Quote:
Originally Posted by JSWolf
Trade Paperback is a format that should go away forever. It's larger, doesn't feel good holding it, and it was created so publishers could charge more then the do for Mass Market pBooks. Most bookshelves are not able to fit Trade but do fit MM. Plus, Trade takes up a lot more room because of the height.
Because Trade costs more, they can increase the price of the eBook. The publishers are out to get us. They used illegal tactics and got away with it.
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This is another “eye of the beholder” issue. Advantages of trade paperbacks are that the print tends to be larger and the quality tends to be better, with the books more stable over time. Most of the MMPBs I’ve held on to over the years are unreadable, or almost. Yellowing, crumbling pages, glue in the binding gives way, and so forth. Those who want to keep books might well prefer to pay more for trades. I agree, however, that you don’t get the choice.
But what I really have to say is that publishers are not out to get us. That’s absurd. I’m not saying that they’re not trying to maximize profits (which is a fiduciary duty), but long term they’re not trying to alienate their customers. That’s a mug’s game. And if you feel you’re being taken advantage of, you’re free not to buy the product. This is the same situation as upthread. Anything is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Trades can sell for more not because they cost more to produce, but because the perceived value to the purchaser is higher.