Leo’s Comments (group member since Mar 31, 2013)

Leo’s comments from the Amazon to buy Goodreads-comments group.

Sara wrote: "Mike I do believe you have described, dare I say....a monopoly?.....that is what should not happen because while business control and exceptional growth is good-it is much better when there is heal..."

Couldn't agree more. Competition is always best for the consumer in all regards from pricing to quality to service.

I don't know what to think about the take-over at this stage. Like many others posting on here I have used the Amazon platform for numerous purchases of items of all description. We appreciate its function as a one-stop online store.

And then there was the Lovefilm acquisition last year or the year before. Like Goodreads this was an already popular enterprise, in this case with the movie-renting public (and which has probably helped contribute to the demise of Blockbuster). What happened thereafter was a concerted marketing blitz - I found this a bit tedious myself - but they essentially seemed to keep the existing company model. I don't have any figures at hand but I imagine it is going from strength to strength, especially with Lovefilm Instant a very affordable alternative to Netflix.

The question is whether GR becomes a vehicle for proprietary Amazon technologies like digital ebooks? I don't see this being a huge issue at present since one should at least be able to provide a link to other ePub retailers with ISBN information etc. The benefits to authors should be greater exposure and integration of reader reviews with those on the Amazon marketplace. This is especially useful for indie authors like myself who don't have access to, or cannot afford, the marketing and advertising campaigns of established publishers.