The most disturbing email subject line I've read recently came from Publisher's Weekly, which read: Amazon to Buy AbeBooks.
According to the very brief article, AbeBooks will "continue to act as a standalone operation" and the talk is all very positive about what being part of Amazon will bring to the Abe customers and vice-versa. Of course.
Now don't get me wrong... I really like Amazon. Like many, I've been buying from them for years. But I also really like Abe. When looking for something older, out-of-print, rare or even something new that I don't want to pay full rpice for, I first check Abe. The Amazon used books have all seemed grossly over-priced, whereas the Abe books ususally have something in the affordable range.
Let's face it -- monopolies just aren't good for the buying public. Choices stimulate challenge among retailers. By buying up AbeBooks, Amazon had pretty much put the lock on owning the used book market. They already cracked the whip and own the self-publishing market (you can self-publish anywhere, but Amazon, the largest book retailer, won't sell your book unless you self-publish with them!).
I've liked Amazon, but is this really a good thing?
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