HarperCollins Tries Direct Sales - Page 2

tomsem · 07-09-2014, 04:17 AM

The HC app (like a number of other reading apps) is essentially Bluefire Reader, which is okay, but not all that special. It doesn't offer any way to create an account in the app, and doesn't have a store link! So you have to do that at their web site. That's pretty strange/lame.

I 'registered' on the web site and was able to 'authorize' the Android and iOS apps, but it won't let me use those credentials to login and (potentially) buy something on the web site. Said I didn't enter a valid email address. How can they ship an ecommerce web site that doesn't let someone login?

HarryT · 07-09-2014, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

I 'registered' on the web site and was able to 'authorize' the Android and iOS apps, but it won't let me use those credentials to login and (potentially) buy something on the web site. Said I didn't enter a valid email address. How can they ship an ecommerce web site that doesn't let someone login?

Had you entered a valid email address?

AnemicOak · 07-09-2014, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

I 'registered' on the web site and was able to 'authorize' the Android and iOS apps, but it won't let me use those credentials to login and (potentially) buy something on the web site. Said I didn't enter a valid email address. How can they ship an ecommerce web site that doesn't let someone login?

Yes, same here. I even "re-registered" with the same credentials on the website and all it does after that is take me to a page directing me to download one of their reading apps.

Purple Lady · 07-09-2014, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

The HC app (like a number of other reading apps) is essentially Bluefire Reader, which is okay, but not all that special. It doesn't offer any way to create an account in the app, and doesn't have a store link! So you have to do that at their web site. That's pretty strange/lame.

I 'registered' on the web site and was able to 'authorize' the Android and iOS apps, but it won't let me use those credentials to login and (potentially) buy something on the web site. Said I didn't enter a valid email address. How can they ship an ecommerce web site that doesn't let someone login?

The Bluefire reader for ios is capable of using Adobe's new drm, so I would be very careful of publisher's sites selling ebooks. The publishers want the new drm, right? Maybe this is one way to get it.

GERGE · 07-10-2014, 01:38 AM

I don't really care about the app. I bought The Queen of the Tearlings and downloaded it with ADE 3.0. It was cheaper than Kobo and Amazon too. Then stripped the DRM, converted to kepub, sent to Kobo Glo with Calibre.

pdurrant · 07-10-2014, 06:54 AM

I don't trust HarperCollins to stick with their ebook store in the long term.

Quote:

In November 2010, Harper Collins announced that as of November 19, 2010, their eBook Store was discontinued, and advised all customers to download and archive their purchases before December 19, 2010, when purchased titles would no longer be accessible. Loss of access to Mobipocket ebooks on new devices.

Now if they would add ebooks from their old store to accounts on their new store with the same email address, that would go some way to making up for cutting off access back in 2010.

But I'd only really be interested if they did something radical like a DRM-free ebook store with low prices.

fjtorres · 07-10-2014, 07:52 AM

Their "advanced search" lets you search for specific imprints...
...but not for genres.

'Nuff said.

HarryT · 07-10-2014, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

But I'd only really be interested if they did something radical like a DRM-free ebook store with low prices.

Their ebook prices are significantly lower than the equivalent paperback prices. How long do you think they should be?

pdurrant · 07-10-2014, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Their ebook prices are significantly lower than the equivalent paperback prices. How lo[w] do you think they should be?

How low? An interesting question. Low enough that I'll buy from them.

I'd probably a bit spoiled by Amazon daily deals, Kobo discount codes, and even Baen monthly bundles.

It's a very rare ebook that I'll pay more than £4 for. And even £3 seems a bit pricey to me these days.

leebase · 07-15-2014, 10:37 AM

I was just about to start a thread suggesting the big publishers simply cut out Amazon and go direct. Why not? At least have their own site that has a "buy this book from" option that steers purchases to their book sellers.

For that matter, they should make a franchisable (I think I just invented a word) Authors direct buying site. Each author would get their own look/feel or at least branding.

I have no problem with most things Amazon. Nor do I have a problem with publishers setting prices for their own product. I think competition is one author/book vying for your money against another author/book....not different retailers vying to sell you the same author/book.

So, as Amazon does use, IMHO, predatory pricing practices that are not in the Publisher's best interest....STOP using Amazon to sell your books. Let the publishers set up their own sites, and let Amazon become the source for indie books.

The public will vote with their dollars

DiapDealer · 07-15-2014, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leebase

The public will vote with their dollars

I agree.
Except that I'm pretty sure they already have.

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07-09-2014, 04:17 AM	#16
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,942 Karma: 27060153 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	The HC app (like a number of other reading apps) is essentially Bluefire Reader, which is okay, but not all that special. It doesn't offer any way to create an account in the app, and doesn't have a store link! So you have to do that at their web site. That's pretty strange/lame. I 'registered' on the web site and was able to 'authorize' the Android and iOS apps, but it won't let me use those credentials to login and (potentially) buy something on the web site. Said I didn't enter a valid email address. How can they ship an ecommerce web site that doesn't let someone login?

07-10-2014, 01:38 AM	#20
GERGE Guru Posts: 733 Karma: 5797160 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Istanbul Device: Kobo Libra	I don't really care about the app. I bought The Queen of the Tearlings and downloaded it with ADE 3.0. It was cheaper than Kobo and Amazon too. Then stripped the DRM, converted to kepub, sent to Kobo Glo with Calibre.

07-10-2014, 07:52 AM	#22
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	Their "advanced search" lets you search for specific imprints... ...but not for genres. 'Nuff said.

07-15-2014, 10:37 AM	#25
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,960 Karma: 26738313 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	I was just about to start a thread suggesting the big publishers simply cut out Amazon and go direct. Why not? At least have their own site that has a "buy this book from" option that steers purchases to their book sellers. For that matter, they should make a franchisable (I think I just invented a word) Authors direct buying site. Each author would get their own look/feel or at least branding. I have no problem with most things Amazon. Nor do I have a problem with publishers setting prices for their own product. I think competition is one author/book vying for your money against another author/book....not different retailers vying to sell you the same author/book. So, as Amazon does use, IMHO, predatory pricing practices that are not in the Publisher's best interest....STOP using Amazon to sell your books. Let the publishers set up their own sites, and let Amazon become the source for indie books. The public will vote with their dollars

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