Waterstones subscribe-to-rent or subscribe-to-keep service

banjomike · 02-21-2010, 08:25 PM

Waterstones in the UK are running a survey on book and ebook purchasing. Apart from the usual 'how many' and 'what genre' questions there some interesting questions about a proposed subscribe-to-rent or subscribe-to-keep service.

I've no interest at all in a subscribe-to-rent service and I'm sure a subscribe-to-keep' option would be more expensive, for me, than my current 'buy-only-what-is-not-available-free' option.

http://www.voodoores.co.uk/ebooks/

charleski · 02-22-2010, 03:52 AM

It's certainly an interesting idea. A rental service would only work if all the titles were instantly available, though. If I had to sit waiting for a reservation there'd be no difference to a public library. I'd be interested in a 'subscribe-to-rent' option that had significantly broader range than the library with guaranteed availability.

The most interesting question is hidden around the middle of the survey - they talk about the option of ebooks being available in advance of the printed release.

millicent · 02-22-2010, 04:08 AM

I should be very interested to know if Waterstones have talked to The Society of Authors about this proposal. They seem to be very free and easy with authors rights here. At the very least they would have to re-negotiate all the contracts that they have with existing authors.

colinsky · 02-22-2010, 04:14 AM

I quite like this idea -- the "lend" model sounds just like a private library with an extensive book selection.

Ben Thornton · 02-22-2010, 04:44 AM

Not all the subscription models were lending. Some were more like a book club where you can pick so many titles a month and keep them. The key will be the content that they are able to offer - if it isn't pretty comprehensive, it won't be worth a monthly subscription to me. For lending, I'd rather the public libraries got it right, rather than having private subscription services for the wealthy (like what I am

)

Direct Ebooks · 02-22-2010, 05:02 AM

Who are voodoores.com? The survey is hosted on an unusual site - be warned!

charleski · 02-22-2010, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direct Ebooks

Who are voodoores.com? The survey is hosted on an unusual site - be warned!

LOL, did you even try finding out?

Why not give them a phone call on 020 7723 6000.

Hint: dodgy websites don't usually have a contact phone no on their front page.

sony_fox · 02-22-2010, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Hint: dodgy websites don't usually have a contact phone no on their front page

Maybe not. But I'd rather see a link to an official Waterstones site before I go there, or believe it has anything to do with them.

millicent · 02-22-2010, 05:51 AM

They are a very large and well respected marketing consultancy. Their client lists includes such dodgy people as the BBC, Channel 4 and Carlsberg. The survey is clearly legit.

Pardoz · 02-22-2010, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millicent

I should be very interested to know if Waterstones have talked to The Society of Authors about this proposal. They seem to be very free and easy with authors rights here. At the very least they would have to re-negotiate all the contracts that they have with existing authors.

Well, for Waterstones to renegotiate contracts with existing authors, they would first have to negotiate contracts with them. Last I checked, Waterstones are a bookstore, not a publisher.

roger the rabbit · 02-22-2010, 06:52 AM

As a British expatriate living in Spain I wonder if they will address the geographic restrictions issue.

If they do I would be very interested in the rent option as I am unable to use a public library.

Direct Ebooks · 02-22-2010, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charleski

LOL, did you even try finding out?

Why not give them a phone call on 020 7723 6000.

Hint: dodgy websites don't usually have a contact phone no on their front page.

My bad!

I did try the website earlier and nothing came up....pesky technology.

Bremen Cole · 02-22-2010, 07:07 AM

The lending or renting idea sounds great to me, but I doubt the publishers will allow it. But who knows, as the years go by and this all shakes out.... anything is possible.

Mike L · 02-22-2010, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millicent

I should be very interested to know if Waterstones have talked to The Society of Authors about this proposal. They seem to be very free and easy with authors rights here. At the very least they would have to re-negotiate all the contracts that they have with existing authors.

