Frustration with Book Pricing at Kobo (and others) - Page 3

jackastor · 04-23-2012, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by everklear

I'm looking at "The Hunger Games" set by Suzanne Collins which I think might be a good read for both myself and my kids.

Currently at Kobo store:
Book 1: $5
Book 2: $9
Book 3: $9
Price for set bought individually: $23

Price for set bought as a single collected edition: $27.

That's great. Very sensible. Add that to the fact that the first three hits on a search for "Suzanne Collins Hunger Games" are not books by Suzanne Collins.

Meanwhile, over at Amazon Kindle store:
Book 1: $5
Book 2: $7.40
Book 3: $5.80

Price for set bought individually: $18.20

Price for set bought as a single collected edition: $19

Still not sensible, in terms of the discrepancy between the indiviudual prices and the price of the collection, but a lot closer.

So why would I spend $23 or $27 at Kobo when I can have the same thing for just over $18 at Amazon?

I'd rather have the Kobo editions for my Kobo reader, but the Amazon version is not a challenge to read on the Kobo either. I do it all the time.

If I decide to buy the books, it's no contest. For a difference of a dollar or two, I'd go ahead with the Kobo versions. For $5 difference I'll go to Amazon.

I think they follow the Walmart philosophy..... Lower prices only when its convienient. Walmart is the same for groceries example would be 6 bags of microwave propcorn at 2.87 10 bags of microwave popcorn 6.87 do the math 12 bags in two boxes total is cheaper!

Does anyone remember when ebooks were reasonalbly prices around 4.99 a book. The lack of actual deforestation make these books 100 percent enviro friendly as opposed to an actual print book where you must use, ink, paper, actual shipping costs for those materials, shipping costs for the stores that purchase the books, and all that means those books cost big dollars to make. The actual printing cost of an Ebook seems to me is zero dollars, not taking into account the revenue generated for the Author who I respect needs to get paid. What is wrong with corporate greed when the avg Ebook now costs almost as much as a hard copy of a first edition print?

Jack

Xennex1170 · 04-23-2012, 10:00 PM

What makes it more infuriating is that ebook are considered 'licensed' for use and not 'bought' as property. As such I would expect prices to be MUCH lower due to not actually being able to 'own' the ebook.

Wald07 · 04-24-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackastor

The lack of actual deforestation make these books 100 percent enviro friendly as opposed to an actual print book where you must use, ink, paper, actual shipping costs for those materials, shipping costs for the stores that purchase the books, and all that means those books cost big dollars to make. The actual printing cost of an Ebook seems to me is zero dollars, not taking into account the revenue generated for the Author who I respect needs to get paid. What is wrong with corporate greed when the avg Ebook now costs almost as much as a hard copy of a first edition print?

Jack

My thoughts exactly!

Wald07 · 04-25-2012, 08:43 PM

How about this? A book I bought on Sunday for $2 is now $1.
And customer service says "Too bad".

jackastor · 04-26-2012, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wald07

How about this? A book I bought on Sunday for $2 is now $1.
And customer service says "Too bad".

Actually I tried to buy a book that was 1.99 and couldnot buy it. I gave up.. The next day kobo sent me an email telling me I had this book in my cart. I followed the link and the cost of the book was free..

Seeing as I now got the book for free I thought that was a good bonus.

Jack

RareBird · 04-26-2012, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wald07

How about this? A book I bought on Sunday for $2 is now $1.
And customer service says "Too bad".

I don't see the issue. It's the same situation if I bought an item in a store and the next day/week/month it was discounted. I wouldn't expect to be able to walk into the store and demand the difference refunded.

AnemicOak · 04-26-2012, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RareBird

It's the same situation if I bought an item in a store and the next day/week/month it was discounted. I wouldn't expect to be able to walk into the store and demand the difference refunded.

Most retail stores here will do that up to 30 days out. Probably because they'd be dealing with a lot of returns/re-purchases at the lower price, in Kobo's case though they don't have to worry about that since in general you can't return books there at all.

Wald07 · 04-26-2012, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Most retail stores here will do that up to 30 days out. Probably because they'd be dealing with a lot of returns/re-purchases at the lower price, in Kobo's case though they don't have to worry about that since in general you can't return books there at all.

Right on the nose!

You got me. Same here with the retail stores....
Maybe I've been spoiled, but I am the squeaky wheel, after all!

Wald07 · 06-11-2012, 01:19 PM

Ok- How is this for frustration over e-book pricing? Keeping in mind that:

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackastor

The lack of actual deforestation make these books 100 percent enviro friendly as opposed to an actual print book where you must use, ink, paper, actual shipping costs for those materials, shipping costs for the stores that purchase the books, and all that means those books cost big dollars to make. The actual printing cost of an Ebook seems to me is zero dollars, not taking into account the revenue generated for the Author who I respect needs to get paid.
Jack

50 Shades of Grey- Paperback $9.57 on AMZ US
50 Shades of Grey- Paperback $8.98 on AMZ CA
50 Shades of Grey- Kindle Ed. $10.95 on AMZ US
50 Shades of Grey- Kobo Site $10.99

Why is it cheaper to purchase hard copies?!?!

