Kindle booming at Amazon
Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:13PM EDT
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Some may find this hard to believe, but the humble Amazon Kindle book reader appears to be a hit. After numerous gripes from early reviewers claiming it was not quite ready for prime time and problems with the Kindle being out of stock during the holiday season, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos says the Kindle now comprises a whopping 12 percent of book sales on the site (for books which are available in both print and electronic format).
What's even more phenomenal is that Amazon says that figure was 6 percent only two months ago, indicating an unprecedented doubling of sales in such a short amount of time. Amazon now has 130,000 titles available on the Kindle.
The numbers seem on the excessive side. After running out of hard copies months ago, I listed my two books on Amazon for the Kindle format (check out the Kindleized versions of Half Mast and Five Stars here if you're so inclined). Total sales for Kindle: Five copies since March. I don't have any printed books to compare sales to, but other digital copy sales (which are a little more expensive but which come in standard PDF format) have been exponentially higher. That said, a book on how to become a film critic isn't exactly a John Grisham thriller, but I'm not even seeing 12 percent of electronic copy sales go to the Kindle. But hey, maybe I'm the outlier that proves the rule.
Assuming Bezos' numbers are correct, why are so many books for the Kindle apparently selling so well? A big part is likely the steeply discounted price of books, which persists longer than most had anticipated. Amazon is still deeply discounting all titles for the platform just as it did during the launch: Most Kindle books are $9.99, compared to $14, $16, or higher for most new releases in hardcover (and $20 and up for older titles). The device itself is still expensive (though the price has finally dropped a little, to $359), but avid readers likely see themselves as recouping the cost of the unit quickly. It's hard to ignore one final point: Amazon has also been ruthlessly promoting the device. It's virtually dominated the Amazon.com home page all year long.
Regardless of whether Bezos is 100 percent accurate on the figures he's offered, congrats to him and Amazon on what looks to be a true sleeper hit. Have you bought one yet?
Comments on Kindle booming at Amazon
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2 Posted by dubyac99 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:49PM EDT Report Abuse
I don't know how to read. Did I just type that?
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3 Posted by cabiria on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:16PM EDT Report Abuse
I received my Kindle shortly after Christmas and have been very happy with it ever since. Previously I had an eBook which ran out of space quickly and I was always afraid of damaging the thin connection cable between it and the CPU. My Kindle is the best invention since the mute button! I love the compact OED that comes with it and the ability to clip text and make notes attached to passages in books. I agree that titles available on the Kindle need to be expanded but I'm sure that will come in time.
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4 Posted by pattigoettler on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:01PM EDT Report Abuse
Ordered first day - got it in Jan. -Have not put it down since!! I read horribly fast - go through books like water- my Kindle holds 200 books!!! And I can get a new one wirelessly in seconds!!!!! And they are cheaper ( or FREE) And I c don't need more bookshelves!!!! I LOVE IT !!!!!!!!! (can you tell I like it?)
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5 Posted by m_knopp on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:32PM EDT Report Abuse
Have not bought one and do not plan to as long as the books for it maintain the incredibly stupid DRM. Also, until the price gets comparable to paperback book price, I also see no price savings as I buy very few hardback books. I also enjoy a great institution called the library and have access to millions of books for a terrific price, free.
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6 Posted by msauntarlene on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:29PM EDT Report Abuse
Love my kindle, for older folks it is easier to read than most books because it have 6 sizes of print. I am able to read faster, easier and longer. Thanks Amazon
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7 Posted by df4consult on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:42PM EDT Report Abuse
People seem very passionate about this device, either for or against. I'm for the device. I've got one, and I love it. I have noticed, however, that the only people who vote against the Kindle are those who don't actually have one. I've never seen a disparaging post from a Kindle owner. Wonder what that means?
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8 Posted by l612777@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:55PM EDT Report Abuse
I have had my Kindle since January and I love it! I have always read a lot and the Kindle makes it simple to get old and new books instantly. It is much easier to handle a Kindle while reading rather than a book. I have been happy with the selection of books offered for my Kindle. I no longer buy hard cover books, only Kindle books. The few publishing houses that don't offer their best sellers on Kindle will not get my business anymore.
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9 Posted by tomlinton on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:15PM EDT Report Abuse
Ordered it first day before Amazon ran out It has been my constant companion since it arrived Price for paperbacks is less than paperbacks and there is no sales tax I frequent the library especially on inclement weather days and the only books I would use it for are things like Harry Potter and To Kill a Mockingbird which aren't available on the Kindle and books which depend on illustrations which so far haven't translated well Spent many years building five foot shelves on specific topics Getting rid of them if I hadn't read any for a year Then rebuilding again much later The Kindle takes care of that Delete an Amazon edition and it stays in your Amazon library If it's a free book you can always download another copy Feedbooks and Mobi Pocket will do that right on the Kindle without even routing through your computer
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10 Posted by jannamedina_22 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:28PM EDT Report Abuse
haha..this is the best way to pamper your self..having an i-phone! yes! i finally got it!! additional collection for my gadg. i wonder what could be replacing this "hotness"!!!! i wish to have for free!!
1 Posted by rogueist on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse
Nope. Have not gotten one yet. The prices is more than 3x what I will pay for an eBook reader, is clunky and unwieldy (at least to me), and they have very few titles that I want to get. If they can expand their title selections to about 3 or 4 million books, I will probably then start to see more of the titles that I want to see. And they really need to price the titles at less than it costs to get a paperback.