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Old 02-28-2009, 12:55 AM   #221
Darqref
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by starrigger View Post
I can see production costs going down. (I hope.) But to the extent that distribution involves retailers taking a cut, I don't see that changing.
What is a fair charge for an electronic retailer?

If a retailer had features that let a customer search for books, note books similar to ones already purchased or searched, notice of new releases, notice of others in series, and notice of intentional sales (price reductions), but then sent the customer directly to your website (the original publisher or author's site, such that the publisher/author determine the price) to complete the sale, how much value is that?

I see several possible useful features of a retailer/middleman (and I did say possible, not necessarily currently available)

1. Help getting the book available - once "typeset" by the publisher, the function might standardize conversion into applicable formats.
2. Sales promotion, including any of the features noted above in addition to any other effective method of drawing attention to the book.
3. Sales fulfillment, allowing download or backup library features, including access to possible updates if the book is corrected for typos, etc.

If done well, these features are worth some fee. How much is reasonable, versus just what was previously done for printed books?
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