08/01/2008
by Angela Wilson
121 views, 0 comments
Online used book giant Amazon will buy out AbeBooks in a deal with undisclosed terms. AbeBooks is a powerseller online, and its merge with Amazon will shrink an online market that has thus far been a boon to readers. Is Amazon becoming a retail monster destined to snuff out the competition so it can have sole control over this market?
Already, the retailers has received criticism for its decision to stop allowing self-published and POD authors to sell through their site - unless they go through Amazon’s self-publishing arm, Book Surge. That move smacked of Microsoft-like tactics. With the purchase of AbeBooks, readers should be on their toes for more buyouts that could lead to a monopoly - and a less desirable market to purchase used tomes. And sellers should be watching for any changes in terms if the retailer truly decides to go gestapo.
AbeBooks focuses on used and collectible book sales.