Re: [microsound] McCoffee

[Tad Turner <tad@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 6/26/02 at 6:34 AM, anechoic <kim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> >Naomi Klein's book _No Logo_ makes the point that Starbucks
> >goes beyond just competing with the local mom and pops,
> >driving them out of business. In many cases, Starbucks
> >locations even compete against themselves. They don't worry
> >about the revenue in a single location because the overall
> >sales are good. How can an individual or small company compete
> >against that?
> 
> Amazon did something interesting to help stem their
> monopolization of the book market by making the sales of used
> books via mom 'n pop bookstores possible through their
> website...I'm sure Amazon makes a little on each deal but I get
> to save money and help the mom 'n pops stay in business by
> buying books this way...and although some might see Amazon as
> the "evil empire" I do use them everyday in my research as they
> provide a great informational service...so I guess if they make
> a little on the sale of used books I tend to see it as payment
> for use of their web site...

There was a big cry of dismay from the New York Times about this,
ranging from stuff in the business pages to sly negative judgements in
the "lifestyle" sections.

The publishing industry, owned by the self-same conglomerates that own
the music industry, are completely threatened by Amazon's posting of
"used" titles right next to the new offerings. Many of these "used"
titles are new copies of various sorts.

The style section suggested it was better to sell your books by the
pound at the Strand, but anyone who has investigated the cost of online
bookselling has to realize Amazon did a great thing by charging per
sale, instead of per month, for their listing service.

Of course, this service can pinch little publishers as well as big. I
got a copy of Henry Martin's _Charlie Parker and Thematic
Improvisation_, new, for $7 off list price. Amazon was selling it for
list ($32), so I actually don't know what to make of this. I suppose an
author or small publisher could sell direct via this mechanism.

-Tad
<tad@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>