Why are ebooks so expensive??

I have been cruising Amazon and found some books that look interesting... some I want in paperback form, but others I wouldn't mind if they went on my Kindle. A couple of time I was surprised to find the ebook was more expensive than the paper version!! How is that even possible? I mean, you obviously don't have the same expenses and resources going into it. A paper book needs to be printed, shipped to the seller, stored, then shipped to the buyer (and with Amazon that shipping is "free" so they would save even more money to sell ebooks). Is there a particular reason that maybe I am missing? A process to it all that I don't understand? It's just slightly frustrating to see ebooks going for $10-$30 and up! I know the author and publisher need to make some money, but it's kind of crazy to me. I'm hoping maybe over time the prices will come down?

I'd guess demand too.

I do get free ones from Amazon, but rarely do they have what I am looking for. I have a few of the classics that I have always wanted to read b/c I feel like I should know them, but haven't been motivated to read them yet. I'll check out some of the other options. I hadn't thought about the whole demand thing. I guess it does makes sense from a business standpoint.

I was suprised too.  We just started up a book club here and I was looking at the kindle edition for the book I chose (I don't have a kindle but I have the kindle app on my phone).  The kindle version was only 2 dollars less than the hardback edition of the book (at the discounted amazon price). 

It's one thing I don't fully understand either. I really struggle with why spend this much on a digital book when a similar price will give me a tangible item. OTOH I'm trying to convince myself that, unlike all my books ebooks don't take up space and need dusting and storage. Is a little more expense worth less clutter? Once you have the ebook you can read it on your computer, ereader, etc forever. There are books in my life that I've purchased more than once b/c it got ruined or fell apart and that's not really a problem with ebooks, so maybe that benefit is worth a little more expense. Of course I'm of the opinion that if you purchase a book it should include the e-version. You know like how some movies come with the digital download?

I only pay $$ for particular books that I really want and use Swagbucks cards for those. Most of my books I got free. The free books change daily, so you have to hook up with a good blog that finds the jewels. My favs are Casting Pearls on Facebook (thanks for the rec!) and the Free Kindle Books and Tips blog.

This month there are a TON of awesome relationship books.

Sarah2106 wrote: moonangel12 wrote: Awwww... I don't have FB . I think DH and I are realizing that it's getting to the point where we're going to have to get it soon to be able to do anything online... it almost feels like a monopoly of sorts. They are forcing us to use their product b/c there isn't going to be any other option.  It can be a pain, but it is really nice to get all sales and free things in one location. Even if you only set up an account to access free things (for coupons and similar) you don't have to have friends or give access to your page to anyone. I know quite a few people that do that. They use FB to like pages to find out about deals and their favorite things, but don't do friends or anything else.

My dh had to get facebook in pharmacy school because students were communicating that way.  But now he moved it to a family account and it is just our last name plus fam as the name on the account.  So no one really knows who we are unless they really know us.  We rarely get friend requests except from family members or people who currently know us.  No one from my high school days has any clue except for a few friends that also know who my husband is and that I have searched out and added as a friend.  Most of our extended family is there and they check facebook more often than a blog and so they keep up with our family that way.  We mostly update with pics and silly things the kids have done.

The other part that worries me a little is there have been all kinds of allegations by authors that ebook sales are being under reported so they aren't paid royalties:
http://kriswrites.com/2011/04/13/the-business-rusch-royalty-statements/

http://www.michaelastackpole.com/?p=2405

Plus there is this bit about libraries:

http://roseread.wordpress.com/2011/02/28/the-ebook-user%E2%80%99s-bill-of-rights/

It still feels like the wild west out there...