Under the Dome released. We're now officially e-screwed.

[bhartman36]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I'm trying to remember (I could look it up I guess) but I thought that was either free, or a buck... certainly not spendy!

From what I've been able to Google, it was offered for pre-order when the Kindle 2 was released for $2.99. That's what it's priced at in the store now, as well.

[Scurzuzu]

Originally Posted by FligMupple

a) NO early ebook options
b) ONE early ebook option to buy it at retail price

I vote B but with a clarification: that the retail price of a newly released ebook always be set a few bucks lower than an equivalent hardcover, as an acknowledgment that the consumer receives no physical back-up copy and--under current DRM implementations--loses right of first sale or the ability to lend or annotate (in most cases).

As other physical versions of the book are printed, the ebook price should drop to a value slightly lower than the cheapest printed version.

There's no reason publishers can't be flexible with ebook pricing. I think in the past they've made the mistake of pretending an ebook should be priced like a hardcover no matter what other formats are available, and currently retailers are making the mistake of arbitrarily applying a $10 value to ebooks no matter how new they are.

I would gladly pay, say, between $15-25 for a digital copy of "Under the Dome" this afternoon (and when it comes out in mass market I'd expect the ebook price to drop accordingly). If Amazon refused to agree to that price point, the publisher could always sell it through other channels--just because Amazon won the first big marketplace battle doesn't mean publishers should pack up their toys and go home.

Also: I know the hardcover is the grandfather of modern publishing, but it's foolish (and pointlessly romantic) to protect its status as the First Version of a book if technology provides a more effective tool. Hardcover will always be the most dramatic and visually appealing instance of a book, but digital can get to the marketplace first, and in multiple formats, and with last-minute or temporary bonus content, and much more cheaply. By contrast, the hardcover makes a great anchor for a launch day marketing event. Why not embrace both equally?

I mean really, you spend marketing dollars to rile up customers to swarm on a new product on the day of release. Why wouldn't you be prepared to offer it in as many distribution channels as you can afford in order to maximize profits?

Now I shall kill a Smiley, because they keep trying to get my attention while I type:

[tmgplc]

I bought an ereader to make my life easier when I had a few minutes and wanted to read a book. The DRM, strange staggered release dates, format wars, compatibility issues really make me want to do one of two things (1) the hell with the ebook and just go back to paper books, or (2) find a nice pirated copy just for the sake of simply reading an ebook without all of the other nonsense. I don't want to get pirated material and believe that the author/creator should be fairly compensated for their work, but when authors, publishers, bookstores and other online retailers make it so damn difficult to purchase and ebook and put on on your device (whatever device that may be without all of the proprietary tech.) it is just not worth the hassle to buy it legitimately. It is not even about the money, but just the ease of use and the nonsense of these competiting parties that can't get their act together. Sorry for the rant but I really wanted to get this ebook for an Astak EZ Reader or mobi file that I can read on my blackberry, but might just settle for a nice paper book.

[daffy4u]

Well my two copies of the hard cover arrived yesterday ($9 pre-order and the Collector's Edition). It's just too freaking big and heavy to carry around. I'm going to wait for the ebook in December before I read it.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Well my two copies of the hard cover arrived yesterday ($9 pre-order and the Collector's Edition). It's just too freaking big and heavy to carry around. I'm going to wait for the ebook in December before I read it.

I was in Barnes and Noble last night and looked at it. HUGE!!! No way.

Their "special" price? 30% of the $35 retail........$24.50.

I'll be happy to wait for my $9 ebook, thank you.

[Mrgauth]

I too want to read this, but never will. There is no way I would buy that big friggin hardback and since only on Kindle, which I don't have, then this book is out.

I'll just have to wait til they make yet another terrible movie of the week out of it.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Mrgauth

I too want to read this, but never will. There is no way I would buy that big friggin hardback and since only on Kindle, which I don't have, then this book is out.

I'll just have to wait til they make yet another terrible movie of the week out of it.

????? It's not going to be "only on Kindle", at least nothing I've read says it will.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by Mrgauth

I too want to read this, but never will. There is no way I would buy that big friggin hardback and since only on Kindle, which I don't have, then this book is out.

I'll just have to wait til they make yet another terrible movie of the week out of it.

Or, you can download the "kindle for pc" app (free) and read it on your laptop.

[Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by Mrgauth

I too want to read this, but never will. There is no way I would buy that big friggin hardback and since only on Kindle, which I don't have, then this book is out.

I'll just have to wait til they make yet another terrible movie of the week out of it.

Sony shows it is coming.

[llurgy]

I agree with the people saying that we should be able to buy a Kindle copy NOW at an inflated price. What I dont understand is why other people are up-in-arms about this idea.
Before ereaders there were hardback books and then a few moths later the paperback version at a much reduced price. The content of both books is the same - Only when you get to read it is different, and if you want to read it sooner rather than later then you have to pay the premium price for the Hardback book.

