I’ve been reading Bill Bryson’s “A Short History of Nearly Everything” as an eBook in Microsoft Reader. It’s been a great experience, and I’ll write more about it later, but today I went looking for other eBooks at Amazon, and I was amazed at the prices. Consider:
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Boating and Sailing
eBook: $18.95
Paperback: $13.27 new (used from $10.50)
The Disney Way: Harnessing the Management Secrets of Disney in Your Company
eBook: $21.95
Hardcover: $17.47 new (used from $7.99)
Paperback: $11.87 (used from $8.59)
Living History
eBook: $28.00
Hardcover: $16.80
What am I missing here? The digital versions are more than the physical versions. Plus, with the digital versions, you can’t resell them. At least if I have the paperback, I can sell or trade it when I’m done. I don’t get it.
I went to ebooks.com for another test, and I did find this:
"Salt: A World History" http://www.ebooks.com/item/041003.htm $10
This was $11.95 at the book store down the street from my office. But "Living History" was still $28.
It's the price you pay for convenience. With an eBook, you have it immediately. Alternatively, maybe it's just a simple case of supply and demand. As more people use this service, the price should come down, right? Or am I being naive?
Try Peanut Press ( http://www.peanutpress.com ). The prices are more reasonable, the selection is wider, and the Palm Reader's DRM model (bind the book to the cardholder) makes a heck of a lot more sense than Microsoft's (bind the book to the device).
Yes, better. "Living History" is $18.20 ($16.38 is you sign up fo rone of their free newsletters). "CodeNotes for XML" is $7.16 compared to $19.95 cover, and $9.95 for eBooks from BarnesAndNoble.com.
E-books should always be cheaper IMO. Replication of paperback books cost $$ for ink and paper but e-book replication costs absolutely nothing. I've tried reading e-books on my Palm and I'll definately stick with paperbacks. The reason being; I've found I can scan over more information much quicker when dealing with paperbacks. That and scrolling on that iddy biddy screen is just annoying to me.
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Nice post, it could have been a bit more elaborate, but it was a good read nevertheless. :)