Comments on: Amazonfail & The Cost of Freedom http://blog.vromans.com/amazonfail-the-cost-of-freedom Independent Bookstore Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:54:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Introducing Ruby | Hometown Pasadena http://blog.vromans.com/amazonfail-the-cost-of-freedom/comment-page-1#comment-16694 Introducing Ruby | Hometown Pasadena Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:20:35 +0000 http://blog.vromans.com/?p=732#comment-16694 [...] the past two years, give or take, I’ve written this blog.  I have written about the book business, my fellow booksellers, the great indie bookstores that have closed in the past few years, and [...] [...] the past two years, give or take, I’ve written this blog.  I have written about the book business, my fellow booksellers, the great indie bookstores that have closed in the past few years, and [...]

]]> By: Introducing Ruby http://blog.vromans.com/amazonfail-the-cost-of-freedom/comment-page-1#comment-16687 Introducing Ruby Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:06:42 +0000 http://blog.vromans.com/?p=732#comment-16687 [...] the past two years, give or take, I’ve written this blog.  I have written about the book business, my fellow booksellers, the great indie bookstores that have closed in the past few years, and [...] [...] the past two years, give or take, I’ve written this blog.  I have written about the book business, my fellow booksellers, the great indie bookstores that have closed in the past few years, and [...]

]]> By: amazonfail – 10 unanswered questions « publishingtalk_dev http://blog.vromans.com/amazonfail-the-cost-of-freedom/comment-page-1#comment-11007 amazonfail – 10 unanswered questions « publishingtalk_dev Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:00:25 +0000 http://blog.vromans.com/?p=732#comment-11007 [...] also explain why it doesn’t add up. And Patrick at Vroman’s Bookstore writes about the dangers of an Amazon monopoly on bookselling this [...] [...] also explain why it doesn’t add up. And Patrick at Vroman’s Bookstore writes about the dangers of an Amazon monopoly on bookselling this [...]

]]> By: Bruce Jensen http://blog.vromans.com/amazonfail-the-cost-of-freedom/comment-page-1#comment-9121 Bruce Jensen Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:27:21 +0000 http://blog.vromans.com/?p=732#comment-9121 Some stores use Amazon (mainly used bookstores), but Amazon is putting the stores that sell new books out of business. If Amazon's anti-competitive practices were reigned in, there would still be internet sales for anyone wanting to sell online, but more walk-in and e-mail orders for brick-and-mortar stores. In the last three years Amazon has become every publishers biggest customer, an astonishing development. They are now offering free shipping for a $25.00 purchase and they discount nearly everything. I suspect they are getting a special deal from many publishers, as they constantly request higher discounts from them. This could be a violation of federal law. The American Booksellers Association is fighting for "e-fairness," trying to get states to tax internet purchases. This is good, but the ABA is nonetheless in denial about Amazon. They think the stores have to do things differently from how they have done them in the past. I agree, but there is only so much you can do against an emerging monopoly. People walk into stores, write down titles and then leave the store and buy from Amazon. How long do we wait to challenge them? Do we wait until they control 50%, 60%,70% of the new book market? By then it will be too late, and there will be no bookstores like Vroman's, or City Lights, or Seminary Coop, or Books and Books or even the University bookstores as we now know them, some of which carry a broad range of titles. Who is going to fight them. There needs to be a legal challenge. It is fine for them to use books as a loss leader to sell cameras or whatever, but should they be allowed to destroy an entire way of life in the process? Some stores use Amazon (mainly used bookstores), but Amazon is putting the stores that sell new books out of business. If Amazon’s anti-competitive practices were reigned in, there would still be internet sales for anyone wanting to sell online, but more walk-in and e-mail orders for brick-and-mortar stores.
In the last three years Amazon has become every publishers biggest customer, an astonishing development. They are now offering free shipping for a $25.00 purchase and they discount nearly everything. I suspect they are getting a special deal from many publishers, as they constantly request higher discounts from them. This could be a violation of federal law.
The American Booksellers Association is fighting for “e-fairness,” trying to get states to tax internet purchases. This is good, but the ABA is nonetheless in denial about Amazon. They think the stores have to do things differently from how they have done them in the past. I agree, but there is only so much you can do against an emerging monopoly. People walk into stores, write down titles and then leave the store and buy from Amazon. How long do we wait to challenge them? Do we wait until they control 50%, 60%,70% of the new book market? By then it will be too late, and there will be no bookstores like Vroman’s, or City Lights, or Seminary Coop, or Books and Books or even the University bookstores as we now know them, some of which carry a broad range of titles.
Who is going to fight them. There needs to be a legal challenge. It is fine for them to use books as a loss leader to sell cameras or whatever, but should they be allowed to destroy an entire way of life in the process?

]]> By: Just Go Read This and Report Back http://blog.vromans.com/amazonfail-the-cost-of-freedom/comment-page-1#comment-1251 Just Go Read This and Report Back Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:09:49 +0000 http://blog.vromans.com/?p=732#comment-1251 [...] what’s so terrifying about Amazon.com. It’s a great read, and an important one, as I’ve been saying for months. Share and [...] [...] what’s so terrifying about Amazon.com. It’s a great read, and an important one, as I’ve been saying for months. Share and [...]

