CNET Survey

CNET has a survey up asking readers how much they would willingly pay for an ebook. The poll is still ongoing, so follow the link to add your own voice to the crowd. As of today, here are the results:

What's the most you'd spend for an e-book?

41.1% - $7.99 or less 
33.7% - $9.99 
14.0% - I don't read e-books 
8.5% - $11.99 
2.7% - $14.99 or more 
Total votes: 5056

For the record, I chose the $7.99 or less category (as did the majority of respondents), and had I the choice I would have selected $4.99 or less. My thoughts on this have shifted over the years, but the more I learn about the numbers being tossed around behind the scenes the less I empathize with publishers and brick-and-mortar stores like Borders, whose print edition costs are understandably high, but still want to charge as much for digital, even though there are no printing costs, no returns, no storage and no shipping fees (aside from a bit of broadband and some server space).



I've been harping on the end of the traditional publishing model for years, and the more I learn the less interested I am in having anything to do with it. For a stunningly insightful analysis of just how much publishers siphon off the top, read Joe Konrath's latest post here.