Why are Sony Ebooks more expensive?

advocate2 · 07-10-2009, 11:15 AM

I have compared prices on identical titles between the Kindle Store, Sony Ebook store and the respective Publisher's web site. Generally, the most expensive version is Sony. The Kindle store generally matches the Publisher's site. Is Sony not committed to price match other sources?

lilac_jive · 07-10-2009, 12:06 PM

Which books are you looking up? If they are hardcover bestsellers, amazon actually takes a loss for them. Amazon also seems to get better discounts. I've noted often that publishers are giving Sony bad info, for whatever reason. If you look at the rest of the online booksellers, Sony matches them or beats them. Amazon's a big player though.

advocate2 · 07-10-2009, 09:55 PM

I just looked at Skiny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. Amazon sells the paperback for $7.99,the Kindle book for $7.19. Sony charges $17.47 for the Ebook!!!

dreams · 07-10-2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

Which books are you looking up? If they are hardcover bestsellers, amazon actually takes a loss for them. Amazon also seems to get better discounts. I've noted often that publishers are giving Sony bad info, for whatever reason. If you look at the rest of the online booksellers, Sony matches them or beats them. Amazon's a big player though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by advocate2

I just looked at Skiny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. Amazon sells the paperback for $7.99,the Kindle book for $7.19. Sony charges $17.47 for the Ebook!!!

It's not just Sony that is sometimes not able to match the "at-a-loss" / discounted Kindle price but, Sony does seem to be cheaper than most others (at a quick glance)...

http://www.booksonboard.com/index.ph...76884&v=buynow

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http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/cgi-bin...Dip-eBook.html

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http://ebooks.ebookmall.com/ebook/135627-ebook.htm

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Also..

http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/b2...-Hiaasen/?si=0

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chaznsc · 07-10-2009, 10:52 PM

I'm not sure when the real world will reconcile itself with the digital age. I received a quote for a digital magazine that was just as expensive as the print version.

Newsflash: When you DON'T print the book, etc you DON'T have as much cost. Get with it publishing world.

doreenjoy · 07-11-2009, 04:45 AM

Amazon subsidizes the price of the books on the Kindle store.

Abecedary · 07-11-2009, 10:09 AM

For the books that I'm looking for, I've found that generally the Sony store has them for a few bucks more than the Kindle store (so 11.99/12.99). Of course, there are exceptions, like the Carl Hiassen book listed above, or Stephen King's The Stand. Thankfully, those tend to be the exceptions, not the rule.

Also, I've also found that if I dig around a little, I can get some pretty good prices on other sites, like Books on Board or WHSmith. Actually, I picked up quite a few decent deals thanks to WHSmith's 25% off sale. You can get a number of ePUBs for ~$9.50 after conversion and fees -- even better than the Amazon price! Sadly they don't have any Carl Hiassen available. But still, not a bad place to look.

As for publishers having fewer costs when dealing with ebooks, you also need to look at the extra costs incurred (well, if they do it properly at least). Sure, they'll save a small amount on not printing, but they'll instead need to have someone handle the layout/formatting of the ebook, and then have another round or two of proofs of that. The layout/formatting does require a different skillset than what most print layout people will have, so it's not like they can just reassign someone over to that (of course, they may have someone eager to learn and do the job). So that's likely added cost. And for something that will maybe sell a few hundred to a few thousand copies, that's quite a bit of cost for such low return. Not saying it's right or that the publishers don't need to adjust with the times. Just looking at the situation from the other side.

And yes, the Kindle prices are cheaper because Amazon takes the loss in order to promote the Kindle. Don't expect this situation to be this way forever.

advocate2 · 07-11-2009, 11:22 AM

Thank you all for you comments. I have been introduced to additional sites.

Is there an easy way to compare title prices on different ebook sites? Something equivalent to Pricegrabber, but for ebooks only? If not, perhaps programmers out there should give it a go.

wallcraft · 07-11-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by advocate2

TIs there an easy way to compare title prices on different ebook sites?

