Ebook prices

[saram965]

I'm not really sure. Most of the books I buy are still pretty cheap. =-)

[tompe]

Originally Posted by anamardoll

Why still-in-pBook-print-run-but-still-"backlist" ebooks should be cheaper than recently-printed-ebooks:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...4&postcount=77

If the book has maintained its popularity all this time, then publishing the backlist isn't the risk that backlist publishing often is. The publisher doesn't need to spend money marketing the book or reminding people that it exists -- the market already exists and is known.

Because the publisher has to invest less marketing, they can bring the price down relative to other, lesser known works. The publisher isn't taking a risk that they'll lose their eBook conversion investment, and thus they can bring down the price to lower than BOTH comparable ebooks AND the print run of the same book.

By keeping the price artificially high (i.e., to capitalize on the LESS marketing for MORE profit), they lose sales to the existing backlog of used paper copies of the same book. (Which will be HUGE if the pBook has been in such high demand that it's been in print all these years -- there will be tons of available copies).

It does not have to sell so much to be worth keeping in print. I just do not believe that a lower price automatically will give a higher income. I do not think that many more will find the author. And I do not believe very many will by the ebooks when they have the paper copies. So the argument is for me not convincing at all.

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by Fbone

I believe I said this earlier; Some author's estates or big name living authors can negotiate more favorable terms. I've read several reports of estates receiving 50% royalty net. One or two required agency-like pricing; no discounting allowed. The estates can sign contracts with the "highest bidder."

That's possible, but I think until we see evidence that that has happened in *this* case, it's speculation.

Considering that I'd not heard of the author in question before this thread, I don't know how "big name" the author is.

Originally Posted by tompe

It does not have to sell so much to be worth keeping in print. I just do not believe that a lower price automatically will give a higher income. I do not think that many more will find the author. And I do not believe very many will by the ebooks when they have the paper copies. So the argument is for me not convincing at all.

See my thread on Pokemon People and how they're relevant. Short answer: a LOT of people are converting their library from paper to eBook. If the price is right, they'll rebuy what they already own. If the price is wrong, they won't. (If the price is TERRIBLY wrong, they'll pay a cut-and-scanner.)

And jacking up prices on a backlist book really guarantees that the ONLY people who buy it will be the absolutely fanatical fans. Do you want *guaranteed* low sales or just potential low sales?

[Pinecone]

Not disagreeing that the price of an old book still in print could be lower (pbook and ebook).

But the ratio between pbook price and ebook price will remain the same. New release, 50 year old book, if the pbook sells for X, the ebook will sell for close to X. Not X-$$$$.

[Pinecone]

The cost of printing SHOULD include amortization of the equipment, building and land and a cost for the comsumables and labor.

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by Pinecone

Not disagreeing that the price of an old book still in print could be lower (pbook and ebook).

But the ratio between pbook price and ebook price will remain the same. New release, 50 year old book, if the pbook sells for X, the ebook will sell for close to X. Not X-$$$$.

And we're saying that with a backlist book, you're competing with Y, that is to say the used book market.

[speakingtohe]

And we're saying that with a backlist book, you're competing with Y, that is to say the used book market.

In many places used book stores were becoming a thing of the past even before ereaders. Especially the high end ones with large inventories where books were sorted by author, subject. genre etc. Replaced mainly by high end coffee shops. I miss them.

But.. if I was looking for a specific older book today, I would probably go ebook if available even if the price was high. After all look at the time I would spend searching, and money I save by making my own coffee.


Helen

[anamardoll]

@SpeakingToHe,

Even if used book stores are going out in your area (there are several HUGE ones in my area, and nowhere near to going out of business), there is, you know, Amazon.

Where backlist books often sell for a penny plus shipping. And where "searching" takes about 30 seconds.

If shipping is $4 a book, then it stands to reason that $4-5 would be a sweet spot for a backlist eBook.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by anamardoll

@SpeakingToHe,

Even if used book stores are going out in your area (there are several HUGE ones in my area, and nowhere near to going out of business), there is, you know, Amazon.

Where backlist books often sell for a penny plus shipping. And where "searching" takes about 30 seconds.

If shipping is $4 a book, then it stands to reason that $4-5 would be a sweet spot for a backlist eBook.

Most people I know do pay more for a new book than a used one. And a lot of people I know refuse to buy used books since they sometimes stink.

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by tompe

Most people I know do pay more for a new book than a used one. And a lot of people I know refuse to buy used books since they sometimes stink.

Yes, not everyone buys used books. But a lot of people do, and publishers have a chance to get back some of that money with intelligent pricing of the backlist.

