Price Discipline -- How we doing?

[Luvmy4brats]

I've read some books that were $9.99 that were absolute garbage and I've read free books that were excellent. Price isn't a good indicator of whether the book is good or not. Neither is whether it's self published or from a major house.

[mitch1945]

Hi, new Kindle owner from Australia. In regards to price it is really annoying to go through some of the special prices from links here (and elsewhere) which jump to the Amazon page. I then find that the price is always dearer for international users. For example so called "free" zero price books become $2 and low cost books say $2 become $4. I cannot understand why this is so. We all use wireless download but for some reason international are being penalized. I know we are talking about very low cost books but then add an increase for the exchange rate difference and the price jumps again as well as our banks charging a bit more for a 'foreign exchange' transaction.

mitch1945

[mlewis78]

I agree that there are a lot of books that are highly marketed and hit the bestseller lists that are absolute trash.  I'm thinking particularly of certain political books, by both pundits and politicians.  Will not name names here, but if you know me, you the type of books I'm thinking of (shhhh!).

Then again there is some good literature and very well researched history literature that are usually 9.99 and up.

There are so many good authors (including authors on our boards here) with low-priced or free kindle-books who never get a contract with a big publisher but produce very well-written, imaginative, interesting books.

[Ann in Arlington]

I've read some books that were $9.99 that were absolute garbage and I've read free books that were excellent. Price isn't a good indicator of whether the book is good or not. Neither is whether it's self published or from a major house.

Agree 100%. . . though I will admit that if you'd asked me the question several years ago. . . .before Kindle. . . .I might not have said the same.  I learned via KindleBoards that there are a lot of good low priced books out there!

Hi, new Kindle owner from Australia. In regards to price it is really annoying to go through some of the special prices from links here (and elsewhere) which jump to the Amazon page. I then find that the price is always dearer for international users. For example so called "free" zero price books become $2 and low cost books say $2 become $4. I cannot understand why this is so. We all use wireless download but for some reason international are being penalized. I know we are talking about very low cost books but then add an increase for the exchange rate difference and the price jumps again as well as our banks charging a bit more for a 'foreign exchange' transaction.

mitch1945

Amazon would love to charge the same prices all around the world I'm sure.  But in order to sell internationally at all, they must comply with import/duty/licensing requirements in the other countries.  That and the fact that they pay more for the 'always on no additional charge wireless' is what makes them have to charge more.  They elected to wrap all those extra fees into "overhead" and simply price the book higher rather than keeping the book price the same but having to add on taxes/fees/etc. to every overseas book purchase. 

[PaWildWoman]

I have not purchased any eBooks over $9.99.  And really only a few at $9.99....Kindle has opened my reading up to several new genres and I rarely pay more than $5 for eBooks.

Sorry McMillions but I'll get your books at the library or used book store before I pay more than $9.99.....you lost my sale due to your greed!

[pawsplus]

It seems as if your definition of trash is pretty clear. If it's not "well-reviewed literary fiction" that costs $9.99 and up, it's trash. Believe that if you want but it reminds me of those (nasty) librarians who used to tell me not to read Nancy Drew because it would rot my brain. Or other people who would tell me to read "this" or "that" because it was good for me. When did reading become castor oil?

I actually read about 10% trash, by my definition.  Heck, I read all 4 Twilight books! I have nothing against a good trashy book.  And I don't judge those who read MOSTLY that kind of book.  De gustibus non est disputandem.

But you guys DO judge those of us who prefer to read literary fiction and who, therefore, pay $9.99 pretty regularly.  I don't understand why folks are up in arms about that. If I am willing to consistently pay $10 (and occasionally more!) for books I want to read, why is the implication that I'm "undisciplined" as to price or somehow letting the Kindle side down?

When did reading become something that is supposed to be CHEAP??  I was happy to pay for DTBs when they were what I read; now that I read 90% Kindle books, I’m still happy to PAY for them.  My goal is not to read the cheapest books possible, and honestly, that seems to be the goal of many here.    

[Betsy the Quilter]

Exactly.  The idea of "price discipline" as groupthink bothers me, hence my earlier post.  Actually, just about anything as "groupthink" bothers me   (except the idea that KindleBoards should be safe haven for book lovers).  I think price discipline is a personal choice, just as the actual books we read are a personal choice.  We all have our own price points at which it's reasonable to pay for what we get.  THAT's the price discipline that we should be using.  For some, it MAY be $9.99.  That's fine.  For some (like me), it's less.  For others, more is OK.  That's fine, too.  It isn't an act of treason to be willing to pay $15 or more for a book, no matter the quality or genre, if that works for you.  (Of course, if you're spending the kiddies' milk money on books, that's a whole 'nother thing.)

