The independents will return and the influence of the old 600-pound gorilla big boxes will die off like dinosaurs.
Why? Because tribes don’t care much about where “everyone” goes or what “everybody” is doing–which is what the big boxes rely on. Tribal “members” believe the tribe is the best source of information, and that their cause is paramount. The big boxes won’t have what they want. Big boxes bet their farms on what “everybody” will find appealing; appealing to niches can’t pass the P & L.
that doesn’t even make any sense.
so that 1-percent niche market will topple Amazon because it’s really 100 other 1-percent niche markets… that’s not even good math.
Amazon offers good discounts, and when they don’t, the have one marketplace where thousands of others will sell me stuff for a penny.
the independents can’t beat that. they need to compete on a different level, like book signings, special offers, special editions…
you can’t compete on price unless all those independents form a new 800-pound gorilla of their own… but then…
Amazon…
I am an “Amazon Seller”, in essence, although you may find the item on Amazon, if you are purchasing it used for “a penny” you are most likely purchasing from an “independent” like me, not Amazon.
I pay them a brokerage fee……so in reality, Amazon might sell New Books from their stock, but they rely on us “independents” for their business as well.
Many times it’s the “independents” that have the out of prints, collector’s editions & flooded market items that Amazon doesn’t. In fact I just sold a full-color, hardcover, original folio sized copy of “The Secret Teaching of All the Ages” by Manley Palmer Hall for $250 on Amazon, which they do not carry. I believe I did quite well… Which is why I use Amazon & Alibris.
>^..^<
exactly what I said…
there’s no way anyone would know you had that book without Amazon… they bought abebooks for that same reason.. so they can get a cut of the book sales. you can’t be independent *and* sell through Amazon… if you can, please, I want to know how.