How Amazon exercises power with 1-click "Buy Now" button

[nekokami]

One thing that puzzled me as I read the article was why the title referenced the 1-Click button, when really this is much more severe. The "Buy Now" button lets the customer buy something directly from Amazon. The "see other options" button lets one see if there are used versions or whatnot for sale. The difference between these two from the consumer's point of view is that the selection may be lower, "prime" shipping isn't available, and you're really buying from a third party, with their own shipping times, warranty, etc. But from a publisher's or author's point of view, it's the difference of making a new sale-- or not. Publishers and authors don't get anything from the "see other options" button sales. The seller gets most of it, and Amazon takes a cut.

As to whether this should be legal... how close is Amazon to being a monopoly? Those are regulated. Other than that, I suspect they're within their rights. Not that I like the tactics, but I think publishers have their own bad practices that they need to be knocked out of. I just hope authors and readers don't get too hurt in the process.

[catsittingstill]

Originally Posted by Leep

I did notice just this week that on their Kindle book site, they have taken away the "wish list" function which I often use to gather items to compare when browsing. Wonder if this was intentional to encourage use of the 1-click Buy button.

Actually, I think this is because only the owner of a Kindle can buy items for that Kindle; nobody else can buy Kindle books for you. And since wishlists are usually used to tell other people what you want for your birthday or Christmas or something, Kindle editions can't be put on wishlists.

I'd like to have a way to compare items for the Kindle too. But putting them in separate browser tabs is the only method I can think of.

[pagansoul]

Originally Posted by catsittingstill

Actually, I think this is because only the owner of a Kindle can buy items for that Kindle; nobody else can buy Kindle books for you. And since wishlists are usually used to tell other people what you want for your birthday or Christmas or something, Kindle editions can't be put on wishlists.

You do what everyone does, get a gift certificate. Say I need iTunes or Target or Home Depot or whatever. On your wish list ask for a Gift Certificate. In Georgia you can go into most Supermarkets and pick up Gift Cards to all the big stores.

[tirsales]

Originally Posted by Taylor514ce

I can see all sides of the issue. If Amazon is trying to negotiate/bully with a publisher, then turning off a purchasing feature on their site seems like a pretty good tactic. If I am a small publisher trying to come to grips with a changing world, then I would be extremely upset and antagonized by this. As a consumer, I'm all for having lower prices.

That is very, very short-sighted of you.
Do you really believe that Amazon is negotiating to provide you with lower prices? They want to earn more money.
And as soon as they have monopolized the market (even more) - they will harass the customer. Higher prices, lower service, etc. We have seen the same thing repeating itself for ever and ever. A monopol is NEVER a good thing.

I think the ones hurt the most are authors, though.

And that means: No more new content. Hurray to Amazon for being the bully on the playground.

Originally Posted by =X=

I'm trying to see why this is such an issue. Personally I think it's business as usual.

Yeah ... like e.g selling weapons to Iran is business as usual.
Blackmail is NOT a normal practise on the market. Monopols are in fact ruining every market they are enforcet too.

For me the buy now is conceptually no different from corner isle in the super market. Who ever has a corner increases their sales, but it's not free. Business have to pay extra or have a hot selling time to get a corner isle.

The difference is that you have multiple super markets.

@pagansoul: I dislike presenting gift certificates. Its like presenting money. You should choose a gift specifically for a specific person. Thinking about that person, choosing what this person could like. Maybe presenting a new book? One that the person wouldnt have thought of - but likes nevertheless?
Maybe I am a bit out-dated in my believes - but I still keep to that saying "its the thought that counts" - and there is not that much thought in gift certificates.

[=X=]

Originally Posted by catsittingstill

... And since wishlists are usually used to tell other people what you want for your birthday or Christmas or something, Kindle editions can't be put on wishlists....

I've always used my wish list as a way to track books I'd like to buy, but shelved them for a later date.

BTW I think fictionwise is on to me. They've just emailed me a promotion to get and additional 15% off of my wish list.

=X=

[=X=]

Originally Posted by tirsales

Yeah ... like e.g selling weapons to Iran is business as usual.

let me get this straight Disabling the 1 click = selling weapons to Iran.
Your logic is infallible.


For clarity sake here is the definition
Monopoly: exclusive control of a commodity or service in a particular market

Amazon is not a monopoly. A large distributor yes. Do they use bully tactics yes. But if you plan on boycotting them for these tactics you better get ready to boycott a lot of other business as well. Microsoft, Apple, Coke, Starbucks, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Sony, HP, IBM, the list goes on and on.


=X=

[tirsales]

Selling weapons to Iran is business as usual to some weapon traders. Blackmailing publishers is buisness as usual to others. Some people dont see harm in the first, some dont see harm in the second.
Yes, I exagerated.

I didnt say Amazon has a monopol - though they are using monopolistic tactics, I said that Amazon WANTS a monopol - and that is what I wanted to alert people of. Because the people now saying "I want to buy my books as cheap as possible no matter the cost" are short-sighted. Because it will cost them more in the long run.
Oh and btw: I dont use an Apple, I dont use Microsoft products, I dont buy at Starbucks or Wal-Mart or Home Depot (I dont even know what this is ), I dont buy Sony products (for the sake of their publishing market), etc

And none of Sony, HP, IBM, etc have the influence on the pc market that Amazon has on the book market.

[JSWolf]

If I want t purchase a specific eBook for someone who has a Kindle, I should be able to with no problem. But with Amazon, I have a problem. But it might be an interesting idea to contact Amazon on this issue and see what happens, But I know if I purchase an eBook from Fictionwise or BooksOnBoard, I can do so and give said book to someone else.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If I want t purchase a specific eBook for someone who has a Kindle, I should be able to with no problem. But with Amazon, I have a problem. But it might be an interesting idea to contact Amazon on this issue and see what happens, But I know if I purchase an eBook from Fictionwise or BooksOnBoard, I can do so and give said book to someone else.

Yep, I don't think they have an easy way to gift someone a Kindle book. You would have to go with a gift card, but then you aren't getting them a certain book.

BOb

[pilotbob]

In addition to being able to Gift kindle books I'd like to see them allow you to buy a Kindle book along with your pbook, maybe for an extra buck or two.

You also can't add a Kindle book to your wishlist. Which is week.

BOb

[bwaldron]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

You also can't add a Kindle book to your wishlist. Which is week.

Sometimes you can.

If the book has reviews, click on the "customer reviews" link and then you will see an "add to wishlist" link on the upper right of the page.

(I don't use a Kindle, but I use this same technique for adding mp3 downloads to my wishlist.)