An Open Letter To Amazon

I sent this to their customer service, but it highlights a problem with the Kindle process.

I have a Kindle, and I love it. I make it a point to show it off to others that ask as I travel around and speak at various technology events.

HOWEVER.

Recently I went to look at a new novel from Eric Child and saw the hardback was $17 and the Kindle version was $14. That's not much of a difference, and to some extent I consider this a breach of the advertising that Amazon made saying that New York Times bestsellers, and most books would be $9.99 new. For me, and you can see I buy a lot of books, that was part of the purchase decision.

I won't buy this book, nor any others that cost more than $9.99 if they are books normally listed in hardcover at $29.99. And I will very much let people know that ask me about whether the Kindle is a good thing that the economics are making less sense all the time. I will pay more for technical books that often list for $59 or $69, but there needs to be a discount from publishers. The cost of the book, as well as the risk of inventory, is so much lower, a discount is needed.

I will contact the publisher, but please stop selling books above $9.99 that don't list above $29. It hinders adoption of a fantastic platform you've given.

I'd also encourage you to find a better way to make the Kindle more affordable. $350 severely limits your audience. If you could sell them for $150 with an agreement to buy xxx books over the next year, it would make a huge difference in adoption.

We want to continue to encourage people to read and the Kindle can do that, but it needs to be more affordable.

Steve Jones