I’m not sure when this change happened, but now if you go onto Amazon and click on a book, in some instances you can buy used. While I think this is a great for all us broke folk, I’m worried what it will do to the authors…
From what I know, and correct me if I’m wrong, authors don’t make royalties on used books. Since Amazon is the mega book seller, how many people will buy used just because it’s there? And how many authors will lose out?
And for us Prime members who have free shipping, getting a book we always wanted for cheap and no shipping makes it all the more tempting.
I just clicked on SHIVER. I can buy used for $3.99 or new for $9.99. Big difference! At that rate, I can buy the whole trilogy used.
What are your thoughts on this new option?
I think that's always been a thing. I've sold a number of books on Amazon. It doesn't bother me, because if you're buying it used then the person you are buying it from probably bought it new and THEN the author got royalties. It doesn't make sense for an author to get royalties twice on the same book. Though I'm sure authors would love that. 🙂
true, true. I guess my concern was more with people buying new less and used more. And no, I don't think authors should get royalties twice, maybe a handshake instead? ; )
My only problem with buying used from Amazon is I don't know what shape the book is in. I really hate pages bent or books that look very used…I do break the spine though which drives other people crazy.
I've bought used books off Albris. Each seller has a condition scale and I've never received a bad copy.
Hmm, I didn't ever realize this was an option. I'm going to have to look into this. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet.
I'm on Amazon almost every day. First time I noticed it.
I think this should be looked at the same way an author looks at giving away arcs or doing free days with KDP select. If you catch the eye of a reader with a cheaper copy (even if it doesn't make you any money) you are given a chance to create a fan who may then buy your next book.
I do this often with library books. I'll borrow the first book in a series to see if it's any good and then end up buying the next ones as soon as they come out b/c I don't want to wait for them to show up at the library. Even though the author didn't make any money off that first borrow, they got a new fan out of the deal. 🙂
great way to think of it!
Great questions and interesting answers. I like Sarah's idea that you make fans even if you don't make money the first time around. A long-term investment for sure.
I don't have Amazon Prime, so I often just buy the new copy at Barnes and Noble where I get free shipping.
I do shop at used bookstores. I guess my rationale is that I spend a lot on books. Most book bloggers read as many books in a week or a month as the average person does in a year. So used bookstores and the library help me balance out the cost of all the new books I buy.
And by reviewing the books, you're doing free marketing for the author and the best kind–word of mouth!
I've sold use books on Amazon and Ebay for years. Amazon has skyrocketed through the dynamic use of their marketplace, crushing even Ebay who couldn't evolve fast enough.
The used books (and some new books as well) sold are from sellers, like me, listing and shipping from their home. With one Amazon option, I can even send them my books to warehouse and when they sell, Amazon ships out. This is for an extra fee to the seller of course.
Use book selling isn't as profitable as it was years ago however, mostly due to Electronic books (Ebooks), and the rise of Kindle and other e-readers and the ease of moving files around.
In a nice segue I would close by saying a much larger threat to author's and publisher's bottom line would be online piracy. In much of the same way as the movie and music industry is facing new technology, book creators are going to have to deal with this more and more.