Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Shawn Lamb on February 1, 2012 at 6:55am

The book signing didn't go well at B&N, but that wasn't the store or employees fault. They were very active, but people just browsed. In fact, my husband was touring the store and saw people using their iPhone or Smartphone for price comparison. In the couple of hours we were there, many came in and out, but few purchased books.

That can also add to the problem, people browsing for price comparing. In fact, I remember reading an article a couple of months back where several independent stores owners complained about it with one saying "we are not a showroom for Amazon!"  No matter how attractive indie authors and small publishers make it, why should these independent stores take a chance when costumers are just window shopping?

It's more than just the return policy we're up against, it is the consumer mentality. Another reason I'm against offering any book for "free" - it feeds the beast and makes it more difficult to 'sell'.

Permalink Reply by Alle C. Hall on February 1, 2012 at 11:57am

Indie stores need to take chances - esp. with local authors. If they do not, they will close. 

Amazon built it's book business buy selling at or under list price. They make plenty of money through standard (or higher) priced items in higher-margin product sections. Also, all buinesses make a great deal of profit off shipping. The larger volume of product they move, the more power they have to wring discounts from the shippers.

Permalink Reply by Zetta Brown on February 1, 2012 at 3:07pm

True. It's not just the returns policy, but not all indie shops are supportive of local authors. And that's too bad. Some of our authors have had varying degrees of warmth when it comes to approaching an indie store or even their local B&N to do a signing. Some store owners have gotten very cynical and dismissive and think local authors are a dime a dozen. Why should they bother unless they're a national best seller? Now THAT would draw in the customers.

Ten years ago it was quite easy to go into your nearest B&N and speak with their "community manager" or whatever they're called, to arrange an event like a book signing or book club meeting, etc. Apparently--or at least in some quarters--that's a thing of the past. They've made it difficult to achieve.

But yes, there was a major hooha recently when Amazon released their price check app and urged people to go to their local stores and do a price check. That's just tacky in my opinion.

Permalink Reply by Dera R Williams on February 2, 2012 at 2:44am

I thought Amazon.com just reported another record-breaking quarter. Sooo, is this feud a result of Amazon's success and seemingly monopoly on ther literary world?  Sounds like a tantrum to me.

Permalink Reply by Shawn Lamb on February 2, 2012 at 5:18am

I did a post about recent happening with Amazon and B&N with links to articles from the UK, NY Times and Business Week. I don't think it's a tantrum. Amazon's practices are ticking everyone off. http://allonbooks-thekingdomofallon.blogspot.com/2012/01/last-basti...

Permalink Reply by Dera R Williams on February 2, 2012 at 5:43pm

Oh, okay. I stand corrected. Now that you mention it when I told a writer she was charging too much for her ebook through Amazon ($16.99), she said she lowered it considerably but within two days, it was back to the original price and this happened twice. I will read the articles to your link. Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Shawn Lamb on February 2, 2012 at 5:59pm

Does she self-publish through Createspace? It's owned by Amazon and there are certain price points given for each book depending upon trim size and page number. For my longest book, it wouldn't let me go below $14.99.  As for the price changing, that Amazon's prerogative, not the author or publisher.

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