(Not that I cared to read these, anyhow. And it's not 'Sour Grapes' either!!)

IMHO: This. Is. Totally. Unfair.

m_bisson · 06-11-2012, 01:45 PM

I've started pirating any titles that I can get cheaper as a paperback. Also, try buying books from "other" sites like smashwords.

BWinmill · 06-11-2012, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m_bisson

I've started pirating any titles that I can get cheaper as a paperback. Also, try buying books from "other" sites like smashwords.

A better idea: don't buy or pirate. If you buy, you re-enforce the idea that the pricing is appropriate. If you pirate, publishers will blame lost sales on pirates and introduce more draconian measures.

Remember: you just want that book. You can always buy a different book or use a library.

Wald07 · 06-11-2012, 02:24 PM

I refuse to pay more that $5 for an e-book.

I've trained my "Recomendations" at Kobo. They now only offer me free & 0.99c books.
Took some training, but it's how I want it.

I don't buy $10 e-books & I don't pirate, either. And I do borrow e-books from the library.

So, I won't invite the wrath of the "Big 6".....

RareBird · 06-11-2012, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wald07

I refuse to pay more that $5 for an e-book.

I've trained my "Recomendations" at Kobo. They now only offer me free & 0.99c books.
Took some training, but it's how I want it.

I don't buy $10 e-books & I don't pirate, either. And I do borrow e-books from the library.

So, I won't invite the wrath of the "Big 6".....

Just out of curiosity, how did you train it? I'm still getting recommendations that are way off base for me. I draw the line at $10 but I've gone a little over if buying a bundle which saves me considerably more than buying the titles separate. I also download any free ones that may interest me. My wife always say I have a ton to read but if I see a book I like the look of that is free I grab it. And borrowing ebooks from the library is a great way to enjoy books for free and no late charges as a bonus.

Wald07 · 06-11-2012, 04:27 PM

PM coming your way RB. You sound just like me! :lol:

taming · 06-12-2012, 07:15 AM

I have a monthly book budget. If I buy an expensive one (and I do), it reduces the total number of books I can buy that month. FWIW, I have had a book budget since 1971, when I got my first full time job. The format is irrelevant, from my POV. I am not buying paper or whatever those hard covers are made from, I am buying the books content--the information, enjoyment, etc. that i will get from reading the book.

On Saturday, my husband spent $15 to see a movie (he then bought popcorn and soda, so his total was much more). That same day, I spent $16 to buy the book Gone Girl. Neither of us feels ripped off.

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04-23-2012, 10:00 PM	#32
Xennex1170 Addict Posts: 355 Karma: 289856 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Device: Kobo Touch	What makes it more infuriating is that ebook are considered 'licensed' for use and not 'bought' as property. As such I would expect prices to be MUCH lower due to not actually being able to 'own' the ebook.

04-25-2012, 08:43 PM	#34
Wald07 Audiophile Posts: 452 Karma: 2470850 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Manitoba Device: Nexux7 2nd Gen & Kobo Touch	How about this? A book I bought on Sunday for $2 is now $1. And customer service says "Too bad".

06-11-2012, 01:45 PM	#40
m_bisson Groupie Posts: 170 Karma: 25803 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: kobo touch :)	I've started pirating any titles that I can get cheaper as a paperback. Also, try buying books from "other" sites like smashwords.

06-11-2012, 02:24 PM	#42
Wald07 Audiophile Posts: 452 Karma: 2470850 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Manitoba Device: Nexux7 2nd Gen & Kobo Touch	I refuse to pay more that $5 for an e-book. I've trained my "Recomendations" at Kobo. They now only offer me free & 0.99c books. Took some training, but it's how I want it. I don't buy $10 e-books & I don't pirate, either. And I do borrow e-books from the library. So, I won't invite the wrath of the "Big 6".....

06-11-2012, 04:27 PM	#44
Wald07 Audiophile Posts: 452 Karma: 2470850 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Manitoba Device: Nexux7 2nd Gen & Kobo Touch	PM coming your way RB. You sound just like me! :lol:

06-12-2012, 07:15 AM	#45
taming Trying for calm & polite Posts: 4,012 Karma: 9455193 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mostly in Canada Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura	I have a monthly book budget. If I buy an expensive one (and I do), it reduces the total number of books I can buy that month. FWIW, I have had a book budget since 1971, when I got my first full time job. The format is irrelevant, from my POV. I am not buying paper or whatever those hard covers are made from, I am buying the books content--the information, enjoyment, etc. that i will get from reading the book. On Saturday, my husband spent $15 to see a movie (he then bought popcorn and soda, so his total was much more). That same day, I spent $16 to buy the book Gone Girl. Neither of us feels ripped off.

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