E-books are often less expensive than printed books. Publishers can list physical book prices at $27.95 and ebooks at $20. Amazon often sells physical books for under $20. Ebooks have lower production costs but higher distribution fees. Ultimately ebooks do not deteriorate like physical books. Readers are paying more for permanence.
It seems logical that ebooks should cost less as physical book production is estimated at $1-2 per book. For publishers, ebook pricing balances profits and savings for readers. Unlike physical book pricing, Amazon has no control over ebook pricing. This explains why ebooks sometimes cost more.
Ability to skim quickly differs. It is easier to skim a printed book than an ebook. Paper books allow faster back and forth page turning. Enlarged fonts improve the ebook reading experience. Ebooks reduce the overall cost for frequent readers. Used paper books can cost under $1. Ebooks always sell for the original price. This makes paper books seem cheaper.
Which is more expensive books or ebooks?
Sometimes paper books are cheaper, and sometimes ebooks are cheaper. But ebooks improve the reading experience over print. We can enlarge fonts and read later into life without losing our place. Ebooks have lower production but higher distribution costs. Ebooks do not deteriorate; readers pay for permanence. It is easier to skim printed books with faster page turning. Used paper books under $1 seem cheaper, but ebooks always sell at the original price. But ebooks improve reading with customizable fonts to read later without losing your place.