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VillageReader · 03-21-2007, 08:52 AM

Here is the advantage to the bookstore that sells e-books. For high volume readers, which I will assume is the target market of the reading devices, bookstores, particularly in smaller markets, have a pretty limited stock. If you show up at the store to browse, maybe with a list of 'interesting' things you have seen in reviews on-line, forums, etc., many of these smaller bookstores may say something on the order of 'sure, we can order that for you'. Which sort of defeats the purpose of showing up, since you really wanted to leave with a book.

Now, if you accept either paper or bits both as valid formats for reading books, you never need to leave without what you planned on getting.

AND, if electronic books now represent less than x% of the market, at some point that could be x+15% or more. As a bookstore chain or owner, do you want to just watch that percentage of higher volume readers not show up anymore? If they don't show up, you will never get that 'oh, this looks interesting' unanticipated purchase.

03-21-2007, 08:52 AM	#13
VillageReader Evangelist Posts: 430 Karma: 2718 Join Date: May 2006 Device: Iliad	Here is the advantage to the bookstore that sells e-books. For high volume readers, which I will assume is the target market of the reading devices, bookstores, particularly in smaller markets, have a pretty limited stock. If you show up at the store to browse, maybe with a list of 'interesting' things you have seen in reviews on-line, forums, etc., many of these smaller bookstores may say something on the order of 'sure, we can order that for you'. Which sort of defeats the purpose of showing up, since you really wanted to leave with a book. Now, if you accept either paper or bits both as valid formats for reading books, you never need to leave without what you planned on getting. AND, if electronic books now represent less than x% of the market, at some point that could be x+15% or more. As a bookstore chain or owner, do you want to just watch that percentage of higher volume readers not show up anymore? If they don't show up, you will never get that 'oh, this looks interesting' unanticipated purchase.