Amazon's First Bookstore Opens in Seattle

[Cinisajoy]

@Fbone. I do believe you are using the wrong word. Amazon is the distributor and publisher. The wholesalers you referred to earlier do not publish books. They get books from other sources and then distribute.
Now as to the comment about SEARS and CRAFTSMAN being a monopoly. That is slightly off. Monopoly applies to the product not the brand name.
Example I can buy a hammer pretty much anywhere. If I want an Estwing, I know you used to couldn't find them at Sears because Sears only sold Craftsman. Not sure now since Sears and Kmart are now one company. Now if I could only buy a hammer at Sears and no where else that would be a monopoly.
It just depends on what brand one wants where one shops.
I mean if I want a Lane Bryant blouse, I won't be looking for it at Target.

[Apache]

And DeBeers is still a monopoly no matter what laws our Senators and Representatives pass to allow them to now operate in the United States.
Apache

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Apache

And DeBeers is still a monopoly no matter what laws our Senators and Representatives pass to allow them to now operate in the United States.
Apache

Being a monopoly is not of course illegal. The legal issues only arise if you abuse a monopoly position.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Apache

And DeBeers is still a monopoly no matter what laws our Senators and Representatives pass to allow them to now operate in the United States.
Apache

This is correct because if I remember right they are the only legal seller of new diamonds. Although new is inaccurate and should be diamonds being brought into the country.

Oh offtopic but to Apache, there is a store here that is now selling "new" diamonds. Man-made in a machine as opposed to being mined.

And thank you for finding an actual monopoly.

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by Fbone

We don't know the exact terms between Amazon and Amazon Books. Are they the same terms that Amazon has with B&T and Ingram or any other store that wishes to buy them?

Amazon is the wholesaler and distributor for their own published titles. As you say they are the only source. However, they do sell them to B&T from which B&N buys them and sells them at the same price as Amazon. It's even possible B&N buys from Amazon directly. The ABA may want the same terms as Amazon Books.

I don't think the ABA has a case either. However, I can see their concern. They don't want a B&M competitor who can sell books cheaper than their wholesaler/distributor.

The terms between Amazon and Amazon books don't matter. The FTC has said that a wholesaler can sell in their own store and usually not violate antitrust law:
http://the-digital-reader.com/2015/1...er-handwavium/

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

The terms between Amazon and Amazon books don't matter. The FTC has said that a wholesaler can sell in their own store and usually not violate antitrust law:
http://the-digital-reader.com/2015/1...er-handwavium/

As you wrote, the Court seems to be divided on this issue.

Is AmazonBooks a subsidiary? A separate LLC making it an independent? Or an online extension?

It appears they sell on a consignment basis with rotating stock. Same as indie stores. If Amazon "charges" ABooks the same price as they do B&T or B&N for each "sale", then there is no issue at all. Amazon can also claim ABooks is a warehouse that's open to the public (like Costco).

Again, I don't believe the ABA claim has merit. It's only one small store. It would be prudent for Amazon to be careful. They don't want any gov't scrutiny.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by Apache

And DeBeers is still a monopoly no matter what laws our Senators and Representatives pass to allow them to now operate in the United States.
Apache

Do you know if DeBeers owns any jewelry stores in the US?

Another example, was ExxonMobile permitted to sell gas at a lower price at its own stations than to their generic competitors?

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Fbone

Do you know if DeBeers owns any jewelry stores in the US?

Another example, was ExxonMobile permitted to sell gas at a lower price at its own stations than to their generic competitors?

Huh on the gas?
There are no generic gas stations.
If you are thinking 7-11 or Stripes or other convenience store, they all have very specific refineries they get their fuel from.
How you can tell is look at the overhang at the gas pumps.
Example just in the last few years 7-11 went from Citgo to Alon. Stripes recently went from Valero to Sunoco.
Now ExxonMobil and the others do hire outside drilling companies to get the oil in the first place.

And in answer to your diamond question, yes if you are in Houston TX or Costa Mesa California.

[Apache]

Originally Posted by Fbone

Do you know if DeBeers owns any jewelry stores in the US?

Another example, was ExxonMobile permitted to sell gas at a lower price at its own stations than to their generic competitors?

DeBeers has two Stores in NYC and one each in Naples, FL., Houston TX., and Costa Mesa, CA.

I remember that as Exxon/Mobile selling gas to their franchisers for more than they billed their company stores.
Apache

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

That makes Amazon Books a monopoly concerning Apub titles sold in B&M. If they would raise the prices compared to online Apub sales, then they might appear to abuse their monopoly. So hence they have no choice but to pricematch B&M and online sales to NOT attract antitrust laws being imposed upon them.

Oh, what delightfully twisted logic!

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I'm fairly certain it doesn't work that way. If everyone else chooses to not sell your product, they can't then point and claim "monopoly!"

I'm sure that wasn't the point...

[GA Russell]

Forty years ago I learned that the word "monopoly" refers to a company for which the government prohibits competition.

I think that centuries ago the Hudson Bay Co. was a monopoly. Today in the US, many utility companies are monopolies. Harry above mentioned his phone company.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Huh on the gas?
There are no generic gas stations.
If you are thinking 7-11 or Stripes or other convenience store, they all have very specific refineries they get their fuel from.
How you can tell is look at the overhang at the gas pumps.
Example just in the last few years 7-11 went from Citgo to Alon. Stripes recently went from Valero to Sunoco.
Now ExxonMobil and the others do hire outside drilling companies to get the oil in the first place.

And in answer to your diamond question, yes if you are in Houston TX or Costa Mesa California.

We have quite a few generic stations in NJ. And they are generally less expensive than the large name brands.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by Apache

DeBeers has two Stores in NYC and one each in Naples, FL., Houston TX., and Costa Mesa, CA.

I remember that as Exxon/Mobile selling gas to their franchisers for more than they billed their company stores.
Apache

Does DeBeers actually own them or license the name? If they do own them, how do their diamond prices compare to other jewelers?

[Apache]

DeBeers owns them. The US Legislators passed a law exempting them from being classified as a monopoly. DeBeers does not discount. You are paying for the name.
Apache

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Fbone

We have quite a few generic stations in NJ. And they are generally less expensive than the large name brands.

What are the names of these gas stations?
I am assuming they have names. I need proof they can buy gas from company A one week and company B the next week.

I bet they have a supplier.
We have cheaper gas stations down here too but they all have specific suppliers.
ExxonMobil and Phillips are always highest.

Let me explain how this works.
Company contracts with Joe to drill the oil or buys the oil from Joe. The oil found then goes to one of the company's refineries to be made into fuel. The fuel is then placed in tankers and shipped to whoever has a contract with the refinery.
If you owned a station you can't just say I will buy a truckload from company A this week and Company B next week.
The additives might not play well together.