The Ebook Debacle

This post is in response to Maureen Johnson's amusing and informational explanation of what is currently going on with the Department of Justice filing a suit against Apple for collusion to set ebook prices.

I just thought this would be a funny picture to use.

I'm telling you, ebooks are nothing but trouble.

Let me just point out, I'm not anti-ebook because I think "real readers" read "real books." It could have something to do with the fear of change thing, like MJ said, because I like my books the way they are. I like that they all look and smell different and I can carry one around and feel like I'm carrying that book, dedicated solely to it, rather than hundreds of others at the same time. MJ's right; fear of change is a useless and endless fear, but that doesn't mean I can just get rid of it. If I don't want an ebook because I'm afraid of change, I'm not going to tell myself "well, that's not a good excuse," and go out and buy one. That's just not how it works.

But this isn't about whether or not ebooks themselves are good or bad; it's about whether what Amazon is doing to their prices is good or bad. As a college student with dwindling book-buying funds, I have to say I don't see what's wrong with Amazon's low prices. From my experience, the company isn't just about giving the lowest prices-- they also have great customer service and a comprehensive system for recommendations and ratings that are helpful when deciding what to buy. Monopolies are bad, yes, but sometimes they're just bad, not Evil Companies of Doom. I understand the problem with having one bookseller in the world-- if that did happen-- because they could get there and then decide to jack up the prices, or make their own rules, or whatever else monopolies have done in that past that led to all these anti-trust laws and such. However, I think there is something to be said for a good business and a good company, which I believe Amazon is (note that "good" is not synonymous with "moral"). It's the other ones that are the problem, because they haven't yet found a way to successfully compete without defying the law.

So yeah, I wish I could buy books from anywhere but Amazon, but I can't. I can't afford to drop $16.99 at Barnes & Noble for a book that could cost me $10.52 on Amazon. Also, Amazon buys my textbooks back from me and gives me gift cards in return, which I use to buy more books. I realize that this is just another tactic to monopolize the industry, but I'm okay with it. It benefits me. Maybe that's selfish, but I don't really need the weight of every non-Amazon bookseller on my shoulders either. Amazon has found its gimmick and I think now it's time for others to find theirs. Tough love, baby.