A Stitch in Time - Paperback - Why so expensive?

[Namikaze]

I've been watching the series again, since it became available on Netflix, and wanted to purchase the book A Stitch in Time by Andrew J. Robinson, to read and share with my lady, who has come to love the series and Garak.

So I went online, thinking I would pick it up for a couple of bucks and I discovered that I was sheerly mistaken. I've seen copies listed online for as much as $500 USD - I realize it is out of print, but why so expensive? These copies are used, not autographed and have no special traits that make them different from any other book.

I know it is an awesome book, as I read a library copy several years back - but c'mon! $500? Really?

Anyone have speculation about the vast price hike?

 

[AFEK ESLCAFE W]

It's no where up there in that price range as it is listed here:

Amazon.com

I'd part with my personal copy for $500.00 if someone's interested, but for the going rate listed above mine's a keeper.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

you linked to the electronic copy, bro

 

[AFEK ESLCAFE W]

Mass paperback is for US $38.00.

At that price, it's still a keeper.

 

[Sci]

I've been watching the series again, since it became available on Netflix, and wanted to purchase the book A Stitch in Time by Andrew J. Robinson, to read and share with my lady, who has come to love the series and Garak.

So I went online, thinking I would pick it up for a couple of bucks and I discovered that I was sheerly mistaken. I've seen copies listed online for as much as $500 USD - I realize it is out of print, but why so expensive? These copies are used, not autographed and have no special traits that make them different from any other book.

I know it is an awesome book, as I read a library copy several years back - but c'mon! $500? Really?

Anyone have speculation about the vast price hike?

It's expensive because there are fewer copies of the book available for sale on the secondary market than there are people who want to purchase it. Since they aren't printing new copies, that means that there's a smaller supply than demand, and thus the cost increases -- since the small supply forces the potential customers to compete with one-another, driving up the price. It's really that simple.

You should be able to purchase it in e-book form for only about $8.00 or thereabouts, though.

 

[Namikaze]

I know there are cheaper copies than the $500 one I mentioned. Just surprised that the price could vary that much. In addition, I do understand the virtues of supply and demand, however I was quite surprised to discover that the demand for the novel would constitute such prices. I suppose that I assumed that since it wasn't that old, there'd be more copies around.

 

[Sindatur]

I know there are cheaper copies than the $500 one I mentioned. Just surprised that the price could vary that much. In addition, I do understand the virtues of supply and demand, however I was quite surprised to discover that the demand for the novel would constitute such prices. I suppose that I assumed that since it wasn't that old, there'd be more copies around.

Same thing happened to at least one of the Trilogies of Babylon 5 books. They printed a certain amount of the first book, and knowing that it is typical that sales drop on the rest of a trilogy, they printed fewer of the second book, and even fewer of the third book. So, the first book is available, but, the second and third book are not available, so, people charge outlandish prices on the secondary market, thinking someone will be willing to pay it. They won't necessarily ever get what charge, but, those who were able to read the first book, get screwed, as they can't get the second and third, unless they pay that outrageous price.

 

[Shatinator]

This is why we have library's!

The
S H A T I N A T O R

 

[MacLeod]

It's stilla good read.

 

[DS9 Gal AZ]

I got mine much, much cheaper than $500 ... or even $38 for that matter ... can't remember exactly what I paid, but I bought a used copy on Amazon.com a while back for like, under $10 I think.

 

[Star_Trucker]

I only paid $7.00 for my copy. I don't know if I'd part with it even for $500.00 though.

 

[RoJoHen]

I only paid $7.00 for my copy. I don't know if I'd part with it even for $500.00 though.

You could always just buy another one for $7.00.

 

[Saul]

People say it's one of the best Star Trek novels around so it's not surprising. If people really really want it they might pay for it and us Trek fans are suckers sometimes for merchandise.

 

[Thor Damar]

This is why we have library's!

The
S H A T I N A T O R

As someone whom works in a public library I'd like to thank the above poster.

(although I don't think many UK libraries have many copies of Treklit on our catalogs. Mind you I have reserved a copy of the needs of the many, the novel based on Star Trek Online.
And Jake Sisko is credited as co writer on the author information...)

 

[Bisz]

I've also been looking to pick this book up and the price on Amazon was quite a surprise.

I'll probably end up getting the e-book for my iPad.

 

[Saturn0660]

This is why we have library's!

The
S H A T I N A T O R

Then tell them you lost it.. They can only charge you face value that they paid for it.. not it's replacement cost.

 

[Sci]

This is why we have library's!

The
S H A T I N A T O R

Then tell them you lost it.. They can only charge you face value that they paid for it.. not it's replacement cost.

... so that you can deny a public resource to everyone else?

That's incredibly douchey. Public libraries exist as a mechanism to provide access to reading and other materials people might not have access to themselves. It's there for the common welfare of a community. What makes you so special that it's okay to steal a public resource from everyone else?

 

[Kira Nerys]

Just people trying to milk what ever they can and as high price as they can get.Pathetic.Wait long enough ,you'll found one with the right price.

 

[Sci]

Just people trying to milk what ever they can and as high price as they can get.Pathetic.

No, not pathetic. Perfectly fair.

A Star Trek book is a luxury. It's not only a luxury, it's a minor luxury. You don't need it to live, you don't need it to be comfortable, you don't even need it to have a nice Sunday afternoon. Hell, you don't even need to buy it to read it -- you can go to the public library and read it for free if you'd like.

So if I happen to put a copy of it for sale, see that others are willing to pay X amount of money for it when I look at how other copies are selling, why shouldn't I put it for sale at the maximum possible value I can get for it? Why shouldn't I sell it to the person willing to pay the highest price?

I'm all for undermining capitalism when it comes to things like making sure everyone gets the essentials to a healthy, safe life, or undermining class oppression. But selling a used Star Trek book? I'll sell it at the highest price possible, and I'll expect sellers to do the same. After all -- why should they be willing to sell it to me at a lower price when Jim down the street values it more than I do and is willing to pay a higher price?

 

[JustKate]

I got it as an e-book precisely because of the price for a print copy. I don't mind shelling out money for a hardback, but paperbacks just don't last that long unless you don't read them, and what's the point of having a book if you are afraid to read it?

But if I had a spare copy and decided to sell it, I agree with Sci: I would absolutely sell it for whatever the market would bear. Why not? Overcharging people for, say, insulin is evil. But for a paperback? I wouldn't have even the least inkling of a guilty feeling.