Fictionwise vs the Kindle Store

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by DawnFalcon

Fictionwise and Baen. Although I tend to buy direct from authors where possible.

Those are both U.S. based companies, if I'm not mistaken. Aside from buying directly from the author, are there no local country options with comparable pricing and avoiding the whole geo-restrictions thing?

[DawnFalcon]

Not options without mandatory DRM, which is a blocker for me.

[=X=]

Yes it's the specials thay make fictionwise the best and cheapest bookstore. But you have to have a lot of patience and some spare cash to make use of their specials. This Dec I was able to get anout 70% off some books I bought.

However with the kindle store you usually get 40-60% off the more expensive books and have a bigger selection.

The only problem I find with fictionwise is I tend to buy books I really don't want bit would like to have because of their limmited selection. If FW had a selection anywhere near amazon or booksoboard they would have most of my money.

[Camann]

Oops..wrong thread

[Crusader]

Originally Posted by DawnFalcon

Okay, and for non-Americans, what happens when you include a $2.35 (UK VAT returns to 17.5% in 2010, so not $2.30 anymore...) fee per Kindle book?

Well, let's do it: 34 books, so...

Kindle store: $199.87
Fictionwise: $135.24

Although half the books probably aren't available, it does illustrate my repeated point about the Kindle not being the best deal outside America for many books.

That's actually an excellent point. From what I read over here in SA the Kindle users pay an additional $2 per book, so I'll use that figure.

It's actually 17 books:
Kindle Store: $153.97
Fictionwise: $135.24

Yup, the Kindle store isn't that great for non-US users.

I'd also like to expand on my Kindle fanatic comments. It was largely meant as a joke. However it seems that the majority of Kindle owners have indeed been gobbled up by the Kindle hype machine. They truly believe that the Kindle is the only worthwhile, value for money Ebook reader without any shortcomings and that the Kindle store is the only option.

The difference between a Kindle fan and a fanatic is that the fan sees the limitations and are willing to point them out. They also don't try to make any other device seem inferior to the Kindle.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Those are both U.S. based companies, if I'm not mistaken. Aside from buying directly from the author, are there no local country options with comparable pricing and avoiding the whole geo-restrictions thing?

Yes, there are several excellent UK eBook stores - most notably Waterstones and W.H.Smiths. Their prices are higher than US stores, but unfortunately books are more expensive in the UK than the US.

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by Crusader

Kindle store: $119.97 (list pricing used)
Fictionwise: $105.59 (list pricing used)

Very close to each other. Fictionwise has a slight edge due to the current sale so for all intents and purposes we can call it an even match at this stage.

When the magic of Micropay rebates come into place it is a whole different story. Taking the rebates and a bit of well planned buying into consideration I actually spend only $42.51 (actual money) for my purchases.

Kindle store: $119.97 = $7.05 avg per book.
Fictionwise: $42.51 = $2.50 avg per book.

Well, I suppose then since Amazon is losing $1/ebook sold then Fictionwise is losing $6/ebook sold right? I still cannot believe people buy into the idea Amazon is actually losing money one each ebook sold, any CPA firm can cook the books turning any business into a loser on paper if it is to the advantage of the company. Plus I suspect there is also other motives for the pundits who make this claim...it would be interesting to see what stocks those folks own themselves. Or who advertises the most where they are employed.

BTW, I too cleaned up on the 100% rebate deal with the added 25% and what not along with the tip to get a rebate on books bought with the rebate bucks...I stopped counting when the $100ish I spent hit about $210 in actual price and even accounting for other rebates over the year I still come out near 50% off net prices...I won't need a new book for a year now...gotta love that!

[Crusader]

Originally Posted by brecklundin

BTW, I too cleaned up on the 100% rebate deal with the added 25% and what not along with the tip to get a rebate on books bought with the rebate bucks...I stopped counting when the $100ish I spent hit about $210 in actual price and even accounting for other rebates over the year I still come out near 50% off net prices...I won't need a new book for a year now...gotta love that!

Yup. Between my treebook pile and my newly acquired ebooks I'm set for the rest of the year. Hopefully that will be ample time for the next big Fictionwise sale to start.

BTW: If someone wants to try it I think the 25% discount coupon still works. I entered it in my cart just now to check and it is still active. Not that I'm going to be buying anything... budget constraints you know!

[zerospinboson]

Originally Posted by HarryT

But unfortunately books are more expensive in the UK than the US.

Unfortunately they are more expensive or unfortunately they charge more?

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

I don't buy that many books. 1-3 a month tops. So I stick with the Kindle store for convenience.

I'm basically spending pocket change on e-books so it's not worth the time to hunt for bargains, convert books, strip DRM etc.

But definitely worth it for people spending a lot more money on e-books.

You should watch this. The fellow is very entertaining. (And informative. And no, I'm not criticizing you, I was just reminded of it )

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by Crusader

The difference between a Kindle fan and a fanatic is that the fan sees the limitations and are willing to point them out. They also don't try to make any other device seem inferior to the Kindle.

I do hope you do recognize, that this is not a description unique to Kindle owners.

It's new year and I would really love to see all this device bashing go by the wayside. Who cares. It's all so silly (really think about it). We're all different, we have different tastes, needs and wants in an ebook reader. We are lucky that there is an ebook reader to suit each of us (or soon will be at the rate they're being introduced). Let's move on to more important things.

[Crusader]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

I do hope you do recognize, that this is not a description unique to Kindle owners.

It's new year and I would really love to see all this device bashing go by the wayside. Who cares. It's all so silly (really think about it). We're all different, we have different tastes, needs and wants in an ebook reader. We are lucky that there is an ebook reader to suit each of us (or soon will be at the rate their being introduced). Let's move on to more important things.

Couldn't agree more! They just get under my skin sometimes...

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by Crusader

Couldn't agree more! They just get under my skin sometimes...

I feel you pain.

[Rob G.]

So, how the heck do you use the Fictionwise stuff on your Kindle?

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by Rob G.

So, how the heck do you use the Fictionwise stuff on your Kindle?

You either have to purchase one of their DRM-free multi-format titles or pick any format, strip the DRM and convert (if you pick something other than mobi).

[dmaul1114]

I should add, that another reason I don't shop around on top of not buying that many books, is that I pay for mine mostly through Amazon gift cards I get as rewards from my amazon Visa (put everything on it, pay it off in full each month).

So on top of not spending much, I'm not spending much "real" money anyway. Giving me even less incentive to bother shopping for deals on books that are $6-9.99 at Amazon anyway. Not worth the hassle to save a buck or two here and there.