The Scotsman (by way of Bookninja) brings news that Scottish booksellers are reporting Amazon.com to the Office of Fair Trading for allegations of “bullying.”
It’s no secret that Amazon’s used books come from a conglomeration of thousands of used bookstores around the world (except in states that would force Amazon to charge sales tax.*) The Scottish booksellers say that Amazon is threatening to cut them off:
But now [Amazon] has told the shops they cannot sell books cheaper anywhere else online, even on their own websites. It has issued an ultimatum saying that unless the stores sign up to a new agreement by Wednesday they risk being delisted.
Feels like Amazon’s been threatening to delist everybody lately. Publishers allow Amazon to act like a baby because Amazon is the largest single distributor for many publishers. But what would happen if all the publishers demanded that Amazon chill the fuck out?
* Whoops! I confused Marketplace with Associates. Sorry about that.
Amazon positions itself as a general purpose store, yet it sure seems concerned about keeping a grip on the book business.
Any idea of the split? Is all the other (non-book) retail trivial?
This crap makes me think about looking for different sources of books. Thanks Amazon!
Then they would realize that Apple = God, right?
(I really wish that cynicism could properly be represtented on the internet.)
#2 – by all means, DO IT. I hear rumors that Elliott Bay Book Company is moving to the Hill and there are plenty of brick & mortar stores happy to give you magnificent service.
represented*
#2 — Do it, for sure. If you absolutely prefer buying your books online, there are other options. Book lending or trading sites, where members review books and list what books they own and are willing to lend or give to others (ie: Goodreads) are gaining in popularity. Most major bookstores also have a website, and Barnes & Noble has a used book section on their website. In addition, you can sign up for coupon mailings from both Barnes & Noble and Borders, which cuts the price of books. But most importantly, even if your local bookstore costs a little more than Amazon, buying books from brick & mortar stores supports authors and the publishing industry. All the blogs I read by literary agents, authors and editors are united in the preference for buying brick & mortar over Amazon, because Amazon shafts the industry in nearly every practice they implement.
all your genome are belong to you.
Scots ftw!
I only sell two books through amazon. I do offer it for several dollars less on my own site. I’m aware of the clause prohibiting me from selling it for less on my own site.
I’ve been doing this for several years and haven’t had any issues. Does anyone know of anyone that has had repercussions from not following this portion of the contract? Unless your user name indicates your site, they probably won’t know about it anyway, right? Or is it just that I’m too small-time? Or just that I haven’t been busted yet?
“But what would happen if all the publishers demanded that Amazon chill the fuck out?”
That would be collusion in restraint of trade, jackass.
Jesus wept, you are an idiot.
@9 No, it would only be collusion if they colluded to do so. If they just did it, Amazon would be fucked.