Waterstones is a retailer, not a publisher. They don't negotiate contracts with authors. Any re-negotiating would be between publisher and author.

roger the rabbit · 02-22-2010, 07:17 AM

Looks from the survey they are considering the Amazon / B&N route of a dedicated reader.

With the quality of Waterstones customer service I shudder.

02-21-2010, 08:25 PM	#1
banjomike Addict Posts: 319 Karma: 397404 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: UK Device: PRS-505,DSlibris,nook Glow & HD+,Tab S2,Moon+,Clara,Clara Colour	Waterstones subscribe-to-rent or subscribe-to-keep service Waterstones in the UK are running a survey on book and ebook purchasing. Apart from the usual 'how many' and 'what genre' questions there some interesting questions about a proposed subscribe-to-rent or subscribe-to-keep service. I've no interest at all in a subscribe-to-rent service and I'm sure a subscribe-to-keep' option would be more expensive, for me, than my current 'buy-only-what-is-not-available-free' option. http://www.voodoores.co.uk/ebooks/

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02-22-2010, 03:52 AM	#2
charleski Wizard Posts: 1,196 Karma: 1281258 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505	It's certainly an interesting idea. A rental service would only work if all the titles were instantly available, though. If I had to sit waiting for a reservation there'd be no difference to a public library. I'd be interested in a 'subscribe-to-rent' option that had significantly broader range than the library with guaranteed availability. The most interesting question is hidden around the middle of the survey - they talk about the option of ebooks being available in advance of the printed release.

02-22-2010, 04:08 AM	#3
millicent Member Posts: 19 Karma: 202 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: Kindle, iPod and iRiver Story	I should be very interested to know if Waterstones have talked to The Society of Authors about this proposal. They seem to be very free and easy with authors rights here. At the very least they would have to re-negotiate all the contracts that they have with existing authors.

02-22-2010, 04:14 AM	#4
colinsky Addict Posts: 240 Karma: 3500000 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Sony PRS-300, PRS-T1, PRS-T3	I quite like this idea -- the "lend" model sounds just like a private library with an extensive book selection.

02-22-2010, 04:44 AM	#5
Ben Thornton Guru Posts: 900 Karma: 779635 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: UK Device: Kindle 3, iPad 2 (but not for e-books)	Not all the subscription models were lending. Some were more like a book club where you can pick so many titles a month and keep them. The key will be the content that they are able to offer - if it isn't pretty comprehensive, it won't be worth a monthly subscription to me. For lending, I'd rather the public libraries got it right, rather than having private subscription services for the wealthy (like what I am )

02-22-2010, 05:02 AM	#6
Direct Ebooks Hibernian eBook Warrior Posts: 184 Karma: 1264 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cork, Ireland Device: Sony Reader	Who are voodoores.com? The survey is hosted on an unusual site - be warned!

02-22-2010, 05:51 AM	#9
millicent Member Posts: 19 Karma: 202 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: Kindle, iPod and iRiver Story	They are a very large and well respected marketing consultancy. Their client lists includes such dodgy people as the BBC, Channel 4 and Carlsberg. The survey is clearly legit.

02-22-2010, 06:52 AM	#11
roger the rabbit Addict Posts: 316 Karma: 10215 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wherever I lay my hat! Device: Sony PRS-T3, 650 Black, 505, Kobo Glo HD Aura ONE	As a British expatriate living in Spain I wonder if they will address the geographic restrictions issue. If they do I would be very interested in the rent option as I am unable to use a public library.

02-22-2010, 07:07 AM	#13
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	The lending or renting idea sounds great to me, but I doubt the publishers will allow it. But who knows, as the years go by and this all shakes out.... anything is possible.

02-22-2010, 07:17 AM	#15
roger the rabbit Addict Posts: 316 Karma: 10215 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wherever I lay my hat! Device: Sony PRS-T3, 650 Black, 505, Kobo Glo HD Aura ONE	Looks from the survey they are considering the Amazon / B&N route of a dedicated reader. With the quality of Waterstones customer service I shudder.

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