FictionWise Gets Secure and Expensive

Even with the discounts, the new secure books often cost more than the same paper books. Here are a few examples. The eBook price is from FictionWise first without and then with the frequent buyer's program, the hardcover and paperback prices are from BN.com (Barnes & Noble) first without and then with their frequent buyer's program ($25/year):

Book	Author	eBook/discounted	Hardcover/discounted	Paperback/discounted
The Sigma Protocol	Robert Ludlum	$27.95/$23.76	$22.36/$21.24
Starting Over	Robin Pilcher	$22.46/$19.09*	$19.96/$18.96
The First Counsel	Brad Meltzer	$13.46/$11.44*	$20.76/$19.72	$7.99/$7.59
Four to Score	Janet Evanovitch	$6.29/$5.35*		$6.99/$6.64

* On sale this week

As you can see, in two cases (both when no paperback exists), the secure eBook costs more than the hardcover even when the eBook is on sale. In the case where both hardcover and paperback exists, the eBook is priced between the two. In the case where only a paperback exists, the eBook is priced on par with the paperback, currently slightly cheaper because of a sale.

I must admit that even with the pricing and my general dislike for security (if people who are inclined to steal want the book they will break the security and everyone else will pay regardless and only be hassled by the security measures), the one thing that truly blew my mind was the addition of two free public domain secure eBooks. I kid you not. Let's take eBooks that are already free, make them secure so no one can steal them, then give them away for free! Brilliant plan.

Do I still buy FictionWise books? Yes I do. Do I intend to continue? Yes, probably, barring other changes and the continuation of their traditional format books. But I'm not very happy, and the strength of my recommendation is decreasing by leaps and bounds with each change they make.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic