Sales of Harry Potter Books May Be Delayed - Page 3

Spacejock · 10-01-2011, 08:14 PM

Christmas doesn't apply with ebooks. The rush comes in January, AFTER everyone receives ebook readers as Christmas gifts.

Carriebear · 10-01-2011, 09:38 PM

As someone who finally got access to Pottermore last week, I can say that I'm quite glad that both the open registration and access to the Pottermore store have been delayed. Number one, I don't think Ms. Rowling is the head of some sort of conspiracy to muck over Potter fans (Potterheads :P), and I've seen firsthand how the developers of the site are struggling to deal with the influx of users. They sent out 1 million welcome emails; as of right now, just over half of that are accessing the site regularly, and the site crashes practically hourly. One aspect of the site - wizarding duels - was so popular it could not handle the traffic, and it's been down since the 2nd day of access. The reason the opening of the site to all has been delayed (and following that, access will be restricted) is because the team is dedicated to providing the best experience. It isn't fair to open the store on the Pottermore site when not everyone has access to it, and when the servers can't handle the process.

I don't want a half-baked website. I want a website that works, and if I have to wait for it, and the store, well, it's worth it, to me. Better to have a site done right, that takes a while to get it right, than to have a rushed one that shows neither the site design team, Sony, or Ms. Rowling give a flip about their fans.

Shopaholic · 10-01-2011, 11:19 PM

I think this explains why the Black Sony reader with the HP coupon has disappeared from the websites selling it.

eBay started in 1995 and steadily grew in users and listings. I started using it in 1999. Four years later they were still having outages where snipe bidders missed out on bidding at the last second and sellers were stuck having to sell items at really low bids.

I was whining too when I found out I couldn't get the ebooks in the next few days but I too would rather have it done right than mucked up and tick off a whole bunch of fans with a half-assed effort that was crashing on the hour. I would find that far more annoying.

pastanley · 10-02-2011, 12:16 AM

who cares about Harry Potter! The boy nerd!

Carriebear · 10-02-2011, 12:47 AM

Troll in the dungeon?

howyoudoin · 10-02-2011, 06:19 AM

Wouldn't it make sense that they'd want to sell as many physical books as they can over the holidays, and then, like Spacejock says, wait for the fresh new e-reader owners to make their e-book purchases in January?

Sweetpea · 10-02-2011, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

I understand wanting to make Pottermore.com rock solid. But pushing the sales of the ebooks to "first half of 2012"? Really? As vague as that?

Couldn't agree more with this...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

Well, I've waited this long I guess a few more months won't kill me.

The first half of 2012 is between January first and June 30th. So, a few more months could be almost a year...

I'm also one of those that don't understand why the sale of the books have to be postponed for at least 4 months, simply because the website can't handle the load...

howyoudoin · 10-02-2011, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Couldn't agree more with this...

The first half of 2012 is between January first and June 30th. So, a few more months could be almost a year...

I'm also one of those that don't understand why the sale of the books have to be postponed for at least 4 months, simply because the website can't handle the load...

Perhaps they want people to come for the books, but stay for the website.

Shopaholic · 10-02-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carriebear

Troll in the dungeon?

Clearly!

Latinandgreek · 10-02-2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spacejock

Christmas doesn't apply with ebooks. The rush comes in January, AFTER everyone receives ebook readers as Christmas gifts.

Good point!

HarryT · 10-02-2011, 12:05 PM

It's interesting, though, that MobileRead's two busiest times ever have come on Christmas day for the last two years in succession.

carpetmojo · 10-02-2011, 02:30 PM

I would hazard a guess that there are a few chewed nails at Sony right about now.

Whatever the product, service or enterprise, if it is publicised as coming out Sep-Oct, it is aiming for the Christmas market, and they are, to a point, banking on just that.
And if it's delayed, whatever the reasons that might be given about the release never being aimed at that market - they liespeak....

And it is not just crucial to get it out simply "before" Christmas - it needs to be in good lead-time for people to plan on it as a present or treat.

I bet midnight oil is being burnt somewhere, at a fair old rate.

Hellmark · 10-03-2011, 02:04 PM

Yeah, everyone I know that has got ebook readers, they did their heaviest buying, the day they got their reader, or the day after. Lately, a few friends got readers for their birthdays, and everyone else that wasn't chipping in on the reader itself, were getting giftcards for books. That way right away, the person had the reader, and the ability to get books to use on the reader. Even if they didn't get giftcards, they wanted something right away to use with their newreader. After they've had it a few weeks, they've already got plenty of books to read on it, plus some of the novelty has worn off.

whitearrow · 10-03-2011, 02:22 PM

I also don't understand why the *website* and the *ebooks* need to be so intertwined. Release the ebooks to all the usual retail distributors -- Apple, Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Fictionwise, everybody else -- then take the time to do whatever it is this "interactive" website needs to accomplish, for those who care.

I'm sure there are many who would be happy just to buy the books and don't feel the need for a special website just to accomplish that. Harry Potter is not that bloody special. Geez, what's next, registration on a special website required to buy the next Harry Dresden, or Sookie Stackhouse, or whatever? Enough already. Just sell the books.

Hellmark · 10-03-2011, 02:43 PM

Part of it is control. By only selling through pottermore, they get 100% control, and don't have to share the cut with any extra parties.

