How many of you would buy a book IF.....

[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by Demas

It's interesting to see that people are so staunch in their adoption of ebooks with a revulsion to traditional books that even free they have no interest, particularly when they could take advantage of the remainder market and simply divert the physical edition to an auction site, used bookseller, or outright donate the physical copy to the library or someone without the luxury of owning an e-reader.

Yeah, but again the big draw of getting a Kindle for me was so I wouldn't have to hassle with selling, giving away or donating books after I read them.

Every time I move I ended up just dropping a box of books at the library or some other donation center. I'd rather not hassle with it.

[Demas]

I'm not saying it's wrong, I'm saying it's interesting. I imagine the OP posited the question because he perceives it as an increased value and- barring the inconvenience you mention- he's right... but nonetheless people aren't interested.

I wonder if Amazon agreed to ship the physical book to the library of your choice or to give you an instant rebate back on your e-book purchase (in essence, buying the physical book from you with the rebate- assuming the publisher packaged them together) so that you never had to get a physical copy, would you be interested?

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by tnronin

I ask because I have such a hard time paying those prices for ebooks. Especially when I have nothing tangible for my purchase.

Liberate your ebooks. Back them up on your computer, a thumb drive, Carbonite, dropbox, whatever.

Unless we all get bombed back to the dark ages, you'll have your ebooks always.

If that happens.......the paper books won't last much longer anyway.

[basschick]

my house is so full of books that my bookcases are layered 2 books deep with books on top of those. they're spilling over shelves and off tables. that was the main reason i first decided to go with an ebook reader - that and immediate gratification

since i got my ebook reader, i've discovered a few more reasons, but the bottom line is i only buy paperbacks if a book isn't available as an ebook and only buy hardbacks of my favorites.

i don't think in terms of tangible but in terms of value to me, and entertainment/pleasure that reading brings me is no different whether i'm reading on paper or my cybook.

[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by Demas

I wonder if Amazon agreed to ship the physical book to the library of your choice or to give you an instant rebate back on your e-book purchase (in essence, buying the physical book from you with the rebate- assuming the publisher packaged them together) so that you never had to get a physical copy, would you be interested?

If I was getting the e-book for $9.99 and less and they were donating a physical copy to a library? Sure, that's a cool perk.

If it costs more? No.

[tnronin]

Originally Posted by Katti's Cat

Nup I wouldn't by the pBook because of the eBook coming with it - that would be like buying Hardcover & Softcover pBook.

Katti, I would tend to disagree with this analogy. The purpose of the ebook would be the ability to read on the go. For example, I went to Scotland for two weeks last summer. I was torn about lugging my book(s) around with me. I didn't have my ereader yet.

I did end up finding an American Revolution book from the perspective of the British though in an ancient looking used bookshop in Inverness. LOL

I like the idea of Amazon or whomever donating the book to a library. I guarantee we would see many more sales if this would happen.

[jgaiser]

Unfortunately, about 50% of the pbooks I purchase aren't available in any ebook format and probably won't be for some time.

I'm a cook. Professionally and otherwise. I collect and purchase cookbooks and related food books. They just ain't there yet.

I do, though, have both paper and ebook of the few that are available and I want.

[bgalbrecht]

I've never regularly bought hardcover since I dropped out of the SF book club back at least 25 years ago. Too expensive and takes up too much room. The publishers should be happy that I've switched to ebooks. I'd guess at least 80% of my paperback purchases were used, and of course, none of my ebook purchases are used. I would never buy a hardcover just to get a free ebook. I have cut down my paper purchases to almost nothing since I started buying ebooks, and I'm not buying ebooks unless I can get them for about the price of a MMPB.

[dmaul1114]

I've never regularly bought hardcover period.

To bulky and heavy to deal with when moving, so I'll only get hardcovers for absolute favorite books like Lord of the Rings etc. that I'll read many times over the years.

And e-books haven't changed that.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by jgaiser

Unfortunately, about 50% of the pbooks I purchase aren't available in any ebook format and probably won't be for some time.

I'm a cook. Professionally and otherwise. I collect and purchase cookbooks and related food books. They just ain't there yet.

I do, though, have both paper and ebook of the few that are available and I want.

I've downloaded a few from Amazon......but find the reading experience on the K1 less than satisfactory.

So I bring my netbook into the kitchen and use them to read on! Perfect.......

[Madam Broshkina]

I do not think that I could go back to reading a paper book again. I would miss the smell and the feel of all the electrons that make up my eBook. But I could see going in with someone to buy a book, I would pay them $9.99 (or less depending on the price of the book) for the coupon for the eBook, and they could keep the hard copy.

[Katti's Cat]

Originally Posted by tnronin

Katti, I would tend to disagree with this analogy. The purpose of the ebook would be the ability to read on the go.

Yes but would you buy a pBook as hardcover if the softcover version is included for free (no such thing as free anyway) - I wouldn't. I would however buy it if another book would be attached as giveaway. And that could entice me to buy a pBook if I get another title as eBook with it.

Originally Posted by tnronin

I like the idea of Amazon or whomever donating the book to a library. I guarantee we would see many more sales if this would happen.

Didn't think of the idea of donating the pBook to a library - good one and I would probably go for it. But I certainly wouldn't keep both. There are books I still prefer as pBooks but only because atm it is so much easier to lend them to friends.

[sabredog]

My luck it would be geographically restricted.....

[DawnFalcon]

Originally Posted by tnronin

For example a book was made available in hardback at hardback price, and with that hardback you received a coupon or whatever for a free ebook download of that said book.

I would. Just thinking out loud.

I would in a few cases. Of course, they are also the cases where I am purchasing the hardback for a person as a gift, and I also want to read the book (and I am happy to have the ebook - note I'm not going to do this with a DRM'ed ebook, I'd just leave the coupon in the book if it was DRM'ed).

I know that's not real useful to publishers, sorry.

[Demas]

Originally Posted by Katti's Cat

I would however buy it if another book would be attached as giveaway. And that could entice me to buy a pBook if I get another title as eBook with it.

That's an interesting point because there are a number of Amazon ebook writers who's main impetus for publishing is notoriety or the spread of an ideal as opposed to economic compensation. For example, Tom Meritt of CNET makes money by being an internet personality, so the fame he gets from his book increases his value as a commentator or host.

Using the model you suggest, Tom could freeride on more successful, better known books on the same topics while happily being offered as a packaged free ebook.