[12798] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: book monopolies
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Seth Rothberg)
Sun May 29 09:31:56 1994
Date: Sat, 28 May 1994 19:07:23 -0400
From: Seth Rothberg <SROTH@ucsvax.ucs.umass.edu>
To: com-priv@psi.com
X-Vms-To: in%"com-priv@psi.com"
| Seth Rothberg <SROTH@ucsvax.ucs.umass.edu> writes:
|> What fun it has been watching this flare build and die. Especially as
|> some of the tinder was the misinformed assertion that libraries pay more
|> for books and magazines than individuals.
|>
|> I can't speak for all libraries or about all the materials purchased at
|> the public library at which I work, but we buy most of our books from
|> Baker & Taylor and receive a substantial discount off the bookstore price.
|The key question is not do you get a discount, but is the discount schedule
|mandated by some governmental (or cartel) body. I did some consulting to
|Baker and Taylor in the early 80s, and then, the prices/rates were
|essentially fixed. It didn't matter which distributor you used, you
|got the same price.
|Is it a surprize then Crown Books offers a 30% discount on best sellers,
|especially when the standard discounts to retail outlets is 40%? Can you
|say accepting a low margin on some books to build traffic?
|Pat
|Pat Farrell Grad Student pfarrell@cs.gmu.edu
|Department of Computer Science George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
|Public key availble via finger #include <standard.disclaimer>
I'm sure what you say about low margins is true. My point, however, was
to show that some of the starting assumptions of the libertarian/objectiv-
ist wing in this discussion are wrong. Public libraries, which are tax
supported institutions, do not, as a result of being tax supported, pay
more for goods than other institutions. Nor do the fact that public
libraries exist, thereby depriving, at least theoretically, publishers
and booksellers of some sales, drive book prices up. I have this from
my brother who works in publishing.
Finally, the phrase: "Can you say..." is really rude. I'll talk and listen
to anyone. Take my lumps in argument with good grace. Just don't treat me--
or anyone--like an idiot. You might be surprised how intelligent people start
seeming when you treat them so.
Seth