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10-01-2011, 08:14 PM	#31
Spacejock Hal Spacejock & yWriter Posts: 125 Karma: 1100412 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Perth, Western Australia Device: Kindle	Christmas doesn't apply with ebooks. The rush comes in January, AFTER everyone receives ebook readers as Christmas gifts.

10-01-2011, 09:38 PM	#32
Carriebear Polar Bear Posts: 86 Karma: 48314 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Georgia, USA Device: Nook Color (rooted), iPod Touch (jailbroken)	As someone who finally got access to Pottermore last week, I can say that I'm quite glad that both the open registration and access to the Pottermore store have been delayed. Number one, I don't think Ms. Rowling is the head of some sort of conspiracy to muck over Potter fans (Potterheads :P), and I've seen firsthand how the developers of the site are struggling to deal with the influx of users. They sent out 1 million welcome emails; as of right now, just over half of that are accessing the site regularly, and the site crashes practically hourly. One aspect of the site - wizarding duels - was so popular it could not handle the traffic, and it's been down since the 2nd day of access. The reason the opening of the site to all has been delayed (and following that, access will be restricted) is because the team is dedicated to providing the best experience. It isn't fair to open the store on the Pottermore site when not everyone has access to it, and when the servers can't handle the process. I don't want a half-baked website. I want a website that works, and if I have to wait for it, and the store, well, it's worth it, to me. Better to have a site done right, that takes a while to get it right, than to have a rushed one that shows neither the site design team, Sony, or Ms. Rowling give a flip about their fans.

10-01-2011, 11:19 PM	#33
Shopaholic Cockatoo Mom! Posts: 1,509 Karma: 1812695 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: PW4, Kobo: A1, Clara, Libra 2, iPad Pro 11, iPad Mini	I think this explains why the Black Sony reader with the HP coupon has disappeared from the websites selling it. eBay started in 1995 and steadily grew in users and listings. I started using it in 1999. Four years later they were still having outages where snipe bidders missed out on bidding at the last second and sellers were stuck having to sell items at really low bids. I was whining too when I found out I couldn't get the ebooks in the next few days but I too would rather have it done right than mucked up and tick off a whole bunch of fans with a half-assed effort that was crashing on the hour. I would find that far more annoying.

10-02-2011, 12:16 AM	#34
pastanley Zealot Posts: 101 Karma: 1776810 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Michigan Device: Kindle paperwhite 4, Kindle fire HD 10	who cares about Harry Potter! The boy nerd!

10-02-2011, 12:47 AM	#35
Carriebear Polar Bear Posts: 86 Karma: 48314 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Georgia, USA Device: Nook Color (rooted), iPod Touch (jailbroken)	Troll in the dungeon?

10-02-2011, 06:19 AM	#36
howyoudoin how YOU doin? Posts: 1,100 Karma: 7371047 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: India Device: Kindle Keyboard, iPad Pro 10.5”, Kobo Aura H2O, Kobo Libra 2	Wouldn't it make sense that they'd want to sell as many physical books as they can over the holidays, and then, like Spacejock says, wait for the fresh new e-reader owners to make their e-book purchases in January?

10-02-2011, 12:05 PM	#41
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It's interesting, though, that MobileRead's two busiest times ever have come on Christmas day for the last two years in succession.

10-02-2011, 02:30 PM	#42
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 3,117 Karma: 9269999 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5	I would hazard a guess that there are a few chewed nails at Sony right about now. Whatever the product, service or enterprise, if it is publicised as coming out Sep-Oct, it is aiming for the Christmas market, and they are, to a point, banking on just that. And if it's delayed, whatever the reasons that might be given about the release never being aimed at that market - they liespeak.... And it is not just crucial to get it out simply "before" Christmas - it needs to be in good lead-time for people to plan on it as a present or treat. I bet midnight oil is being burnt somewhere, at a fair old rate.

10-03-2011, 02:04 PM	#43
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,549 Karma: 3799999 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: O'Fallon, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3	Yeah, everyone I know that has got ebook readers, they did their heaviest buying, the day they got their reader, or the day after. Lately, a few friends got readers for their birthdays, and everyone else that wasn't chipping in on the reader itself, were getting giftcards for books. That way right away, the person had the reader, and the ability to get books to use on the reader. Even if they didn't get giftcards, they wanted something right away to use with their newreader. After they've had it a few weeks, they've already got plenty of books to read on it, plus some of the novelty has worn off.

10-03-2011, 02:22 PM	#44
whitearrow Guru Posts: 808 Karma: 2260766 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Kindle Oasis 2	I also don't understand why the website and the ebooks need to be so intertwined. Release the ebooks to all the usual retail distributors -- Apple, Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Fictionwise, everybody else -- then take the time to do whatever it is this "interactive" website needs to accomplish, for those who care. I'm sure there are many who would be happy just to buy the books and don't feel the need for a special website just to accomplish that. Harry Potter is not that bloody special. Geez, what's next, registration on a special website required to buy the next Harry Dresden, or Sookie Stackhouse, or whatever? Enough already. Just sell the books.

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10-03-2011, 02:43 PM	#45
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,549 Karma: 3799999 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: O'Fallon, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3	Part of it is control. By only selling through pottermore, they get 100% control, and don't have to share the cut with any extra parties.