THE Group for Authors! discussion

Thanks for posting this, Shari.

This is fascinating, but not surprising. Why do publishers think people will pay more than $10 for an ebook when they can buy a secondhand paperback or hardback for pennies plus $3.99 postage?

I usually look for the most reasonable price, whether print or ebook. Hey, publishers, get the message!

It's possible that based upon their present financial and business structure, the big publishers can't lower prices without losing money. They can adjust, but not in the short term.

When I bought my first kindle device it came with an "all NYT Bestsellers $9.99 or less for hardcover" ad.

The only time I buy an ebook over $10 is if the print book is only in hardcover at a much higher price because a brand new release (or a required textbook or reference with a print version over $50). At that, it has to be something I was really, really, really wanting to read as soon as possible. Normally I can wait for paperback prices.

I do get it for the first, brand new release only in hardcover price. But only for a short period because as said above the used prices start appearing rather quickly.

I even get that the price of books isn't because of the media; that it's not the actual printing costs in the case of traditional publishers but rather the entire production cycle cost. I get it; but, I almost never buy ebooks over $10. And publishers or bookseller sites needs to be careful about adjusting ebook price when the paperback reissue is released because I'm durn sure not paying over $10 for an ebook when the paperback just came out for $5.99 (seen that happen fairly frequently where ebook price still reflected hardcover price).

And, where possible, I now always prefer reading ebooks.

Very intriguing, thanks Shari