I know it has become fashionable of late to bash Amazon and how it has destroyed the local bookstore, that mythic center of culture in small towns. We hear how the independent bookstore (otherwise known as chain “wannabes”. Here’s why Amazon will always be better:
I get to read what I want to read, not just what might be available in the bookstore. I don’t need recommendations from a clerk or bookstore owner who, in spite of what they would have you believe, will never understand my shifting interests. Used bookstores are even more limited; you’re only getting access to what other people and libraries didn’t want.
Amazon has the best of both worlds: new books and access to hundreds of used book dealers for those books that are no longer in print.
E-Books. I can make the print larger, smaller, and choose fonts. I can carry around almost my entire library in my pocket. Amazon didn’t invent them, just made them inexpensive, readable, and with magnificent reading software.
With its connection to Goodreads, you can connect with other innumerable other readers to discuss books and share ideas in a multitude of different groups. By not meeting face-to-face, you are forced to think about what you want to say, rather than blurting it out to a few others, often without formulating it thoroughly.
I love authors. I want to support them. Amazon offers them the widest audience possible in addition to connecting with them online.in a multitude of different formats. Not to mention, Amazon offers authors the possibility of bringing back books into print via on-demand publishing that means their books will never go out-of-print.
Customer service. Ever try returning a book to an independent bookstore? If it’s a special order (always costing more) they won’t do it, usually won't ever anyway. You can return anything to Amazon for immediate refund and they will pay the return costs.
Amazon is ruining small towns. Another myth. Amazon has killed off Borders and is hurting Barnes and Noble, hardly the small independent that has never been able to survive by selling only books. Coffee or tea, anyone? If anything, it’s the Post Office killing off small towns. Sears and Montgomery Wards were able to destroy small town stores because the Post Office began rural delivery.
Another myth is that local independents support local authors. My wife is a successful children’s author, but in the beginning is was only Borders and Barnes and Noble that would even consider ordering her books and having a book signing. It’s expensive and time-consuming. Small independents don’t have the resources to do this, and they’ll usually require the author to supply the books and will take them only on consignment. Amazon at least provides a venue for unknown authors to connect with the public and they provide free webspace to promote your books.
I read a lot and have eclectic interests. On Amazon I can find exactly what I want, without having to travel miles, spend less money, and have it in two days, (instantly in the case of e-books.) They do it better and cheaper. What’s not to love?
For some reason, Americans hate successful enterprises, all the while wishing they had thought of the idea first. It may happen that Amazon, like Sears and other large enterprises will overreach and stumble (Fire phone, anyone?) and someone else with a better idea will come along and replace them That’s OK. If they do it better and cheaper, I’m all for it.
In the meantime, no one does it better than Amazon.
