Just browsing around on Amazon, and found "Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome", by Robert Harris. The reviews are good, the plot outline sounds interesting. So I'm thinking maybe I'll bite. The price? $4.99 paperback, $9.59 kindle :(

Just as a matter of principle, I don't think I'll buy an eBook that is more expensive than the same pBook!

And yes, I'm feeling a little grumpy today....

R.L.

I think that's always a fair complaint. A pbook should NEVER be even close to an ebook unless it's below 6 bucks or so for both.

I agree that the ebook price should always be below the comparable pbook price. To me that seems only fair.

Of course, from their angle, you are paying what amounts to a "convenience premium" so that you can carry a lot of books with you in a compact format.

Me .... I think that's a way to screw the ereading community, but there you have it.

Of course, from their angle, you are paying what amounts to a "convenience premium" so that you can carry a lot of books with you in a compact format.


In case you ever need it, here is how to counter that point.

I already paid a premium to carry the ebooks with me; it's called an ebook reader. If you (the publisher) are going to charge me the premium as a part of the price of the ebook, then you can provide the hardware.

In case you ever need it, here is how to counter that point.

I already paid a premium to carry the ebooks with me; it's called an ebook reader. If you (the publisher) are going to charge me the premium as a part of the price of the ebook, then you can provide the hardware.

Of course, the problem with both Nate the great's and RickyMaveety's comments is--they make too much sense ;)

If price is determined by supply and demand (as I learned that it is a LONG time ago in college), then it seems to me that the price should approach zero because on the supply side, the supply is limited only by the number of times someone at the publishing company pushes the "copy the file" button....

My reasoning must be flawed (again) :chinscratch:

Regards,
R.L.

Of course, from their angle, you are paying what amounts to a "convenience premium" so that you can carry a lot of books with you in a compact format.


Funny... my Bank/Insurance company wants me to go paperless. They say for three reasons...

1. It is more secure. No documents are passed in the mail or can be hyjacked if you don't shred them.

2. It is more convenient.

3. It COST THEM LESS and allows them to keep fees and service costs lower.

BOb

Price is determined by maximum net revenue: the seller tries to find a price which, net of variable costs gets it the most revenue. He isn't interested in fairness.
Kindle owners, are, by definition, more willing to spend than the average reader--they just spent over $300 on a device, so sellers may discover they can charge more to this group.
Frankly, right now I think all the pricing is testing and publishers are trying to gather enough data to set prices.

Price is determined by maximum net revenue: the seller tries to find a price which, net of variable costs gets it the most revenue. He isn't interested in fairness.

We all know that... but these publishers should also realize we are not stupid. The cost of electronic delivery is cheaper for a company for any product. That's why most software is delivered that way these days. Many times you have to pay more for a shipped in the box product than a download of the same.

BOb

In case you ever need it, here is how to counter that point.

I already paid a premium to carry the ebooks with me; it's called an ebook reader. If you (the publisher) are going to charge me the premium as a part of the price of the ebook, then you can provide the hardware.

Oh, I know how to counter it, and you are dead right about that being a great argument. That's why I said that, in my opinion, that is just a rationalization of the ginormous screwing the consumer is getting.

Usually e-book prices on Amazon are cheaper than p-book prices. Every now and then I find one that isn't. In this case it looks like the p-book price is a (newly offered?) special--the other paperback costs *more* than the e-book price for that book.

If you really want the Kindle book, you might send a polite note to Amazon support to ask if they've noticed that the Kindle version is more expensive than the paper version now.

...
If you really want the Kindle book, you might send a polite note to Amazon support to ask if they've noticed that the Kindle version is more expensive than the paper version now.

Hi catsittingstill,

Thanks for the suggestion--I think it's a good idea. I'm not in the habit yet of communicating with Amazon support, but since the squeaky wheel gets the grease, it's would be wise for all of us Kindlers to let them know what's on our mind early and often.

Regards,
R.L.

Yes, I agree that pbook should not cheaper than ebook, however, amazon seems don't have any checking on that... can we report it?