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Thursday, March 10, 2011
Why Some E-Books Cost More Than the Hardcover
E-books priced more than their print edition.
How could this possibly be? Paper costs more than electrons, so surely e-books should be cheaper, right?
Believe it or not, this isn't a glitch. And it's not happening because publishers are asleep at the wheel either.
Come down the rabbit hole with me into the wholesale/agency tunnel, and I'll tell you why this is happening.
Ye Olde Wholesale
First, as always, we have to start with some dry background information. For a very long time publishers have had a system where they set the suggested retail price and take roughly half of that. Whatever the bookseller wants to charge from there is their business.
So, napkin math, if a book is listed with a $24.99 cover price the publisher would get about $12.50 of that, which they would split with the author, cover their costs, hopefully make a profit, etc. (Further background here.)
If the book sells for $24.99 the bookseller also gets $12.50. Or, if the bookseller discounts it to $19.99, well, that comes out of the bookseller's take and and the bookseller gets about $7.50. Heck, the bookseller could charge the consumer $10.00 and take a loss. That's their business. The publisher still gets their $12.50.
For a long time this system worked without too much disruption. Then came Amazon.
Enter the Kindle
A couple of things happened in the past couple of years that had publishers rather nervous.
First came the Kindle, which enabled Amazon to jump out to a massive early lead in e-book market share. For a while there it looked like Amazon was going to win the e-book war going away, and they were using their massive scale to help further that process.
Originally Amazon was selling e-books based on the wholesale model. So take that $24.99 hardcover. For every new e-book, Amazon was paying publishers roughly 50% of the hardcover price, or $12.50. Only... for some popular titles they were selling those e-books for $9.99. They were taking a loss on some titles in order to sell Kindles, build market share, and establish a massive early lead with their proprietary e-book format.
And then during the holiday season of 2009, Amazon engaged in a price war with WalMart, Target and others, and discounted some very popular hardcovers to $9.99. Again, at a loss.
This created several very pressing concerns for publishers. For one, Amazon was helping devalue consumers' notion of what a new book "should" cost. And two, they were growing extremely, extremely powerful. Bookstores definitely couldn't compete with $9.99, and neither could many other e-book sellers, even massive corporations.
Publishers badly wanted to level the playing field to make sure there was competition in the marketplace. They didn't want Amazon creating a monopoly and turning up the screws on their terms.
Publishers Say Homey Don't Play That
Enter the agency model.
When Apple entered the e-book fray with the introduction of the iPad, they brought with them the app store model: Publisher sets the price, Apple gets 30%, publisher gets 70%. Publishers, who wanted a way to slow down all the deep discounting and create a create a leveler playing field, say heck yeah, and they tell Amazon that's the new game in town. They raise prices to somewhere between $10.99 and $14.99 for new e-books, and e-booksellers aren't allowed to discount off of those prices.
Makes sense, right?
Well, here's the thing that's kind of wacky about the wholesale model vs. the agency model: the publisher made more money per copy with the wholesale model.
Again, napkin math for a $24.99 hardcover. Let's say the e-book would have sold for $9.99 at Amazon in the old days but now the publisher charges $12.99:
Wholesale model e-book:
Publisher: $12.50 (roughly 50% of $24.99 hardcover retail price)
Amazon: - $2.50 (selling at $9.99)
Agency model e-book:
Publisher: $9.09 (70% of $12.99)
E-bookseller: $3.90 (30% of $12.99)
See what's happening there? Publishers left money on the table to have more control over pricing and so more e-booksellers could compete with the elephant in the Amazon.
The result: It actually seems to have worked. B&N now claims 25% market share in the e-book world, and with iBooks also going strong the competition in the e-book marketplace that publishers wanted appears to be taking place.
Where We Are Now
So now there's a system in place where print books are still sold based on the wholesale model and e-books are sold on the agency model. This results in.... curiosities.
Let's take one of the examples that had Reddit perplexed. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest is selling on Amazon for:
E-book: $11.99
Hardcover: $11.89
Doesn't make sense, right?
Well, here's how that breaks down between publisher and Amazon:
E-book: $11.99
Publisher: $8.39 (70% of e-book price)
Amazon: $3.60 (30% of e-book price)
Hardcover: $11.89
Publisher: $13.95 (50% of $27.95 list price)
Amazon: - $2.06 (customer price minus $13.95 paid to publisher)
So... unless there's some sort of special arrangement there, Amazon is using the hardcover as a loss leader.
And the publisher would tell you: we can't control that. All we can do is set our own prices, and what Amazon charges the consumer for print books is their business. Publishers make more money on the hardcover sale, they set the list price for the hardcover at $27.95 and the e-book at $11.99, and they don't have much incentive to discount the e-book any further than it already is.
I'm not privy to the strategic discussions at publishers, but if this also has the effect of slowing down the rate e-book adoption or steering people toward the print editions.... I'm guessing they're probably okay with that. They have print operations to consider and bookstores that they'd like to survive as long as possible. As long as it's still primarily a print world (and it is), publishers have many rational incentives to protect their print sales.
But the biggest problem, as that Reddit discussion illustrates, is that it creates a great deal of consumer confusion and angst. It doesn't make any intuitive sense for e-books to cost more than paper. By keeping e-book prices high, it opens up a huge opportunity for the 99-cent Kindle bestsellers to exploit. Also: As the music industry found out, annoy digital consumers at your peril.
And it just took almost a thousand words to explain why it's happening.
113 comments:
- Stephanie {Luxe Boulevard} said...
Thanks for breaking this down. I was wondering this just last week when I went to put an e-book on my Kindle (free for my smartphone and never used it), only to see that the e-book was $17.99. WHAT?! No thanks, was my thought.
I suppose for those always on the go, wanting their books wherever they are at a moments notice this is good. But for stay-at-home mom's like me, I'm good with shelves stacked full of books that will eventually smell of age. :)
- March 10, 2011 at 10:21 AM
- aspiring_x said...
thanks for breaking it down for us nathan! it'll be interesting to watch the evolution of the publishing business over the next few years.
- March 10, 2011 at 10:22 AM
- Joshua said...
Nathan, that was a fantastic explanation. Thank you for that. What I took away from this is that if you really want to stick it to Amazon, buy the physical copy so they lose money. Right? ;^)
- March 10, 2011 at 10:22 AM
- Tiana Smith said...
BRILLIANT! I've heard a lot of talk about the agency model, blah, blah, blah. But it all seemed like mumbo jumbo and I couldn't get it. This background helps, thanks for taking the time to put 1,000 words down.
- March 10, 2011 at 10:32 AM
- Anna said...
Wow. That's all I can say. Thanks for the helpful post!
- March 10, 2011 at 10:34 AM
- Bob Mayer said...
Something that's being left out of the equation is that publishers also seem to think readers make a choice between buying the hardcover or buying the eBook. But I think most have a strong preference already and stick with it. Also, with more than 30% of the kindle top 100 being self-published, priced usually from .99 to 2.99, publishers have to consider if they are driving readers to a market they have no control and no income from. When a reader sees my latest at .99 as a leader for a series from my backlist I've self-published, then my next co-written from St Martins at $12.99, they have to be getting headaches.
- March 10, 2011 at 10:35 AM
- Jesse said...
Wow, for a change, something I already knew. But your explanation was far better than mine.
Amazon is more than happy to take the loss because it brings in revenue in other areas of the storefront and other books.
I still think this is going to even out in the end. Once the children stop peeing in the sandbox, they'll actually pick ONE model and ONE format and the ones who'll really make out are the consumers. We shall see.
- March 10, 2011 at 10:36 AM
- Istvan Szabo, Ifj. said...
Thanks for breaking this down, Nathan.
- March 10, 2011 at 10:41 AM
- Cameron Chapman said...
I think one thing that's also driving publishers to keep ebook prices on par with hardcover, or at least paperback, books, is that they don't quite know how to market books without bookstores. The entire mainstream publishing industry's marketing efforts are based around getting books on shelves. If those shelves disappear (which they will, in growing numbers, as ebooks gain more market share), it throws their entire marketing strategy into chaos.
Until publishers figure out how to compete without physical shelves, they're going to do everything they can to stop ebooks from taking over too much of the market. Once they get that figured out (if they do?), then we'll likely see a much different landscape for ebook sales, including different pricing strategies.
- March 10, 2011 at 10:42 AM
- Vanessa Kelly said...
Thanks, Nathan, for your illuminating post on this confusing topic. I worry that many of these discussions don't make any attempt to analysis the intrinsic value of the book itself - regardless of the format of delivery. It's always great to have some light shed on this murky state of affairs!
- March 10, 2011 at 10:45 AM
- Steve Masover said...
Nicely broken down, Nathan. Ain't capitalism strange??!?
- March 10, 2011 at 10:46 AM
- Laurie Gold said...
As a longtime ebook reader, the two pricing models create a problem for me. The worst disparity comes in trade paperbacks. Because of print discounting, it is often 20% more expensive for me to buy a digital version of a trade paperback than it would be for me to buy the print copy. I vote with my wallet and end up buying at the UBS, which doesn't benefit publishers or authors. To allow discounting in print but not digitally tells me publishers really aren't interested in having my business.
- March 10, 2011 at 10:47 AM
- Mr. D said...
Peeing in the sandbox? That's funny!
- March 10, 2011 at 10:51 AM
- Ron Earl Phillips said...
I noticed this a couple weeks ago when I bought Noah Boyd's AGENT X. It wasn't cheaper, but the discount was ridiculously low the day I bought it. Of course I bundled that with 2 trade novels, both equally discounted, to get the free shipping. 3 books for just around $30, saving $25. My benefit sure and I have no idea how Amazon made money on that sale.
