Why are some kindle books more expensive than their paperback counterparts?

[SaraJayne]

I agree with this. I don't mind paying more for e-books.


I'm a new Kindle user (mother's day gift). Is there a way to just search for free books?

On the nook, go to shop and then search and type in 0.00 to see all the free books.

I know you asked about the kindle, but I wanted to put the nook info out there, too.

 

[DVCLiz]

I buy both ebooks and paper. Sometimes, I just wanna hold a book.

Luckily we're not restricted to one or the other! I might buy the occasional book in hardback if I really love it, but I haven't bought a paper book in three years. I haven't missed holding a "book" at all. My Kindles are all in nice leather covers that open like a book and that is how I read everything.

 

[DVC Kathy]

I agree with this. I don't mind paying more for e-books.


I'm a new Kindle user (mother's day gift). Is there a way to just search for free books?

I used to get my paperbacks at BJs or Sam's at a significant discount. I refuse to pay the list price of a paperback when the cost to produce an ebook has to be less. I wrote to one author to tell her that. I've just started reading new authors, whose books are less expensive. I don't miss my old favorite authors as much as I thought I would.

Dailycheapreads.com is one website that lists free or inexpensive Kindle books.

 

[bicker]

I think the sentiment we see sometimes that e-books have to "cost less" than paperbacks ties into some misconceptions that are very common in our society beyond just books. Many folks operate under the mistaken assumption that something physical must therefore be substantially more valuable than something ephemeral. It actually even goes deeper than that: The errant idea that cost, itself, matters. The cost can be considered the lowest price that anyone should ever consider offering something for, but if you only charge cost you don't make any profit. Price, therefore, is not related to the cost, but rather to the value.

A good example of this is home bookkeeping software. For years Intuit would ship discs with the software only to overwrite practically the whole shebang with the first update download. Now, for many thing, people realize that the disc doesn't provide them any value - only the software itself does, and downloading the software is more efficient, less wasteful. However, that kind of change in perspective takes time to take hold broadly.

 

[gometros]

But, there will also always be consumers like me, who don't mind paying higher prices for ebooks in order to receive the benefits of immediate access, lower price than comparable hardback pricing, and elimination of the need to store or dispose of a hardback book after reading it once.

Honestly, I don't think of any ebook I've bought - and I have about 350 on my Kindle after about three years - as "too expensive" - even though I probably could have saved a few bucks here and there if I'd bought the paperback version.

I'm simply not going to buy or borrow ANY paper version of a book ever again if it comes in a Kindle version.

And I don't think I'm the only one. I tend to see the expenditure of money on books as a relatively cheap form of entertainment - I would pay the price of any current hardback to see a first-run movie in a theatre with snacks. If my budget can manage it, I see books in the same category.

Liz, you present a good argument, but I have a minor problem. I'm a cheapie at heart. I hate to feel cheated on a purchase. There have been some very good explanations so far from people with obvious publishing experience, but I tend to ignore the logic and cannot understand why it cost more to get a thing that is easy to mass-produce (i.e soft copy) to something that requires printing and distribution. I know I'm ignoring logic and facts, but like I said, I'm a cheapie at heart

 

[DVC Kathy]

I think the sentiment we see sometimes that e-books have to "cost less" than paperbacks ties into some misconceptions that are very common in our society beyond just books. Many folks operate under the mistaken assumption that something physical must therefore be substantially more valuable than something ephemeral. It actually even goes deeper than that: The errant idea that cost, itself, matters. The cost can be considered the lowest price that anyone should ever consider offering something for, but if you only charge cost you don't make any profit. Price, therefore, is not related to the cost, but rather to the value.

A good example of this is home bookkeeping software. For years Intuit would ship discs with the software only to overwrite practically the whole shebang with the first update download. Now, for many thing, people realize that the disc doesn't provide them any value - only the software itself does, and downloading the software is more efficient, less wasteful. However, that kind of change in perspective takes time to take hold broadly.

I absolutely agree with you that a software license with update ability is far more valuable than owning nonupgradable media.

If I purchased hardback books, I would be thrilled at the Kindle prices. Since I read so many books, I've disciplined myself to wait for the paperback versions to save some money.

