POD for Readers?

[Nicole R]

I was doing a news search for my day job and stumbled across commentary on a Wall Street Journal article about in-store POD machines for readers.

http://www.evolvingexcellence.com/blog/ ... store.html

The basic idea is this: If readers can't find the book they want on the shelf at B&N or other bookstores, a POD machine gives them the option to print off a copy on-site to take home with them.

In the ever-changing publishing landscape, this was a new one for me, and I thought the article did a decent job covering the potential pros and cons. On one hand, yes it's increasingly frustrating when the shelves aren't stocked with the books you want. On the other, I'm not sure this is a viable, long-term solution when everything seems to be going the way of Amazon and e-books anyway.

I'm curious to hear what you guys think...

*Note: The blog that ran this commentary typically focuses on lean manufacturing, so it comes at the issue from that slant. I haven't been able to find the full original WSJ article yet.

[Watcher55]

Yeah - no. Does anyone under the age of thirty remember when they tried putting movies on record album sized discs? At least then DVD's were still on the drawing board.

This is all the deal breaker I need:

Brian Murray, chief executive of HarperCollins, said that the paperbacks printed by Espresso will list for the same price as the traditional paperback version

Unless the machine prints the actual paperback book complete with binding and cover art, I'm not gonna pay the same price.

[GingerWrite]

Yeah, not a fan of the "same price" thing. I doubt these books printed off in a flash will be of the same quality. It would be like paying the same amount of money at a drive-through as you'd pay at a fancy sit-down restaurant. Or paying more for an e-book than a print book.

[Nicole R]

Watcher and Ginger, I completely agree! I sort of give them credit for thinking outside the box, but as a reader, this option just doesn't appeal to me. I'm not sure I'd go for it, even with a lower price - I love the cover art and the finished feel of a published book. Somehow, I doubt I'd get the same quality from a glorified copier...

[Quill]

This is all the deal breaker I need:

Brian Murray, chief executive of HarperCollins, said that the paperbacks printed by Espresso will list for the same price as the traditional paperback version

How is the same price a deal breaker?

Unless the machine prints the actual paperback book complete with binding and cover art, I'm not gonna pay the same price.

It does. It's not simply a sheaf of paper.

[Watcher55]

This is all the deal breaker I need:

Brian Murray, chief executive of HarperCollins, said that the paperbacks printed by Espresso will list for the same price as the traditional paperback version

How is the same price a deal breaker?

Unless the machine prints the actual paperback book complete with binding and cover art, I'm not gonna pay the same price.

It does. It's not simply a sheaf of paper.

I stand corrected.

I'm still not convinced it's going to catch on, but I don't have the numbers on how many sales bookstores miss because they're out of stock. Is it more cost effective for the bookstore to print the books on site (and maintain the machine) as opposed to ordering individual titles and having them shipped to the customer?

As much as I hate to entertain the idea, I still have to wonder how much longer paper books are going to survive as a major market. I don't know, it just seems like too little too late.

[Nicole R]

Very cool video, Quill! Thanks for posting the link - I hadn't been able to get access when I tried to view it before. That seems slightly more appealing to me. I love my paper books, but the stores routinely don't stock what I'm looking for and if I can get it in only 4 minutes (as opposed to days or weeks ordering online), I'd definitely jump at the chance.

I still think e-books might eat this idea anyway, but it's nice to see some innovation on the print side of the game.

[Doug Pardee]

Is it more cost effective for the bookstore to print the books on site (and maintain the machine) as opposed to ordering individual titles and having them shipped to the customer?

If they don't have a book in stock and say, "We can order it for you," the usual customer response — stated or unstated — is, "I can order it myself from Amazon. I'll get it cheaper and faster, and not pay sales tax. Thanks anyway." The POD machine delivers the book while-you-wait. Customers being able to walk out the door with book in hand is the only practical advantage that physical bookstores have over Amazon.