How to get around corporate greed at Amazon?

[cvkemp]

I read the free books that I can download from amazon and other sites.
I do buy a few books but not very often. And when I do buy ebooks it is something that I want to read or have to have as a reference and I love the fact that I have them on my kindle and I do not have to care around so much bulk.

[urbanereader]

When it comes to the pure experience of reader and story, I can think of few books I would more gladly pay $9.99 for than Grapes of fricking Wrath. It is, to me, a work that stands up to--and overshadows--most of the books that people happily preorder for the same price and wait on pins and needles for the midnight download.

--UER.

[desertgrandma]

Welcome to MobileRead, urbanereader

Feel free to use the 'introduce yourself" link below..

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by urbanereader

When it comes to the pure experience of reader and story, I can think of few books I would more gladly pay $9.99 for than Grapes of fricking Wrath. It is, to me, a work that stands up to--and overshadows--most of the books that people happily preorder for the same price and wait on pins and needles for the midnight download.

--UER.

I wish I could get any/all of his work in ebook form!!

Oh Wait! I missed DGMs link....it IS available!
Yea!

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

@JeremyZ.......

If in 2009 you hated the $9.99 price, you'll liable to freak out at the current one.....


http://www.amazon.com/The-Grapes-of-...6494280&sr=1-1

The Penguin edition is $5.14 for UK customers, including VAT:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Grapes-of-...6531671&sr=1-2

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

@JeremyZ.......

If in 2009 you hated the $9.99 price, you'll liable to freak out at the current one.....


http://www.amazon.com/The-Grapes-of-...6494280&sr=1-1

Thank You!

[el_brio]

Ohhh.... and as far as "corporate greed", this is a ridiculous term. Corporations duty to their owners is to maximize shareholder value. Corporations are supposed to be greedy. I wouldn't invest in one that doesn't try to make a profit. If they can charge $20 for Grapes of Wrath and get it (and not kill the market off) more power to them. I'd do it if I could, and so would you. Does that make us greedy or smart?

I'd suggest one of the following options:

1. Fork over the $10 and quit whining
2. Download a pirated version and quit whining

Notice that both suggestions have something in common.

BTW - Instead of worrying Steinbeck's boring socialist propaganda I'd suggest you get a good economics textbook instead.

[namebrandon]

In other news, this is the most attention Grapes of Wrath has gotten outside of University / High School Literature class since 1962..

1. Fork over the $10 and quit whining
2. Download a pirated version and quit whining

Exactly. It's a Kindle. While limited/restricted in some ways, it's not exactly Colditz, is it? Options do exist.

The puritanical bravado from some of you would be comical, except for my fear that you might actually be like this in real life.

It is a book, after all. If the man disagrees with Amazon's pricing, so be it.

[cvkemp]

This is what most of you are not understanding. Amazon has to charge what the publishers say. Of course Amazon adds some to that to stay in business. Also The K3 wifi at 139 is about what it cost to manfu. the device. The issue with the rising prices all started when Apple announced the IPad with the Ibook reader. I am a believe that the issue now is not so much with Amazon or and not so much with the publishers as it is with Apple trying to rule the world.

That is my Belief.

[emellaich]

Complaining about corporate greed is really funny to me for two reasons:

1) You are really saying you are greedy also. You want to get whatever it is for as little as possible -- free is best. They want to sell if for as much as possible.

2) A corporation is not a person. People in a corporation earn salaries. Owners earn profits from greed. The owners are shareholders and the shareholders are many of us through our pension plans and mutual funds. It is really us that is greedy.

[flandroid]

Originally Posted by emellaich

2) A corporation is not a person.

Except when it is.

Despite not being natural persons, corporations are recognized by the law to have rights and responsibilities like natural persons ("people"). Corporations can exercise human rights against real individuals and the state, and they are often responsible for human rights violations. Just as they are "born" into existence through its members obtaining a certificate of incorporation, they can "die" when they are "dissolved" either by statutory operation, order of court, or voluntary action on the part of shareholders. Insolvency may result in a form of corporate 'death', when creditors force the liquidation and dissolution of the corporation under court order, but it most often results in a restructuring of corporate holdings. Corporations can even be convicted of criminal offences, such as fraud and manslaughter.

and, in the US specifically,

Once incorporated, the corporation has artificial personhood everywhere it may operate, until such time as the corporation may be dissolved.

And to stay on topic, the price of the Grapes of Wrath has less to do with Amazon and more to do (as others have said) with the publishers, and Mr. Steinbeck's estate. They own the material, so you can't really fault them for wanting to protect (and capitalise on) his legacy.

[Piper_]

Originally Posted by cvkemp

This is what most of you are not understanding. Amazon has to charge what the publishers say. Of course Amazon adds some to that to stay in business.

Just for clarity, I don't think they add anything to the publisher's price, do they? They take a percentage of what it sells for, but before the agency model Amazon was actually eating the losses between the publisher's charge to them and the $9.99.

[Corran006]

Wow so a lot are under the impression that greed is good. Remind me how much you like this system if you have to buy expensive drugs to stay alive.

Honestly though, if you believe that they should be able to change whatever they want, and get as much money as possible, then you are part of the reason The U.S is in the shape its in now; People got greedy and broke the system for all.

If you all hold this attitude, your going to see the middle class destroyed, then we will have the mega rich and very poor, but then again we are already moving in that direction.

There are only so many resources, does it not bother you half the population of the world simple does not have enough food or water?

BTW it makes me laugh when you guys don't want a Socialist government, but you cry to the government when an oil spill happens, going help us! and make this company put out what it should, but Capitalism, and what they push says government should stay out of the free market, so you can't have it both ways.

Also I hope they raise the price of all books by 50%, see how you guys like that

[Piper_]

Honestly though, if you believe that they should be able to change whatever they want, and get as much money as possible, then you are part of the reason The U.S is in the shape its in now; People got greedy and broke the system for all.

Sort of. The system broke because the government interfered and insisted that loans be given to people without requiring proof that those people could repay them.

When they couldn't repay them, things broke.

[lmittell]

I've heard the matter has captured the attention of Washington, and thus there's a move afoot to nationalize Amazon. It's said the resulting corporation will be named Obamazon.

Larry