Quote:
Originally Posted by sun surfer
I would have thought so too, although my original prediction of the first choice being outvoted has come true.
I think if this poll had been around two or three years ago or earlier it would've been closer to around 90% than 60%. I just remember before that it seemed like the overwhelming majority of (people who give their opinions at) MR were vehemently against ebooks being priced the same as or higher than pbooks. So, it would seem either some people have softened their positions or we've had an influx of people with a more casual attitude toward ebook prices.
I honestly can't remember exactly what my original position on it all was. I've always been willing to buy the ebook regardless but I may have been more annoyed in the past at ebooks not being cheaper than pbooks, so if that's the case then my own position has softened as now I just can't be bothered by it and like others I usually don't make a point of even checking the pbook price. Although, buying on Kindle if I do it through my cell or desktop as I often do for greater shopping ease (using the Kindle to shop is slower but only shows the ebook price) I often just happen to see the pbook pricing anyway because Amazon will show all the format and pricing options for a title together at the top of the book's page, so I do generally stay aware of how the ebook and pbook pricing compares.
The last book I bought was actually more expensive in ebook than pbook and I didn't care at all. It was Lucky Jim and the price was U.S. $9.99 for the ebook, $19.65 for the hardcover and $8.92 for the paperback (all new of course; the used paperbacks started at $3.57).
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I suspect that to a certain extent, several years ago, Amazon was running a campaign, both from a price point of view and a PR point of view, to drive ebook prices down. That was when they were worried about competition. Now, that competition has been marginalized, so you don't see those rock bottom prices for books that are on the NY Times best seller list any more.
Amazon is pretty happy to let publishers set the prices, just so long as people buy from Amazon.