HUGE SALE - but not for Nook customers.

[naylorchic]

I've been reading several threads on here lately where the OP gets everyone fired up & insults them/their opinion. I wonder if this could be another alias. If so at least he/she finally let the 3G thing go

[keriflur]

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naylorchic wrote:

I've been reading several threads on here lately where the OP gets everyone fired up & insults them/their opinion. I wonder if this could be another alias. If so at least he/she finally let the 3G thing go

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LOL, I thought that too.  I don't think it's the same person tho, just the same attitude.

[KingAl]

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MAVP wrote:

Bottom line: when most people are struggling to make ends meet - the difference between $1.99 for the paperback and $9.99 for the e-book is a no-brainer. ( Frankenstein: Dead and Alive (4/15/2011) by Dean Koontz)  They don't care what your justifications are. At all.

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Nobody ever said the world was fair. B&N cannot discount prices on Agency Model ebooks. If you don't like it, don't buy it..

[Doug_Pardee Distinguished Bibliophile]

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MAVP wrote:

I simply suggested that B&N should look for a solution to the pricing problem.

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B&N has its hands full trying to keep its financials under control. It's in no position to do much of anything. Heck, they can't even make a Web site that runs properly. Or produce firmware releases that don't break NOOKs.

If anyone has the smarts to figure out a solution, the power to implement the solution, and the motivation to implement a solution, it's Amazon. They tried going toe-to-toe with the publishers in January 2010, and lost. So that's clearly not the solution. The big publishers hold all the cards for the books they publish, and they aren't showing the slightest interest in negotiation.

What Amazon is doing is making an end-run around the big publishers. They've long had self-publishing for the little guys, and now they've started their own "real" publishing house for the big-name authors. They've got AmazonEncore for older titles, AmazonCrossing for translations of foreign books, and the first genre imprint out of the gate is Thomas & Mercer, which will publish mysteries, both in print and in e-book.

This initiative comes at a price, though. Other bookstores are saying "No" to Amazon-published books. They don't see the value in helping their biggest competitor, especially when that competitor can set the wholesale price to the bookstores at or above the retail price on Amazon.

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MAVP wrote:

Somehow ... the cult found that personally disparaging.

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I think what they found disparaging was being called a cult, simply because they're aware of the realities of the e-book industry and the limitations of B&N. This is something that's been discussed in hundreds of threads over the past year+, and we're fairly knowledgeable on the subject.

Yes, we'd all like to see lower-priced e-books. What consumer wouldn't? But we know that B&N doesn't have the smarts, the power, or the motivation to make it happen.

[swok34]

My main reason for choosing a Nook over a Kindle:  library books. Free.  Library books.

I understand the constraints of the e-booksellers.  I haven't yet spent over $9.99 for a book.

There is a book I want to read that is $12.99 and not available at the library.  Haven't decided which way I'm going on that.  I have considered purchasing a discounted hard cover though or checking it out through the library.  Otherwise, I don't re-read books and would much much rather read on my Nook.  I haven't read a printed copy book since I bought my Nook.

[AlanNJ Inspired Bibliophile]

Boy am I glad I was crazed at work today! 

That said, an earlier comment by the OP said that e-books were a new phenomena.  I beg to differ.  E-books have actually been around for quite a while.  People read them on their PC's and on their Palm Pilots.

E-Readers on the other hand are a relatively new phenomena.

[Nallia Distinguished Bibliophile]

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MAVP wrote:

How is it that by making a suggestion that B&N find a solution to the pricing problem, I am personally disparaging you?

THAT reaction ... is what makes you "cult-ish."

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It isn't.  However, calling people "cheerleaders" and "cultists" is, as is being snarky with anyone who dares to attempt to have a rational discussion about the subject.

I would still love to know which of the "very same ebooks" are being sold cheaper by different publishers and which publishers are doing this.

[Sardonicus]

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sirwillard wrote:

. . . and if we don't hear any more ranting here the rest of us would be happy .

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Actually, rants seem to be rather popular here.  Seldom/never does one go unanswered.

[Arestelle]

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swok34 wrote:

There is a book I want to read that is $12.99 and not available at the library.  Haven't decided which way I'm going on that.  I have considered purchasing a discounted hard cover though or checking it out through the library.

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You could try requesting the ebook from the library if it's available through Overdrive. My city library has a feature on its website that lets you request books that you can't find in their catalog; they're buying an epub of What Is the What since I asked for it & I only requested it a day or two ago. So, worth a shot - I guess it could be a useful thing for them, too, to know what ebooks patrons want so they aren't just playing a guessing game.

(Sorry for the OT but this being a rantish thread, I don't feel too bad about it... )

[Josienjoe]

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MAVP wrote:

How is it that by making a suggestion that B&N find a solution to the pricing problem, I am personally disparaging you?

THAT reaction ... is what makes you "cult-ish."

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Is there a pricing problem?  Books are available as hard cover, paperback or ebook.  The consumer decides what they are or are not willing to spend and buys accordingly.

My Nook gives me the convenience of always having books to read and not worrying about how I'm going to find room for DTBs or if my luggage is going to be overweight.  B&N offers enough ebooks for well under $10, or even free, that I have no problem finding something to read.

