How Much Will You Pay For an E-Book? - Page 2

shanghaichica · 09-04-2010, 09:21 AM

It depends on the book. How much I think the book is worth and how much I want to read it. For example a few weeks ago I paid £9 for a book to read on my sony, knowing that if I waited a few weeks I could buy it for £5 and read it on my kindle, but I was really anxious to read it then so paid the extra. The most expensive ebook i've bought was £10. I had wanted the book for a while but had difficulty locating a copy as it was out of print for many years. When I saw that it was available on the kindle I jumped on it. I would have paid more for it if I had to. But some books I would only be willing to pay a few pounds for.

Zyzomys · 09-04-2010, 11:58 AM

When I was buying physical copies of books I would always wait for the paperback. Now when buying ebooks I refuse to pay more than the price of the paperback, and that is for established authors. For an author I have never read or heard of on Smashwords or Amazon, I will pay $2-$3 if it has been well reviewed.

ficbot · 09-04-2010, 01:02 PM

About $10 for a commercial purchase from Kobo of a mainstream author. I have some on my wishlist that are $12 or $14 and I absolutely will not pay that. I'll wait until it comes down in price. Half the time, it will turn up at the library before it comes down in price, so they will lose the sale.

Self-pubbed staff on Smashwords, my comfort level is $2.99 or less but I will go up to about $4. I have seen prices at Smashwords creeping up and I think it is absurd. When I can buy a new, paper mass market from a popular author for $6, there is no way I will give about that much to a self-pubbed book by an unknown author.

Elfwreck · 09-04-2010, 01:23 PM

Non-DRM'd ebook: Up to price of paperback, depending on author & other factors (whether it's part of a series, etc.) This sometimes means "up to price of paperback I can obtain used."

I will pay up to $3 for an ebook without qualms and on a whim, up to $6 with some thought, and up to $10 in theory, but so far not in practice.

DRM'd ebook: $0 is too much. I have no DRM-compatible ebook reading software at the moment, and no intention of acquiring any.

ppw · 09-04-2010, 01:39 PM

For finance books such as stock/option trading: $150
For programming books such as Java: $50
For hobby books: $25
For novels: $15
For children books: $15

Kumabjorn · 09-04-2010, 02:12 PM

Here is an idea for self-publishers.

Offer the book for $1 a download, and if reader likes it (= finishes it), then at the end a short statement about paying an additional few bucks. I would gladly pay an extra $4 ex post if I finish the book. If a reader don't like the book she is $1 short, but could be offered the opportunity to move her copy to the book stores section for free downloads and perhaps receive a $0.10 credit towards a future download.

That would give the author some feedback on how many people actually finish the book, how many who prefer to return it, and some other reader gets to download a pre-paid book.

Maybe I'm gullible, but I think a lot of people would be happy to honor a system like that.

Granvillen · 09-04-2010, 02:19 PM

I would pay up to $25 if it was a book I really wanted to read.

petermillard · 09-04-2010, 02:28 PM

Depends on the author and how much I want to read the book; I've paid ~£20 (UKP - about the same as the hardback) for a DRM'd eBook from an author I really like who writes one book a year. But I hated the publishers for 'gouging' like that and I went out of my way to avoid titles they published where possible for ages - so call me petty <shrug>

Pete

carld · 09-04-2010, 03:01 PM

I've paid up to $9.99 for books, but very rarely. I refused to pay $12.99 for the latest Dresden Files novel especially when the paperback was $9.99. I ended up reading it, laboriously, in hardback. I'll freely buy under about $5, over that I'm hesitant, and above $7 or $8 it better be something special.

I guess I'm kinda cheap.

DMB · 09-05-2010, 06:41 AM

There are some books I'd like that come only in DRM non-Kindle format. I intend to make a test purchase, see if I can strip off the DRM and then use calibre to change the format so I can put it on my Kindle. If this works, I'll do it a lot more.

ceebee_uk · 09-05-2010, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt314159

I'm finding the kindle store to bring out the worst in me as far as my impulsiveness goes.

Dont worry thats why they have the business model they have - if you have disposable income and you choose to buy books on impulse I feel thats probably one of the best impulse buys you can make.

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt314159

Even if there's a paper book for way cheaper on amazon, I usually go with the kindle version because of the instant gratification, and the ability to save space on my bookshelf.

Less because of the gratification but certainly to save space is why I have an ereader.

Josieb1 · 09-05-2010, 08:18 AM

Quote:

There are some books I'd like that come only in DRM non-Kindle format. I intend to make a test purchase, see if I can strip off the DRM and then use calibre to change the format so I can put it on my Kindle. If this works, I'll do it a lot more.

I'm in that boat too as Jean Plaidy only comes in Sony format, but I have no idea how to do it. Any chance you could let me know if you can find a way that works?

