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Apple Offers Discounts on Hachette Pre-Orders Amid Publisher's Dispute With Amazon

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Apple is offering discounts on several popular e-books from Hachette Book Group, the publisher currently embroiled in a dispute with Amazon. As noted by Re/code, Apple is promoting a sale on several Hachette titles under a "Popular Pre-Orders: $9.99 or Less" section in the book section of the iTunes Store, which includes upcoming titles from major authors like James Patterson, Michael Connelly, and J.K. Rowling (under pen name Robert Galbraith).

While Apple does not specifically mention the books on sale are published by Hachette, every book in the 26-book section is indeed a Hachette title. An Apple PR representative confirmed the promotion to Re/code, but declined to discuss pricing or other details.

hachette
For those unfamiliar with the dispute, Amazon and Hachette have been at war for the last month, after negotiations over profit-sharing failed. Amazon has since refused to take pre-order sales of Hachette books and has also ceased discounting existing Hachette titles, leading to much higher prices, in an effort to get Hachette to agree to better terms.

An Apple PR rep confirmed the promotion, but wouldn't discuss the pricing or any other details. So we have to assume that either Hachette is lowering wholesale prices on its own titles to help Apple tweak Amazon, or Apple is lowering the retail price on its own, and losing margin in order to tweak Amazon.

Amazon released a public statement in May, noting that it was not optimistic about resolving the disagreement with Hachette in the near future. That means Amazon customers must pay more for Hachette books and must wait for books to be launched to make a purchase, a situation that benefits Apple as it is still able to offer customers pre-orders on popular titles.

Top Rated Comments

ActionableMango Avatar
ActionableMango
154 months ago
Wait, Apple iBooks might possibly take a tiny, temporary, and nearly inconsequential part of the market away from the behemoth that is Amazon?

Time for the DOJ to step in again and smack down Apple!
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
K
kerrikins
154 months ago
I'm annoyed with Amazon over this whole thing, so good for Apple. :)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
F
Frisco
154 months ago
Amazon is the new Walmart. Don't forget Walmart put Rubbermaid out of business because RM refused to succumb to Walmarts demand on crazy low prices (RM would be selling at a loss).

The Rubbermaid name was bought my another company. So when people see the RM brand in stores today they think it is a quality product, but's it's just cheap products with the RM name on it.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
cube
154 months ago
I prefer paying full price for an ebook I can read on any device, that getting a discount to be locked to Apple.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
U
UKgaryb
154 months ago
This is Amazon becoming a monopolistic company, their website isn't particularly any good anymore; trying buying an actual genuine accessory.... too much junk on there, Prime is over priced and the website needs dragging out of the 90's.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
ChrisA
154 months ago
Even at $9.95 e-books are over priced. The paper back version has the same content. It took the author as much time to write AND there is the cost of paper and shipping. The e-book should sell at the price lower then even a paper back.

For those who can wait the public library is the best option.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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