Comments on: Overpriced Ebooks: A Case Study

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 21:43:47 +0000

My theory is that almost all e-books (let’s say, books that are published in e-format and in print) are priced to be a dollar or two (or in the case of new hardbacks, a few dollars) cheaper than the print version. I’ve compared the two plenty of times and that’s usually how it comes out. I figure it’s something akin to the publisher insisting on getting their money’s worth out of higher-priced books, but conceding that in e-books, it’s expected that they’re cheaper to attract buyers. But only a LITTLE cheaper. Entirely ridiculous, yes, but I don’t think we can expect better in the industry.

And hell, I would have bought Anybody But You in e-book had I known it was out in it, dammit. Oh well, I got mine at Target for $11-something.

By: Booksquare

Booksquare — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 16:19:11 +0000

Thanks for catching my typo — this is a clear lesson about typing and ranting. Kids, do not try this at home.

Hopefully someone will wise up. No point in destroying an industry before it has a chance to try.

By: SusanGable

SusanGable — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 15:38:28 +0000

The hardcover’s list price is $16.95, not $6.95.

I found it discounted at a certain on-line place for $11.53.

The eBook is on-line (with a “discount”) with a price of $12.53. (or so.) So, that means that I could buy the hardcover for LESS than the eBook – which makes no sense at all.

Some would argue that I would have to pay shipping on the hardcover. Yes, but not if I buy another book or two from that on-line retailer.

This is totally crazy! Why in the world should I pay MORE for a product that contains no paper and no ink? (i.e. has a lower cost per unit) As Booksquare said, the costs for this particular book have long ago been recouped. Even if there are new costs associated with the rerelased hardcover (i.e. new cover art) they will recoup that with the price on the hardcover.

(shaking head) I don’t get it. Who out there is willing to pay more for the eBook than for the hardcover version?

I’m not.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 14:54:21 +0000

I have to say that a savings of a mere .50 isn’t going to induce me to buy the e-version. I’m fine with reading books on my iPaq, but I still prefer reading an actual book and when I can find, say, the Jennifer Greene one even cheaper in paperback from Target or Walmart, why would I buy the ebook version? I love that they’ve started releasing ebooks, but I’d think they’d get a lot more takers if they lowered the prices significantly.