in the face.
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Post by brina on Mar 18, 2016 18:09:20 GMT
but think about the technology that had to be built, the r&d into an e-reader that didn't cause eye strain (I can read longer and more comfortably on my kindle than my iPad), the electronic storage and bandwidth to store the electronic copies and download them to your reader, the built in whisper-net, the convenience of being able to get a new book any time from anywhere within minutes of finishing an old book, etc. Those are all great reasons to get an ereader (Kindle, Kobo, etc), but they're not reasons why an ebook should ever cost more than a paper book. actually they are reasons why an e-book costs what it costs - the company that put the r&d into developing and maintaining the technology did not do so for altruistic purposes, they invested that money in order to make a profit - their revenues have to cover the cost of r&d and maintenance in order for them to make a project. You are paying the price to get the convenience - the company is setting the price to recoup their investment.
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Post by delilahtwo on Apr 20, 2016 17:03:56 GMT
Those are all great reasons to get an ereader (Kindle, Kobo, etc), but they're not reasons why an ebook should ever cost more than a paper book. actually they are reasons why an e-book costs what it costs - the company that put the r&d into developing and maintaining the technology did not do so for altruistic purposes, they invested that money in order to make a profit - their revenues have to cover the cost of r&d and maintenance in order for them to make a project. You are paying the price to get the convenience - the company is setting the price to recoup their investment. I disagree. The company is setting the price as high as they possibly can. Has nothing to do with recouping investment. They charge for the ereaders, they aren't cheap. They charge too much. The books should be less than paperback pricing. That's all there is to it.
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
Jun 25, 2014 20:06:48 GMT
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Post by freebird on Apr 20, 2016 17:08:06 GMT
Because much like photography, you're not paying for the paper, you're paying for what's printed on it.
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Post by colleen on Apr 20, 2016 19:08:00 GMT
actually they are reasons why an e-book costs what it costs - the company that put the r&d into developing and maintaining the technology did not do so for altruistic purposes, they invested that money in order to make a profit - their revenues have to cover the cost of r&d and maintenance in order for them to make a project. You are paying the price to get the convenience - the company is setting the price to recoup their investment. I disagree. The company is setting the price as high as they possibly can. Has nothing to do with recouping investment. They charge for the ereaders, they aren't cheap. They charge too much. The books should be less than paperback pricing. That's all there is to it. Actually, new release e-books on Amazon usually cost $9.99 and the hardback book costs around $20. So you are getting a deal on new releases. And you can get the Kindle app for free.
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