eBook pricing: changes on paperback release

pdurrant · 08-15-2008, 09:24 AM

eBook pricing is still a complete mess. Publishers just don't seem to be able to cope with it.

The particular book that's caused me to post today is one of a series "Running from the Deity" by Alan Dean Foster.

The hardback and the eBook both came out in 2005. I don't know what the hardback retailed for, but presumably around the $24 mark. The eBook was priced at $17.99.

OK, pretty high, but I can understand it - they want money from people who wanted the book immediately on publication, either in hardback or eBook form. Even Baen do something similar with their eARCs. And who knows - I might even have bought it at that price, if I was following the series really closely.

But the paperback was released in 2006. $7.99. eBook pricing remains unchanged at $17.99. This is just silly.

This year, the Kindle version is released. $7.99.

So why is the general eBook price still unchanged at $17.99? It just doesn't make sense.

This is Random House, but I expect other publishers are equally inept.

Yes, I have sent feedback to Random House directly about this pricing anomaly.

Grrrrrr.... and I'm sure it's losing them other sales, not just the sales to me.

Paul

Taylor514ce · 08-15-2008, 09:49 AM

I feel your pain, brother. I routinely send complaints to Sony about this, and their response is always "Publishers set the prices, we discount from there".

HarryT · 08-15-2008, 10:26 AM

To be fair, when I've queried price anomalies with MobiPocket, they're always responded extremely promptly (and all the Mobi retailers automatically get the revised price). The price has generally been put right within 24h.

GeoffC · 08-15-2008, 10:29 AM

When prices change, I suspect prices of e-versions are forgotten because it'll be a small part of a large department; or because the genre is still new....

pdurrant · 08-15-2008, 10:33 AM

That's interesting. I'll try sending a note to Mobipocket too.

regards,

Paul

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

To be fair, when I've queried price anomalies with MobiPocket, they're always responded extremely promptly (and all the Mobi retailers automatically get the revised price). The price has generally been put right within 24h.

pdurrant · 08-15-2008, 10:44 AM

I couldn't find a way to send info to Mobipocket, nor a suitable forum. I have sent a note to Fictionwise, who are my usual eBook retailer anyway.

Interestingly, Mobipocket have "Running from the Deity" at the original high price, but have the next in the series "Patrimony" as the lower price. Fictionwise currently have both at the higher price. Weird!

Paul

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

That's interesting. I'll try sending a note to Mobipocket too.

regards,

Paul

JSWolf · 08-15-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

To be fair, when I've queried price anomalies with MobiPocket, they're always responded extremely promptly (and all the Mobi retailers automatically get the revised price). The price has generally been put right within 24h.

What is the link or email address to send a note to Mobipocket?

HarryT · 08-15-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

What is the link or email address to send a note to Mobipocket?

On the Mobi web site, click the "Support & Forum" link at the top right. Once you're logged onto the support forum area, go to the "Readers' Corner" forum and post in the Sticky "Overpriced Books" thread at the top.

08-15-2008, 09:24 AM	#1
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 71,483 Karma: 305784726 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Voyage	eBook pricing: changes on paperback release eBook pricing is still a complete mess. Publishers just don't seem to be able to cope with it. The particular book that's caused me to post today is one of a series "Running from the Deity" by Alan Dean Foster. The hardback and the eBook both came out in 2005. I don't know what the hardback retailed for, but presumably around the $24 mark. The eBook was priced at $17.99. OK, pretty high, but I can understand it - they want money from people who wanted the book immediately on publication, either in hardback or eBook form. Even Baen do something similar with their eARCs. And who knows - I might even have bought it at that price, if I was following the series really closely. But the paperback was released in 2006. $7.99. eBook pricing remains unchanged at $17.99. This is just silly. This year, the Kindle version is released. $7.99. So why is the general eBook price still unchanged at $17.99? It just doesn't make sense. This is Random House, but I expect other publishers are equally inept. Yes, I have sent feedback to Random House directly about this pricing anomaly. Grrrrrr.... and I'm sure it's losing them other sales, not just the sales to me. Paul

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08-15-2008, 09:49 AM	#2
Taylor514ce Actively passive. Posts: 2,042 Karma: 478376 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-505/LC	I feel your pain, brother. I routinely send complaints to Sony about this, and their response is always "Publishers set the prices, we discount from there".

08-15-2008, 10:26 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	To be fair, when I've queried price anomalies with MobiPocket, they're always responded extremely promptly (and all the Mobi retailers automatically get the revised price). The price has generally been put right within 24h.

08-15-2008, 10:29 AM	#4
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,600 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	When prices change, I suspect prices of e-versions are forgotten because it'll be a small part of a large department; or because the genre is still new....

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