Interesting how when Amazon does this in the US,
they claim it's for the sake of customers, and yet they do the same in Germany, where, due to fixed book prices, only Amazon Inc. can benefit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ATimson
So they want a share closer to what they receive on a print book. Seems reasonable.
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Is it reasonable that Amazon demands the same margin on a digital product, as on a paper book, when there is no materials handling or shipping cost?* Yes, I agree it is reasonable. I hope Amazon doesn't get it, because I think publishers can put the money to better use than Amazon. But it is reasonable. It's reasonable because there is no such thing as an inherently fair price. But, by this logic, it also would be reasonable if the eBook costs consumers the same as the hardback, something that isn't a popular idea around here
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* As of
2009, Amazon.de (Germany) offered free shipping on all books. I presume that paper book shipping is still, at least, mostly free. Because of this, a margin of 50 percent on all books, paper as well as electronic, would in practice mean much higher profits on eBooks.