As an aside, I haven't bought top selling book yet for my kindle. So far just mid-list authors priced between $2.95-5.95. Maybe a couple $9.95 titles. Over that, it always seems cheaper to buy the print book.
- March 10, 2011 at 10:53 AM
- Stephanie Barr said...
What's funny is that it didn't just happen with digital music. Before that, it was videos.
When I was a kid, getting a movie on VHS (or Beta, that's how old I am) would be ~$100. Piracy was rampant because legitimate movies were too expensive to own.
Frantic to protect themselves, movie makers worked all kinds of copy protection into their tapes. But that wasn't the problem. People can get around anything if there's a profit to be made and even law-abiding regular people have a hard time feeling bad about an illegal copy if the legitimate copies are still criminally overpriced.
With people readily able to record movies, however, from commercial-free cable and laserdiscs selling movies for $15-30 (with no digital copy protection), video tapes seemed doomed
BUT, when tapes dropped their prices down to $10-20, suddenly interest in laserdiscs faded as well as much of the interest in piracy. People didn't mind spending $15 on a favorite movie. When DVDs came along, they were smart enough to keep the prices reasonable, and get people to buy them all over again. Because they didn't feel gouged.
If people feel like they aren't being cheated, most people want the legitimate copies. But they don't like feeling cheated. It's the perception that matters.
Digital music folks had to learn it all over again because they didn't pay attention. Looks like publishers are going to do the same thing. If people perceive they're being cheated with e-books, publishers will power their own piracy. And that's just stupid.
- March 10, 2011 at 10:59 AM
"As the music industry found out, annoy digital consumers at your peril."
This is one of the most important points of this post. Readers don't care about the details and the breakdowns. They only care about paying less for an e-book and they don't care what the publisher's problems are. And if they can get a .99 e-book when gas prices are climbing daily and housing values are still dropping, that's where they (we) are going to head.
- March 10, 2011 at 11:00 AM
- Mira said...
Publishers say homey don't play that.
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
I'm sorry. I'll be back to comment later, if I ever stop laughing.
You are so funny, Nathan.
- March 10, 2011 at 11:30 AM
- therealjasonb said...
One more thanks--I've always wondered. It does seem confusing, and for me there is no way I'm paying more for an ebook than a hardback. Even if it makes sense, it does seem very wrong somehow.
But anonymous has it write--annoying the consumer is a dangerous game. I'm not sure if books will ever have the same piracy problem that music does, but certainly at some point someone is going to invent something Napster-like that makes piracy a no-brainer, and if people are trying to sell ebooks for 16.99 I think it will catch on. Remember that (I think) one of the big drivers for music piracy was that CDs were approaching 20 bucks each, for no apparent reason, which has obviously changed now. I think I'm at the point where I won't pay more than 10 bucks for an album, either.(Sorry, new REM. I want you, but you are too much!)
- March 10, 2011 at 11:43 AM
- Michael Offutt said...
Amazon is a fascinating company to watch. Seeing you break the numbers down here using your "napkin math" really brings it all together. It's like there's a war out there as huge companies vie over profits in an attempt to diminish the power one company has over an entire industry.
- March 10, 2011 at 11:46 AM
Wow, so shortsighted and arrogant of publishers (I'm also still steaming over the idea of limiting library e-book downloads). People WILL pirate more e-books and/or buy the 99 cent ones. I love reading, but there is no way in hell I'm paying that much for an e-book. People do want to pay for things, but only if it's convenient and the price makes intuitive sense. Hence the success of itunes. Personally, I stopped pirating music once easy downloads and reasonably priced songs entered the scene. I have yet to pirate a book, but the same logic applies. I vote with my wallet, and the e-book publishers won't take my hard earned money because they insist on being stuck in the past.
- March 10, 2011 at 11:49 AM
- TJWriter said...
I've recently become addicted to ebooks and I've found my point to be where the ebook costs more than a mass market paperback. I wait for hardcovers to come out in paperback because I want to support the authors but I read too fast to afford a hardback habit.
I just can't bring myself to pay more than about $8 for an ebook.
- March 10, 2011 at 11:50 AM
- Layton Green said...
That was a fantastic post. Thank you for explaining that!
Layton Green
The Summoner
- March 10, 2011 at 12:01 PM
- A3Writer said...
The napkin math is the gross of what the publishers take in per book, so it doesn't actually mean the publisher makes more profit off the hardback because the printing costs have to be absorbed. I'm sure that physical cost of printing is a decent chunk of that hardback's $12.50, whereas there's no print cost for the ebook. The math becomes a little more even at that point for the publisher, correct?
- March 10, 2011 at 12:06 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Please check out my post from Monday for that info.
- March 10, 2011 at 12:08 PM
- D.G. Hudson said...
Interesting comparisons at Reddit's site. I'm not sure I would pay a higher price for an e-book. It would have to be exceptional.
This type of pricing where a book that's physical is less expensive than what Reddit calls a 'fancy rental' (e-book) raises that specter of cognitive dissonance in the buyer - 'something's wrong here', and perception in the eyes of the buyer is what determines sales.
I like the idea of Amazon being held back somewhat by the competition and the publishers. When companies become gargantuan, they lose all human sensibility in the search for market share.
The twist and turns of this evolution of e-books is interesting to watch. I just hope authors get some benefit out of all this jockeying for position in the publishing world.
- March 10, 2011 at 12:15 PM
- Sommer Leigh said...
This is a fantastic break down Nathan! Thank you for making sense of the confusion.
The math and the politics boggles my mind.
- March 10, 2011 at 12:29 PM
- Amy said...
Thanks for the breakdown! I didn't realize the publisher made less money on the ebook version.
In the end, though, it doesn't matter how well the publishing industry rationalizes the high prices for ebooks. I won't pay them. Paying more for the ebook than for the print book makes me feel like I'm being taken advantage of, and that's a feeling I hate. It's a feeling that's not worth the enjoyment I might get out of the book. I won't buy an ebook that "feels" overpriced, no matter how much math/economics is thrown at me to justify that price.
On the other hand, I don't like buying print anymore either. I prefer ebooks, and my bookshelf is too full for me to buy any more paper books.
So I just bought my first two 99-cent indie books, and I picked up a free sample for a third (option to buy if I like the sample). We'll see how I like them.
- March 10, 2011 at 12:50 PM
- mardott said...
Thank you for explaining this. It's good to know the goings-on behind things. But I'm not changing my mind. If the ebook costs more (or the same as) the print book, I won't buy either one. I hate that this punishes the author, but I'm just not doing it. No matter how reasonable the explanation.
- March 10, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Great post.
I wonder though... Does Amazon take into consideration private sales from third parties? Obviously they take a percentage of the sales (pennies on the dollar), but has that affected the prices of their own books? These days you can buy used books in excellent condition on Amazon for under $5, whereas you can't do that with an ebook. It seems to me like they're competing with themselves. Is that part of "taking a loss on print books"?
- March 10, 2011 at 1:18 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Used books are a whole 'nother story. I don't know what Amazon's arrangements are with used booksellers, but I'm guessing they take a percentage on every sale.
- March 10, 2011 at 1:31 PM
- kellye said...
Thank you for this helpful information. The whole situation is frustrating for book lovers. The pricing differences can make publishers look greedy (rightly or wrongly), and that can send consumers away.
Because of a string of unusual circumstances, I own a Kindle, but I also hate monopolies. I buy e-books as well as paperbacks and hardbacks from a variety of sources, use my library and joined Lendle.
The e-revolution can feel scary but also offers great opportunities. I hope people who are smarter than me are working on solutions that are fair to all involved, including readers and authors.
- March 10, 2011 at 1:33 PM
Great breakdown, Nathan. Thanks.
- March 10, 2011 at 1:55 PM
- jesse said...
Very interesting. Thank you.
- March 10, 2011 at 2:19 PM
- Kristin Laughtin said...
Thank you for explaining that! I had only run across a few cases where an ebook cost more than a print version, although it was usually a mass market paperback. The breakdown of who gets what from the agency vs. the wholesale model makes things a lot clearer. I knew it couldn't just be that Amazon seriously discounts their hardcovers most of the time. It'll be interesting to watch this continued to evolve and these discrepancies to be smoothed out (or not) based on the market and what consumers are willing to buy. They're certainly not going to be willing to pay more for ebooks forever, especially when piracy is an option. An unfortunate one, but one nonetheless.
As for Amazon selling used books, I believe they usually take 15%. At least, that's been their commission whenever I sell used textbooks.
- March 10, 2011 at 2:21 PM
- Lexi said...
Publishers have laid down a welcome mat, not just for self-publishers (thanks, guys) but for pirates.
- March 10, 2011 at 2:21 PM
I'm not sure that this is completely accurate. Although there is secrecy around the Amazon contract a few publishers have come forward to mention that it hasn't the worked the way you describe.
They claim that when Amazon lowered prices, they did not necessarily pay the publisher 50% of the list price, only of the sale price. So the math is actually quite different.
Is there something else you're basing your description on?
Here's some of what I'm referring to:
- March 10, 2011 at 3:02 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Really? From the Nation article :
"A decade ago the average wholesale discount for a book was in the region of 40 percent. Today it's more like 50 percent, and for many of the large outlets it can be 60 percent or more"
The average is 50%. I'm not privy to the terms between Amazon and publishers. If the discount is 60% Amazon would make a slight profit on the sale on the Larssen sale, but the basic point remains: publishers make more money on the hardcover and aren't inclined to see prices erode.
