Globally, hardbound books are released mostly ahead of popular paperback editions by major publishers. They do so to maximize their profits as these hardbound books are priced quite steep in comparison to the popular Paperbacks. However, in certain cases, they do release in mass market paperback editions; in cases where the paperbacks are by renowned authors like Jeffery Archer or John Grisham or Sidney Sheldon, whose books are the most sought after the world over in huge volumes. And yet their profits remain the same as found on the sales of hardbound books.
Internationally, new books are priced very high in comparison to the third world countries like India, where they are priced at half or even lesser rates comparatively. In spite of this, people in India prefer to wait for a paperback edition of a book for a few months because they are cheaper. This demonstrates the consumer psychology behind buying books. They don't consider books a highly essential commodity and so books maintain low priority on perceived shopping needs' list of a consumer. Customers belonging to the higher middle class & above visit a bookstore for an experience of world class books' shopping.
India has a growing middle class population, with the largest English speaking customers who aspire to buy good books but are hesitant to buy them at MRP from Bookstore Chains due to budgets constraints. This is where online bookstores come as a respite for such value-for-money hunters. Online book stores offer to its Indian customers, a wide assortment of good quality used books imported from the U.K. To cater to the demand of good quality used books here in India, books are brought from UK. Book readers in U.K generally tend to handle books with care. Later, these books are sold off as second-hand books or used books. The quality remains superior in comparison to a book handled by an average Indian book reader.
Moreover, in India, used books sold off in flea markets or off the pavements, are re-sold manifold by the street vendors which means more wear and tear. Hence, it makes sense in buying good quality used books imported from the U.K - sparingly used and sold at 80% discount, as compared to new books. Then, why buy a new book at 20 - 30% discount when you can get the same but used at only 20% of the actual price? There are a few online book stores that offer used books on par with new books mostly sold by vendors charging exorbitant rates. They have a hand-picked range of selected best-selling authors for a better reading experience; all at affordable rates for its esteemed customers.
Buy more to build your own library by collecting best-selling used books at only a fraction of the price of new copies. Wish you all bookworms out there a very happy collecting & reading this Summer.
