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Yes, not everyone buys used books. But a lot of people do, and publishers have a chance to get back some of that money with intelligent pricing of the backlist.
Saying "I know a guy who hates used books" does not, alas, invalidate the fact that the used book market represents a huge amount of money that publishers could be tapping, but aren't.
Publishers cannot afford to continue to ignore the used book market and cater exclusively to the "New Book Smell" club.
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Not quite sure what you want here.
A possible scenario is that publishers would lower their prices on ebooks to 1/2 of pbooks. This might have a major impact on remaining second hand book store as in my area anyway standard rates are 2/3 of cover price with a minimum of $3 unless in bargain bin.
Probably different where you are, but in my area, second hand book stores sell books for 66% to 80% of cover price or 300% in rare cases. They give 20% on trade ins.
Perhaps second hand booksellers are the true profiteers. In general they don't buy inventory, but get it by trades at a 5-1 ratio.
Even the Salvation Army Thrift Stores charge $4.99 for donated paperbacks and they are just displayed, for the most part, in big boxes willy nilly.
If the publishers lower their prices enough, it follows that less pbooks will be printed, less sold in new and used bookstores, less bought by libraries and then what will the digitally challenged or just plain poor person do? Read the national ENquire or TV guide I guess.