- March 10, 2011 at 3:16 PM
- Marilyn Peake said...
First, I have to say..."Publishers Say Homey Don't Play That" – HaHaHaHa! That's hilarious!
OK, now the serious stuff...
While publishers sort this out and try to keep their eBook prices high, many customers have made up their minds that they'll only buy the less expensive eBooks. Many people will no longer pay more than $2.99 for eBooks and prefer to pay 99 cents. The problem with holding onto higher prices for eBooks is that the traditional publishers are losing customers. It doesn't matter to customers what the publishers do; they just want the best price for the things they purchase. When Amazon was new, it operated for years without making any profit. Sometimes temporarily keeping prices low leads to cornering the market later on.
Yesterday, I went shopping at Best Buy and Target. I was amazed at what I found. Best Buy had a huge Kindle display at the front of their store, while all the rest of their electronic equipment, including their video game consoles, was at the back of the store! At Target, Kindles were being sold next to hanging racks of gift cards for Kindle and iPad. I ended up walking past a book section with hardcovers and paperbacks, thought how quaint that looked, and realized it's been a while since I read anything in those formats. I hardly ever read books in paperback or hardcover anymore, even though I own bookshelves filled with both.
- March 10, 2011 at 3:17 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Oh- also, the math in my article is for the Big 6 publishers, and as the Nation articles alludes, I've heard anecdotally of smaller publishers getting squeezed more on both discounts and the agency model.
- March 10, 2011 at 3:19 PM
- glitrbug said...
I wonder what percentage of Kindle 1 buyers saw this price-hike coming. I know I have been downloading all the free books I can find from lots of different sites. Mostly Smashwords and publishers giving away books for reviews or trying to get you to buy the rest of the series. I forget how many TB my latest external hard drive is, but there's plenty of space for non-Amazon books. I made a point of buying whatever books I found that sounded interesting and were within my price-range. Last time I checked, I had at least 10 years worth of 2 ebooks a week saved up plus stacks of used DTB. Publishers can try to justify their prices all they want. If I can't afford their books, I'll happily read something else.
- March 10, 2011 at 3:27 PM
- Jaysonc said...
I was wondering when the digital revolution was going to impact the publishing world because now it seems it has or is at the very least beginning to. I don't see the problem with charging the same price for an e-book and hardback. iTunes charges the same for a digital album as about the same as CD.
I'll be very interested to see if someone creates the iTunes version for e-books.
- March 10, 2011 at 4:04 PM
- Melissa said...
To lift from a comment posted in a freelance writers' forum, the only people who'll end up making a big profit off of the indie revolution are eBook bundlers and Amazon. I find it extremely difficult to believe that the publishing industry cannot find a way to cut costs. The music industry soon found out that it couldn't afford the extravagant salaries and overhead to stay in business, which is why many big name studios went the way of the dinosaur.
I live in Austin. Ask all of the producers and sound engineers about how they've had to lower the cost of services to remain competitive. Why should musicians -- yes, even signed musicians -- record at Willie Nelson's studio for $500 an hour, when they can get the same quality of services from a former industry pro with the *very same equipment* in a small home studio for $100, or even less?
I think we'll see a cottage industry of full-service eBook bundlers who do everything from proofing to packaging for the low, low cost of $500. Really good freelancers are desperate for work.
- March 10, 2011 at 4:04 PM
- Jaysonc said...
I can see it now...
"Small town publishing with a big city approach"
- March 10, 2011 at 4:10 PM
- Matthew MacNish said...
This is genius (the post, not the topic). Only you could break it down in a way that I could actually understand.
But ... you may have to change the name of your blog from NB - author, to NB - e-book nerd. I mean that in the coolest way possible.
- March 10, 2011 at 4:50 PM
- Mira said...
I'm still giggling about the publishers homey thing.
This is such an outstanding essay. I can't hardly comment on the topic, because I'm so impressed with the organization and accessiblity of the essay itself. So nicely done.
If you don't publish non-fiction at some point in your life, Nathan, it will be a tragedy.
On topic, I am totally willing to pay exactly the same for an e-book that I am for a paperback. Between $5.99 - $7.99 feels right. And I'll pay up to 15 bucks for an e-book I really want. And if I HAVE to have it, like the last Harry Potter book, where I waited years, and it was the LAST ONE, let's be honest, I would have sold my car.
It is fascinating, though, to watch the power plays. Thank you so much, Nathan, for explaining it all to us so clearly.
- March 10, 2011 at 5:21 PM
- Tamara said...
I'm just astonished you can get books for so cheap over there! In Australia, hardcovers are over $30...
- March 10, 2011 at 5:54 PM
- Adam iwritereadrate said...
Really interesting article - gave a much better insight to their commercial models. Personally like competition is key, the digital revolution needs to be unsandboxed, democratic, and with writers/readers best interests (perhaps I'm dreaming when it comes to the big players...!).
Enjoyed reading your article.
All the best
- March 10, 2011 at 6:03 PM
- Tammy Salyer said...
I have really wondered about this. Thanks so much for explaining it.
- March 10, 2011 at 6:06 PM
- Nicole MacDonald said...
Well now I begin to understand! Oh well it's the publishers loss, I refuse to pay over $5.00 for an ebook. With the sample option I can easily weed out books I won't like and hey, I'm always happy to support a fellow indie author :)
The Arrival, Book 1 of the BirthRight trilogy available now
- March 10, 2011 at 6:28 PM
$12.99 for an e-book? The big pubs are way, way behind
Most digital first pubs sell their books for half that. Big pubs need to get with the program. People pay more for a tangible product. Less for an intangible one.
Charging the same for an ebook only reinforces (esp where I am) that ebooks 'aren't worth promoting'. Of course they aren't, not if the price is the same for e and print!
For many people the point of ebooks is this: try out new writers, try out things you might not shell out loads for-but if it;s cheap you'll give t a go. And if you like, you'll buy the print as a 'keeper'
I buy lots of ebooks, a $6 or less. If I like them, I buy the print copy to put on my shelf. If I don't like, I haven't wasted the money I would have on a print copy that then gets binned.
Seriously. big pubs need to get it -and what they needto get is why people buy ebooks. (again, where I am, so far)
- March 10, 2011 at 6:45 PM
- Larry Marshall said...
Nathan, I think you need to redo your math. It might give you a bit of insight into how wrong-headed the publisher's approach is here.
The truth is, if they sell the eBook for $11.99, they only get 35% of the price, not 70% as you describe it. It's only for books priced between $2.99 and $9.99 that they get 70%. Thus:
$11.99 -> $4.19 to publisher
$9.99 -> $6.99 to publisher
In short, the agency model is designed to protect hardcover book sales and nothing else. There are numerous quotes from the big six that support that as their goal.
They know they're losing lots of money in the eBook world with the agency model. It's akin to not wanting to give up on your horse business while trying to sell cars but that's what's going on.
Cheers --- Larry
- March 10, 2011 at 6:55 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I haven't heard that breakdown before, I thought those numbers are for self-publishing through Amazon?
- March 10, 2011 at 6:58 PM
- Elle Strauss said...
Thanks for making some sense of this. I do hope book stores stick around for a long time.
- March 10, 2011 at 7:00 PM
- Julianne MacLean said...
Totally off topic here. I just wanted to wish you the best of luck with your Jacob Wonderbar book in May. Looks great.
Now back to the topic...
- March 10, 2011 at 7:08 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Thanks, Julianne!
- March 10, 2011 at 7:13 PM
Thank you for this whole series of posts on traditional publishing, e-publishing, and self-publishing. Very informative and full of food for thought.
- March 10, 2011 at 7:19 PM
- Jay said...
Unless disturbed by an outside force (the government), businesses will charge what consumers are willing to pay. A free(ish) market is a tug of war between consumers and businesses: consumers will seek out the lowest price while businesses charge as much as they can. Cost of production is irrelevant except to determine what price NOT to fall below.
- March 10, 2011 at 8:02 PM
- Hanny said...
This e-book phenom is just bananas. I can't believe all the opportunity and development that's happened so fast. Can't wait to see where it all goes, but I'm guessing that iPods will become self-aware and take over the planet and make batteries out of us like in "The Matrix."
- March 10, 2011 at 8:23 PM
- karen wester newton said...
I really think publishers are missing one key fact with their current strategy. In the past, they would put out the hardback first, then a year or so later the paperback. Readers who didn't want the hardback, either because of cost or space issues, would notice the paperback on the New Releases table when they went to the book store, and say, "Great, it's out; now I'll buy it."
A lot of eBook buyers don't go to the bookstore anymore. There won't be new reviews when the paperback comes out, and the publishers lower the price on the ebook (if they remember; it does not always happen). How will the ebook reader know the book he was interested is now a more reasonably priced ebook? Generally speaking, he probably won't know. So publishers may be protecting the revenue they get from the reader who will buy the hardback instead, but they are also losing revenue from the reader who doesn't want the hardback at all and will only buy the ebook. It's question of which number is greater. As the number of ebook buyers grows, publishers need to find a way to not only manage price changes but let readers know about the changes.
- March 10, 2011 at 8:49 PM
- Jenn Crowell said...
Add me to the chorus of thanks for the enigmatic pricing breakdown. To say nothing of the riotous laughter inspired by "Publishers Say Homey Don't Play That," which has to be in the running for THE best blog post section heading title ever.
- March 10, 2011 at 8:49 PM
- Susan Kaye Quinn said...
That last line was also the most important. BTW, I noticed this effect (e-book higher price than paperback,mind you) BEFORE the agency model even came into existence. So. I think that all machinations aside, this cannot hold. It didn't make sense to me the first time I noticed it, and it still doesn't make "consumer" sense. Which, needs to count for something, as you say, so the whole industry doesn't go into a (further) world of hurt.
