From the N.Y Times: “In a major shift for online commerce Amazon is quietly changing how it entices people to buy.
“The retailer built a reputation and hit $100 billion in annual revenue by offering deals. The first thing a potential customer saw was a bargain: how much an item was reduced from its list price.
“Now, in many cases, Amazon has dropped any mention of a list price. There is just one price. Take it or leave it.”
Because I’m a writer who cares for his readers – however few - I want to tell you that the list price for my wonderful Book, “Unhinged,” available on Amazon, is still $19.95, discounted to $8.56. That is such a deal.
But wait! You say you’re not satisfied. Tell you what I’m gonna do.
Well, not me, but a book seller called “book kooks,” based in Florida, will let you have a “Used-Very Good” copy for $4.14, plus $3.99, for shipping. That brings it close to the Amazon price for a new book, which can be had without paying for shipping. It’s close, but still 43 cents less and a savings is a savings.
The seller describes the book as being “clean copy” with “tight bindings” and a “good cover,” with “No inscriptions, notes, highlighting, or underlining.”
Clearly who ever bought the book originally found nothing worth noting, highlighting or underlining.
Perhaps it was “picky buyer,” who gave the book two stars of out of five, and wrote, “I did not care for this book although it was recommended by a friend. I didn’t finish it because I lost interest; gave it to the local library.”
Is it possible the library unloaded it to “book kooks?” The ultimate indignity – my book is not even worth library-shelf space.
And while you can currently save 43 cents for my book, act quickly. Amazon’s asking price has varied over the last 18 months from being deeply discounted to full price. I assume it can change at any time. But however much it is discounted it’s less than a pittance compared to some of the great deals you can get on Amazon.
Consider this, also from the Times: “Amazon has some unbelievable bargains on its virtual shelves .
“A cat litter pan with a list price of $2,159 can be yours for a mere $28. A bag of doggy treats, normally $822, is only $8. A windshield wiper blade, which the unwary pay $1,504 for, has been knocked down 99 percent.”
Two obvious questions: Who sets that list price and really believes someone will pay over $2,000 for a litter pan? That would have to be quite a cat.
And what idiot would pay it?
Which brings me back to my book (it’s called “Unhinged,” in case you missed the earlier plug. An outside seller on Amazon once offered a new copy for about $2,400. Perhaps it’s true that human nature or foolishness being what it is, the more we pay for something the more we value it.
Still, if you hear of anyone who paid $2,400 for my book, tell him or her to contact me and I will happily inscribe and autograph it.
But there are still some outstanding offers on Amazon that I would urge you to ignore. "Brooke Books," from somewhere in Georgia, will sell you a used copy (either “like new” or in “very good condition”), for $41.98, plus $3.99 for shipping.
Several other sellers are willing to part with new copies for prices ranging from $19.89 to $38.48, plus $3.99 shipping. Do not, under any circumstances, pay that kind of money for “Unhinged.”
Because if you do, in the unlikely event that you don’t like it you will feel much better having pissed away only $8.13 for the book (including shipping), as opposed to $45.97 (including shipping), for a "like new" used book, or $42.47 for a new book.
Makes no never-mind to me because I don't make any money on the sale of used books and a very small royalty on the sale of new books, regardless of what you pay. (I still have a royalty check for $5.04 on my desk. I may frame it rather than cash it.)
Makes no never-mind to me because I don't make any money on the sale of used books and a very small royalty on the sale of new books, regardless of what you pay. (I still have a royalty check for $5.04 on my desk. I may frame it rather than cash it.)
Perhaps if you pay as little as possible for my book you will feel more favorably inclined towards me and be willing to give my next book a read (if there is a next book - not sure that's a threat or a promise).
