Quote:
Originally Posted by random50
Is it an Amazon service, or done independently by each publisher?
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As I understand the TOPAZ process, it is done by Amazon and it is designed to be "good enough" with much less manual intervention than a typical conversion that starts from a paper version (i.e. with a scan). I agree that TOPAZ usually isn't worth buying, except that the TOPAZ is usually the only legal ebook alternative. I don't think TOPAZ versions get improved due to reader complaints, although missing 20 pages might be a exception. All you can really do is return the ebook for a refund.
By the way, returns for conventional ebooks are very low.
Munsey's is seeing about 1% returns, and these are apparently conventional conversions from paper scans to MOBI. I assume TOPAZ returns are much higher, but even if they were 25% (say) Amazon still makes money because returns have no cost except the lost sale.
A couple of TOPAZ ebooks I own are no longer for sale, and this is because there is now a AZW version. If I wanted the AZW I would need to buy the ebook again. The reason a publisher might produce there own version is that it isn't Kindle-only. However, given the Kindle's market strength I don't see this is likely to become common.