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I think it's much easier to impulse buy e-books on the Kindle than it is to buy a paperback. You get instant gratification -- you see a book you want, pay for i
by atgm 16y ago
I think it's much easier to impulse buy e-books on the Kindle than it is to buy a paperback. You get instant gratification -- you see a book you want, pay for it, and you get it without having to travel anywhere.
This is especially potent if you're already reading a series; just go buy the next book in the series. Sometimes I'll find out about a book and then just grab my Kindle to get the book before I forget about it.
Instant purchase, instant gratification!
- greyman 16y agoFor me it is also a better delivery method. Living in Europe, it takes about 2 weeks for print books to arrive, then I need to go to post office to pick them up, I need to pay for the delivery, etc. It is all so much easier with the ebook. Moreover, I don't even own Kindle, and read my ebooks on the netbook or phone.
- octopus 16y agoSame situation here in Canada, you pay for a book and wait 1-2 weeks before the postman will drop it at your door :). Having a Kindle has changed everything, what I like most is that I can use my Kindle everywhere ... especially in metro and bus. I was able to port almost all my electronic books on Kindle. I don't like so much the DRM protection of some editors, but you can find a lot of DRM free books these days.
- davidw 16y agoYeah: English books + paying in "weak" dollars + no VAT tax + no waiting around for the Italian postal system is a huge win over any other method of getting books. I still prefer real books, and if I lived somewhere with a good book store (like Powell's, or even Smith Family in Eugene), I'm not sure I'd use the Kindle quite so much.
- ErrantX 16y agoHere in the UK, and with Amazon prime, I find the opposite is true. Ordering paper books they turn up by courier at my office the next day, usually before 10am. Ok, so the cost if £1 more per book but speaking personally it's worth it :) (I realise I am an outlier, though, maybe not on HN; spending upwards of £1,000/r on books)
- deleted 16y ago[deleted]
- flipbrad 16y agoAt least you own your books and can sell or pass them to others. Not so for eBook licences 'purchased' from Amazon: http://zine.openrightsgroup.org/comment/2011/the-dummy%E2%80%99s-guide-to-ebooks http://zine.openrightsgroup.org/comment/2011/the-dummy%E2%80...
- dablya 16y agoI don't know... With the vast majority of books having the first chapter available for free, I usually end up only buying once I know I'll enjoy reading it.
- alextp 16y agoThe instant purchase, instant gratification part is particularly important. I ordered two books to brazil in dec 22 and they still haven't arrived. I've heard of, bought, and read many more books since, using the kindle for ipod touch.