Quote:
Originally Posted by pidgeon92
There will always be those people who just won't buy a Kindle because they don't like Amazon, and those who won't like that it doesn't read ePub.
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I don't think that there are enough people who have a clue about EPub and Mobi to keep BN and Sony alive on that basis.
What the average person buying an e-reader is going to note is that Amazon has a large book store and can be used at the library. They are going to note that BN has a large store and can be used at the library. They will see the e-readers as being equivalent and not notice the format thing.
While we know EPub means that people can buy books at stores other larger retailers, I doubt that BN loudly advertises that in its stores. They want people buying their books from BN not Sony or Kobo. I am sure that they will tell people that is the case if they are asked but I doubt that they are shouting it from the roof tops.
Most people will see that and then see that Amazon has a similar model out that is a lot less expensive. Some will buy the $99 K4 without knowing about the ads. Some will ask or investigate and see that the ads are not intrusive and will buy the $99 K4 over the NST because it saves them a good amount of money. Some will by the $79 Kindle for their kids because it is less expensive and hence less financial risk and then by a K4 for themselves so that they all have the same device.
BN has to respond with a price break because in a time of economic turmoil, people are going to chose the $79 and $99 models as nice Christmas gifts that meet a need and save them money.