I don't understand this whole secure format thing, surely publishers would sell more ebooks if they sold all ebooks in all formats, it just doesn't make sense

Why should I have to buy two different makes of ereader to read all the books I want.

djgreedo · 09-05-2010, 10:06 AM

I'm happy paying Kindle prices ($11.99 - $15 usually). I'm happy to pay a bit more if I'm keen enough (I'd probably pay up to $20 or $25 if I knew I was getting a great book).

I'd be willing to pay more to get a book without DRM. I'd be willing to pay more if I felt the price was reasonable compared to the paper book (i.e. if the ebook is priced lower).

I think $10-$15 is about right for the average ebook. That puts them in the range of impulse buy, and I'm not going to be too concerned if I buy a book I don't like at that price.

RE: DRM
All DRM can be removed. Google the format the books are in + "remove DRM". I've recently read books on my Kindle that had non-Kindle DRM on them. It's not difficult.

brecklundin · 09-05-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Kaufman

As a Kindle owner as well as an author, I'm wondering how much you all are willing to pay for an e-book. Do you have an absolute cutoff point, or does it just depend on the author? Are you likely to buy an e-book that's priced more than a paper one?

Drew

Given as a consumer and when I buy an ebook I am giving up the right to resale property I would otherwise own I won't pay more than $4 for any ebook. I will spend whatever it costs for my professional reference books once I get a color large format reader but that is not pure entertainment as in the case of novels.

I can even resell my old and unused software but more my ebooks. This is a factor, and a not insigificant factor many publishers and authors overlook, conveniently in many cases I am sure, but ebooks basically, as the way things go today, but ebooks destroy the used book market for paperback...it won't be soon but if I was a small used book store I would consider rolling up the sidewalk in front of the store inside the next 3-years or change the focus on the store...

Anyway, $4 is my top dollar for novels...this is reinforced but the fact I bought all my paperbacks used for anywhere from 50¢ to a couple bucks for used titles.

Alisa · 09-05-2010, 02:04 PM

Like Jabby, I have no set limit but it bugs me to pay more than $10 for a novel. (Obviously I will pay a great deal more for technical books but I'm getting the impression you're most interested in the pricing of novels here.) It's not about saving money, though. I'm not really inclined to economize on my reading these days. I'm not a broke student any more. I can afford a few little luxuries in life. Before Amazon started the $9.99 model, I would have been happy to pay $12-$15 for a new release. However, I resent the fact that some publishers have decided to join together in price fixing. It subverts competition and hurts their customers. I won't completely punish an author I like by not buying the book at all, but I may also wait for a price drop to buy to send a message to their publisher.

Since I really dislike reading novels in paper form now, if it's not in ebook form I won't buy it. If it's a series and I can't get all the volumes in ebook form, I won't be inclined to read any of the books. I don't care if the ebook is $10 and I can get a free copy of the paper book. I'll spend the $10.

Some authors certainly carry more weight for me but no one guarantees a purchase. I am a firm believer in free samples. If I get through that sample and really want to read the rest of the book, I'll buy it even if it's priced at the top of the market. If I think it's mediocre, I'm not going to buy it even if it's only a couple bucks. Life's short.

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09-04-2010, 09:21 AM	#16
shanghaichica Guru Posts: 989 Karma: 5782970 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Scribe,Kindle Oasis 3, iPad Pro 11, iPhone 13 Pro Max,iPad mini 6, PW5	It depends on the book. How much I think the book is worth and how much I want to read it. For example a few weeks ago I paid £9 for a book to read on my sony, knowing that if I waited a few weeks I could buy it for £5 and read it on my kindle, but I was really anxious to read it then so paid the extra. The most expensive ebook i've bought was £10. I had wanted the book for a while but had difficulty locating a copy as it was out of print for many years. When I saw that it was available on the kindle I jumped on it. I would have paid more for it if I had to. But some books I would only be willing to pay a few pounds for.

09-04-2010, 11:58 AM	#17
Zyzomys Hooked on Phonics Posts: 122 Karma: 24 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ottawa, Canada Device: Kindle	When I was buying physical copies of books I would always wait for the paperback. Now when buying ebooks I refuse to pay more than the price of the paperback, and that is for established authors. For an author I have never read or heard of on Smashwords or Amazon, I will pay $2-$3 if it has been well reviewed.

09-04-2010, 01:02 PM	#18
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	About $10 for a commercial purchase from Kobo of a mainstream author. I have some on my wishlist that are $12 or $14 and I absolutely will not pay that. I'll wait until it comes down in price. Half the time, it will turn up at the library before it comes down in price, so they will lose the sale. Self-pubbed staff on Smashwords, my comfort level is $2.99 or less but I will go up to about $4. I have seen prices at Smashwords creeping up and I think it is absurd. When I can buy a new, paper mass market from a popular author for $6, there is no way I will give about that much to a self-pubbed book by an unknown author.

