[Calpernia]

If it was *really* a top seller (rather than fudged)...

Amazon.com wouldn't be listing it at 30% off ALREADY.

Now they are just trying to recoup costs of the copies they have.

[CharacterCounts]

If it was *really* a top seller (rather than fudged)...

Amazon.com wouldn't be listing it at 30% off ALREADY.

Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble all routinely discount best sellers 30%.

In a couple weeks you should be able to get the new Harry Potter book at 30% off.

[ridesthemiles]

Local talk show host last week reported that Raley's -big Sacramento grocery chain- already had Hillery's book on the 40% off table--in the first week of release. That says it all.

[Reverend Bob]

Actually, Amazon sells all the bestsellers at hefty discounts. So does B&N. They can afford to do this because they buy in such large numbers that they get REALLY good discount rates (55%, minimum, on a book like this; regular bookstore "standard" is 40%). They also do this to pull in business, in the hope that the customer will buy something else -- or at least not buy something elsewhere.

A few years ago, Amazon started carrying books from my publisher. Being a small operation, he couldn't meet their discount schedule and wasn't going to risk a massive return situation down the road. They ended up taking a few books at 30% off -- And Immediately Listed Them At 35% Off On Their Website!!! Go figure. Now they only buy when they get an order. It does explain how Amazon managed to lose money for all those years though.