Quote:
Originally Posted by sakura-panda
I want a book on Kobo that is $7 more there than it is anywhere else. (I only checked Amazon and B&N and they were both $14.99 versus Kobo's $21.59.)
Is this usual? Is it worth trying to contact Kobo to see if they can adjust it? I don't imagine they like to get requests to reduce the price of ebooks but in this case it seems like an oversight to have a book priced so much higher than the competition. |
They still operate under publisher/agency agreements where the publishers set the price for them in all regions so they can't adjust or price match. The CEO (or one of the bigwigs) did an interview bemoaning when agency was stopped in the US because he knew it would make them uncompetitive (or more so than they were). I believe the Canadian courts ruled that publishers could set the price and not allow retailers to adjust so they are stuck.
I like Kobo and I can usually get certain books there cheaper with the coupons--but it is only certain books and it seems that some publishers that were couponable are trying to stop the use of them (Carina press I'm glaring at you). I don't understand it really as the coupon amount comes out of Kobo's pocket in most cases as I understand the rules (unless the publisher and kobo are doing a promo together where agreements are made).
I don't know how Kobo can remain in business long term and it's a shame. I like having them there and I do give them my business when possible.