]]> By: Ten Minas Ministry » Blog Archive » Speech topic for free http://blog.vromans.com/amazonfail-the-cost-of-freedom/comment-page-1#comment-967 Ten Minas Ministry » Blog Archive » Speech topic for free Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:05:25 +0000 http://blog.vromans.com/?p=732#comment-967 [...] amazon fail http://blog.vromans.com/amazonfail-the-cost-of-freedom/ [...] [...] amazon fail http://blog.vromans.com/amazonfail-the-cost-of-freedom/ [...]

]]> By: Check Out “The Learned Fangirl” – Fair Use Lab http://blog.vromans.com/amazonfail-the-cost-of-freedom/comment-page-1#comment-777 Check Out “The Learned Fangirl” – Fair Use Lab Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:39:05 +0000 http://blog.vromans.com/?p=732#comment-777 [...] #Amazonfail censorship/ glitch / griefing situation last weekend shows the power of publics working together and the organic nature of much of tagging and movementsourcing; people will often be able [...] [...] #Amazonfail censorship/ glitch / griefing situation last weekend shows the power of publics working together and the organic nature of much of tagging and movementsourcing; people will often be able [...]

]]> By: Kam http://blog.vromans.com/amazonfail-the-cost-of-freedom/comment-page-1#comment-742 Kam Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:13:47 +0000 http://blog.vromans.com/?p=732#comment-742 I am definitely going to choose another bookseller for my purchases, especially independent bookstores whenever possible. Amazon is too big and too powerful. People should think twice about what price they pay for convenience. I am definitely going to choose another bookseller for my purchases, especially independent bookstores whenever possible. Amazon is too big and too powerful. People should think twice about what price they pay for convenience.

]]> By: #Amazonfail, the Google Books Settlement, and the importance of open access for preserving cultural heritage: In honor of National Library Week « The Learned Fangirl http://blog.vromans.com/amazonfail-the-cost-of-freedom/comment-page-1#comment-738 #Amazonfail, the Google Books Settlement, and the importance of open access for preserving cultural heritage: In honor of National Library Week « The Learned Fangirl Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:04:34 +0000 http://blog.vromans.com/?p=732#comment-738 [...] #Amazonfail censorship/ glitch / griefing situation last weekend shows the power of publics working together and the organic nature of much of tagging and movementsourcing; people will often be able [...] [...] #Amazonfail censorship/ glitch / griefing situation last weekend shows the power of publics working together and the organic nature of much of tagging and movementsourcing; people will often be able [...]

]]> By: M. Glenn http://blog.vromans.com/amazonfail-the-cost-of-freedom/comment-page-1#comment-732 M. Glenn Sat, 18 Apr 2009 21:32:56 +0000 http://blog.vromans.com/?p=732#comment-732 I'll admit, I'm going to look into this story further. I do have a caveat: everything in the story above may be true-- then again, some of it may be exaggerated. Since it's posted on a bookstore's own blog-- one can't help but recognize that Vroman's, however honest and ethical they may be, do have a motive to slag Amazon and try to convince people not to buy from them (not saying you're doing that, Vroman's, just that the possibility can't be ignored). There's also another caveat: I do a lot of my book, cd, and dvd buying from Amazon-- for two reasons: 1. selection-- generally so far I've been able to find anything and everything I'm looking for through Amazon (though sometimes it's via Amazon directing me to third-party sellers)-- that hasn't been true of shopping at local bookstores and such back home 2. Convenience and availability-- while I'd go to a regular bookstore first perhaps, and then check Amazon, *IF* I were back home-- right now I'm deployed overseas as a soldier in the US Army-- there are NOT very many alternative sources that will mail books, music and movies to APO addresses... and even fewer that provide a site that I can search and order these products on the web from overseas and have them delivered out here. Kinda limits my options, and lemme tell ya, the selection at the AAFES PX sucks-- and they DO censor out anything that the military considers subversive or improper. I’ll admit, I’m going to look into this story further.
I do have a caveat: everything in the story above may be true– then again, some of it may be exaggerated. Since it’s posted on a bookstore’s own blog– one can’t help but recognize that Vroman’s, however honest and ethical they may be, do have a motive to slag Amazon and try to convince people not to buy from them (not saying you’re doing that, Vroman’s, just that the possibility can’t be ignored).

There’s also another caveat: I do a lot of my book, cd, and dvd buying from Amazon– for two reasons: 1. selection– generally so far I’ve been able to find anything and everything I’m looking for through Amazon (though sometimes it’s via Amazon directing me to third-party sellers)– that hasn’t been true of shopping at local bookstores and such back home 2. Convenience and availability– while I’d go to a regular bookstore first perhaps, and then check Amazon, *IF* I were back home– right now I’m deployed overseas as a soldier in the US Army– there are NOT very many alternative sources that will mail books, music and movies to APO addresses… and even fewer that provide a site that I can search and order these products on the web from overseas and have them delivered out here. Kinda limits my options, and lemme tell ya, the selection at the AAFES PX sucks– and they DO censor out anything that the military considers subversive or improper.

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