If you’re an avid reader, you will of course know how expensive books are. Have you ever wondered why they are so expensive?
Today I will answer this question for you. once you read the article below, it’s easy to understand why books are so expensive?
You are reading: Why are books so expensive
I’ll share the reasons below and help you understand how you can save money while buying books.
Why are books so expensive?
Books are expensive due to the rising cost of printing on paper, royalties, economies of scale, return policy, and transit costs.
I will go into the details of all of these reasons below. Before I do, I’ll share with you the average price of a book to help you understand how expensive they are.
what is the average price of a book?
an average size book can range from $14-$18. While this may seem affordable, when you’re an avid reader the numbers add up quickly. it means that it will be difficult for you to read several books throughout the month.
I will now go into the details of why these books are so expensive.
five reasons why books are so expensive now
Let me now highlight the reasons why books have become so expensive.
1. cost of printing and paper
The physical resources needed to print a book, such as printing machine, paper, etc., are constantly increasing in price. Due to the same, the cost of books also increases.
The problem is that the cost of these resources is rising faster than inflation. it’s the main reason books are so expensive.
2. royalties
Publishers also have to pay royalties to authors. publishers and authors also have to incur marketing expenses. As the author becomes more famous, the author’s royalties also increase.
this, in turn, increases the price of the book as well.
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3. economy of scale
You might be thinking, shouldn’t books be more affordable because of economies of scale?
The problem is that the economy of scale works in the opposite direction for books. the number of avid readers is decreasing day by day. that is why; book sales are declining in terms of copies.
with the sale of the lower copies, the price of the books will certainly increase. that’s what’s happening.
4. return policy
Most online and offline bookstores have a return policy. It means that if you don’t want to read the book or don’t like it, you can return it for a refund.
However, bookstores have to account for this return policy loss in order to make a profit selling books. that is why; retailers’ margins need to be increased. is another factor driving up the cost of books.
5. transit costs
Physical books must be stored and transported from one place to another. logistics costs certainly add up. That’s because books must be transported with great care.
For these reasons, books are certainly expensive in 2021.
One thing you may have noticed is that e-books are cheaper than print books. there are some reasons for the same too. I’ll share these reasons with you below.
why are e-books a bit cheaper than print books?
The reasons why e-books are a bit cheaper than print books are:
1. no printing cost per copy
ebooks do not use resources for each copy. once the recording is made, unlimited copies can be sold.
the cost of printing the book without copies per copy certainly makes them cheaper.
2. no shipping or storage costs
Similarly, there is also no storage cost for e-books. Plus, there are no transit costs as well. the overhead costs are much lower. it’s the reason e-books are more affordable.
3. no return loss
As long as a consumer or reader gets a refund for any book, there is no loss to the publisher or site selling e-books.
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It’s one of the main reasons you won’t have to worry about spending a lot when you opt for an e-book.
Now that you know why books are expensive, it’s time to understand how you can buy them cheaper.
how to buy much cheaper books?
there are few ways to save money when buying books. these are:
1. used books
The main way to save money when buying books is to buy used books. you can get them in excellent condition. you can still easily read them. Since the reading experience is not compromised, used books are the best way to buy cheaper books.
2. audiobooks
Another option is to search for audiobooks. most audiobook selling websites also give you a subscription, which means the cost will go down even more.
3. electronic books
Similarly, e-books are also incredibly affordable. you can read them on any device.
These are three ways you can save money while buying books.
Now I will share with you some places where you can buy books at low prices.
places to find cheap used books
1. amazon
amazon gives you the option to buy used or new books. you have to visit the book listing. on the right hand side, there is also an option to buy used books. You can certainly get a great discount by opting for used books on amazon.
2. second hand books
thriftbooks.com is another website that allows you to purchase books at a lower price. the website offers thousands of books starting at just $3.99. even though it sells used books, the condition of the books is unquestionable. that is why; is another great place to buy used books.
3. half price books:
half price books is a website that sells new and used books at a deep discount. Not only that, the website also has physical stores. it means that if you want to visit a store and buy the books, you can do it easily.
True to its name, it certainly provides you with books at almost half the price. that is why; is a great option to buy books at an affordable price.
These are three places where you can buy used books at lower prices.
So now you know why books are so expensive in 2021. Not only that, when you follow my guide above, it will be easier to save money when buying books. Not only can you buy physical books at a discount, but I have also listed some other alternatives that allow you to enjoy book knowledge without buying physical books. In a nutshell, my guide above can help you in more ways than one when it comes to buying books affordably.
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