Just my 2 cents. :)
- March 10, 2011 at 9:09 PM
- Pen and Ink said...
It's also nice when Amazon actually pays the publisher. They are a little behind on that according to my publisher, Lynda Burch of Guardian Angel Publishing.
So, of course is Borders.
- March 11, 2011 at 12:58 AM
- Marion said...
I'm dizzy! Thanks, Nathan, for clarifying. Joshua, let's stick it to Amazon (I think). Therealjasonb, I can tell you're a writer because of your Freudian slip (worried?)
- March 11, 2011 at 1:26 AM
When a print book costs more than an eBook, I will usually buy a used paperback when available.
- March 11, 2011 at 2:19 AM
- Hillsy said...
you missed a line off the bottom of your post...
"End of discussion"
....as now it is.
- March 11, 2011 at 6:13 AM
- Renee Sweet said...
I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to provide a clear, concise explanation. I really appreciate all the time and effort you put into this blog. :)
- March 11, 2011 at 8:13 AM
- colleenwalshfong said...
Thanks for this useful info. As a new author trying to learn as much as possible about publishing as quickly as possible, I get dizzy with how quickly the ground is shifting in the publishing world. This post adds to my knowledge base and helps me to figure out which way to go.
Best wishes on your recent move to the tech industry!
- March 11, 2011 at 9:21 AM
- Robert A Meacham said...
Great breakdown explaining the margin compression that is taking place .
The .99 cent folks will continue reaping generous sales and the publisher will gain a 30% margin and anything published over $1.99 reaps a 70% margin for the publisher ( author)
It is all about unit sales that create gross dollars, not necessarily gross %.
- March 11, 2011 at 12:53 PM
- Rachel said...
You may have taken a thousand words, but hot damn, what a great explanation. I had no idea what "agency model" meant before even though I'd heard the term a lot. And now I feel totally savvy. Thank you so much!
- March 11, 2011 at 3:45 PM
- Marilyn Peake said...
I hope you're OK, Nathan. I heard that the tsunami reached California, and it's not like you to have gone without adding a new Blog post this late in the day.
- March 11, 2011 at 7:24 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I'm fine, thanks! I was at a show last night and didn't have a chance to put together TWIB. I'll post it in the morning.
- March 11, 2011 at 7:26 PM
- Marilyn Peake said...
Very glad to hear that, Nathan! Have a great weekend!
- March 11, 2011 at 7:35 PM
- Mira said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- March 11, 2011 at 10:37 PM
- Mira said...
Try again. Don't need to give you advice, right?
I'm glad you checked Marilyn, I was abit concerned too. I'm very glad that all of us are the West Coast are safe, including you, of course, Nathan. And my heart goes out to those in Japan.
- March 11, 2011 at 10:41 PM
- NickerNotes said...
I really balk at paying more than $5.99 for an ebook (probably because I know how much it costs to publish one). If the book is $0.99, and it looks interesting, I just buy it. If it is more than $5, I usually download a sample first, which I eventually get around to reading. If it is something I really want to read and the hardcover is >= $25 and the ebook is >=$9.99, I go to Half Price Books and look for the paperback for $3-4. I've read a number of indie authors on Kindle and some are as good as/better than Big 6 published.
- March 12, 2011 at 12:26 AM
- Kate said...
Thanks again for the breakdown. I've been wanting to say this somewhere, though: I refuse to pay more for an electronic file than is being charged for a digital copy. Regardless of the reason behind it, it just seems unfair. If a Kindle edition is more expensive than a hardcover, I typically just don't buy the book-- I'll pick it up at the library someday instead. And I aspire to make money as a writer one day, and anticipate the same response from my future readers. So... just putting that out there.
- March 12, 2011 at 2:14 AM
- Mahak Jain said...
Thank you -- my friend (who is not a publishing professional) and I just happened to be discussing this the other day and unfortunately I couldn't explain to her what was going on (her instinct as a consumer was to be angry at publishers). This was exactly what I needed!
- March 12, 2011 at 11:39 AM
- D.G. Hudson said...
Thanks Marilyn, for asking about Nathan. It was unusual for nothing to show for so long on a Friday.
We're safe on the west coast (mainland) of British Columbia, the west coast of Vancouver Island bears the brunt of any bad weather for us. Our hearts go out to many who have relatives in Japan.
Our worrying just shows we care when our fave blogger goes missing in action (or at least it's perceived that way).
- March 12, 2011 at 12:13 PM
- no-bull-steve said...
"it creates a great deal of consumer confusion and angst. It doesn't make any intuitive sense for e-books to cost more than paper. By keeping e-book prices high, it opens up a huge opportunity for the 99-cent Kindle bestsellers to exploit. Also: As the music industry found out, annoy digital consumers at your peril."
And it took all those words for you to say that and for me to say.....
(not to mention the $2.99 and $3.99 and $5.99 and $7.99 best sellers!!!)
- March 13, 2011 at 4:38 AM
Thanks for the trip down the rabbit hole, Mr. White Rabbit...I mean Nathan. Interesting how both Amazon and the publishers are willing to lose money in the short term to make more in the long term.
1,000 words? I wonder how many will we add. Over 8,000 so far.
Laurie Gold makes good points about the price relationship between e-books and trade paperbacks. I cannot see e-book prices equaling those of trade paperbacks in the long term, much less exceeding them, as they now frequently do. Indeed, buyers are likely to see e-books as less valuable than mass market paperbacks.
New and possibly enhanced e-books at the start of their windowing cycle may command higher prices, but probably not hardcover list prices. Hardcover DISCOUNTED prices are a whole different ball game. Windowing and discounting complicate all our estimates.
A further complication is print books' second hand value, as pointed out by Daniela Torre. Another story, indeed, but also part of this story.
Adam, 'unsandboxed'!? With or without pee?
- March 14, 2011 at 2:33 PM
- Daniel Smith said...
Randy Ingermanson retooled your numbers and added a few. Take a look:
- March 15, 2011 at 10:58 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Thanks, Daniel. I'm kind of confused why he took my example (new hardcover/new paperback) and applied it to one with a trade paperback edition available. But ah well.
- March 15, 2011 at 11:39 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Er, I meant my example was new hardcover/new e-book, his was one with trade available.
Coffee. More.
- March 15, 2011 at 12:09 PM
- Tiffany said...
Great post! I'm going to share your link with my readers! Technology is great and all but we really need to be careful that we don't screw ourselves in the process. Personally, I love a hard copy book! I don't want everything electronic. Libraries are wonderful, book stores are wonderful and e-copies are great for travel etc. I wouldn't want just a Kindle. Thanks for explaining all the little bits behind this! Amazon did a great job with the Kindle and their market share but they won't be able to take a loss forever...
- March 15, 2011 at 3:20 PM
- J.A. Marlow said...
For 15 years I only bought used books due to economic reasons. No money went to the publishing houses or authors.
Then I bought a Kindle. I could increase the font so that suddenly I could read comfortably again (the print in the last few years is getting far too small in so many books). Suddenly I'm buying and reading like crazy, and the money I spend IS going to the publishing houses and authors.
That is, if their prices are reasonable. If the price of the ebook version is lower than the print version.
Random House opted out of the Agency model for so long. Well, this past week that changed. And the old books that are 30+ old that I was slowly buying in ebook format, after first buying in paperback way-back-when, went up in price. To $8 and above?
For books that old? When I can get paper replacements for under a dollar?
Good grief.
Well, goodbye Random House. You were getting money after I already owned the book, just so I could have it in ebook format. Not now. There are plenty of smaller presses and Indies with reasonable prices I can buy. I'll miss my favorite authors, but enough is enough.
Newsflash Big Guys: Your games will not stop me from reading on my ereader or buying for my ereader. It will not slow me down a bit in making a nearly-complete switch to the digital format. It will only drive me to other authors and publishing houses.
Your loss is their gain.
J.A. Marlow
Night of the Aurora - A new life in Alaska, a massive aurora... and a hidden spaceship...
- March 15, 2011 at 4:42 PM
The difference is when $x goes to the publisher for the dead tree version they have to subtract out production, shipping, storage, and remainders costs. When $y goes for the ebook, no production cost, to shipping cost, no storage cost, no returns cost.
- March 17, 2011 at 12:22 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I'm counting that in the total for print. From everything I heard as an agent those costs are not that significant on a per-copy basis with the scale the publishers have.
Now, as print runs lessen and as print winds down and scale becomes reduced, those may well translate to real costs. But for now e-books don't represent particularly significant savings.
- March 17, 2011 at 12:45 AM
When I first got my Kindle every book was discounted by Amazon -- and I bought lots of books. Then I noticed that not only had prices gone up, but a number of paperbacks (Mass Market versions) were not discounted at all and had a notice "price set by publisher." I stopped -- and won't -- buy them. I can get a 10% discount on any of them at Books-A-Million, or 25% if they're at Wal-Mart. Why should I pay full price?
Now, what I don't understand in this analysis of publishing costs is why coming up with an average cost for a printed book that a large company puts in many B&M stores makes real sense. In deciding to physically print that book there is an immediate cost to the budget of some fairly significant amount. That amount (payment for printing some quantity of books so each store will have XX copies) has to be paid to the printer. Paid. Up front. And I believe that printer gets paid whether the book sells or not -- yes? So the "true" cost of a printed book can only be determined after all sales are completed. Admittedly, the claim is that when one prints several thousands of books the "cost per book" decreases from the printer -- but to recover that cost you have to sell those books. And, looking at the 'remainder' sales in the book stores, there are a heck of a lot of these not selling. So they're now on a table priced at $3 instead of $30.
