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Old 01-28-2011, 01:52 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kali Yuga View Post

While ebooks probably aren't outselling paper by other measures (e.g. total revenues, profits, all ebooks vs all paper) this is pretty danged impressive, especially given how many more titles are available in paper than as ebooks.
Yep, although the number of ebook only titles or ebooks where paper sales could be used as kindergarten counting exercises are likely to be growing very rapidly.
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Old 01-28-2011, 04:48 AM   #17
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These figures suggest that Amazon only sells 2.6 paperbacks for every hardback. This is quite interesting, since it confirms reports from a few years ago that the age of the MMPB blockbuster is over.
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Old 01-28-2011, 08:11 AM   #18
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The next press release from Amazon on this issue is almost certainly to be: "More ebooks sold than paper printed books ... period."

I don't know whether, in aggregate, margins are higher or lower on ebooks vs printed books, but there are certainly tremendous savings to Amazon in handling, storage and distribution for ebooks vs printed books.

On a related note, it continues to astound me that smaller publishers drag their feet preparing ebook editions of their current, near current and backlist titles. Perhaps in 2011, they'll "get with the program".
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Old 01-28-2011, 09:52 AM   #19
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Amazon's excluded free books, but how about all the sharply discounted promotional e-books (under a dollar)? How about the collections of public domain e-books they repackage and sell for a buck or two?

I'd like to know the dollar amount of sales from e-books vs. paperbacks, and/or the average cost per unit sold for the e-books and the paperbacks. I bet if e-books outsold paperbacks by any other measure, we'd hear about it.
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Old 01-28-2011, 09:58 AM   #20
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These numbers are good for everyone. The more ebooks sold, the more pressure on the Publishers to put out new books in ebook format and to speed up the release of older titles in ebook format. That will benefit everyone regardless of what ereader they are using.
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Old 01-28-2011, 10:22 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fbone View Post
115 ebooks : 100 paperback books

At first it sounds impressive then I realize I never have or would ever buy a paperback from Amazon. Most paperbacks are less expensive elsewhere.

So now it doesn't impress me.
Fair enough.

But Amazon is the world's largest book retailer, so this is obviously significant.
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Old 01-28-2011, 11:03 AM   #22
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Looks like it was for 2010 after reading the press release. Secondhand info...

Interesting that most are saying Amazon paperbacks are the cheapest. They seem to be here in the UK - but any pointers to anyone selling them cheaper. (Ok, I don't really comparison shop paperbacks often - much too easy just to click and have it the next day...)
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Old 01-28-2011, 11:59 AM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SensualPoet View Post
....there are certainly tremendous savings to Amazon in handling, storage and distribution for ebooks vs printed books.
Not as much as you'd think.

They aren't losing money on the overnight delivery, and they routinely use the "Free shipping, just buy more stuff" and "buy Prime" to get people to buy more and use their services more.


Quote:
Originally Posted by SensualPoet
On a related note, it continues to astound me that smaller publishers drag their feet preparing ebook editions of their current, near current and backlist titles.
Smaller publishers have fewer resources. Securing digital rights for older books in particular tends to slow down this process.

However, I do suspect that the economics of ebooks are getting more persuasive as ebooks pick up steam.
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Old 01-28-2011, 01:07 PM   #24
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Originally Posted by Fbone View Post
Which may possibly suggest they are overpaying for their paperback books.

That is one buying habit I won't join in.

Still not impressed.
? Where do you buy your books, and what genres do you read? For new pbooks, Amazon is consistently (I hesitate to say always) the same or cheaper for my location. If I want a used pbook (which again, I can usually get on Amazon for cheaper), I can travel 20 minutes one-way to my local used book store, pay for parking, and pray they have the used book in stock for a decent price. Hasn't been my experience though.
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Old 01-28-2011, 01:58 PM   #25
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Same here, I stopped buying at bookstores years ago because even if the price is the same I don't have to pay sales tax or use gasoline when I order from Amazon.
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Old 01-28-2011, 03:34 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fbone View Post
115 ebooks : 100 paperback books

At first it sounds impressive then I realize I never have or would ever buy a paperback from Amazon. Most paperbacks are less expensive elsewhere.

