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Powell’s says it won’t sell books on Amazon anymore

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Re: Powell’s says it won’t sell books on Amazon anymore

#41

Post by jfk13 »

72deluxe wrote: post #32
signal11 wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

More than that, we also have the problem that many users look online on Amazon first. For example, for online searches (in the UK), I try Amazon, Wordery, and Waterstones.com -- but usually Amazon first. If they don't have something or for some reason I feel I need to look elsewhere, I try the others. Interestingly, for old or hard-to-find books, many people in the UK use BookDepository.com and AbeBooks -- guess what…

No way, I didn't know Abebooks was owned by Amazon. I always found it far easier to use than Amazon's own site for finding books.

Yeah, they were bought in around 2008. My enthusiasm for Abebooks has declined markedly since then. I still find the site better than Amazon's for a lot of things I'm interested in, but prefer to avoid both as much as possible.

Re: Powell’s says it won’t sell books on Amazon anymore

#43

Post by d4rti »

easytiger wrote: post #37
CalRobert wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fortunately, Powells is great for this. Whenever I need a book delivered in the US they deliver. "In many parts of the world overgrown local busybodies have destroyed "high streets" in attempts to monetize drivers and pad their CV; driving people away. " Not sure what you're getting at here but if you think you deserve free private car storage on public land you might try reading The High Cost of Free Parking by Dona…

Let me guess. All cars are evil and the nation has adopted them simply to anger cyclist folk? Embarrassingly reductive giberish. Not everyone has a living situation to live as you'd wish them

It's very clear you have not read the book. I highly recommend it. It is largely about the problems of parking policy and I do not recall much if any content about cycling.

Re: Powell’s says it won’t sell books on Amazon anymore

#44

Post by kiba »

chiefalchemist wrote: post #38
ArkVark wrote: post #34

The problem is not Amazon, the problem is local rents. If we encourage mixed-use zoning, ie. 3-5 storey apartment blocks with the ground and first level for commercial and office use, we'll lower rents and reduce commutes.

That's true. But I'd say the problem is us. We want the perks of local business, but too often they're an afterthought. Or we simply choose convenience. Saving a couple dollars on Amazon is no savings at all, if we eventually lose things we love (e.g., local bookstore). But try selling that to someone who is has a religiosly deep relationship with their Prime membership and is convinced they're too busy to fit the lo…

Local businesses would stay open if they don't have to pay absurd rents, or that vacant storefronts are actually available for rent.

Re: Powell’s says it won’t sell books on Amazon anymore

#45

Post by zxwx »

wrp wrote: post #31

Powell's Technical Books used to be my favorite place to hang out. I would ride downtown in the morning and spend an entire day there, scanning every shelf in my fields of interest, reveling in periodic hits of serendipity. Since PTB closed, I've been back once. It wasn't worth it any more. I'll admit that I did like it better back before the store was spruced up to be like a Borders.

How is it like Borders? It's a warren of different rooms on different floors, half of which are more like a warehouse than a retail store, with a huge selection of used and new books shelved together.

I loved the separate technical books stores, too, although they still have a great tech section in the main location. I assume the standalone PTBs shrank then closed because people were browsing more than buying.

Re: Powell’s says it won’t sell books on Amazon anymore

#46

Post by ericbarrett »

ArkVark wrote: post #34

The problem is not Amazon, the problem is local rents. If we encourage mixed-use zoning, ie. 3-5 storey apartment blocks with the ground and first level for commercial and office use, we'll lower rents and reduce commutes.

Or would hedge funds and REITs just buy these spaces (or keep them to rent out after building them—a common practice for developers) and continue to charge high rent with more empty storefronts?

I’ve thought for years that the growing number of commercial vacancies, even pre-Covid, would “sort itself out.” It certainly hasn’t yet.

Re: Powell’s says it won’t sell books on Amazon anymore

#47

Post by fiblye »

chiefalchemist wrote: post #38
ArkVark wrote: post #34

The problem is not Amazon, the problem is local rents. If we encourage mixed-use zoning, ie. 3-5 storey apartment blocks with the ground and first level for commercial and office use, we'll lower rents and reduce commutes.

That's true. But I'd say the problem is us. We want the perks of local business, but too often they're an afterthought. Or we simply choose convenience. Saving a couple dollars on Amazon is no savings at all, if we eventually lose things we love (e.g., local bookstore). But try selling that to someone who is has a religiosly deep relationship with their Prime membership and is convinced they're too busy to fit the lo…

Convenience is definitely important, which is why mixed zoning is helpful.

Instead of digging through amazon trying to find the one item that isn’t fake, hoping it’s what I actually want or need, needing to be home at the right time to sign for the package, and waiting for delivery, I could just make a 5 minute trip and hold the item in my hands before buying it.

Local businesses still mostly thrive in cities with mixed zoning despite the presence of online businesses. Some things do get crushed (small electronics stores just can’t possibly match the variety and endlessly cycled out stock of the newest items online), but there’s space for some things.

Re: Powell’s says it won’t sell books on Amazon anymore

#48

Post by AnthonyMouse »

ericbarrett wrote: post #46
ArkVark wrote: post #34

The problem is not Amazon, the problem is local rents. If we encourage mixed-use zoning, ie. 3-5 storey apartment blocks with the ground and first level for commercial and office use, we'll lower rents and reduce commutes.

Or would hedge funds and REITs just buy these spaces (or keep them to rent out after building them—a common practice for developers) and continue to charge high rent with more empty storefronts? I’ve thought for years that the growing number of commercial vacancies, even pre-Covid, would “sort itself out.” It certainly hasn’t yet.

The thing you're seeing with covid is that places are empty for the same reason they became empty, and the owners are speculating that demand will rebound in the future (e.g. once there is a vaccine) so they have no reason to sell for less today.

If you change the zoning at a sufficient scale, rents would be expected to decline permanently, so there would be nothing gained by holding out until tomorrow.

Re: Powell’s says it won’t sell books on Amazon anymore

#49

Post by rorykoehler »

ArkVark wrote: post #34

The problem is not Amazon, the problem is local rents. If we encourage mixed-use zoning, ie. 3-5 storey apartment blocks with the ground and first level for commercial and office use, we'll lower rents and reduce commutes.

and foster communities

Re: Powell’s says it won’t sell books on Amazon anymore

#50

Post by chiefalchemist »

kiba wrote: post #44
chiefalchemist wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's true. But I'd say the problem is us. We want the perks of local business, but too often they're an afterthought. Or we simply choose convenience. Saving a couple dollars on Amazon is no savings at all, if we eventually lose things we love (e.g., local bookstore). But try selling that to someone who is has a religiosly deep relationship with their Prime membership and is convinced they're too busy to fit the lo…

Local businesses would stay open if they don't have to pay absurd rents, or that vacant storefronts are actually available for rent.

So they close early to do less business? And that pays the rent?? So instead of being able to catch people coming home from work, the local biz ignores those people? So those people can go home and buy from Amazon?
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