Quote:
Originally Posted by MrsJoseph
I don't think that they are undervalued in price - more that the price reflects the most the pub/seller can sell a book for. Reading isn't the way most people get their information now.
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Actually that's only new prices. When books started edging above 5 dollars for mass market years ago, I started making trips to used book stores even though it was out of my way. When they got to 7 and now 8 and Amazon has almost every book available used...it's often a no-brainer. Although even used prices are up from a few years ago, especially with shipping taken into account.
Publishers have to compete with used prices and libraries. This keeps prices and profit somewhat artificially constrained.
One of the things that makes ebooks so attractive is the bargain bins (for me.)
Stonetools, I'm not sure anyone is saying authors shouldn't be allowed to do ad placement; I think they are saying they would refuse to buy such books. I'm not really sure anyone *could* stop a publisher or author from doing ad placement if they worked the deal. It's not like it's illegal.
It's been an interesting discussion. I'm actually surprised at the number of people who don't seem to mind ads.