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Originally Posted by asjogren
If the eBook is available from my Public Library, but with a long hold queue, I am NOT going to buy it at $12.99. I am going to wait. But, if at the point of accepting the 1-3 month wait for a popular eBook I am offered an inexpensive 2 week rental - then I am a likely customer.
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But the two week rental isn't offered only to people who wouldn't pay $12.99. It's offered to everyone, including those who *would* otherwise pay $12.99.
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Perhaps there are not many people as cheap as I am. Or, are there???
This is a way to create customers.
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The point is not to create customers. The point is to make a profit. I'm not sure that they make any profit this way.
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Not only is it cheaper than advertising, it is profitable too. The Public Library patron already wants the eBook. They certainly know where they could buy it if they wanted to buy the eBook. And if they are going through the Public Library, one already knows they are frugal.
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It's not profitable if it causes people to spend $2.99 rather than $12.99. It's not profitable if the *library* doesn't by the book in the first place. (And note that OD is going to have to set up a new system for this, and they will want some of the $2.99).
And of course charging for books is radically inconsistent with the mission of a library anyway.