ebook pricing

[Harry_Y]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

There is an old saying in the computer security community - to every attempt to secure information there is always a way around the security improvements. No mater how hard publishers attempt to secure the books they sell there will always be someone who will find a way around those safeguards. Its a loosing battle that publishers seem to be intent on fighting and has been waged for as long as PCs were invented in the early 80s.

I recently ran into this: I purchased a book that was a locked down PDF
and it would only run under windows, I called the company trying to get
the unlock code so I could put it on my kindle (They would not provide it).

The support guy was a real piece of work, He said to me:
"Why don't you Return it and download a Pirated copy"

I explained to him that that is not how I do things, and said goodbye.

(In hindsight I should have gotten his name and wrote the company a letter)

[bliss108]

I've made it a rule not to buy any ebook that costs as much or more than the print version. I can't believe some of the prices they try to charge. It's more than the paperback prices of recent years, before the paperbacks have risen in price dramatically.

On top of insult to injury, we are not allowed to use any type of coupons on Agency books. Yet, I don't remember ever not being able to use a coupon on any book in a brick and mortar store!
I hope the courts get rid of Agency price fixing soon. The sooner, the better. As it stands I haven't bought any Agency book since the fixes.

[Hoods7070]

Interesting responses. I will give asking Amazon to price-match their OWN e-books to their paperbacks a whirl. Worth a shot, anyway.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Hoods7070

Interesting responses. I will give asking Amazon to price-match their OWN e-books to their paperbacks a whirl. Worth a shot, anyway.

What did they say?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by bliss108

On top of insult to injury, we are not allowed to use any type of coupons on Agency books. Yet, I don't remember ever not being able to use a coupon on any book in a brick and mortar store!

Sure you can. I get gift certificates from my Amazon UK MasterCard and use them to buy eBooks.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Sure you can. I get gift certificates from my Amazon UK MasterCard and use them to buy eBooks.

To my mind a gift certificate and a coupon are totally different things.

[treadlightly]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

To my mind a gift certificate and a coupon are totally different things.

Mine too. And eBookstores could get around the agency pricing thing by offering discounted giftcards, if they were motivated to do so. Amazon had a $5 for $10 card a while ago.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

To my mind a gift certificate and a coupon are totally different things.

Different in what way? Both are a code which gives you a book more cheaply (or for free).

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Different in what way? Both are a code which gives you a book more cheaply (or for free).

A gift certificate has been paid for by someone. A coupon is free.

[Hoods7070]

Originally Posted by John F

What did they say?

I didn't get to ask the question - I got irritated wading through the maze of Support and Help links, and couldn't find a non-specific "Contact Us" or ticket area. If such a link exists it's well hidden!

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Different in what way? Both are a code which gives you a book more cheaply (or for free).

A GC is purchased by someone (using money or a rewards program) while a coupon is issued by a manufaturer or retailer to provide a discount.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

A GC is purchased by someone (using money or a rewards program) while a coupon is issued by a manufaturer or retailer to provide a discount.

Yes, I know what the difference between the two is . I just can't see any difference in the principle of their use. If Kobo (to pick a random example) gives me a "$10 off" coupon code, how does that differ from giving me a $10 gift certificate?

[tompe]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Yes, I know what the difference between the two is . I just can't see any difference in the principle of their use. If Kobo (to pick a random example) gives me a "$10 off" coupon code, how does that differ from giving me a $10 gift certificate?

The difference is that coupons are bad since they raise the price for people that does not find any enjoyment in collecting and using coupons. I avoided some of the coupon based abook shops since it seemed that the only way to get a reasonable price was to spend time understanding their system.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by tompe

The difference is that coupons are bad since they raise the price for people that does not find any enjoyment in collecting and using coupons. I avoided some of the coupon based abook shops since it seemed that the only way to get a reasonable price was to spend time understanding their system.

Keep an eye on the "Deals" forum here at MR. That's a good way to find out about the good coupon offers. FictionWise have one almost every weekend, for example.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Yes, I know what the difference between the two is . I just can't see any difference in the principle of their use. If Kobo (to pick a random example) gives me a "$10 off" coupon code, how does that differ from giving me a $10 gift certificate?

It doesn't. But most coupons are a percentage off coupon. And most stores that use coupons have agreements with the publisher about special treatment of items bought with coupons.