I'm definitely willing to pay for convenience of access and the luxury of not storing physical books. Having said that, if they can't give me a break in the paperback price - even something as insignificant as twenty-five or fifty cents, I'll read other books that do give me some concession as to price.

 

[bicker]

I absolutely agree with you that a software license with update ability is far more valuable than owning nonupgradable media.

That's not what I said. Rather, what I said is akin to: Upgradable software on disc is worth no more than upgradable software that you download. The value I derive from the software is unaffected by how it is delivered to me. Similarly, the value I derive from reading is unaffected by whether it is a paperback or a Kindle edition.

 

[DVC Kathy]

That's not what I said. Rather, what I said is akin to: Upgradable software on disc is worth no more than upgradable software that you download. The value I derive from the software is unaffected by how it is delivered to me. Similarly, the value I derive from reading is unaffected by whether it is a paperback or a Kindle edition.

Sorry to misrepresent what you said.

I think Kindle editions actually have a higher value to me, given portability and lack of storage problems - but the cheapskate in me still wants a price break since I'm not making them manufacture a physical book.

 

[bicker]

Kind of along the same lines as gometros - resisting the new technology unless you are given sufficient motivation over and above what would make the new technology an equal value. Fair enough - everyone can make their own choices in that regard, and there is no requirement that consumers ever operate rationally (i.e., comparing things based solely on value). However, I think that's all part of the process. Initially, some people resist new technology just because it is new. It could be ten times more "valuable" and still some people will stick with the old ways. Over time, more and more consumers abandon that proprietary standpoint and increasingly make decisions based solely on rational analysis - "what's the best value for me". When e-books overtook paperbacks in terms of number of units, this past year, I think we can say we reached the tipping point. I wouldn't be surprised if even one of you change your tune entirely over the next few years, in this regard.

 

[DVC Kathy]

Kind of along the same lines as gometros - resisting the new technology unless you are given sufficient motivation over and above what would make the new technology an equal value. Fair enough - everyone can make their own choices in that regard, and there is no requirement that consumers ever operate rationally (i.e., comparing things based solely on value). However, I think that's all part of the process. Initially, some people resist new technology just because it is new. It could be ten times more "valuable" and still some people will stick with the old ways. Over time, more and more consumers abandon that proprietary standpoint and increasingly make decisions based solely on rational analysis - "what's the best value for me". When e-books overtook paperbacks in terms of number of units, this past year, I think we can say we reached the tipping point. I wouldn't be surprised if even one of you change your tune entirely over the next few years, in this regard.

I'm well along the way. Except for the books I purchased for autographs on Podcast 2.0, I haven't purchased a physical book in over two years - since I got my Kindle. I will pay more for a Kindle book than I would pay for a physical book at BJ's - because of its value to me.

Right now I'm concentrating on exploring authors/publishers willing to give me a break on the list price. At some point I expect I'll bend - at least for authors like Margaret Maron and Marcia Muller.

I would also be willing to retire some of my library and replace the books with e-versions, but I can't justify paying full price for something I already own in another version. As you say, that may change in time.

 

[bicker]

I would love a deal whereby bookstores could sell e-book licenses for any hardcover (regardless of where you bought it) for a fee (let's say) 50% of the price of the e-book, with half of that going to the publisher and the other half going to the bookstore. They could stamp the inside front cover "e-license issued" to ensure that people don't try to get two e-licenses from the same hardcover.

Pipe dream.

 

[DVC Kathy]

I would love a deal whereby bookstores could sell e-book licenses for any hardcover (regardless of where you bought it) for a fee (let's say) 50% of the price of the e-book, with half of that going to the publisher and the other half going to the bookstore. They could stamp the inside front cover "e-license issued" to ensure that people don't try to get two e-licenses from the same hardcover.

Pipe dream.

But a really nice one.

 

[U2_rocks!]

Luckily we're not restricted to one or the other! I might buy the occasional book in hardback if I really love it, but I haven't bought a paper book in three years. I haven't missed holding a "book" at all. My Kindles are all in nice leather covers that open like a book and that is how I read everything.

Same here.