If a publisher decides to print an e-book there is NO budget item that says "pay the printer." And server/IT costs can't possibly run anywhere near what that total printing bill would be. So marketing, editing, cover, etc. remain the same, but a hard $$ budget item has disappeared. Also disappeared is the staffing/tracking needed to handle the physical copies (and returns) from all those B&M stores.
Don't try to tell me that you can't give me any discount on an e-book, Mr. Publisher.
All IMHO, of course.
And, Nathan, I also believe the 70% to author quoted is for self-published Kindle books.
- June 16, 2011 at 7:36 AM
I will not over pay for a e-book and I will not buy a print book anymore. The Kindle will be able to borrow from a library soon and the authors and publishers that overprice their novels will not get a penny from me for them! It's funny how this tactic is just going to be taking money out of the writers pockets, I say they deserve every loss of sale they acquire by doing this!!!
- August 21, 2011 at 2:46 PM
- teazombie said...
Except that this explanation does not look at the fact that out of the publisher's cut, they are not paying for the printing, storing or shipping costs of the book and thus their overall take, even on a reduced cut is probably higher.
- August 21, 2011 at 3:14 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Well, the thing is that paper and shipping don't cost very much and are a relatively small factor in the overall cost. More background here.
- August 21, 2011 at 6:40 PM
- Charles said...
You claim that in the agency model that the publisher can often get less money for a sale but you don't take into account the costs that the publisher has in producing the physical copy which is completely cut out for the ebook; not just in printing but in inventory and distribution.
How the publishing industry ever accepted a wholesale model for sale of e-books just boggles the mind as well. Retailers of physical books keep half of full list price because they take a lot of risk in stocking books that they then must put effort into selling and delivering to the consumer. In an e-book model it is risk free as there should be no initial outlay but money should be passed to the publisher when a purchase is made. Frankly I think the agency model at 70:30 is weighted too heavily in favour of the retailer and it won't last.
- August 21, 2011 at 7:11 PM
- Tim said...
I'm just hoping that things will eventually shift away from this silly notion of 70/30 and forcing ebooks to pretty much match discounted hardcover prices.
It just doesn't make sense to sell ebooks at such an extravagant price when there is no risk and no inventory or distribution cost involved.
And publishers wonder why so many people don't buy ebooks but just download them as torrents...
Don't authors have much control over publishing? It just goes to show that if you want to make customers happy, maybe forgoing conventional publishing is a better overall choice; especially if your aim is electronic distribution of your work.
- August 22, 2011 at 12:48 AM
- ops12 said...
The excuse for high priced books was always "paper costs a lot to print". E-books don't use paper, therefore their profit margin is substantially higher than with a printed copy.
- August 22, 2011 at 3:42 AM
- Timur Izhbulatov said...
Thanks for the detailed explanation.
I would only add that the whole situation is possible because of the way the society satisfy its needs.
- August 22, 2011 at 9:12 AM
- Sacha said...
I checked the pricing strategy on cosmox.be (a local online media store) and they sell ebooks at exactly the same price as the paper version.
- August 24, 2011 at 7:58 AM
- Scott Stillwell said...
Great Post! The thing about this that really burns my biscuits is that taking the loss on the hardcover and placing the price so close to that of the e-book sounds like a perfect strategy to kill more B&M competition. There's nothing wrong with e-books or online shopping, but I'd like to still have the option of walking into an actual bookstore once in a while (weekly, when possible :)
- August 25, 2011 at 10:38 AM
I've noticed a new ploy by publishers: keeping the same high price on ebooks, but also again raising the price of the paper versions so that they're even more than the ebook. So if you're complaining now that the ebook you want is three or four dollars more than the paper edition, don't worry, the paper version will likely soon be once again higher than the ebook. Lol, talk about underhanded.
- August 27, 2011 at 10:52 AM
Great article and analysis. But there are three comments I would make: first, to address marginal costs of print versus e-books (you say in a comment that the paper and ink are cheap, but I'm not sure it's such a small fraction of the revenues applicable to the publisher after paying the author).
Second, Amazon has additional revenue streams which can disguise their price, namely shipping and handling fees. To be fair, they offer free shipping on some orders, but it does play into the equation.
Finally, ebook readers provide yet another factor in the financial equation: Amazon may make a profit or take a loss on the hardware and still profit based on the total revenue stream (hardware plus books).
- August 29, 2011 at 9:37 AM
Here in the UK the situation is made worse by the simple fact that paper books are exempt from VAT (our Sales Tax) but e-books are not. So in the UK an e-book includes a 20% markup that goes straight to the taxman!
- September 7, 2011 at 3:42 AM
I still think it's BS. If the publisher didn't actually incur the expense of printing and shipping the book, then the difference in expense should be passed down to the e-customer. The profit margin would remain the same for both the publisher and the bookseller.........
- December 5, 2011 at 1:55 PM
And added to above, I am sure that an e-bookseller does not have the same overhead costs as a retail one, with building rent, utilities, salaries,workman's comp ins., etc. So the savings should be shared there too..........
- December 5, 2011 at 2:08 PM
- Chris said...
What gets my goat is where Amazon .com charges $41.64 for an e-book (Jo Frost's Confident Toddler Care) compared to $23.67 for the hardback. Yet Amazon.co.uk only charges 8.99 (pounds) around $15 for the kindle version FOR THE SAME TITLE!!!!!!! That makes no sense to me at all.
- January 4, 2012 at 8:49 AM
- greggorievich said...
What I'm wondering is why they demand to make the same price off an ebook? Regardless of model, ebooks still *cost* less. So why is the publisher charging the provider $12.99 for the paper book that plausibly has $5 per copy (for example) of paper and ink and printing presses and shipping and other things, but also charging $12.99 for the eBook, which costs a tenth of a cent (for example) to produce the digital copy?
When you say they "Make more money on the hardcover" this is only a half truth. They make more money selling it, yes, but there is certainly an immensely higher profit margin for ebooks.
THAT is the problem that I'm seeing.
- January 4, 2012 at 3:56 PM
- SkinnyRichCoach said...
Thanks for the blog, I was just trying to figure out what price my e.book should be sold at and came across your article.
I was actually looking for 'how much cheaper' I should sell it and thought to check how others are pricing it.
Thanks to your blog, I've made up my mind.
Thank you Nathan!
- April 9, 2012 at 1:56 PM
Your explanation breaks down the pricing structure nicely. My question is "why is the price the publisher is setting so high?" - without the high production costs of paper, ink, and distribution the cost of an ebook should be significantly lower than a printed version (no unsold copies to worry about either).
- May 23, 2012 at 11:10 PM
- Kent Dayton said...
There is an old joke about a vendor on the street selling apples for $1,000. A passer-by says, "You won't sell many apples at that price." To which the vendor replies, "I only have to sell one!"
For every customer willing to pay hard cover price for an E-Book, how many more are there, who WON'T buy the book because it's too expensive?
What if, for every customer willing to pay $20 for an E-book, there were four more who are not willing to pay that much - but would buy it at $5? The retailer could sell five books instead of one and the wholesaler and retailer would both make more money.
Aren't the wholesalers limiting themselves? And what does the wholesaler do when a book is published in paperback? They adjust the MSRP. They should do the same for E-books.
- September 21, 2012 at 1:01 PM
I am a technical person. Most everything I do is in a electronic format. With the exception of books. I paid no attention to Kindles, Nooks, etc. I paid no attention to ebook prices, etc. This season I was considering making the switch. I naturally assumed an ebook was cheaper. I was shocked to see the ebooks were more! No Thanks! I'll just keep my paper books. Besides, if things get like the TV show Revolution, I at least will have a few books to read!
- December 8, 2012 at 3:51 PM
Here in South Africa it is the otherway around. Few books are actually printed here as they are mostly imported from overseas. This all culminates in ebooks being the cheaper option for us.
- December 28, 2012 at 1:53 AM
- Susan said...
Very peculiar indeed and I think many of us have noticed that too. I switched back to buying books because of this, but I still love to read ebooks especially free ebooks...
- March 27, 2013 at 8:20 AM
Considering I pay more for my ebook, can I resell it like I can a paperbook???
- January 24, 2014 at 5:40 PM
- Lynne Schulte said...
I am brand new at this. Published soft cover book and ebook on Amazon and am now finalizing my Ingram Sparks hardcover and epub book all of the same title. I aligned my epub prices with Amazon and have other countries on epub. It came back for my approval with all the other countries cost changed to match the hardcopy price (except USA which stillaligned with Amazon) Is this normal?
- November 13, 2014 at 11:48 AM
- Unknown said...
What about the ones that are no longer in print and are going for the prices they are?
- March 6, 2016 at 11:45 PM


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Developed for military use, this is the beach mat that is impossible to cover with sand. Used in military applications to contain sand and dust when helicopters land and take off, the mat is made from two layers of patented woven polyurethane that instantly filter sand to the beach as soon as it falls on its surface. The specially woven polyurethane acts as a one-way filter to prevent sand from reemerging through the bottom of the mat. The 100' sq. mat also eliminates dirt, dust, and water from its surface, ensuring a perpetually clean outdoor expanse for camping or watching a concert. The rip-stop polyurethane construction resists abrasions from outdoor furniture or pets, the bound edges remain flat, and the mat won't absorb moisture, preventing mold and mildew. Metal D-rings on each corner accommodate ground stakes (not included). Blue. 10' W x 10' L. (9 lbs.)
