Does an ebook sale represent, to you, a lost print sale? - Page 2

JSWolf · 09-15-2009, 10:09 AM

For me, Ill get the eBook and if one is not available or is not available at a decent price, I'll try to get it from the library. If the library does not have the book as an eBook and a pBook, I'll see how much it is from the bookshop and if it's not hardcover or one of those awful trade but a standard paperback with a $7.99 retail price, I'll get the pBook. This is for a book that I want to read now. if I can wait, I'll wait and maybe get a coupon in email from Borders for 25% or so off.

Lemurion · 09-15-2009, 10:12 AM

Sometimes.

There are some books I will only buy once - in either paper or e-format depending on price and availability. In those cases, each e-book sale represents a lost print sale - and each print sale represents a lost e-sale.

There are other books that I have bought in both paper and e-formats - sometimes more than once. However, I will say that I'm more likely to buy an e-book of a paper volume I already own than a paper volume of an e-book I already own. So maybe the e-book does lead to a loss of a future paper sale? But is that really a loss if I've already bought it once?

Crowl · 09-15-2009, 10:39 AM

Currently, I am just not looking to buy any paper books as I am in the process of moving countries and as such if a book isn't available as an ebook then its a lost sale for them as I can easily find something else I want as an ebook instead.

Xenophon · 09-15-2009, 10:51 AM

I had to stop and think about this for a bit to sort out my typical decision tree for buying fiction. Non-fiction is a completely different matter, especially when it's professional or reference books. Anyway, here goes...

These are all Yes/No questions. If an option is not listed, fall through to the next item in the list.

Do I want to read the book at all? (No --> Nothing to see here, move along)
Am I interested enough to pay $$ for the book? (No --> Get it from the library or borrow from a friend)
Is the author/series/etc. on my list of "buy in hard-cover without fail"? (Yes --> buy hardcover, but also continue)
Is the book available in bits from Baen? (Yes --> just purchase the bits now, perhaps in a monthly bundle) [note 1]
Is the book available in bits at a reasonable price (e.g. well under $10), with no DRM? (Yes --> buy the bits, and stop)
Is the book available in bits at a reasonable price, but with strippable DRM? (Yes --> think hard about buying and converting. If so, stop) [note 2]
Is the book available only at an unreasonable price? (Yes --> back to the Library or borrow option)
At this point, the eBook is either too expensive or I can't strip the DRM, or both. Fall back to Library or Borrow from Friend. Purchase in DTF only if I'm truly desperate and those approaches fail.

Overall, buying the eBook doesn't displace a print purchase; rather, it displaces no purchase at all.

Note 1: Books from Baen are all DRM-free, available in multiple formats, and inexpensive (no more than $6.00 in quantity 1, cheaper via bundles). I support their business model very strongly, so I'm biased in favor of purchasing through them when possible.

Note 2: These books are reasonably priced and can be made usable by removing the DRM. But purchasing them sends the economic message that DRM is acceptable (and I don't want to send that message). So this choice is a balancing act between message and desire. I decide differently on different days.

Xenophon

EowynCarter · 09-15-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

There are other books that I have bought in both paper and e-formats - sometimes more than once. However, I will say that I'm more likely to buy an e-book of a paper volume I already own than a paper volume of an e-book I already own. So maybe the e-book does lead to a loss of a future paper sale? But is that really a loss if I've already bought it once?

Pretty much sum it up for me too.
I also get more new book, rather than re-reading.

Shaggy · 09-15-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ficbot

One of the reasons publishers seem to fear ebooks so much is the threat that ebook sales will 'cannibalize' print sales.

I find this to be a pretty bogus argument. Whether it's an eBook sale or a pBook sale, it's still a sale.

AnemicOak · 09-15-2009, 11:45 AM

Since getting my first dedicated reader in October of '07 I have bought 4 pbooks that I can think of. Two were used paperbacks I couldn't get as ebooks (although they are available now), two were hardcovers that weren't getting an ebook release that were from authors I HAD to have on release day (both are out as ebooks now).

Would I still buy a pbook? For fiction books no I wouldn't (I might go the library route if I found it really necessary although I find it a PITA). For non-fiction/reference books I probably would. I don't find current ebooks are really suited to the type of non-fiction/reference reading I usually do.

BookishMom · 09-15-2009, 11:45 AM

I voted "other". I slowed down on purchasing paper copies of books even before I had an ebook reader. Due to shrinking shelf space, I usually only purchase paper if it's a reference work that I need for an extended period of time and it isn't available in ebook version. Otherwise, for paper books, I'll use my local libraries and inter-library-loan services to get what I need. I'm much more likely to buy a book now if it's in ebook version. I've spent a lot more on books now that I have a reader.

wachuko · 09-15-2009, 12:26 PM

Does an ebook sale to you represent a lost print sale?

