16 Oct, 2025
(edited)
2025-10-16 9:14:46 PM UTC
Edited by The late Stu on 2025-10-16 9:14:58 PM UTC
Edited by The late Stu on 2025-10-16 9:16:03 PM UTC
Edited by The late Stu on 2025-10-16 9:16:03 PM UTC
2025-10-16 9:14:46 PM UTC
onthetrail wrote:
I can't claim to know anything regarding the specific points you raise but the hopeful person inside me likes to think that HarperCollins would rather pass the discount onto its customers than Amazon.
I suspect that's the crux of it. I imagine HC makes the same money either way, and anything at above the discounted price is "cream". My understanding, which may be outdated, is that Amazon places all kinds of restrictions on the "usual" selling prices suppliers can advertise, which forces a "sale"-based approach. Basically Amazon acts like the monopolistic bully that it is, so we end up with workarounds.
I think most of HCs books are pretty decent value at 50% off. I have a fair few sitting at the in-laws to one-day arrive here.
The late Stu wrote:
onthetrail wrote:
I can't claim to know anything regarding the specific points you raise but the hopeful person inside me likes to think that HarperCollins would rather pass the discount onto its customers than Amazon.
I suspect that's the crux of it. I imagine HC makes the same money either way, and anything at above the discounted price is "cream". My understanding, which may be outdated, is that Amazon places all kinds of restrictions on the "usual" selling prices suppliers can advertise, which forces a "sale"-based approach. Basically Amazon acts like the monopolistic bully that it is, so we end up with workarounds.
I think most of HCs books are pretty decent value at 50% off. I have a fair few sitting at the in-laws to one-day arrive here.
With regard to Amazon that is also how I understood it as well. I think that tye idea of selling directly to customers makes a lot of sense too if they can deliver the same or better service than Amazon. Which should not be hard after all.
I wish WM did this :/The late Stu wrote:
I wonder how the increasing regularity of these 50% sales affects purchases at full price. Seems like anyone in the UK would be nuts to buy from HC at anything other than 50% off at this point. I feel like these must be either telling me something about the economy (at least in the UK) or something about the economics/legalities of dealing with Amazon and retail pricing / price restrictions. I'm just not sure what!
onthetrail wrote:
The late Stu wrote:
I wonder how the increasing regularity of these 50% sales affects purchases at full price. Seems like anyone in the UK would be nuts to buy from HC at anything other than 50% off at this point. I feel like these must be either telling me something about the economy (at least in the UK) or something about the economics/legalities of dealing with Amazon and retail pricing / price restrictions. I'm just not sure what!
I can't claim to know anything regarding the specific points you raise but the hopeful person inside me likes to think that HarperCollins would rather pass the discount onto its customers than Amazon.
HarperCollins have invested in a massive distribution centre in Glasgow, Scotland and look to be very keen to sell directly in the UK to book buyers rather than using third parties, like Amazon. Clearly they still make money at 50% off, I suspect that they possibly make more at 50% off than by selling through Amazon.
I buy all my new HC books now direct, at 50% off, the packing is not fantastic for smaller items, but it is a good price and comparable at least to Amazon's packing.
Luckyshot wrote:
I wish WM did this :/The late Stu wrote:
I wonder how the increasing regularity of these 50% sales affects purchases at full price. Seems like anyone in the UK would be nuts to buy from HC at anything other than 50% off at this point. I feel like these must be either telling me something about the economy (at least in the UK) or something about the economics/legalities of dealing with Amazon and retail pricing / price restrictions. I'm just not sure what!
I would encourage all US residents to contact HC and ask them to give the same offers as in the UK for books.
[email protected]
I know from my time working in bookshops that sold new books, that HC and other major publishers typically sold books to independent bookshops at 40-50% discounts.
I imagine that the discounts they give to Amazon and large retailers would be higher than 50%, so selling the direct to consumer at 50% must still be decent business.
I imagine that the discounts they give to Amazon and large retailers would be higher than 50%, so selling the direct to consumer at 50% must still be decent business.

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