Authors call on FTC to investigate Amazon’s alleged monopoly in bookselling

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by cfrizz

Just shut up and read!

Wow

[cfrizz]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Wow

You can do what you like, but I think it's a great waste of time for people to CONSTANTLY look around for something to complain and worry about, especially when you have NO control over it. Life is way too short for that.

Enjoy the life you have and take every advantage of what is available to you now, because worry about something that hasn't happened yet, but might happen just leads to high blood pressure and stress that YOU caused for yourself!

[DiapDealer]

While I'm not typically a fan of the "shut up and dribble" mentality, I do find myself fascinated by the number of non-publisher, non-author, non-legal-type readers who get caught up in the legalities and practices (or monopolistic tendencies) of bookselling and/or corporate publishing. I couldn't even tell anyone the publishers of my favorite books/authors (or even who I might have purchased many of them from). Nor could I tell you any of the business practices (legal or shady) of the manufacturers and sellers of my toothpaste or laundry detergent.

I find Amazon very useful, personally. I'm happy to let the authorities worry about whether or not they're breaking the law in order to be useful to me. I only hope their decisions don't complicate shopping practices I've become very comfortable with.

[Quoth]

Agree with all that. A lot of the arguments are "strawman" and eventually if a Corporation goes too far the legal processes do kick in.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

While I'm not typically a fan of the "shut up and dribble" mentality, I do find myself fascinated by the number of non-publisher, non-author, non-legal-type readers who get caught up in the legalities and practices (or monopolistic tendencies) of bookselling and/or corporate publishing. I couldn't even tell anyone the publishers of my favorite books/authors (or even who I might have purchased many of them from). Nor could I tell you any of the business practices (legal or shady) of the manufacturers and sellers of my toothpaste or laundry detergent.

On the other hand, it is something to discuss that does relate to the purpose of this site. What's wrong with talking?

I find Amazon very useful, personally. I'm happy to let the authorities worry about whether or not they're breaking the law in order to be useful to me. I only hope their decisions don't complicate shopping practices I've become very comfortable with.

Aside from ebooks, Amazon is kinda like an internet junk drawer for me.

Things I really want or need (a new computer, furniture, etc.), I still tend to go out to stores. But some random junk (air filters, a pair of Crocs, some compression packing bags) Amazon is a kind of handy one stop shop.

They do a good job. But then they also do highly suspect things. I'm glad they exist, but don't feel the need to defend them from criticism.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

On the other hand, it is something to discuss that does relate to the purpose of this site. What's wrong with talking?

Nothing. That's why I mentioned that I'm 'fascinated" by people wanting to talk about it. Not "aggravated and wish they would stop".

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Nothing. That's why I mentioned that I'm 'fascinated" by people wanting to talk about it. Not "aggravated and wish they would stop".

I guess. You do tend to opine a lot and reliably about stuff that you claim you are not interested in.

[John F]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

...

Aside from ebooks, Amazon is kinda like an internet junk drawer for me.

Things I really want or need (a new computer, furniture, etc.), I still tend to go out to stores. But some random junk (air filters, a pair of Crocs, some compression packing bags) Amazon is a kind of handy one stop shop.

...

Time to sidetrack the thread ...

I see what you are saying, but I have different junk in my draw, and Amazon is probably a lot more helpful on most of my purchases then B&M.

Computers I would want to do a lot of research on, and going to a store wouldn't be very helpful.

Furniture - for some, stores are better, for others, Amazon.

Golf clubs - I would probably go B&M, although I did buy my last club online (not from Amazon)

Etc.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I guess. You do tend to opine a lot and reliably about stuff that you claim you are not interested in.

Ah.. so you want to take me to task over stuff I haven't actually said today. You'll have to carry on without me, then.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by John F

Time to sidetrack the thread ...

I see what you are saying, but I have different junk in my draw, and Amazon is probably a lot more helpful on most of my purchases then B&M.

Computers I would want to do a lot of research on, and going to a store wouldn't be very helpful.

Furniture - for some, stores are better, for others, Amazon.

Golf clubs - I would probably go B&M, although I did buy my last club online (not from Amazon)

Etc.

Yeah, I don't begrudge you.

Computers, if you are buying something brand name, a Microsoft Surface or an Apple iThingie you are fine. But eh, I just like to go in, see the thing and purchase on the spot.

Furniture, I just imagine getting a bunch of fibreboard stuff that crumbles as you build it. And I buy furniture at Ikea. But at least there;s recourse for problems.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Ah.. so you want to take me to task over stuff I haven't actually said today. You'll have to carry on without me, then.

You could just admit you do find the conversation interesting enough to engage in instead of the usual participating while asking why anyone cares

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by John F

Time to sidetrack the thread ...

Computers . . .

Etc.

Amazon's market share in both paper and eBooks is much higher than the percent of Amazon revenue coming from books. So from a reader perspective, there's a danger the antitrust action will be based on analysis of bigger dollar items -- everything except literature -- and have a bad effect on same.

From a reader perspective, I don't now see how a broken up Amazon would be an improvement. However, I hope to have an open mind once there are concrete proposals.

As to whether there is some moral value to discussing this here, probably not. But maybe there is. Maybe some idea from here will percolate up to people who will make the antitrust decisions. Stranger things have happened, but don't push me to come up with an example

[John F]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

Amazon's market share ...

From a reader perspective, ...

As to whether there is some moral value to discussing this here, ...

I find Amazon to be a convenient way to shop for many items that would otherwise would require "trips" to to places.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

As to whether there is some moral value to discussing this here, probably not. But maybe there is. Maybe some idea from here will percolate up to people who will make the antitrust decisions. Stranger things have happened, but don't push me to come up with an example

Why would there need to be a moral value to such a discussion?