Yes, but not a loss of sales...

Look, I just bought 14 e-books out of pure impulse... thanks to e-books these publishers are selling me more material to read than if they had to wait for me to finish a book and then go to the local bookstore to get the next one.

What makes it easier on the purchase is that now I can carry around several books without a worry in the world about the space and weight in my notebook backpack or where to store them afterwards...

I just hope they make the necessary adjustments to avoid over printing books... The whole idea is for them to maximize profits by avoiding the cost of printing (with the side effect used for marketing of a greener approach).

Hellmark · 09-15-2009, 12:30 PM

Looking at what I have bought recently, or are planning to buy, and I see that how I buy it depends on the content. Things that are more graphic heavy, I am buying in paper back, but text only I go for the ebook.

DawnFalcon · 09-15-2009, 12:32 PM

DRM free ebook > second hand print book > new print book > DRM'd ebook

KarenH · 09-15-2009, 12:44 PM

Buying ebooks has reduced (slightly) my purchases of NEW pbooks, but has greatly increased my overall new book purchases. Before I started buying ebooks, I would purchase a very few (maybe 5/year) pbooks new. The rest I got either from used bookstores, or from paperbackswap.com. Now I still pick up the occasional book from PBS, but pretty much all of my new and used book purchases have been converted to ebooks. The publishers are making a lot more money off me now that I'm in the ebook market!

columbus · 09-15-2009, 12:54 PM

I voted no mainly because of the high cost of postage to here.

I just wait until my local second hand book shop has a copy.

So if there is no eBook the publisher looses out completely on a sale to me.

Elfwreck · 09-15-2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaggy

I find this to be a pretty bogus argument. Whether it's an eBook sale or a pBook sale, it's still a sale.

They're either considering it either a lost hardcover sale (hence the insane ebook prices), or they believe that a certain percentage of ebooks will have their DRM cracked & be released into the darknet--and they're charging their customers a "security fee" to make up for the "lost sales" of pirated ebooks.

Penforhire · 09-15-2009, 01:03 PM

Yes for me. I don't have more physical storage either but few new books are keepers. If I need to read it and no e-book is possible then off to Borders I go.

View Poll Results: Doea an ebook sale to you represent a lost print sale?
Yes- if there was no ebook version, I would buy a paper copy	29	17.16%
No- I would not buy a print copy even if there was no e-version	93	55.03%
No- I only read from the library and would not buy a print copy OR an ebook copy	7	4.14%
Other- explain	40	23.67%
Voters: 169. You may not vote on this poll

09-15-2009, 10:51 AM	#19
Xenophon curmudgeon Posts: 1,487 Karma: 5748190 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Redwood City, CA USA Device: Kobo Aura HD, (ex)nook, (ex)PRS-700, (ex)PRS-500	I had to stop and think about this for a bit to sort out my typical decision tree for buying fiction. Non-fiction is a completely different matter, especially when it's professional or reference books. Anyway, here goes... These are all Yes/No questions. If an option is not listed, fall through to the next item in the list. Do I want to read the book at all? (No --> Nothing to see here, move along) Am I interested enough to pay $$ for the book? (No --> Get it from the library or borrow from a friend) Is the author/series/etc. on my list of "buy in hard-cover without fail"? (Yes --> buy hardcover, but also continue) Is the book available in bits from Baen? (Yes --> just purchase the bits now, perhaps in a monthly bundle) [note 1] Is the book available in bits at a reasonable price (e.g. well under $10), with no DRM? (Yes --> buy the bits, and stop) Is the book available in bits at a reasonable price, but with strippable DRM? (Yes --> think hard about buying and converting. If so, stop) [note 2] Is the book available only at an unreasonable price? (Yes --> back to the Library or borrow option) At this point, the eBook is either too expensive or I can't strip the DRM, or both. Fall back to Library or Borrow from Friend. Purchase in DTF only if I'm truly desperate and those approaches fail. Overall, buying the eBook doesn't displace a print purchase; rather, it displaces no purchase at all. Note 1: Books from Baen are all DRM-free, available in multiple formats, and inexpensive (no more than $6.00 in quantity 1, cheaper via bundles). I support their business model very strongly, so I'm biased in favor of purchasing through them when possible. Note 2: These books are reasonably priced and can be made usable by removing the DRM. But purchasing them sends the economic message that DRM is acceptable (and I don't want to send that message). So this choice is a balancing act between message and desire. I decide differently on different days. Xenophon

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09-15-2009, 10:09 AM	#16
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,786 Karma: 146391129 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	For me, Ill get the eBook and if one is not available or is not available at a decent price, I'll try to get it from the library. If the library does not have the book as an eBook and a pBook, I'll see how much it is from the bookshop and if it's not hardcover or one of those awful trade but a standard paperback with a $7.99 retail price, I'll get the pBook. This is for a book that I want to read now. if I can wait, I'll wait and maybe get a coupon in email from Borders for 25% or so off.