Betsy

[loca]

My only rule is not to buy the book right after release, as prices are usually about 30-40% higher than what they will be 2-3 weeks afterwards.  Other than that, I dont' have much discipline 

[BlueEyedMum]

I haven't paid more than $9.99 for a Kindle boook but only because the books I read are below that. If I found a book I really wanted to read for more I'm sure I would buy it.

[Whidbeyislandgirl]

Sorry, I buy what I want to read, regardless of the price or who it's from. This is my only vice, I'd rather spend $15 on a kindle book than on a couple of drinks in the bar on a Friday night. I honestly don't look at the price, if it's a book I want I click and get it. Probably not a good habit, but oh well! I'm not going to limit myself to a dollar amount.

[Ann in Arlington]

But you guys DO judge those of us who prefer to read literary fiction and who, therefore, pay $9.99 pretty regularly.  I don't understand why folks are up in arms about that. If I am willing to consistently pay $10 (and occasionally more!) for books I want to read, why is the implication that I'm "undisciplined" as to price or somehow letting the Kindle side down?

I think I sort of disagree with this. .  .yes, there are a lot of really vocal "don't pay more than $9.99" and "don't pay even $9.99" people. . . .I pretty much ignore that sentiment and spend what I think is fair.  For the record I agree 100% with Betsy's analysis of "price discipline".

But I don't see that people are at all judgmental about folks who do buy more expensive books.  Though I guess I can see how the vocal proselytizers could seem that way.  I guess I'd say "don't take it personally; make your own decisions."

But I especially don't see any judging about the types of books people buy.  I think most of us here read all sorts of books and accept that others may read different sorts and that's o.k.  I would maybe take exception to the assumption that "literary fiction" only comes at a price of $9.99 or higher. . . .I think I'd actually put some of our Indie authors in that category and their books are, for the most part, well below that.

I do understand your point, however. . . .sometimes a book is just not going to be cheaper than that.  I do tend to really like books that, for whatever reason, never make NYT bestseller. . . .so my choice is to pay the going rate at release -- usually something around $14.00 -- or wait until it goes to paper when the price usually drops.  Depending on the strength of my desire to 'read it now' I will buy or wait.  And that's MY decision. . . .and, frankly, no one else's business.

I do think that there are some folks who really haven't given the indies a try. . . . .or, maybe they tried one and it was horrible so they're running scared. . . .but for anyone who has NOT checked out the Book Bazaar, I urge you to scan a few threads.  There are quite a few authors who are really very good . . . .in many different genres. . . .and at bargain basement prices.

[chipotle]

In the most recent Macmillan blog by John Sargent, he talks pricing. If I'm reading it correctly, it looks
like Macmillan ebooks are going to be priced under the hardcover but above the mass market
paperback after the initial 1 year period. I might buy an ebook that is more than a MMPB occasionally
but probably not on a regular basis.

http://blog.macmillanspeaks.com/answers-to-some-questions-from-the-comments/

[Selcien]

Sorry McMillions but I'll get your books at the library or used book store before I pay more than $9.99.....you lost my sale due to your greed!

They, in turn, could say that they lost your sale due to your impatience 'cause just like the paper books, they plan to scale the prices of the e-books down over time, even if a paperback version is not released, so it's not like they're going to stay above $9.99 forever, you just have to wait, or, get it from the library, buy it used.

It's cool to not want to pay more than $9.99, I mean, it is a pretty good price point, but what's not cool is targeting Macmillan as if all of the other major publishers aren't releasing e-books that cost more than $9.99, they're all guilty of it.

[MAGreen]

But you guys DO judge those of us who prefer to read literary fiction and who, therefore, pay $9.99 pretty regularly.  I don't understand why folks are up in arms about that. If I am willing to consistently pay $10 (and occasionally more!) for books I want to read, why is the implication that I'm "undisciplined" as to price or somehow letting the Kindle side down?

