John’s Law of Buying Books
Category: Books, Science Fiction
published February 4th, 2005
John over at SFSignal has been ruminating on the subject of buying books. Hey, its been a quiet week here too, at least he found something original to write about! 
Anyway the result of these ruminations is John's Law of Buying Books:
The price of a book is directly proportional to the selection offered by the bookstore that sells it.
Clearly a thorough individual he then amplifies on this law with the Corollary of Tiers:
Bookstores usually fit into one of these levels:
* Best bargains: Overstock stores (bookcloseouts.com or overstock.com)
* Good bargains: Used bookstores (usually 50% of cover price)
* Little or no bargain: Big-Name Stores (B&N, Amazon)
* Overpriced: Book Collector stores
So far, so good and I think I can agree with both the law and its corollary. However I'm going to have to dispute the conclusion John comes to based on this sound proposition. He claims that this means Hunters will be better off checking out Amazon where as Gatherers will do better at overstock and used stores.
First off, if you don't get the Hunters and Gatherer's reference you need to read one of John's previous ruminations on the subject of book buying. Yes, he clearly does have too much time on his hands.
My problem is that I would regard myself as a Gatherer, not a Hunter. While there are some authors for whom I buy everything, I generally go into a book store just saying I'm going to buy 2 books (actually its more like 5, but you get my point). So I should be better off at an overstock store then? No.
I'm going to be better off at Amazon, because while the prices are certainly higher, the greater range means I'm far more likely to find that book which takes my fancy, even though I don't know what it is or what its about.
Perhaps John needs to ruminate on book buying some more. I'm not sure he's considered how price may weigh differently for different book buyers. I almost never buy hardbacks because of price, but beyond that its not a big factor in my book buying. On the other hand I know some people will buy almost entirely used books simply because of the number they can get for their dollar.
Eoghann Irving is amongst other things the creator and Editor of Solar Flare. He has a life long interest in all forms of science fiction and fantasy and a pressing need to share this interest with anyone who will listen. Find out more at his his website eoghann.com.| 2.9 |
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5 Comments ... Have Your Say!
February 4th, 2005 -
Hmm, not sure then whether I’m a Hunter or a Gatherer. Often I don’t know what books I want when I go to a store, I just want books. But I’m still happier browsing in say a big Barnes & Noble than I am in a Walden Books mall store. You know book buying is such an expensive habit anyway that I tend not to worry about looking for bargains.
Hmm, I can see I’m going to have to write a full post on this subject. Now see what you’ve done!
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February 4th, 2005 -
“Clearly a thorough individual”
You have no idea. Some people would say, and often, that John is on the wrong side of anal…
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February 5th, 2005 -
“The wrong side of anal?” Ewww!
Let’s just say I have an unhealthy book buying habit. Gotta have ‘em!
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February 4th, 2005 -
If I may elaborate (and I may :)), if you are looking for 2, 5 or even 10 specific books then you are a Hunter. A Gatherer is a browser (or, in my case, a biblioholic who can’t seem to get enough) with no clear target in mind. It’s not about quantity, it’s about the target – you either have a specific one or you don’t.
From the sound of it, you are a Hunter, although a frequent one. Maybe I need to add another rule.
Hmmm…apparently I do have too much spare time on my hands.