| How do they do it? The big sellers of books on | | | | I have seen this happen to me, where I put a book |
| Amazon manage to put their books up for sale at | | | | on for £1 and because of undercutting by the |
| prices that mean they will have to take a loss on the | | | | big sellers the price got reduced to £0.01, |
| sale, as the amount they receive will be less than the | | | | making it unprofitable to sell because of postage |
| postage it costs to send out the book. | | | | costs. |
| This means that the small independent seller or | | | | There are many Independent booksellers in the |
| person who sells books for hobby is unable to | | | | market place who sell their books cheaper than |
| compete. I can put a popular book for sale on | | | | Amazon (minimum cost to the buyer £2.76), |
| Amazon, price would have to be for £0.01 any | | | | amount received by seller £1.41. The small |
| higher price and it is more than likely that it could be | | | | independent traders can sell their books cheaper, but |
| on the second page, who is going to look further | | | | due to the inertia of buyers they fail to shop around. |
| down the list for a more expensive book, when you | | | | The smaller independent sellers give a personal |
| can purchase a book for £0.01 plus | | | | individual service. I have found that the smaller |
| £2.75 postage and packing. The seller would | | | | independent sites will more than likely send the book |
| then receive £1.41. An average size paperback | | | | out the same day or the next working day. Despite |
| would cost £1.85 to send out second class. | | | | Amazons claim books have to be sent out in 2 |
| While Amazon does provide a good service for the | | | | working days, this does not always happen, anyone |
| buyer, for the smaller seller it is virtually impossible to | | | | can click a button that confirms that the book has |
| make money on everyday books, only on rare books | | | | been posted, but this is not always the case. Due to |
| can a hobbyist manage to be able to compete with | | | | lack of inertia from the buyer feedback is not always |
| the bigger fish, who then will often undercut their | | | | given. |
| prices so they are cheapest, and if they are undercut | | | | Use the Independent booksellers, you will be |
| again they will also undercut again until it is not | | | | pleasantly surprised at the service you receive and |
| profitable to sell the book because of postage costs. | | | | the price you will have to pay. |