(random examples below)

What we had before Kindle:
Hardback in June: $25.00
Paperback in October: $9.00

Now we have:
Hardback in June: $25.00
Kindle in July: $9.99
Paperback in October: $9.00

The above examples have the same content - Words - We pay extra for reading it in hardback because we want to read it immediately instead of having to wait for the cheaper paperback to be released.

So What is wrong with having the same choice with an ebookreader?

We could actually have:
Hardback in June: $25.00
Kindle in June: $25.00
Kindle in October: $9.00
Paperback in October:$9.00

Throughout history we have paid more to read a book as soon as possible and paid less to read it after it has been out for several months, We should also have that choice on the Kindle.

BTW: I wouldnt be taking advantage of this proposal, I always wait until the cheaper paperback has been released

[andyafro]

Told you, its already on the Darknet, it is against the rules here to let you know where it is but if you look you will find

[Moejoe]

Originally Posted by andyafro

Told you, its already on the Darknet, it is against the rules here to let you know where it is but if you look you will find

Goddamn! I looked everywhere for it and ended up buying a hardback copy (even after I told myself I wouldn't buy another Stephen King ) S'okay though, I'll just 'format shift' a copy when it comes out officially

[FligMupple]

Originally Posted by llurgy

I agree with the people saying that we should be able to buy a Kindle copy NOW at an inflated price. What I dont understand is why other people are up-in-arms about this idea.
Before ereaders there were hardback books and then a few moths later the paperback version at a much reduced price. The content of both books is the same - Only when you get to read it is different, and if you want to read it sooner rather than later then you have to pay the premium price for the Hardback book.

(random examples below)

What we had before Kindle:
Hardback in June: $25.00
Paperback in October: $9.00

Now we have:
Hardback in June: $25.00
Kindle in July: $9.99
Paperback in October: $9.00

The above examples have the same content - Words - We pay extra for reading it in hardback because we want to read it immediately instead of having to wait for the cheaper paperback to be released.

So What is wrong with having the same choice with an ebookreader?

We could actually have:
Hardback in June: $25.00
Kindle in June: $25.00
Kindle in October: $9.00
Paperback in October:$9.00

Throughout history we have paid more to read a book as soon as possible and paid less to read it after it has been out for several months, We should also have that choice on the Kindle.

BTW: I wouldnt be taking advantage of this proposal, I always wait until the cheaper paperback has been released

Well put!

[Sporadic]

Originally Posted by llurgy

I agree with the people saying that we should be able to buy a Kindle copy NOW at an inflated price. What I dont understand is why other people are up-in-arms about this idea.
Before ereaders there were hardback books and then a few moths later the paperback version at a much reduced price. The content of both books is the same - Only when you get to read it is different, and if you want to read it sooner rather than later then you have to pay the premium price for the Hardback book.

(random examples below)

What we had before Kindle:
Hardback in June: $25.00
Paperback in October: $9.00

Now we have:
Hardback in June: $25.00
Kindle in July: $9.99
Paperback in October: $9.00

The above examples have the same content - Words - We pay extra for reading it in hardback because we want to read it immediately instead of having to wait for the cheaper paperback to be released.

So What is wrong with having the same choice with an ebookreader?

We could actually have:
Hardback in June: $25.00
Kindle in June: $25.00
Kindle in October: $9.00
Paperback in October:$9.00

Throughout history we have paid more to read a book as soon as possible and paid less to read it after it has been out for several months, We should also have that choice on the Kindle.

BTW: I wouldnt be taking advantage of this proposal, I always wait until the cheaper paperback has been released

Because why would the publishers ever release a new book on launch at $9.99 when they can rake hardcore fans over the coals for a month or two?

It sets a horrible precedent that would actually be worse than staggered releases (which are rare right now)

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by llurgy

I agree with the people saying that we should be able to buy a Kindle copy NOW at an inflated price. What I dont understand is why other people are up-in-arms about this idea.
Before ereaders there were hardback books and then a few moths later the paperback version at a much reduced price. The content of both books is the same - Only when you get to read it is different, and if you want to read it sooner rather than later then you have to pay the premium price for the Hardback book.

(random examples below)

What we had before Kindle:
Hardback in June: $25.00
Paperback in October: $9.00

Now we have:
Hardback in June: $25.00
Kindle in July: $9.99
Paperback in October: $9.00

I have not seen this at all with the majority of the ebooks I purchase. There have been delays in price dropping but release delays have been rare. The last one I recall was the last Stephanie Meyer book which was released 1 day later. I believe the Ted Kennedy and Sarah Palin books are delayed as well (who cares) and maybe a few more but it's still more of exception than a rule. I for one DO NOT want this to become habit.

We could actually have:
Hardback in June: $25.00
Kindle in June: $25.00
Kindle in October: $9.00
Paperback in October:$9.00

Why the heck would I want to pay more on release day than I am now? Why would you want to promote a higher price across the board. I don't get it.

Throughout history we have paid more to read a book as soon as possible and paid less to read it after it has been out for several months,

Just because it has been that way with pbooks doesn't mean we should carry on doing the same thing with ebooks

We should also have that choice on the Kindle.

I still think this is a horrible idea.