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Amazon Confirms Hachette Spat Is To "Get a Better Deal"

Posted by samzenpus on from the no-book-for-you dept.

tlhIngan (30335) writes "Last week we heard that Amazon was withdrawing Hachette books from its virtual shelves including allowing preorders of the new JK Rowling book. Amazon has responded to these allegations, and confirms that yes, they are purposefully preventing pre-orders and lowering stock in order to get a better deal from Hachette. Amazon recommends that in the meantime, customers either buy a used or new copy from their zShops or buy from a competitor. Amazon admits there is nothing wrong with Hachette's business dealings and that they are a generally good supplier." Here's Hachette's response to the Amazon statement.

5 of 211 comments (clear)

  1. Books aren't special by Enigma2175 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    FTFA:

    Amazon indicates that it considers books to be like any other consumer good. They are not.

    My rebuttal: Yes they are.

    --

    Enigma

    1. Re:Books aren't special by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Hachette's response was no more elaborate. Why do you hold him to a higher standard then the publisher? That indicates you aren't interested in the answer, but are just trolling.

    2. Re:Books aren't special by ranton · · Score: 5, Insightful

      They were more elaborate. Here's the entire paragraph ouf of which' context the sensence was taken

      Authors, with whom we at Hachette have been partners for nearly two centuries, engage in a complex and difficult mission to communicate with readers. In addition to royalties, they are concerned with audience, career, culture, education, art, entertainment, and connection. By preventing its customers from connecting with these authors’ books, Amazon indicates that it considers books to be like any other consumer good. They are not.

      You may agree of disagree, but do not hide behind lies.

      You could come up with any number of reasons why a certain consumer good is unique. Take this for example:

      Microwave oven manufacturers, with whom we at [generic distribution company] have been partners for nearly 60 years, engage in a complex and difficult mission to provide food to humanity. They provide a way to reuse food in a way that helps cut down on food waste, thus reducing the amount of land that is necessary to feed to world. By preventing its customers from purchasing these microwaves, Amazon indicates that it considers microwaves to be like any other consumer good. They are not.

      Nothing they said backs up their claim that books are not just another consumer good. They are just explaining why this particular consumer good exists.

      --
      -- All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke
  2. Re:Antitrust investigation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    no, being able to put preassure on someone by deciding to buy from someone else is not showing that the free market failed, it is the free market in operation.

  3. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Comment removed based on user account deletion