I never even thought of it like that. I was only considering the "price discipline" for myself and the limits I set. I don't like paying high prices for anything! Every book I buy is weighed on a price vs. desire/need basis. If I really want it or need it, then I buy it. so far that hasn't happened with anything that I couldn't wait until the price came down. I have ordered several books for my daughter that were $7-8 that I hated spending the money on, but they were reading them in class and she wanted to have her own copy. They were "popular" books that will be much cheaper in a year or two, but they are reading them now, so I got them for her.
The $9.99 price limit is too high for me personally, but I have so many things to read, I don't the NYT Bestsellers as soon as they come out.
I would never judge anyone for what they pay for books, that just seems silly! We are all book lovers here, so who cares? Can't we all just get along? 

[dnagirl]

"Price discipline" in my opinion is a very personal thing.  I won't buy anything over $9.99, but if anyone else wants to purchase an ebook for $15 or even $25, then that's their preference and it certainly doesn't bother me.  Each person has their maximum price and the "discipline" part is sticking to the max that they choose for themselves.

[Rebekah]

I actually read about 10% trash, by my definition.  Heck, I read all 4 Twilight books! I have nothing against a good trashy book.  And I don't judge those who read MOSTLY that kind of book.  De gustibus non est disputandem.

But you guys DO judge those of us who prefer to read literary fiction and who, therefore, pay $9.99 pretty regularly.  I don't understand why folks are up in arms about that. If I am willing to consistently pay $10 (and occasionally more!) for books I want to read, why is the implication that I'm "undisciplined" as to price or somehow letting the Kindle side down?

When did reading become something that is supposed to be CHEAP??  I was happy to pay for DTBs when they were what I read; now that I read 90% Kindle books, I’m still happy to PAY for them.  My goal is not to read the cheapest books possible, and honestly, that seems to be the goal of many here.    

I don't see anyone judging people for how much they spend on books; perhaps I've not read those threads.  And while I have enjoyed less expensive books, it's certainly NOT my "goal" to read the "cheapest books possible."  I read what I enjoy, which includes a wide variety of books; it just so happens that I DO like classics (most of which happen to be free), as well as others.  But I certainly do not download a book just because of its price or lack thereof.  There are plenty of free books that don't interest me. 

Even before Kindle I kept myself to a reading budget, which has nothing to do with the genres of books I read.

I don't care what others pay for their reading material; just that they enjoy the books they read.

[JCBeam]

What Ann and Rebekah said.

[pawsplus]

I read what I enjoy, which includes a wide variety of books; it just so happens that I DO like classics (most of which happen to be free), as well as others.  But I certainly do not download a book just because of its price or lack thereof.  There are plenty of free books that don't interest me.  

Well, since I have a Master's in English, I've already READ most of the classics. I did download a lot of freebies of my faves early on for re-reading, and a few I'd never read (Eliz Gaskell, for instance).  The non-classic free books . . . I always check them out, but have only found a few that turned out to be worth reading.  That's a matter of taste--I've just found it not usually worth the time it takes to hunt them down.  But I do check the lists quickly just in case.  I wouldn't have found Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars books or my own personal guilty pleasure, the "Fever" series by Karen Marie Moning ( ) otherwise.

[loca]

Well, since I have a Master's in English, I've already READ most of the classics. I did download a lot of freebies of my faves early on for re-reading, and a few I'd never read (Eliz Gaskell, for instance).  The non-classic free books . . . I always check them out, but have only found a few that turned out to be worth reading.  That's a matter of taste--I've just found it not usually worth the time it takes to hunt them down.  But I do check the lists quickly just in case.  I wouldn't have found Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars books or my own personal guilty pleasure, the "Fever" series by Karen Marie Moning ( ) otherwise.

I think its worth the time to hunt them down, as long as they are available of course. Getting a free title you want to read for 15 minutes of time is worth it in my book

[Rebekah]

Well, since I have a Master's in English, I've already READ most of the classics. I did download a lot of freebies of my faves early on for re-reading, and a few I'd never read (Eliz Gaskell, for instance).( ) otherwise.

We have something in common, then.  I have completed the coursework 30+ hours toward a Master's in English, but my emphasis is linguistics/ESL, so not so much classics. 

I'm trying to get through Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford right now, but I'm not enjoying it as much as I'd hoped.  It will probably be put aside for later.

[ayuryogini]

I've paid $14 for a more technical or scientific book that I was pretty sure wasn't going to come down to $9.99; most other books, I'll put in my cart and just check the price to see if it's come down. If I want a book right away, I'll pay up to $14 for it, buy I have so many books on my Kindle, I can usually just wait and watch; I think it's all offset by the many wonderful free or less than $5 books; it's pretty amazing to actually get the books for free!