09-15-2009, 10:12 AM	#17
Lemurion eReader Posts: 2,750 Karma: 4968470 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Note 5; PW3; Nook HD+; ChuWi Hi12; iPad	Sometimes. There are some books I will only buy once - in either paper or e-format depending on price and availability. In those cases, each e-book sale represents a lost print sale - and each print sale represents a lost e-sale. There are other books that I have bought in both paper and e-formats - sometimes more than once. However, I will say that I'm more likely to buy an e-book of a paper volume I already own than a paper volume of an e-book I already own. So maybe the e-book does lead to a loss of a future paper sale? But is that really a loss if I've already bought it once?

09-15-2009, 10:39 AM	#18
Crowl Wizard Posts: 1,340 Karma: 1160346 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Southport, GB Device: Kindle Voyage, PW Signature edition	Currently, I am just not looking to buy any paper books as I am in the process of moving countries and as such if a book isn't available as an ebook then its a lost sale for them as I can easily find something else I want as an ebook instead.

09-15-2009, 11:45 AM	#22
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Since getting my first dedicated reader in October of '07 I have bought 4 pbooks that I can think of. Two were used paperbacks I couldn't get as ebooks (although they are available now), two were hardcovers that weren't getting an ebook release that were from authors I HAD to have on release day (both are out as ebooks now). Would I still buy a pbook? For fiction books no I wouldn't (I might go the library route if I found it really necessary although I find it a PITA). For non-fiction/reference books I probably would. I don't find current ebooks are really suited to the type of non-fiction/reference reading I usually do.

09-15-2009, 11:45 AM	#23
BookishMom Connoisseur Posts: 66 Karma: 1038 Join Date: May 2009 Device: K1, K2, and iPad. :)	I voted "other". I slowed down on purchasing paper copies of books even before I had an ebook reader. Due to shrinking shelf space, I usually only purchase paper if it's a reference work that I need for an extended period of time and it isn't available in ebook version. Otherwise, for paper books, I'll use my local libraries and inter-library-loan services to get what I need. I'm much more likely to buy a book now if it's in ebook version. I've spent a lot more on books now that I have a reader.

09-15-2009, 12:26 PM	#24
wachuko eBook Worm Posts: 205 Karma: 2745996 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Device: Kindle Paperwhite/ Sony PRS-505/PRS-600 Silver/PRS-T1	Does an ebook sale to you represent a lost print sale? Yes, but not a loss of sales... Look, I just bought 14 e-books out of pure impulse... thanks to e-books these publishers are selling me more material to read than if they had to wait for me to finish a book and then go to the local bookstore to get the next one. What makes it easier on the purchase is that now I can carry around several books without a worry in the world about the space and weight in my notebook backpack or where to store them afterwards... I just hope they make the necessary adjustments to avoid over printing books... The whole idea is for them to maximize profits by avoiding the cost of printing (with the side effect used for marketing of a greener approach).

09-15-2009, 12:30 PM	#25
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,592 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	Looking at what I have bought recently, or are planning to buy, and I see that how I buy it depends on the content. Things that are more graphic heavy, I am buying in paper back, but text only I go for the ebook.

09-15-2009, 12:32 PM	#26
DawnFalcon Banned Posts: 2,094 Karma: 2682 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: N/A	DRM free ebook > second hand print book > new print book > DRM'd ebook

09-15-2009, 12:44 PM	#27
KarenH Addict Posts: 281 Karma: 37762 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NW Washington State, USA Device: K3	Buying ebooks has reduced (slightly) my purchases of NEW pbooks, but has greatly increased my overall new book purchases. Before I started buying ebooks, I would purchase a very few (maybe 5/year) pbooks new. The rest I got either from used bookstores, or from paperbackswap.com. Now I still pick up the occasional book from PBS, but pretty much all of my new and used book purchases have been converted to ebooks. The publishers are making a lot more money off me now that I'm in the ebook market!

09-15-2009, 12:54 PM	#28
columbus Wizard Posts: 999 Karma: 5487540 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: In my own imagination. Device: Sony Prs 650, 505	I voted no mainly because of the high cost of postage to here. I just wait until my local second hand book shop has a copy. So if there is no eBook the publisher looses out completely on a sale to me.

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09-15-2009, 01:03 PM	#30
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	Yes for me. I don't have more physical storage either but few new books are keepers. If I need to read it and no e-book is possible then off to Borders I go.