Quote:
Originally Posted by moonshot
I think you will find that you are referring to second hand goods; if I buy something new, I want a guarantee.
That makes sense. I would rather buy a badly written book rather than a badly build house as well.
But why should badly written books that I would have to pay for be allowed through the net, where as badly build houses should not? 
That's good. And it works for you. But what is your objection for not categorising vanity ebooks, or do you not have one? |
From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caveat_emptor
Quote:
Generally, caveat emptor is the contract law principle that controls the sale of real property after the date of closing, but may also apply to sales of other goods.
The phrase caveat emptor arises from the fact that buyers often have less information about the good or service they are purchasing, while the seller has more information. Defects in the good or service may be hidden from the buyer, and only known to the seller. Thus, the buyer should beware. This is called information asymmetry.
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I am not saying books should not come with a guarantee. Many do as I am sure you know. Many (most older) houses don't. Only in some places is there a government enforced guarantee on a new condo for example and it only covers specific areas such as the building envelope.
I have no objection to any form of categorizing of books although I personally add my own. And I like to think that I am able to sort out most of the crap but this is probably due to being much older and having eclectic but established tastes. 70% of the books I read, whether bought or borrowed are by authors I have read and enjoyed before. The 3 or four books a month I read by new to me authors are rarely disappointing. Does happen, but in the last 3 years I have read more than 600 ebooks and about 30 I have more or less abandoned.
one or more of those books was recommended by a good friend whose tastes I generally share. Well written, high critical acclaim, I just found it made me sad to the point of discomfort. An several authors I have enjoyed for years killed of the wrong person (IMO) and I am unwilling to read farther.
Just curious, what proportion of the books you have paid good money for have been unenjoyable? Maybe libraries don't work for you but I am thinking that they could if you have access to a reasonable one. And as I said before, Overdrive only carries books that a reasonable percentage of the population will borrow. Few Indies and no vanity press AFAIK, although this does not mean those books are not worthwhile. And I don't use Goodreads, but I think they have some merit, and Fantastic Fiction is a very good resource, and literature map as well.
There may be some return guarantees from some venders, and experience, recommendations, looking inside the book, can guarantee certain qualities, but there are no absolute guarantees you will like a book or that there is absolutely nothing seriously wrong with a house or car etc.
Helen