I think Ken had the right idea - sounds like a sales pitch to me. As for
someone else's suggestion that dropping the price might cause people to
delay buying it, I don't think that will work.

When a book is published, the publisher sets the price according to costs
incurred in printing and royalties etc. The price depends largely on the
print run.

The first people to buy a new book (for the full price) are usually serious
collectors both in institutes and private. Then follows a flood of
libraries and interested individuals. When the flood slow to a trickle and
then stops (this does not happen with every book), the publisher has to
decide what to do with the leftover stock. Specialised publishers will just
keep it until sold, or maybe reduce the price a little, or hold a sale.
Large publishers will generally sell it off to remainder bookdealers. These
supply bargain bookstore chains. I have not heard of any publishers keeping
the stock at the initial price and then destroying it.

We shellers can only vote with our feet. There are many authors amongst us.
When you are looking to publish your next book, ask the publisher what they
will do with any surplus stock and come to an agreement (also include an
option in case you are no longer there, or are not in the position to deal
with it). Don't use publishers who will destroy stock or dump it unless you
or some other nominated person or organisation has been offered to buy it
(for an agreed price) first.

So what happens to this book now? Being sold for US$70.95. Maybe next month
they will be destroyed. Then next year you can buy it second hand for no
less than US$150!

Stinks? Yes, but also very true.

Patty
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