I'm sure many of you like me buy books from Amazon, but, do you realise the implications of this especially in the light of recent exposures? This morning I happened to turn on the radio and heard a news item about Amazon on BBC Radio 4 which caused me concern. Amazon have stepped up underhand tactics to maximise profit and control over publishing which, considering their already immense profits is nothing short of excessive greed. If publishers don't comply with their demands the Buy Now button is removed.
In case the above BBC radio new item and interview goes dead you can read about it on Publishing News Online Publishers rebuff Amazon
What can we do? Support your local bookshop. If you don't have one available where you live then have a close look at the page on Amazon where the book you are looking for is displayed, you'll normally see it also available from Amazon Sellers which are often small online bookshops. Instead of buying it through Amazon from them click on the link to go to one of those smaller online bookshops and buy it directly from them.
If Amazon continues down it's chosen road we will soon be seeing more real bookshops closing, Amazon getting an even greater cut of the retail price which is already 50% or more and writers getting less and less in royalties.
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