09-04-2010, 01:23 PM	#19
Elfwreck Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,185 Karma: 25133758 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area, California, USA Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3 (Past: Kobo Mini, PEZ, PRS-505, Clié)	Non-DRM'd ebook: Up to price of paperback, depending on author & other factors (whether it's part of a series, etc.) This sometimes means "up to price of paperback I can obtain used." I will pay up to $3 for an ebook without qualms and on a whim, up to $6 with some thought, and up to $10 in theory, but so far not in practice. DRM'd ebook: $0 is too much. I have no DRM-compatible ebook reading software at the moment, and no intention of acquiring any.

09-04-2010, 01:39 PM	#20
ppw Connoisseur Posts: 92 Karma: 499180 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Kindle 3 wifi, Kindle DXG, iPad 3	For finance books such as stock/option trading: $150 For programming books such as Java: $50 For hobby books: $25 For novels: $15 For children books: $15

09-04-2010, 02:12 PM	#21
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	Here is an idea for self-publishers. Offer the book for $1 a download, and if reader likes it (= finishes it), then at the end a short statement about paying an additional few bucks. I would gladly pay an extra $4 ex post if I finish the book. If a reader don't like the book she is $1 short, but could be offered the opportunity to move her copy to the book stores section for free downloads and perhaps receive a $0.10 credit towards a future download. That would give the author some feedback on how many people actually finish the book, how many who prefer to return it, and some other reader gets to download a pre-paid book. Maybe I'm gullible, but I think a lot of people would be happy to honor a system like that.

09-04-2010, 02:19 PM	#22
Granvillen Enthusiast Posts: 38 Karma: 30 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Alameda, Ca Device: Kindle2i., K3	I would pay up to $25 if it was a book I really wanted to read.

09-04-2010, 02:28 PM	#23
petermillard Evangelist Posts: 496 Karma: 2384998 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London, UK Device: iPad, iPhone, K3 & Amazon - between them they cover my needs.	Depends on the author and how much I want to read the book; I've paid ~£20 (UKP - about the same as the hardback) for a DRM'd eBook from an author I really like who writes one book a year. But I hated the publishers for 'gouging' like that and I went out of my way to avoid titles they published where possible for ages - so call me petty <shrug> Pete

09-04-2010, 03:01 PM	#24
carld Wizard Posts: 2,698 Karma: 4748723 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I've paid up to $9.99 for books, but very rarely. I refused to pay $12.99 for the latest Dresden Files novel especially when the paperback was $9.99. I ended up reading it, laboriously, in hardback. I'll freely buy under about $5, over that I'm hesitant, and above $7 or $8 it better be something special. I guess I'm kinda cheap.

09-05-2010, 06:41 AM	#25
DMB Old Git Posts: 958 Karma: 1840790 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Switzerland (mostly) Device: Two kindle PWs wifi, kindle fire, iPad3 wifi	There are some books I'd like that come only in DRM non-Kindle format. I intend to make a test purchase, see if I can strip off the DRM and then use calibre to change the format so I can put it on my Kindle. If this works, I'll do it a lot more.

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09-05-2010, 10:06 AM	#28
djgreedo Addict Posts: 285 Karma: 640696 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Kindle Touch 3G, HP Touchpad (Android), Samsung Omnia 7	I'm happy paying Kindle prices ($11.99 - $15 usually). I'm happy to pay a bit more if I'm keen enough (I'd probably pay up to $20 or $25 if I knew I was getting a great book). I'd be willing to pay more to get a book without DRM. I'd be willing to pay more if I felt the price was reasonable compared to the paper book (i.e. if the ebook is priced lower). I think $10-$15 is about right for the average ebook. That puts them in the range of impulse buy, and I'm not going to be too concerned if I buy a book I don't like at that price. RE: DRM All DRM can be removed. Google the format the books are in + "remove DRM". I've recently read books on my Kindle that had non-Kindle DRM on them. It's not difficult.

09-05-2010, 02:04 PM	#30
Alisa Gadget Geek Posts: 2,324 Karma: 22221 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Paperwhite, Kindle 3 (retired), Skindle 1.2 (retired)	Like Jabby, I have no set limit but it bugs me to pay more than $10 for a novel. (Obviously I will pay a great deal more for technical books but I'm getting the impression you're most interested in the pricing of novels here.) It's not about saving money, though. I'm not really inclined to economize on my reading these days. I'm not a broke student any more. I can afford a few little luxuries in life. Before Amazon started the $9.99 model, I would have been happy to pay $12-$15 for a new release. However, I resent the fact that some publishers have decided to join together in price fixing. It subverts competition and hurts their customers. I won't completely punish an author I like by not buying the book at all, but I may also wait for a price drop to buy to send a message to their publisher. Since I really dislike reading novels in paper form now, if it's not in ebook form I won't buy it. If it's a series and I can't get all the volumes in ebook form, I won't be inclined to read any of the books. I don't care if the ebook is $10 and I can get a free copy of the paper book. I'll spend the $10. Some authors certainly carry more weight for me but no one guarantees a purchase. I am a firm believer in free samples. If I get through that sample and really want to read the rest of the book, I'll buy it even if it's priced at the top of the market. If I think it's mediocre, I'm not going to buy it even if it's only a couple bucks. Life's short.