waitsec...since when are books a "manufactured good"? They are a creative work. The price is not set based on the cost to manufacture the book, the price is set based on remuneration to the creators (as well as the cost to manufacture), and the guiding of the creative process.
This is especially true because books are priced flexibly, in tiers (limited edition, regular hard cover, trade paperback, mass-market paperback, etc.),
Ironically while that typically brings up dreams of "what the market will bear" which makes consumers think they might be paying more than the cost to produce the item, Sharon's example reminds us that, if you're not a best-selling author, "what the market will bear" may well mean that the authors are paid less than their cost-to-produce...
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mmmag
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Date: 2010-02-13 11:49 pm (UTC)This is especially true because books are priced flexibly, in tiers (limited edition, regular hard cover, trade paperback, mass-market paperback, etc.),
Ironically while that typically brings up dreams of "what the market will bear" which makes consumers think they might be paying more than the cost to produce the item, Sharon's example reminds us that, if you're not a best-selling author, "what the market will bear" may well mean that the authors are paid less than their cost-to-produce...