Try ebookprice.info, for example Skinny Dip Carl Hiaasen. The ePub and Adobe/PDF ebooks are readable directly on your PRS-505.

Tuna · 07-11-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaznsc

I'm not sure when the real world will reconcile itself with the digital age. I received a quote for a digital magazine that was just as expensive as the print version.

Newsflash: When you DON'T print the book, etc you DON'T have as much cost. Get with it publishing world.

It depends a lot on the magazine of course, but most mainstream magazines are heavily subsidised by the advertising they carry. Digital versions rarey match that level of advertising revenue, and still have to be edited and formatted for e-readers - so they cost more to produce over the price of the original magazine, and bring in less revenue.

advocate2 · 07-12-2009, 04:36 PM

Wallcraft,

ebookprice.info is a great site. Thank you very much for pointing it out to me.

Terisa de morgan · 07-12-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abecedary

As for publishers having fewer costs when dealing with ebooks, you also need to look at the extra costs incurred (well, if they do it properly at least). Sure, they'll save a small amount on not printing, but they'll instead need to have someone handle the layout/formatting of the ebook, and then have another round or two of proofs of that. The layout/formatting does require a different skillset than what most print layout people will have, so it's not like they can just reassign someone over to that (of course, they may have someone eager to learn and do the job). So that's likely added cost. And for something that will maybe sell a few hundred to a few thousand copies, that's quite a bit of cost for such low return. Not saying it's right or that the publishers don't need to adjust with the times. Just looking at the situation from the other side.

I've a small problem with this approach. If you ask information about costs at the paper books, about half of the prize is distribution, not printing. Why people don't count these costs when comparisons are made with electronic books. No storage (sorry, electronic storage is much cheaper than physical storage), no transport (electronic transport is much cheaper than physical transport), but usually people don't mention these costs. Usually only paper against technical skills and infrastructures.

nwinter · 07-12-2009, 07:58 PM

I had this same question a while ago and contacted Sony. They asked me to let them know the book I was comparing and in a matter of days the price went down a few dollars. Not anywhere near the kindle price but they did listen and adjusted it. If enough of us ask then they might re look at their charges.

Ill have a look at the ebook site today. Sound great so thanks for listing it.

Natalie

carld · 07-12-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terisa de morgan

I've a small problem with this approach. If you ask information about costs at the paper books, about half of the prize is distribution, not printing. Why people don't count these costs when comparisons are made with electronic books. No storage (sorry, electronic storage is much cheaper than physical storage), no transport (electronic transport is much cheaper than physical transport), but usually people don't mention these costs. Usually only paper against technical skills and infrastructures.

Also, no unsold remainders sent back to the publisher for full credit. I just don't buy the idea that eBooks aren't a lot cheaper. Publishers have been complaining for decades about the physical costs of publishing, now suddenly those costs don't matter and it's all in the non-physical costs ... Nope, not buying it.

HansTWN · 07-12-2009, 08:41 PM

what should the publishers say? "We are ripping you off with ebooks?" Of course nobody believes the line that they save just 12.5% on costs. That may be true for a very extreme case with a famous author who commands a very high payment and heavy advertising expenditures. It is very simple, they are taking what they can, while they can. Since we people shell out a lot for readers we are probably considered to be easy prey. Well, competition will take care of it in the long run.

07-10-2009, 11:15 AM	#1
advocate2 My Kingdom for Karma Posts: 430 Karma: 7125 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas Device: Sony 350, 650, 950, Nook Color	Why are Sony Ebooks more expensive? I have compared prices on identical titles between the Kindle Store, Sony Ebook store and the respective Publisher's web site. Generally, the most expensive version is Sony. The Kindle store generally matches the Publisher's site. Is Sony not committed to price match other sources?

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07-10-2009, 12:06 PM	#2
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	Which books are you looking up? If they are hardcover bestsellers, amazon actually takes a loss for them. Amazon also seems to get better discounts. I've noted often that publishers are giving Sony bad info, for whatever reason. If you look at the rest of the online booksellers, Sony matches them or beats them. Amazon's a big player though.