So now it doesn't impress me.
115 ebooks : 100 paperback : 38 hardback (roughly)

Other things that don't impress Fbone:

Tap dancing cats.

Snow in Florida in July.

Flying pigs. (Note: Not falling with style.)
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Old 01-28-2011, 03:41 PM   #27
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Well, I'm quite impressed. (Although I admit that I'm often easily impressed!)
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Old 01-28-2011, 06:18 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Catlady View Post
I'd like to know the dollar amount of sales from e-books vs. paperbacks, and/or the average cost per unit sold for the e-books and the paperbacks. I bet if e-books outsold paperbacks by any other measure, we'd hear about it.
Yes. There are lots of .99 cent books and 8 of those would have the same total dollar figure as a paperback. It would be interesting to see how much in actual $$ was brought in for each catagory. It would be even more interesting to find out about profit margins for each but I doubt that will happen.
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Old 01-28-2011, 07:36 PM   #29
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Originally Posted by queentess View Post
? Where do you buy your books, and what genres do you read? For new pbooks, Amazon is consistently (I hesitate to say always) the same or cheaper for my location.
Your situation may be different than mine but I comparison shop very thoroughly with stores I have available to me. I have B&N, Border's, Kmart and Target all within 10 min drive and on my way home from everywhere. Plus local grocery stores. I've found these other retailers to be less expensive for MMPBs than Amazon consistently.
Currently Kmart and Target offer 25% off paperbacks. My local grocery is 20% off and they have several hundred books available. B&N and Border's email discount codes/coupons almost weekly for as much as 33% off. Plus, there is their membership discounts to consider.

I dug out the receipts for my last 3 books purchased. Sales tax included.
Book ... Amazon's Price ... Purchased Price
1 ) ..... $26.75............... $21.94 (B&N)
2 ) ..... $8.55 ................ $5.13 (Border's)
3 ) ..... $8.55 ................ $5.73 (Border's)

Total savings $11.05
I would have needed to pay shipping on books 2 & 3 from Amazon since I didn't hit $25. I could have saved an add'l 10% off B&N and Border's if I had a membership.

For hardcovers Amazon is competitively priced. And Kindle books are also. But for MMPBs I have more options. My tastes are general mostly. (no romances, vampires, zombies, paranormal or demonic subjects)

Also, there are so many inexpensive ebooks (0.99 to 2.99) available that people can be buying these in greater quantity than pbooks. I believe Catlady mentions this also.

Pricier paperbacks + $0.99 ebooks = not impressed.
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Old 01-28-2011, 07:48 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fbone View Post
Your situation may be different than mine but I comparison shop very thoroughly with stores I have available to me. I have B&N, Border's, Kmart and Target all within 10 min drive and on my way home from everywhere. Plus local grocery stores. I've found these other retailers to be less expensive for MMPBs than Amazon consistently.
Currently Kmart and Target offer 25% off paperbacks. My local grocery is 20% off and they have several hundred books available. B&N and Border's email discount codes/coupons almost weekly for as much as 33% off. Plus, there is their membership discounts to consider.

I dug out the receipts for my last 3 books purchased. Sales tax included.
Book ... Amazon's Price ... Purchased Price
1 ) ..... $26.75............... $21.94 (B&N)
2 ) ..... $8.55 ................ $5.13 (Border's)
3 ) ..... $8.55 ................ $5.73 (Border's)

Total savings $11.05
I would have needed to pay shipping on books 2 & 3 from Amazon since I didn't hit $25. I could have saved an add'l 10% off B&N and Border's if I had a membership.

For hardcovers Amazon is competitively priced. And Kindle books are also. But for MMPBs I have more options. My tastes are general mostly. (no romances, vampires, zombies, paranormal or demonic subjects)

Also, there are so many inexpensive ebooks (0.99 to 2.99) available that people can be buying these in greater quantity than pbooks. I believe Catlady mentions this also.

Pricier paperbacks + $0.99 ebooks = not impressed.
This works for you because of what you choose to read. Your reading choices don't reflect others' choices. So it doesn't make sense to say that others are overpaying for their choice of books.
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