Lifetime Guarantee
The Four-Person Sandless Beach Mat comes with The Hammacher Schlemmer Lifetime Guarantee. If this product ever disappoints you, for any reason, you may return your Hammacher Schlemmer purchase for exchange, credit, or refund.
Should you have any questions, we are available seven days a week (8:00 am – midnight EST). Please call 1-800-321-1484 to speak with a specialist or email us at email@example.com to receive a response within three business hours or less.
Shipping charges noted in parentheses apply in addition to our standard shipping & service.
We're sorry, but gift wrap is not available. Please call 1-800-395-7006 for Premium or Express delivery rates.
Oversized items scheduled for expedited delivery (Premium or Express) may incur additional shipping and services charges because of their unusual size. Please call 1-800-321-1484 for an estimate of S&S charges. International callers, please call 1-513-860-3397.
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May we recommend:
(based on 20 reviews)
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Reviewed by 20 customers
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(9 of 15 customers found this review helpful)
Too Heavy
By Beth
from Ohio
I was excited to use this for vacation on the beach. Once I received, I was disappointed. It is very heavy and awkward to hold. There is no way I would be able to manage holding this and towels, toys, etc. You cannot fold it easily and it can't fit in any bags. I didn't end up using it and I plan on returning. I'm sure that once it is on the sand, it would work. It's just not worth it to me to have to carry such a heavy, awkward item.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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(9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)
You said it would and it did!
By GiGi
from Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
Others on the beach noticed the mat--asked where we got it--one individual ordered one on the spot! Great to pack up and head home and leave the sand at the beach. The delivery was earlier than expected--No regrets.GiGi
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Best buy I have bought for the beach
By taz and megan
from Evanston, WY
We used for the beach for the first time under our 10 x 10 tent cover and it worked great. When we got ready to fold up, all of the sand came off and it folded up and we were able to put back in the package it came in. I would recommend this to anyone who needs something for the beach that is easy to pick up and fold and put away without any cleaning.
(6 of 19 customers found this review helpful)
By cjeff
from NJ
I did not use the blanket yet, and although the material is NOT what I expected it to be (softer and more blanket/towel like), I guess if you think about it, this type of material would do exactly what it indicates it would.....sand pours through, strong, and all-weather.
(5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)
Work just like they said!!
By Body Boarder
from Hanna Park Fla
I saw an article on a news website about the material used. In the comments section they said that Hammacher Schlemmer sells this product.Hey, I already get your catalogs!!Order one on the spot.Just rub the sand when it gets on the blanket and it disappears. It is heavy for it's size but carryable.
(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)
By Brian-who now loves the beach!
from Lincoln Park, NJ
I bought the 10' by 10'. The 6' by 6' I thought would have been to small-bigger is always better. It was huge. I had a couple of chairs and several friends make their way onto the matt after seeing how great it was. I was shocked and very pleased at how it worked! Dry sand or wet sand on your feet- you just step onto the matt rub your feet back and forth and BAM! the sand disappears?! How? I'm still perplexed at how it works. Side note: You need your regular towel to lay on the matt because the matt is ruff. The sand falls thru and disappears. I have a backpack chair and it folded up enough to fit in the pocket. Score! I dislike the beach because of the sand. However, with this invention i will go more often for sure. Thank you for this product! I posted it on FB and highly recommended it to friends.
Love it!
By Joliee
from New Orleans, LA
This beach mat is great! We were able to fit more than 4 people and some beach bags as well. Perfect size to fit under a 12' x 12' canopy. Great for wiping dry sand off your feet, wet sand did not do too well. That's the only downfall besides the fact that it gets really hot when out in the sun, so use a beach towel :) I purchased this for my dad for father's day, he was thrilled and can't wait to take it camping!
(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)
Absolutely Fabulous
By cab942
from SJC, FL
Took the mat to the beach, and it works exactly as advertized. The sand goes right through. I also purchased the 2 person mat and the tote. I highly recommend all 3 items.
(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
Sandless Beach Mat
By Barb on the Beach
from Fernandina Beach, FL
I was afraid the sand would stay in the mat and be heavy to carry home. But it shakes off easily!
The perfect mat
By Sandy
from Roseville, Ca.
Perfect size and the stake rings are a great addition. Works well with many types of terrain.
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LISTEN: Zedd posts 'Clarity' follow-up teaser online
iHeartRadio Music Festival performer Zedd had one of THE biggest songs of the summer of 2013 with "Clarity" featuring Foxes, so we were super stoked when the DJ posted a teaser of his latest song online Thursday. "Stay The Night" features Paramore's powerouse vocalist, Hayley Williams.
Here's a preview of 'Stay The Night' by @Zedd ft. @yelyahwilliams - available Tuesday, September 10th: http://t.co/56kiRfZ7Jk— paramore (@paramore) September 5, 2013
Zedd + Hayley Williams? Sounds like an automatic smash... Check out a teaser of the song and let us know what you think in the comment section below!


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This emergency radio delivers a superior combination of sound quality, playback time, and reception. Its superior audio quality provides clear, crisp sound that allows you to hear every word of a NOAA Weather Band, unlike other models that produce distorted, static-filled audio. Its superior battery provides 8.7X longer playback time than lesser models. Its large, ergonomic hand crank requires little effort to turn and, unlike other radios with analog tuners, it has an easy-to-adjust digital tuner that receives radio stations. Additional superior features include an integrated LED flashlight, USB port for charging smartphones, mini-USB cable, and a built-in solar panel for supplemental power. 5 3/4" H x 7" W x 2 2/3" D. (1 1/4 lbs.)
"Just gotta love this radio. It does so many different things. Brings clear sound on the speaker, charges cell phones, tells you the time. What more could you ask for in an all weather radio? Simply put this one has it all!" - P. Mississippi
Lifetime Guarantee
The Superior Emergency Radio comes with The Hammacher Schlemmer Lifetime Guarantee. If this product ever disappoints you, for any reason, you may return your Hammacher Schlemmer purchase for exchange, credit, or refund.
Should you have any questions, we are available seven days a week (8:00 am – midnight EST). Please call 1-800-321-1484 to speak with a specialist or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com to receive a response within three business hours or less.
Shipping charges noted in parentheses apply in addition to our standard shipping & service.
We're sorry, but gift wrap is not available. Please call 1-800-395-7006 for Premium or Express delivery rates.
Oversized items scheduled for expedited delivery (Premium or Express) may incur additional shipping and services charges because of their unusual size. Please call 1-800-321-1484 for an estimate of S&S charges. International callers, please call 1-513-860-3397.
We're sorry, but gift wrap is not available for oversized items.
Shipped via truck and may require customer assistance upon delivery. You will be contacted to make an appointment for delivery.
We're sorry, but gift wrap and gift cards are not available.
GST still applies and will be charged upon processing. For complete shipping & service charges please call Customer Service at 1-800-321-1484.
May we recommend:
(based on 161 reviews)
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(48 of 55 customers found this review helpful)
By Richard
from New York City, NY
My wife and I live in New York City. As an immediate consequence of Hurricane Sandy, we were without power for five nights. We limited our smartphone use to conserve our smartphone's battery power. When I subsequently saw THE BEST EMERGENCY RADIO (JT-82978) in the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog I got excited. Here was something we could depend on in a weather emergency: a hand-crank radio and smartphone recharger all in one. After studying the catalog and calling the Hammacher Schlemmer information phone number, I walked to the Hammacher Schlemmer store on 57th street. I talked with a sales associate in the store and studied the radio/recharger in person. I was impressed. I bought the radio/recharger. At home, when I opened the box and studied the instruction booklet more carefully, my excitement turned to disappointment. See for yourself. Study the booklet carefully. Under DYNAMO POWER you will see this sentence: The rechargeable battery will eventually lose its ability to hold a charge over time. That's true. That's a feature of Ni-MH batteries. But that limitation is not mentioned in the advertising so I did not think about it. I did not ask how the radio stored its hand-crank generated power. There is no way to tell how much "ability" the radio/recharger's Ni-MH battery has left. I cannot depend on an emergency system that may fail the moment I need it most. Under CHARGING SMARTPHONES you will see this sentence: Disconnect the USB cable (to smartphone) before using the hand turbine. You will also see: Not following these instructions may cause damage to your cell phone. Now look at the box. You will see this sentence: Instantly charge your smartphone via the Hand Turbine generator. You will see a picture of a smartphone connected by cable to the radio/recharger while a person's hand turns the turbine. The booklet and box contradict each other. Which should I trust? I followed the booklet. With the Ni-MH battery at full charge (three bars), I subsequently connected my smartphone to the radio/recharger. My smartphone battery happened to be at 80%. I hit the CELL button on the radio/recharger. For several seconds, my smartphone switched from a discharging state to a charging state then it switched back to a discharging state, still at 80%. Would you trust this radio/recharger in an emergency? I repacked the radio/recharger inside its box. I do not know when the next weather emergency will hit our area. I need to be ready, which means I need to do more research. In choosing emergency equipment, confidence is number one on my list. I have lost confidence in the BEST EMERGENCY RADIO. Its presentation and recharging feature are its Achilles' heel for me. I walked back to the store on 57th Street and returned the radio. Hammacher Schlemmer credited my charge card. They're good about that.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Hammacher Schlemmer Response: Thank you for your feedback. While we regret that this product didn't delight you, we are gratified that you took advantage of our unconditional Lifetime Guarantee. Although our goal is your complete satisfaction with every product, we understand you may encounter the rare occasion when an item doesn't meet your expectations. That is why we make it easy to return an item. Please note, while cranking, the Dynamo Power will show full, however after letting the radio sit for a few minutes, the dynamo power icon will show how much charge is truly held by the battery. It requires less cranking to produce long radio and flashlight than to charge a phone. If cranking isn't providing the required power we suggest using solar power to charge the batteries and using disposable batteries to provide the necessary power.
