4 ms·
This was a terrible article. The complaints have nothing to do with the buy box. I can think of three ways that "publishers aren't getting paid" could be true:
by reeddavid 9y ago
This was a terrible article. The complaints have nothing to do with the buy box. I can think of three ways that "publishers aren't getting paid" could be true:
1) Books are stolen
2) Books are counterfeit
3) Books were purchased through "unauthorized" channels, e.g. free review copies
None of these is a problem with the Amazon buy box. We don't complain that "Samsung doesn't get paid when people buy Samsing TVs at Best Buy" and I don't see how this is any different.
I think Amazon is guilty of a lot of shady practices that harm businesses (like co-mingling potentially counterfeit Fulfillment by Amazon inventory with Ships From and Sold by Amazon.com inventory). But this article makes no sense.
- TazeTSchnitzel 9y ago> 1) Books are stolen > 2) Books are counterfeit > 3) Books were purchased through "unauthorized" channels, e.g. free review copies > None of these is a problem with the Amazon buy box. Perhaps in your experience, but that's not the case. Counterfeiting, at the very least, is an actual current problem on Amazon for all sorts of items, including books. Used, stolen or grey-market books are also not beyond the pale for unscrupulous sellers.
- reeddavid 9y agoYes, Amazon definitely has a counterfeit problem. But that's not a problem with the buy box. If it were, then Amazon could say to publishers, "We fixed the counterfeit book problem, now customers have to click on another link to buy fakes from third party sellers." But putting counterfeits 2 clicks away instead of one click away isn't actually a solution. There's a lot to criticize Amazon for. I just thought the linked Vox article was incredibly terrible reporting.
- TazeTSchnitzel 9y agoThat it isn't a problem with the buy box per se does not mean that them changing how the buy box works isn't hurting publishers.
- billpollock 9y agoYour number 2 is definitely not true. Counterfeit books have been sold though that Buy button and may still be.
- reeddavid 9y agoYes, and counterfeit books have also been sold through third party sellers who don't have the Buy Box – it's a problem independent of the Buy Box.
- nickcano 9y agoThe problem is, when counterfeiters become the default in the buy box, it gives them market they wouldn't otherwise have. If you go to a bootleg site, you expect bootleg books. If you go to Amazon, you expect legitimate books.
- Sephr 9y ago> 3) Books were purchased through "unauthorized" channels, e.g. free review copies I don't see anything wrong with someone reselling a free review copy of a physical book. If you don't want people reselling free review copies, then don't give them out in the first place. Also, I've heard from multiple authors that issue #2 is definitely still a problem at Amazon.
- reeddavid 9y agoOh I absolutely agree, nothing wrong with people selling review copies. My point was that review copies for sale is an entirely separate issue from which seller wins the Amazon Buy Box.