Quote:
Originally Posted by Daithi
[Regarding my post that ebooks were substancially cheaper than hardcovers.]
This "myth" has NOT been debunked. The fact is that printing costs run about 20% of a book's costs, returns are another 20% cost, and distribution (BTW, NOT paid by retailer) is 10%+. Ebooks are absolutely substancially cheaper than hardcovers and even paperbacks. There is no doubt in my mind.
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They're cheaper to the extent that a 20-30% discount on the physical price would be reasonable. Anything more is sheer fantasy.
Tim Hutchinson (the CEO of Hodder Headline) did a breakdown of costs in 1998. It was:
Booksellers' share: 55%
Manufacturing costs: 15%
Overheads: 9%
Marketing (including some distribution cost): 8%
Royalties: 8%
Publisher's profit: 5%
The idea that an ebook should be half the price is just wishful thinking.