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(29 of 31 customers found this review helpful)
By Shariffe
from Cape Hatteras Banks North Carolina
Being without power for over a month last year ! THis radio served me very well. I was lost until the national guard saw my Emergency radio's bright LEDS shining ! i was alble to charge the cell, my hand held radio,and a small light with the hand crank charger. I have a back up generator at home, but it ran out of fuel after 4 days! This device is the best !
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
(18 of 18 customers found this review helpful)
Gave Away
By AngieR
from Ohio
My main complaint is that some of the control buttons are located beneath the carry handle, making them hard to read. Ended up giving to my son-in-law - who has much younger eyes!
(17 of 20 customers found this review helpful)
Over rated
By Money Waster
from Mesquite, Texas
I was looking to replace a wind up radio I had for 15 years. You wind it up, it played for 45 minutes. I am still looking for one like that...
Hammacher Schlemmer Response: While this product has received positive feedback from other customers, it clearly did not measure up to your expectations, and for this we sincerely apologize. Please note, this product can also be charged by USB and disposable batteries which are the best options for long play time. Although you can crank it to listen to the radio, it will take a lot of cranking to achieve the results you are looking for. Please remember, you can always order from Hammacher Schlemmer with confidence knowing that if you are disappointed with a product—for any reason—you may return it under our lifetime guarantee. Please contact our customer service team at 1-800-321-1484 and they will be happy to assist you.
(10 of 10 customers found this review helpful)
I would buy this product again
By Mrs. B
from Missouri
This emergency radio is fantastic and I highly recommend it. I purchased a couple for my adult children also who just went through a power outage due to the Snowmageddon this winter. Storm and tornado season is approaching and we'll be prepared.On the downside, the picture on the box showing a smartphone being charged by cranking, that is actually warned against to not do in the instructions. DO READ the instructions thoroughly.
(9 of 11 customers found this review helpful)
"First time buyer"
By Lee
from Atlanta, GA
We had a tornado in our area but didn't have an emergency radio. Also, our electricity was off-- that woke me up to how unprepared we really were. Now with our radio we are not left in the dark about the status of the storm.
(9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)
Good Purchase
By VickieM
from Cookeville, TN
We connected the battery that came with the product, gave the handle a mere 9 cranks and were immediately able to pick up a weather station. We also installed the AAAs and then tuned into an array of FM stations without having to crank. When the product is registered, they ask your brand of Smart phone so that they can send the appropriate cable to charge the phone with. Very good product.
(8 of 9 customers found this review helpful)
Excellent, Excellent.
By txhunt06
from Big Spring Texas
I live in tornado ally, having a emergency radio is essential, unless of course you like to fly without a plane or a cape. I have several other brands but, they are VERY,VERY hard to understand. This one is crystal clear on all the stations. This radio is well designed and engineered.
(7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)
The Best Emergency Radio
By Jim the explorer
from Toronto, ON
I listen to the radio with headphones at night to go to sleep - the reception is really great. I love that it can be powered by either the hand-crank or solar-powered. As I live in an older house without uv protective elements in the window glass - the radio will actually charge when the sun shines in the window - I finally lost the full charge and wasn't home to place it in the window-well at the right time - so I charged it up in 1 hour and 15 mins with my laptop. I love this item.
(6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)
Great choice
By TC
from Lima, Ohio
An AC connection for daily use would be great.I am very pleased with my choice
COPYRIGHT © 2017 HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER & COMPANY, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. W108147 E. 57th ST • NEW YORK, NY • 10022 • 1-800-_321-1484


text:
New study links cell phones to slightly increased cancer risk. Should you be concerned?
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15 signs that it's more than just the blues
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Eating healthier doesn't mean tossing your favorite recipes in the trash. Here are 10 easy ingredient substitutions for healthier cooking and baking.
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.


text:
Garth Brooks announces more Las Vegas shows
Listen to Garth Brooks on iHeartRadio
Garth Brooks is heading back to Las Vegas.
The country superstar has announced plans to return to the Wynn Las Vegas' Encore Theater for two weekends this fall to play a total of eight shows.
He'll hit the stage on October 18th and 19th and November 8th and 9th, giving two performances each night. Tickets, which cost $175 plus taxes and fees, go on sale Tuesday.
The new dates mark Brooks' second return to the Encore Theater since he wrapped up his three-year engagement at the venue last year. He played sets of weekend shows in May and July, which were taped for a DVD release.
Photo Credit Getty Images


text:
Katy Perry helps deliver friend's baby in living room
Listen to Katy Perry on iHeartRadio
Katy Perry had a very eventful Wednesday.
On the same day it was revealed she and John Mayer had split again, the singer helped deliver a friend's baby.
Perry tweeted on Wednesday night:
Finally you can add "helps delivers babies in living rooms" to my resume! It's been a miracle of a day...❤ Auntie Katy aka Stylist Auntie 👶
— Katy Perry (@katyperry) February 27, 2014
It's not clear whose baby the star helped welcome.
Photo Credit Getty Images


text:
Arcadia, CA, July 16 -- HRTV (R), The Network for Horse Sports, will further enhance its coverage of the prestigious Saratoga Race Course Summer meeting when, in conjunction with the New York Racing Association (NYRA), it offers on-site expanded weekend coverage from the iconic racing facility, beginning on Friday, July 26.
The 40-day meeting offers racing six days a week -- only Tuesdays are dark -- and HRTV's on-site coverage will run on a Friday-Monday schedule. (Once again, HRTV will provide live coverage of all Saratoga's racing action, beginning with opening day, this Friday, July 19 with a 1 p.m. ET first post).
HRTV's Scott Hazelton will kickoff the network's in-depth presence at the Spa for the track's second (July 26-29), and third weekends (Aug. 2-5) of outstanding racing action. The network's Peter Lurie (starting Aug. 9) and Caton Bredar (beginning Aug. 23) will follow Hazelton to the Spa for a pair of weekends, and continue through closing day, Monday, Sept. 2 (Labor Day).
With Saratoga's daily top-flight racing cards, and customary high-profile graded stakes schedule, HRTV's on-track talent will be there to provide racing fans with the latest up-to-date information, interviews with key owners/trainers/jockeys, race analysis, and much more.
Each of the on-site productions will be a collaboration with NYRA and also involve its outstanding on-air team, which includes Richard Migliore, who is also an analyst with HRTV, Andy Serling, Maggie Wolfendale and Jason Blewitt.
Additionally, Karen Johnson, HRTV's Editorial Producer, will again provide news and story lines throughout the Spa meet, while also acting as a Field Producer for HRTV's live on-site coverage.
About HRTV
HRTV, The Network for Horse Sports, is a television-based multimedia network dedicated to equine sports. HRTV's programming features horseracing from top U.S. and international racetracks, as well as a wide range of world-class English and Western horse competitions, news, original programming and award-winning documentaries covering the world of horse sports. The live stream of HRTV is available on a subscription basis to high-speed Internet users worldwide at www.tvg2.com <http://www.tvg2.com/> . In the U.S., the HRTV television network is available via telco, cable and satellite in over 19 million homes.
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text:
Enterprise Client Management Best Practices
Available On Demand
Duration 24min
Terrence Cosgrove
Research Director
Terrence Cosgrove
Terrence Cosgrove is a Research Director, where he is part of Gartner's Mobile and Client Computing research group. His coverage involves the management and support of end-user computing. In his previous role at Gartner, Mr. Cosgrove supported the Security and Risk Management team, directing and advising on complex inquiries. Prior to joining Gartner, he was a research associate at Smith Barney, evaluating investment opportunities in IT companies. Before Smith Barney, he worked at Marketing Management Analytics as a research assistant, analyzing the sales impact of marketing and advertising.
Michael Bunyard
VP of Marketing
Michael Bunyard
Michael is responsible for corporate marketing, product strategy, product management and future direction of products and positioning at Ziften. Michael is a senior marketing executive who brings over 18 years of experience in marketing including product marketing and product management. He has successfully defined, developed and executed company strategies and global marketing initiatives at startup, emerging growth and large public enterprise software companies across a wide spectrum of market segments, including network and systems management, energy management, business intelligence, enterprise automation, and telecom OSS/BSS.
As people-centric resources such as PCs, tablets and mobile devices deteriorate in performance and become vulnerable to security threats over time; IT must look for new ways of staying ahead of the curve.
Sign up now to get answers to the following questions:
- How are the top organizations managing their client desktops?
- What impediments are stalling progress in this area?
- What value can IT personnel gain from Enterprise Client Management products?
We answer those questions and many more, with contributions from leading industry experts. View this free on-demand webinar to examine best practices in Enterprise Client Management and help you achieve true end-to-end visibility and control.
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text:
PHOTO: Kristen Stewart Chops Off Her Hair!
Kristen Stewart moved one step closer to that getting that buzz cut she's always wanted by chopping her hair into a mid-length do.
Our favorite moody actress is the (gorgeous) face of Chanel's 2013-2014 Métiers d'Arts ad campaign, and debuted the new asymmetrical hairstyle at the Chanel Haute Couture Show in Paris Tuesday.
What do you guys think – yay or nay?
