Apple is fighting Amazon in the ebook price wars (discounting books aggressively)

[EbookReader]

http://paidcontent.org/2012/09/11/apple-is-already-fighting-amazon-in-the-ebook-price-wars/
Apple is already fighting Amazon in the ebook price wars

Apple didn’t want to compete with Amazon on ebook prices. But it is already showing that it is more than willing to do so. And if customers are drawn to Apple’s new low prices on ebooks, it’s possible to envision the company’s ebook market share rising.


We saw yesterday that HarperCollins has already entered into new contracts with ebook retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Google. Now Apple has a new deal with HarperCollins too. This morning I compared the prices of 12 HarperCollins titles across ebook retailers. Like Amazon, Apple is selling new bestselling ebooks for $9.99. (I’ve asked Apple for a comment on its pricing strategy for ebooks and will update this post if I hear back.)

Amazon is already dropping its ebook prices to match Apple’s, in the cases where Apple had priced a book lower than Amazon did. For instance, James Rollin’s Bloodlines and J.A. Jance’s Judgment Call were each $10.94 in the Kindle Store this morning and $9.99 in iTunes. Just a few hours later, both books are down to $9.99 at Amazon as well.

http://paidcontent.org/2012/09/11/the-price-drops-begin-what-do-harpercollins-ebooks-cost-now/
Ebook price drops begin — and Apple is discounting, too

-----list of 12 titles and prices from different e-sellers

Amazon is offering the lowest prices. Based just on the titles above, the average price on Amazon Kindle was $8.43; on Apple, $9.81; on Barnes & Noble Nook, $9.57; on Google Play, $9.91; on Sony (SNE), $10.42; on Kobo, $12.25.

p.s. maybe, hopefully, MacRumors might have a "News" thread for this?

Here's the summary of what happened: After the 3 publishers settled with the DOJ,they have 30 days to come to agreement with e-retailers. The first one to do so is HarperCollins. Harpercollins sell their books wholesale. The retailers are allowed to set whatever prices they want on the books (as long as the retailers make a profit on the overall catalog).

 

[Michael CM1]

I just want someone to explain to me why the Carl Sagan books seem to be more than $10 yet all the Hunger Games and Fifty Shades books are less than $10. I get new releases costing more. I don't get books as old as me being more than $10. The Harry-effin' Potter books aren't even $10, and you know JK Rowling could make a killing off them at $15 apiece. Oh, AND THEY HAVE NO DRM.

 

[Zimmy68]

More then willing to do so?!?!?!

Try... they have no other choice.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Apple does not appear to be "willing to" lower the prices. Has the cost of the books + tax been factored? I don't get charged tax on Kindle books.

 

[sn424]

I just want someone to explain to me why the Carl Sagan books seem to be more than $10 yet all the Hunger Games and Fifty Shades books are less than $10. I get new releases costing more. I don't get books as old as me being more than $10. The Harry-effin' Potter books aren't even $10, and you know JK Rowling could make a killing off them at $15 apiece. Oh, AND THEY HAVE NO DRM.

Standard marketing; discount some mass market names and hope the punters buy regular priced books as well.