Saying "I know a guy who hates used books" does not, alas, invalidate the fact that the used book market represents a huge amount of money that publishers could be tapping, but aren't.

Publishers cannot afford to continue to ignore the used book market and cater exclusively to the "New Book Smell" club.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by anamardoll

Yes, not everyone buys used books. But a lot of people do, and publishers have a chance to get back some of that money with intelligent pricing of the backlist.

Saying "I know a guy who hates used books" does not, alas, invalidate the fact that the used book market represents a huge amount of money that publishers could be tapping, but aren't.

Publishers cannot afford to continue to ignore the used book market and cater exclusively to the "New Book Smell" club.

How many percent of bought books are used books?

I think people here are generalizing from people that buy a lot of books. If you buy 5 books a year you will buy them new most probable. And the bulk of sold books ought to be sold to people who do not buy so many books.

[speakingtohe]

Yes, not everyone buys used books. But a lot of people do, and publishers have a chance to get back some of that money with intelligent pricing of the backlist.

Saying "I know a guy who hates used books" does not, alas, invalidate the fact that the used book market represents a huge amount of money that publishers could be tapping, but aren't.

Publishers cannot afford to continue to ignore the used book market and cater exclusively to the "New Book Smell" club.

Not quite sure what you want here.

A possible scenario is that publishers would lower their prices on ebooks to 1/2 of pbooks. This might have a major impact on remaining second hand book store as in my area anyway standard rates are 2/3 of cover price with a minimum of $3 unless in bargain bin.

Probably different where you are, but in my area, second hand book stores sell books for 66% to 80% of cover price or 300% in rare cases. They give 20% on trade ins.

Perhaps second hand booksellers are the true profiteers. In general they don't buy inventory, but get it by trades at a 5-1 ratio.

Even the Salvation Army Thrift Stores charge $4.99 for donated paperbacks and they are just displayed, for the most part, in big boxes willy nilly.

If the publishers lower their prices enough, it follows that less pbooks will be printed, less sold in new and used bookstores, less bought by libraries and then what will the digitally challenged or just plain poor person do? Read the national ENquire or TV guide I guess.

[anamardoll]

People who buy 5 books a year are not the publisher's bread and butter.

There's a thread on here that says -- IIRC -- that 25% of American (new) book sales this year went to 10% of Americans who own eReaders. That tells me that the people who buy 100s of books per year (people like myself) are the ones propping up the publishing industry the most.

People who buy 100s of books per year most definitely -- as a group -- buy used. Publishers can try to tap that money, or they can decide not to. Up to them, really.

@SpeakingToHe, I am talking about a very specific case where a pBook has been in print for decades and has therefore a strong presence as a used item -- in this case, it makes sense for the eBook version of this book to sell at (a) less than the cost of the same pBook, (b) less than the cost of new eBooks, and (c) close to the used price.

[speakingtohe]

People who buy 5 books a year are not the publisher's bread and butter.

There's a thread on here that says -- IIRC -- that 25% of American (new) book sales this year went to 10% of Americans who own eReaders. That tells me that the people who buy 100s of books per year (people like myself) are the ones propping up the publishing industry the most.

People who buy 100s of books per year most definitely -- as a group -- buy used. Publishers can try to tap that money, or they can decide not to. Up to them, really.

@SpeakingToHe, I am talking about a very specific case where a pBook has been in print for decades and has therefore a strong presence as a used item -- in this case, it makes sense for the eBook version of this book to sell at (a) less than the cost of the same pBook, (b) less than the cost of new eBooks, and (c) close to the used price.

Sorry to sound argumentative, but what percent of people buy 100's (more than 200) books a year new. It would have to be more than 1/40th of the people who buy five a year. AFAIK buying second hand does no more for the publisher than pirating.

I would be totally flabbergasted to find that the number of people who buy more than 100 books a year actually buy more books in total than the people who buy 5 books a year or even those who only buy 4. Then thereare the subscribers like my mother who have books delivered from book clubs. Can't read them because of arthritus but gets pleasure when they arrive and more when she gives them away.

I am curious though. Which specific case are you talking about. I have always found it harder to find older books in used books stores, especially out of print ones.

Helen

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

I am curious though. Which specific case are you talking about. I have always found it harder to find older books in used books stores, especially out of print ones.

Helen

We have -- for several pages -- been discussing the books that Catlady brought up on the first page of this thread, and the implications of in-print, but still "backlist", books and their being priced at $9.99 for the eBook editions.

With the greatest of respect, this is the second time in this thread that I've been asked to summarize the previous posts in the thread. I do not mind engaging in conversation, but I do think I will bow out at this point.