Photo: Getty Images


text: (NEWSER) – Sympathy is likely to be in short supply for Richard Thomas as he waits to find out whether he caught HIV from the woman he raped. The British man was sentenced to five years for the crime yesterday and the court was told that he will find out whether he has the virus later this week, the BBC reports. Thomas let himself into the woman's house in the middle of the night and she awoke to find him raping her, the court heard. Thomas says he had been drinking and taken drugs, and doesn't remember the attack.


text:
Red under glaze
Posted 18 April 2013 - 11:58 AM
Posted 18 April 2013 - 12:02 PM
Posted 18 April 2013 - 12:19 PM
I am new to ceramics and have started working with cone 10 crystal glazes. I am trying to get red under the crystal glaze. I have tried adding copper oxide to the glaze firing it than putting it through reduction at 1700 F for 15 to bring out the red. It has not worked, I sometimes get a little pink but mostly tan. Should I try a red slip and where can I get a formula for it?
A good slip for greenware, 1000 g. of your clay (dried, pulverized), 700g water, 250g Bright Red (inclusion). I really don't know how this would react with the crystal glaze but for sure is a very nice red slip.
Posted 18 April 2013 - 12:40 PM
Posted 18 April 2013 - 01:50 PM
Good Luck!
Raku, Pit fired, Majolica, and Stoneware ceramic artisit
Posted 18 April 2013 - 01:50 PM
Neil Estrick
Kiln Repair Tech
L&L Kilns Distributor
Owner, Neil Estrick Gallery, LLC
1 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users


text:
Colts' momentum is short-lived, as the Chargers beat them soundly
Remember when everyone was touting the Indianapolis Colts as the clear No. 2 team in the AFC?
That was a fun eight days.
The Colts aren't as bad as they looked in a sleepy 19-9 loss to the Chargers, but they're probably not as good as everyone figured after they squeezed out a home win against Seattle in Week 5.
This was a bad spot for the Colts. They were coming off a huge win, heard all week how great they are, but had to have an eye on next week's "Sunday Night Football" showdown against Denver and Peyton Manning. A lackluster performance at San Diego wasn't that surprising. and the Chargers did play well.
Still, this was a pretty poor performance by the Colts, who are now 4-2. The Chargers' defense was perhaps the worst in the NFL through five weeks, giving up a NFL high 6.5 yards per play. And the Colts got nothing going against it. Trent Richardson continued to be uninspiring, and Indianapolis' trade for him keeps looking worse every week. Even quarterback Andrew Luck was average. He was 18-of-30 for 202 yards and an interception. The Colts never got into the end zone.
San Diego deserves credit. The Chargers bounced back from a tough loss at Oakland to play by far their best defensive game of the season. Rookie receiver Keenan Allen, a second-round pick, continues to look like a steal. He had nine catches for 107 yards and a touchdown, and is clearly Philip Rivers' favorite target already. Coach Mike McCoy made a weird decision to try a 50-yard field goal with two minutes left instead of going for it on fourth and inches, but even that worked out when Nick Novak drilled the field goal. It was a good win for the Chargers, who as a whole have played better than their 3-3 record.
And just because the Colts lost doesn't mean they're not one of the better teams in the AFC. It was a bad night in a tough spot. It's best to not overreact at this point of the season.


text:
Lea Michele asks for privacy following Cory Monteith's death
"Glee" star Lea Michele is asking for privacy following the death of her boyfriend Cory Monteith. A rep for the actress released a statement to "People" on Sunday, requesting that "everyone kindly respect Lea's privacy during this devastating time."
News that 31-year-old Monteith had been found dead in his Vancouver hotel room came out on Saturday night. Police say his body was found by hotel staff when he failed to check out that day.
[PHOTOS: Remembering Cory Monteith]
A cause of death for the actor, who had spent over a month in rehab for substance abuse in April, has not been determined but no foul play has been suspected. Lea, along with many of his other castmates on the hit Fox musical comedy, had publicly supported him during the stint in rehab.
Cory and Lea's romance started in 2009 as the breakout stars of "Glee," which returns to Fox in September.
Photo Credit Getty Images


text:
Let's get this out of the way first: Yes, I know this isn't the most scientific of polls. Yes, the sample has changed from year to year. Yes, there are two polls from 2009 because I forgot one at the end of '08. Entertainment purposes only!
Here are the past polls:
2008 (technically beginning of '09)
And here is this year's poll. Do you think there will come a time when you buy mostly e-books? Click through for the poll if you're reading via e-mail or in a feed reader:


text:
Def Leppard guitarist's cancer in remission
Listen to Def Leppard on iHeartRadio
Def Leppard's Vivian Campbell says he's winning his cancer battle.
The rocker says in a new Facebook post that after undergoing a number of tests and getting a second opinion, he can say his Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which he calls "Hodgies," is "officially in remission." But he adds that he has some "bad news" to report as well. With his health restored he says he no longer has "an excuse to not go to the gym."
Post by Vivian Campbell.
Campbell revealed his diagnosis back in June, two months after he'd started a six-month chemotherapy regimen. He said he originally went to the doctor to address a persistent cough, which led to the discovery of the disease.
Photo Credit Getty Images


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WATCH: Batkid heads to New York City to save Pitbull from the Joker
Batkid's crime-fighting crusade is not over.
The pint-sized, cape-wearing crusader, otherwise known as 5-year-old Miles Scott, flew to New York City from San Francisco and saved the life of a music superstar.
Click HERE to See Photos of Batkid Saving the Day
With the same gusto and adorableness that allowed Miles to save Gotham, otherwise known as San Francisco, earlier this month, the young leukemia patient came to the rescue of Pitbull while both appeared this morning on " Good Morning America."
7 Batkid Moments That Will Melt Your Heart
When Batkid was told that Pitbull, fresh from hosting last night's AMAs, was locked in his dressing room by the Joker and the Penguin, he, along with a grown-up Batman, rushed to Pitbull's dressing room, buzzed past the Joker, broke through the chain and made sure Pitbull was out of harm's way.
Click HERE to Re-Live Batkid's Day Moment-By-Moment
For his heroism and quick actions, Miles received a personal welcome from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an original badge from the first Batman film and a framed rendering of a comic featuring himself as Batkid.
The caught-on-camera rescue was just another stop for Miles in his whirlwind tour as Batkid ever since the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the city of San Francisco made his dream of being Batman come true by organizing a day of heroism for him.
Batkid's Make-A-Wish Spikes Donations, Interest in Foundation
On Nov. 15, the city of San Francisco became Gotham, dedicating the entire front page of the San Francisco Chronicle to Miles and giving him his own Batmobile and a city-wide adventure that included rescuing a damsel in distress, foiling the Riddler's bank robbery and saving San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal from the Penguin.
"It's been amazing. We never expected anything like this, on a level like this," Miles' father, Nick, said today on "GMA."


text:
Submit News
ExxonMobil CEO Defends Manmade Global Warming, Says Humans are Able to Adapt
Tiffany Kaiser
June 29, 2012 6:01 PM
Recipient E-mail
Sender E-mail
Rex Tillerson, ExxonMobil CEO
He also addressed fears associated with drilling techniques and oil dependency
ExxonMobil's CEO defended oil and gas drilling by saying that
climate change
is something humans can adapt to.
Rex Tillerson, ExxonMobil CEO, said issues like climate change, energy dependence and oil/gas drilling are blown out of proportion. He blames a lazy press, illiterate public and fear-mongering advocacy groups for the bad light placed on the oil industry.
Climate change is a controversial topic that has been subjected to much debate. Tillerson said that fossil fuels may cause global warming, but argued that humans can easily adapt to the warmer climate. More specifically, he said that humans can adapt to rising sea levels and climate changes because he doubts the validity of climate modeling, which predicts the magnitude of impact associated with climate change.
"We have spent our entire existence adapting," said Tillerson. "We'll adapt. It's an engineering problem and there will be an engineering solution."
Others, however, disagree with Tillerson's assessment. Andrew Weaver, chairman of climate modeling and analysis at Canada's University of Victoria, said that adapting to climate change would be much harder than just preventing it in the first place.
In addition, adapting to climate change could be much more expensive than preventing it. According to Steve Coll, author of "Private Empire: ExxonMobil and American Power," adapting to climate change would require moving entire cities. A better alternative would be legislation that slows the process of global warming.
An example of such a measure is the
proposed fuel standards for 2017-2025
, which will require automakers to create vehicles capable of 54.5 MPG by 2025.
The effort aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lessen the country's dependency on foreign oil.
These standards will cost the auto industry $157.3 billion and
add an extra $2,000
to the sticker price of new autos, but it will save consumers $1.7 trillion at the gas pump.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will finalize the fuel efficiency standards
by the end of July 2012
Such measures could hit ExxonMobil's wallet with less gas used.
Tillerson also addressed the topic of consequences related to oil/gas drilling techniques, saying that drilling will always present possible risks like spills and accidents. But he mentioned that such risks are manageable and worth the end result, which is the energy provided.
Tillerson also said that drilling in shale formations doesn't pose life-threatening risks to those living nearby. However, drilling mixes millions of gallons of water with sand and chemicals that creates drilling wastewater. If this water is not treated, it can contaminate drinking water through cracked drilling pipes.
Tillerson also mentioned his problem with views on oil dependency. He said that there will always be access to oil, and that it doesn't matter where the U.S. gets oil because it is priced globally. Tillerson added that the U.S. only receiving oil from North America would still increase gas prices in the U.S. because it would cause a "disruption" in the Middle East.
The Hook
"This is about the Internet. Everything on the Internet is encrypted. This is not a BlackBerry-only issue. If they can't deal with the Internet, they should shut it off." -- RIM co-CEO Michael Lazaridis
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