Is it common to have secondary sellers sell your book for much higher prices on eBay?

[Jay]

Is it common to have secondary sellers sell your book for much higher prices on eBay?
Mates: From the Beginning by Jay A. Lee
When they can buy it here
Mates: From the Beginning by Jay A. Lee

[Hu]

I think so actually. Also, if I update a book on createspace, in that 8 hr window while my book is being updated, the price skyrockets on Amazon to like 4x the price from these same sellers. They have the only remaining copies!

[Jim]

Yes. Those who do so on a fairly regular basis probably actively seek out authors who, for whatever reason, choose to give their books away for free. Whatever the recipient gets for it will be clear profit. Most probably never bother to even read the book before listing it.

[Groovy]

So, my question is, why would anybody buy from these sellers when the author is offering them cheaper?

I had this one guy on ebay who offered one of my books at a higher price than I offered them. Thing is, he didn't even have a copy of the book. So, I thought that if anyone would buy from him at that ridiculous price, he would have to order the book from me, but I wouldn't send it to him.

[Jim]

Groovy wrote: "So, my question is, why would anybody buy from these sellers when the author is offering them cheaper?

I had this one guy on ebay who offered one of my books at a higher price than I offered them...."

Groovy,

The seller has nothing to lose by requesting the higher price. He/she is probably hoping that some potential buyers are unaware of the lower price available or don't care. If the book does not sell at the original asking price, the price can be gradually lowered; a common practice in a free market economy.

[Groovy]

Jim wrote: "Groovy wrote: "So, my question is, why would anybody buy from these sellers when the author is offering them cheaper?

I had this one guy on ebay who offered one of my books at a higher price than ..."

I understand--thanks.