Comments on: eBooks overpriced? Well, they were just a moment ago… http://futurismic.com/2009/01/06/ebooks-overpriced-well-they-were-just-a-moment-ago/ Presenting the fact and fiction of tomorrow since 2001 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:03:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Calgary Painters http://futurismic.com/2009/01/06/ebooks-overpriced-well-they-were-just-a-moment-ago/comment-page-1/#comment-23423 Calgary Painters Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:11:50 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=5412#comment-23423 Sorry meant to say a reader for under $100, otherwise why not just use a PSP or small laptop, at least its then multi-functional. Sorry meant to say a reader for under $100, otherwise why not just use a PSP or small laptop, at least its then multi-functional.

]]> By: Deb http://futurismic.com/2009/01/06/ebooks-overpriced-well-they-were-just-a-moment-ago/comment-page-1/#comment-23421 Deb Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:10:27 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=5412#comment-23421 There is crap money involved in digital reproduction. No, printing, limited distribution, and a $300 reader? Come on get real already. If I can get a reader, which really only gives me a more flexible 'to go' option and an ebook that costs me $5 instead of $10 in real print, then I would go for it. But these costs? Gimmick that beyond over priced. There is crap money involved in digital reproduction. No, printing, limited distribution, and a $300 reader? Come on get real already. If I can get a reader, which really only gives me a more flexible ‘to go’ option and an ebook that costs me $5 instead of $10 in real print, then I would go for it. But these costs? Gimmick that beyond over priced.

]]> By: Adam Roberts http://futurismic.com/2009/01/06/ebooks-overpriced-well-they-were-just-a-moment-ago/comment-page-1/#comment-17537 Adam Roberts Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:58:25 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=5412#comment-17537 This is absolutely right. Many big publishers make a lot of their money republishing classics (for general readers as well as for students) -- adding value by means of introductions and annotation and a pretty cover, but basically selling out-of-copyright text for the same price as in-copyright text. That works if your reader wants a paper copy, since printing out or photocopying a classic is more expensive than buying it. But it is a ridiculous craziness for eBooks, where pretty much the entire backlist of World Literature, up to the C20th (and in some cases, into that century as well) is available for free download from Gutenberg and a ton of sites. I got a eReader for Christmas, and given the choice between catching up on reading classic novels or paying full price for a digital copy of a book, I'll do the former. This is absolutely right. Many big publishers make a lot of their money republishing classics (for general readers as well as for students) — adding value by means of introductions and annotation and a pretty cover, but basically selling out-of-copyright text for the same price as in-copyright text. That works if your reader wants a paper copy, since printing out or photocopying a classic is more expensive than buying it. But it is a ridiculous craziness for eBooks, where pretty much the entire backlist of World Literature, up to the C20th (and in some cases, into that century as well) is available for free download from Gutenberg and a ton of sites. I got a eReader for Christmas, and given the choice between catching up on reading classic novels or paying full price for a digital copy of a book, I’ll do the former.

]]> By: Rick York http://futurismic.com/2009/01/06/ebooks-overpriced-well-they-were-just-a-moment-ago/comment-page-1/#comment-17536 Rick York Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:50:57 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=5412#comment-17536 There are several issues with eBooks. You mentioned the first, overpricing of the books. But, equally stupid is the overpricing of eBook readers. I don't understand how the sellers of these things missed the whole "razors and razor blades" thing. Why on earth would I spend three or four hundred for a single purpose machine? For a little more I could get a netbook, or a decent used laptop. There was a discount store in the Bronx which used to advertise "Quick nickles are better than slow dollars". Most of the manufacturers of eBook readers don't ever seem to get that message. I simply won't pay for an eBook which costs as much as its paper clone. I think most people won't. For years I have subscribed to Scientific American. I love it. But, they insist that I pay for a separate digital subscription. Just another ripoff. There are times when I'd love to send an article to some one, but I will not pay extra for a digital subscription. However, I would pay and additional dime for an eBook, if that's what it takes for Sony and others to bring down the price of their readers. Who designs the marketing strategies for these guys? There are several issues with eBooks. You mentioned the first, overpricing of the books. But, equally stupid is the overpricing of eBook readers. I don’t understand how the sellers of these things missed the whole “razors and razor blades” thing. Why on earth would I spend three or four hundred for a single purpose machine? For a little more I could get a netbook, or a decent used laptop.

There was a discount store in the Bronx which used to advertise “Quick nickles are better than slow dollars”. Most of the manufacturers of eBook readers don’t ever seem to get that message. I simply won’t pay for an eBook which costs as much as its paper clone. I think most people won’t.

For years I have subscribed to Scientific American. I love it. But, they insist that I pay for a separate digital subscription. Just another ripoff. There are times when I’d love to send an article to some one, but I will not pay extra for a digital subscription.

However, I would pay and additional dime for an eBook, if that’s what it takes for Sony and others to bring down the price of their readers.

Who designs the marketing strategies for these guys?

]]> By: Jon-Paul http://futurismic.com/2009/01/06/ebooks-overpriced-well-they-were-just-a-moment-ago/comment-page-1/#comment-17535 Jon-Paul Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:54:03 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=5412#comment-17535 I could care less about DRM if the ebook is cheap enough. (I'm still not sure what price that happens at though.) I could care less about DRM if the ebook is cheap enough. (I’m still not sure what price that happens at though.)

]]>