You are correct, but the system isn't really as strange as you imply. Many wholesalers in many different markets set a recommended retail price that's some mult

You are correct, but the system isn't really as strange as you imply. Many wholesalers in many different markets set a recommended retail price that's some multiple of the wholesale price they charge to their customers. As far as I understand, Amazon works out the optimal discount for a book based on a number of factors including the popularity of the book and the prices charged by their competition. The same book at B&N is $31.49 [1], 88 cents more than Amazon is charging. [1] http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/born-to-lose-james-g-hollock/1113551830?ean=9781606350973 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/born-to-lose-james-g-hollock...