[xamier]

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MAVP wrote:

Clearly, I've stumbled into the middle of a B&N cult of some kind. I'm sitting here shocked at how angry and defensive people became from my original post. Rather disturbing, actually.

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LOL, no that's not it. This is about the 98672 time this same discussion has popped up on this board.  A lot of us just pull out the popcorn and watch, but there are always a few who try hard to educate the poster about the realities of the Ebook market.

As for my opinion, an e reader is a luxury. However, it is inexpensive enough that most people who want one, can afford to get one and budget for the books.

Personally I don't earn 60 plus thousand a year and I can afford to buy the books I want.

Of course, I don't have cable, TV, or a new car note.

People will find the money to purchase the things they really want or if they are really having a hard time, won't buy a luxury devise like an e reader.

Have a nice day, I need some more popcorn.

[msmoonlite]

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MAVP wrote:

Do you get paid to be such a vehement cheerleader for B&N's stock owners?

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Actually you did get "snippy" for no reason other than the fact that several people pointed out a number of the rational reasons that book prices are the way they are.

Personally I think the poster who said that you should stop buying hit the nail on the head. Why bother if the pricing troubles you enough to get on a message board, complain, deviate from the point, and disparage other members of the board?

[gstone]

Whoa! This is the first time I have seen Doug weigh in on one of these nonsense threads.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He responded twice.

The world is coming to an end. The balance of power has shifted to CRAZY!

[bklvr896]

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MAVP wrote:

Notice, I never disparaged users of the Nook. I simply suggested that B&N should look for a solution to the pricing problem. Somehow ... the cult found that personally disparaging. Very, disturbing.

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Most of us agree with you, it would great if prices were lower.  But to put this very simply, at this time with the 6 major publishers, B&N (and the other retailers have two choices)

1.  Sign the contracts with the publishers, sell the books at the price the publisher set.

2.  Don't sign the contracts and don't sell books from the 6 major publishers.

That is the two choices they currently have.  There isn't a 3rd choice.

And as someone else pointed out, Amazon tried option 2 with Penguin, their Kindle owners pitched a fit for a month because they couldn't buy any Penguin eBooks released after a certain date. Amazon caved and signed the contract.

When you can come up with an option 3 for the retailers, post it here, I'm sure they'd love to hear your idea.

[Colleen_Rose]

You do not want to mess with Doug! He is the leader of the cult don't ya know

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gstone wrote:

Whoa! This is the first time I have seen Doug weigh in on one of these nonsense threads.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He responded twice.

The world is coming to an end. The balance of power has shifted to CRAZY!

---

[_deb_]

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MAVP wrote:

B&N had better come up with a solution to its overpriced e-books before a competitor does it for them. I've heard all of the excuses. The publishers control the price, people are willing to pay the price, etc.

Whatever. When a paperback sells for $1.99 but the e-book version is still $8.99 - that's a HUGE problem. Someone, somewhere, will solve that problem. I hope it's B&N - but whoever it is, I'll be their first customer.

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People CHOSE to spend their money on what they DECIDE they can afford.  Consumer choice....  A paperbook book and an ebook of the same title are not the same product....just as a hardback book and paperback book are not.  My issue with the pricing is that publishers control it, not that it is different for different formats.  So as a consumer, buy what you can afford and move on.

A retailer that charges a higher price is NOT doomed to failure based on that fact alone.  If so, Wal Mart and  Dollar General would be the only places to purchases many of the items out there that are also available from Target, etc.  There are many, many successful businesses that target those willing to spend a bit more for whatever reason....quality, shopping experience, packaging, etc.  I, for one, would be willing to pay a bit more for an ebook than a clearanced paperback....because that is the format I prefer.  I however, would not purchase an ereader and then throw a fit because the format it uses is more expensive.  Why would anyone?????

Finally, if this is indeed a cult - count me in because I am fairly sure that if Nallia is involved the sandals will be to die for and I will not be asked to shave my head : )

[Schwa]

@MAVP:

If you saw that a hardcover was on sale, clearance, or closeout and was less expensive than a paperback, would you be having this same argument?

[Josienjoe]

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gstone wrote:

Whoa! This is the first time I have seen Doug weigh in on one of these nonsense threads.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He responded twice.

The world is coming to an end. The balance of power has shifted to CRAZY!

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You must have bought all those exclamation points when they were on sale.  

[Nallia Distinguished Bibliophile]

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_deb_ wrote:

Finally, if this is indeed a cult - count me in because I am fairly sure that if Nallia is involved the sandals will be to die for and I will not be asked to shave my head : )

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It's all about the shoes, baby! 

[gstone]

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Josienjoe wrote:

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gstone wrote:

Whoa! This is the first time I have seen Doug weigh in on one of these nonsense threads.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He responded twice.

The world is coming to an end. The balance of power has shifted to CRAZY!

---

You must have bought all those exclamation points when they were on sale.  

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Naw...they fell off the back of a truck. 

Exclamation points are as bad as ebooks, they never go on sale. On the other hand periods [ . ] always seem to be on sale.