AOB Forum - Amazon buys Abe

Shepherdess Ex Member Yea...Books! Gender:	Amazon buys Abe Aug 2^nd, 2008 at 2:00pm I'm interested in other sellers' reactions to the purchasing of Abe by Amazon. Any thoughts?
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booker

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Writer, Bookseller, Blogger

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Re: Amazon buys Abe
Reply #1 - Aug 2^nd, 2008 at 3:21pm

I think it is too soon to tell. It is obviously good business for them to eliminate as much competition as possible, and ABE is popular in other countries.

They will almost certainly close ABE eventually. I would not expect this soon, but I would expect more Amazon promotions on ABE, Amazon's free shipping and Prime programs to come to ABE along with Amazon's new items, and eventually, the complete elimination of ABE.

I can't imagine any other way it could happen. They have no reason to operate ABE since it has no unique programs or characteristics except its appeal in some other countries.

Booker

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groovybookman

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Re: Amazon buys Abe
Reply #2 - Aug 2^nd, 2008 at 4:09pm

Gip Plaster wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2008 at 3:21pm:

I think it is too soon to tell. It is obviously good business for them to eliminate as much competition as possible, and ABE is popular in other countries.

They will almost certainly close ABE eventually. I would not expect this soon, but I would expect more Amazon promotions on ABE, Amazon's free shipping and Prime programs to come to ABE along with Amazon's new items, and eventually, the complete elimination of ABE.

I can't imagine any other way it could happen. They have no reason to operate ABE since it has no unique programs or characteristics except its appeal in some other countries.

Booker

I agree that it is too soon to tell. But having 2 venues really isn't such a bad idea. Don't like amazon use abe and vice versa... Sounds dumb but many many big corporations do it... Could take them in two different directions. Maybe abe won't be such a ripoff now..... who knows not I

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Shepherdess Ex Member Yea...Books! Gender:	Re: Amazon buys Abe Reply #3 - Aug 2^nd, 2008 at 4:19pm I read one posting on an Abe forum which entertained the possibility that Amazon could shunt all the used and antiquarian sales to Abe, and all the new, ebook, and pod sales to Amazon. ... I have always wanted to see a real, live unicorn, too. Oh, well. Let 'er buck, as we say here in the old country.
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BookLadies

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Re: Amazon buys Abe
Reply #4 - Aug 2^nd, 2008 at 4:34pm

I know a lot of people like ABE, but really it just seems to be going down-hill to me. They have lately been ranging around 3-5% for us - they used to be around 8-10%. The deposits seem to be just getting littler and littler every week.

Maybe Amazon can revive them a bit, or squash them - we'll see! Shocked

I don't suppose that it matters too much to me, it can't get much worse than 3%, right?

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Melissa @ The Book Ladies

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booker Ex Member Writer, Bookseller, Blogger Gender:	Re: Amazon buys Abe Reply #5 - Aug 2^nd, 2008 at 10:10pm Yes, my ABE sales have been off, too. And most of what I am selling there are things I would have sold anyway, not the weird and rare stuff that I used to sell on ABE. I've even considered dropping them, but I'm still making money, so I'll see how this shakes out. Booker
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plaidpineapple

Ex Member

Llet me never be put to
confusion Psalm 71:1

Re: Amazon buys Abe
Reply #6 - Aug 3^rd, 2008 at 3:54pm

We dropped Abe about 4 months ago. I was only making a little bit over the fees each month and I haven't really noticed not having them.

Alibris is slowly going the same way for us. Once I started selling B&N directly, Alibris has dropped to about 1/4 of what it used to be. Thats fine with me - I detest their payment system.

B& N pays me every Tuesday - so far, reliable as clockwork.

Kim

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Kim Schmutzler&&Plaid Pineapple Books&&&&Child of God, Wife, Mother of 5, Bookstore Owner, and Animal Lover (in that order)

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dawnb7 Ex Member Gender:	Re: Amazon buys Abe Reply #7 - Aug 5^th, 2008 at 5:02pm Quote: B& N pays me every Tuesday - so far, reliable as clockwork. Kim I love that about them, no hassle just there it is in my account.
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groovybookman Ex Member That's one Groovy Book Man!	Re: Amazon buys Abe Reply #8 - Aug 5^th, 2008 at 6:32pm Dawb how have your sales there been and how long have you been selling. I am still waiting for my first.
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dawnb7 Ex Member Gender:	Re: Amazon buys Abe Reply #9 - Aug 7^th, 2008 at 8:50am Groovey our sales are great in my opinion, considering when we started out it was one here and there and now we had 21 in June, 22 in July and we are at 3 for August so I am happy.
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groovybookman

Ex Member

That's one Groovy Book
Man!

Re: Amazon buys Abe
Reply #10 - Aug 7^th, 2008 at 12:10pm

dawnb7 wrote on Aug 7^th, 2008 at 8:50am:

Groovey our sales are great in my opinion, considering when we started out it was one here and there and now we had 21 in June, 22 in July and we are at 3 for August so I am happy.

Okay I double checked and my cloaking device is off ???

I am sure once I get some sales and some good feedback things will pick up....

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povertyhillbooks

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I love YaBB 1G - YaBB
2!

Re: Amazon buys Abe
Reply #11 - Sep 9^th, 2008 at 1:25am

Shepherdess wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2008 at 2:00pm:

I'm interested in other sellers' reactions to the purchasing of Abe by Amazon. Any thoughts?

I have been meaning to add my thoughts to your inquiry but recent sales have had me hopping here in Chicago..... I can't figure out why Amazon would want Abe, it seems Abe sales are sluggish and Amazon already has good international presence from what I understand. I would think a large percentage of Abe sellers are already on Amazon as well. I'm sure Amazon must be drooling at Abes fee structure! What else could be so attractive about Abe?

I love Abe, it's so well set up for booksellers and their customer service is really on the ball, I've actually received phone calls from Abe following up on my service inquiries. (I just wish they would make a greater percentage of my monthly sales!!!) It has always seemed to me that Abe had the Professional Book Sellers while Amazon and Half.com had a mix of these along with hoards of hobby flea market part time sellers. (I also do book searches for my customers and always turn to Abe first because I have better luck with accurate descriptions/conditions) I fear Abe will start to degrade as half.com did after eBay purchased them back in the late 1990's and that Amazon's purchase will ruin Abe's good reputation..... I wonder how long it will be until tube socks, cheap knock-off handbags and baby diapers start showing up for sale on Abe! (and free super saver shipping with twenty-five dollar purchase and two day free shipping with trial membership to Amazon Prime)

Oh well..... but please please don't let Amazon purchase The Art of Books! Lips Sealed

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groovybookman Ex Member That's one Groovy Book Man!	Re: Amazon buys Abe Reply #12 - Sep 9^th, 2008 at 1:42am povertyhillbooks wrote on Sep 9^th, 2008 at 1:25am: Oh well..... but please please don't let Amazon purchase The Art of Books! Egads Don't even joke.....
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