If e-books were cheaper, would you buy more of them?
Yesterday, the U.S. Justice Department filed a civil antitrust action against major book publishers and Apple, accusing the companies of colluding to raise the prices of e-books.
Two companies have decided to fight the charges although three other publishers have already caved, agreeing to a settlement designed to lower prices for consumers.
Will this mean that e-books will get cheaper? I think so, but there are those who argue that prices will ultimately rise because of this ill-fated suit, with Amazon being the big winner.
Amazon is setting a price that's too low for other competitors to match in a price war, argues best selling author Scott Turow in a recent rant. By chastising its competitors, there will eventually be no competition at all, leaving Amazon able to set whatever prices it wants.
Amazon is using e-book discounting to destroy bookselling, making it uneconomic for physical bookstores to keep their doors open, he maintains. So why is the U.S. government giving them a helping hand?
Right now, the status quo "looks like a more robust and competitive market, as opposed to the world we will be left with if the Justice Department paves the way for Amazon to return to its predatory practices," Turow says.
But, of course, it's not that simple. For an excellent explanation of just how e-books are priced and why most publishers still love paper, have a look here.
Are you a regular e-book user? Is it pricing or convenience that drives your behaviour? Would you buy more often if prices dropped by a buck or two?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: Rob | Apr 13, 2021 2:46:05 AM
I own a Kobo for the last year and I enjoy taking it on trip s, to the local cafe or even reading at home. I'm so addicted that I have this ereader on my ITouch, Smart Phone (android) , notebook and my desktop computer. Have become an expert on syncing, when it works and does not.
Regardless I still buy a paper book and stuff a few in my luggage case for eading whie away . If at family , will leave the books have read , alway sgood to read old books from others who stayed.
My spouse had me download an ebbok as her club was reading but could not get at home to borrow at library.
Sure , might be nice to lower the price of an ebook but I can get free samples to decide if I want to buy, cannot do that in the store and the price range I buy at is from $2 to $16 for ebbooks. Anything higher I stop as now I can buy a discounted new paperback at my store or online if free delivery.
I think the US government is always iut to destroy any large success.
The ebook market has taken a long time to becom effective with readable readers, provide software on almost any device and provide a library where I can store the books for online retrival at no cost.
Yea for ebooks and paper books
Posted by: terry | Apr 13, 2021 8:36:36 AM
for all the US folks here...try buying books in Canada...what a rip off !!! E-books are way too expensive, and even with the US/Canadian dollar at par, we still pay up to 25% more for the same books here that you can guy in the US.
Seems like not only are the publishers ripping us off, but our government too (wait, dont they always to that anyway, not just with books)
happy reading, if you can afford it !!!
Posted by: richard | Apr 13, 2021 11:29:55 AM
Yes I would buy more E books if they were cheaper...for sure!!
Posted by: Ange | Apr 13, 2021 11:29:56 AM
I still go to the library for my books, actual books. I usually read a book a week so I don't like to buy them. I'm not sure if I'll ever get an E-reader but I would only do it if the books you buy for it were a LOT less. Considering the savings on paper, shipping, etc, there is no reason why an E-book should be the same price as a real book. And $5 difference isn't enough in my eyes.
Posted by: Dr. J. Lindon | Apr 13, 2021 11:43:35 AM
I don't buy e-books, but nevertheless, I never buy more or less of something based on price. If I need it, I buy it. Simple.
Posted by: Dustin K | Apr 13, 2021 1:12:07 PM
ebooks are going to take over from paper, it was bound to happen sooner or later, but the price on e-readers is outragous, it make its even more of a problem for people like me that live payday to payday, if technology is so great, then why isnt it cheaper then
Posted by: Rob | Apr 13, 2021 1:51:59 PM
Majority of Ereader software can be placed on computers, notebooks , Iphones, Itouchs, tablets smartphones so if you have invested in these items you do not have to buy an ereader itself.
The average ereader with wifi and network browsing is about $110- $150 CDN
The average ebook is about $7 compared to a paperback of $10-$15 and the public library is free and som elabraries allow you to download their ereader software and check out.
I can carry hundreds of books on my ereader (most of them free) and I have the ability to reload then from the main site.
It is an evolving world that blends our ways of reading with paperback and ebooks and also reduces ink and paper usage
Posted by: Kojak | Apr 13, 2021 3:31:13 PM
I can't believe the cost of some e-books. None should be over $8. There is 0 production cost. I can buy new paperbacks or almost that much.
Posted by: G Grant | Apr 13, 2021 7:18:46 PM
I love to read and get hooked on certain authors. and would ofton buy books on sale or at used booked stores.. In Canada $15 and up per book is too extreme and gets very costly. I used to take my books to used book stores etc and even started a trade library at work. But I wanted an e-reader and was given one, as one item holds 1400 books and i dont have to give up space in my home or take them anywhere,and helps to save the trees.
BUT as I was looking to down load some new books the other day of some of my favorite authors I was a little upset to see that ALOT of them for ereaders were HIGHER priced then if I bought the book. and others were still $ 12-18 were is the savings there, I can buy them NEW cheaper and have them and pass them to others and or sell them or even go to second hand stores. were as on my e reader I dont....I agree the price NEEDS to drop alot by about 1/2. I dont spend more then $5-6 dollars and wont go higher than $8. And if need be I know there are alot of other authors I can try that are free or a buck or two
Posted by: Mike | Apr 14, 2021 4:28:23 PM
There is not going to be much sympathy for publishers out there. When there was a physical entity that took people to produce, some costs were justified. But when the cost is reduced to one person on a word processor, admittedly simplified, the costs should drop substantially. E book costs should no exceed about $6 for new releases and about $3 for older titles.
Posted by: penny m | Apr 17, 2021 1:14:12 PM
I find the cost of an-book and a paper book very close in price, so I don't feel I am saving much; however, as I like to re-read my books, NOT having every corner of the house stacked with books, and the ability to have ALL my books with me where ever I am makes up for the cost!
I use a NOOK, have downloaded over 300 FREE books from the Barnes & Noble website and the majority of them have been excellent reads.
What does irratate me beyond belief is that many of the books, purchases or free, contain so many spelling and grammer errors that are NOT in the paper-back! If I am paying for an e-book I deserve the same quality as the printed version.