07-10-2009, 09:55 PM	#3
advocate2 My Kingdom for Karma Posts: 430 Karma: 7125 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas Device: Sony 350, 650, 950, Nook Color	I just looked at Skiny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. Amazon sells the paperback for $7.99,the Kindle book for $7.19. Sony charges $17.47 for the Ebook!!!

07-10-2009, 10:52 PM	#5
chaznsc Connoisseur Posts: 70 Karma: 32 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Mine	I'm not sure when the real world will reconcile itself with the digital age. I received a quote for a digital magazine that was just as expensive as the print version. Newsflash: When you DON'T print the book, etc you DON'T have as much cost. Get with it publishing world.

07-11-2009, 04:45 AM	#6
doreenjoy 01000100 01001010 Posts: 1,889 Karma: 2400000 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Polyamorous	Amazon subsidizes the price of the books on the Kindle store.

07-11-2009, 10:09 AM	#7
Abecedary Exwyzeeologist Posts: 535 Karma: 3261 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: :PRS-505::iPod touch:	For the books that I'm looking for, I've found that generally the Sony store has them for a few bucks more than the Kindle store (so 11.99/12.99). Of course, there are exceptions, like the Carl Hiassen book listed above, or Stephen King's The Stand. Thankfully, those tend to be the exceptions, not the rule. Also, I've also found that if I dig around a little, I can get some pretty good prices on other sites, like Books on Board or WHSmith. Actually, I picked up quite a few decent deals thanks to WHSmith's 25% off sale. You can get a number of ePUBs for ~$9.50 after conversion and fees -- even better than the Amazon price! Sadly they don't have any Carl Hiassen available. But still, not a bad place to look. As for publishers having fewer costs when dealing with ebooks, you also need to look at the extra costs incurred (well, if they do it properly at least). Sure, they'll save a small amount on not printing, but they'll instead need to have someone handle the layout/formatting of the ebook, and then have another round or two of proofs of that. The layout/formatting does require a different skillset than what most print layout people will have, so it's not like they can just reassign someone over to that (of course, they may have someone eager to learn and do the job). So that's likely added cost. And for something that will maybe sell a few hundred to a few thousand copies, that's quite a bit of cost for such low return. Not saying it's right or that the publishers don't need to adjust with the times. Just looking at the situation from the other side. And yes, the Kindle prices are cheaper because Amazon takes the loss in order to promote the Kindle. Don't expect this situation to be this way forever.

07-11-2009, 11:22 AM	#8
advocate2 My Kingdom for Karma Posts: 430 Karma: 7125 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas Device: Sony 350, 650, 950, Nook Color	Thank you all for you comments. I have been introduced to additional sites. Is there an easy way to compare title prices on different ebook sites? Something equivalent to Pricegrabber, but for ebooks only? If not, perhaps programmers out there should give it a go.

07-12-2009, 04:36 PM	#11
advocate2 My Kingdom for Karma Posts: 430 Karma: 7125 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas Device: Sony 350, 650, 950, Nook Color	Wallcraft, ebookprice.info is a great site. Thank you very much for pointing it out to me.

07-12-2009, 07:58 PM	#13
nwinter Zealot Posts: 140 Karma: 419 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Southern NSW, Australia Device: sony PS-505, Iphone and about to add a Kindle DX	I had this same question a while ago and contacted Sony. They asked me to let them know the book I was comparing and in a matter of days the price went down a few dollars. Not anywhere near the kindle price but they did listen and adjusted it. If enough of us ask then they might re look at their charges. Ill have a look at the ebook site today. Sound great so thanks for listing it. Natalie

07-12-2009, 08:41 PM	#15
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	what should the publishers say? "We are ripping you off with ebooks?" Of course nobody believes the line that they save just 12.5% on costs. That may be true for a very extreme case with a famous author who commands a very high payment and heavy advertising expenditures. It is very simple, they are taking what they can, while they can. Since we people shell out a lot for readers we are probably considered to be easy prey. Well, competition will take care of it in the long run.