Quote:
Originally Posted by ZodWallop
Except that it is not only that. Even you will off and on acknowledge they let the ebook side of things languish to prop up the paper side of things. They want to make as money as possible, without shaking up their business model too much.
Considering the dominance Amazon has in the ebook world, maybe that's rational. But of course, Amazon got where they are partly due to agency which was put in place to attempt to insure publisher's controlled pricing.
That's all well and good, but you can find unnamed examples to prop up whatever argument you wish to make.
Stephen King's latest two hardback released are Let It Bleed and The Institute.
Each is priced at $15 for the ebook. The hardcovers are priced at $30. But of course, hardcovers aren't subject to agency and each sells for $15.
When it comes to backlist, Carrie is $8 for ebook. Paperback is $8, but discounted to $6.50.
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is $10 ebook, $10 paperbck, discounted to $7.50.
|
So, pricing an ebook $4 to $5 below the price of the paper version is evidence that publishers are using ebooks to prop up paper prices? Hum. Can't say that I agree with that in the slightest.
Do you also believe that the fact that audiobooks cost more than paper books is evidence that the publishers are using paper books to prop up the price of audio books?
Econ 101, you price what the market will pay. As long as enough people buy at a particular price point, there is no reason to reduce it. As far as I know, there is no agency pricing for audio books. Peace Talks costs $35 on audible (the member price is $24) and $20 on Apple, so I think that's a no.