new marketing opportunity?

[Julie Harris]

www.thebookplex.com/bookstore.html
This looks interesting, but I'm wondering if uploading a mobi file to this new ebook store for a minimum of two weeks at 15% discount will cause problems with price matching at Amazon?
It seems like a good promotion opportunity @ 80% royalty.
What does everyone think?
Julie.

[Ted]

I don't see the advantage of "the bookplex" when you can use Smashwords coupons for special discounts, and not run the risk of Amazon notifying you for some weird reason.

There was/is a paid review operation called bookplex.com which was/is selling 5 reviews for $45.00. Seems odd the two are so similar in name.

[ahpellett]

I think the answer to the question about the discount being picked up by Amazon depends upon how the price is listed ("retail - discount" or "already discounted").

As far as I know, bots can only pick up a price that is already discounted. Are the algorithms sophisticated enough to see a retail price, then search for the available discount and apply that? The math is easy enough, but the likelihood of a bot knowing where to look and what to include in the formula to apply the discount makes me think that it is doubtful they are catching the discounts (this is why I think we can get away with discounts at SW).

Thus if the price is listed at retail (before applying a discount), then I'm guessing they won't pick it up.

Finally, I'm of the opinion that the more places your book is listed, the better. The real question is, is it worth your time? Lot's of these sites are good ideas but poorly marketed, making them basically unknown entities. If the site got some good buzz, then it might be worth the effort.

[akshhat94]

Hi!

This is Akshat here, owner of TheBookplex. I thought it would be better if i personally answer the issue here.

Answering Julie, As rightly said by ahpellet, you are not permanently discounting your book and hence no question of price match arises here. As mentioned on the website, it is a short term selling point. we will never stock a book beyond 4 weeks. Its short term and a temporary discount.

Answering Ted, our reviewing business and retail business are completely separate. I could have anonymously started my retail store but i am confident of NO wrong doing at our part and hence i am not shying away to showcase the link between the two.
No doubt smashwords coupon serves the purpose of discounts but it involves the use of coupon code + 0 marketing from smashwords. At TBX eBooks, we will personally market every book that features on the store.

Answering ahpellet, I agree with all your views. As for marketing, we are backed by a 3000+ newsletter subscription, a 500+ active member goodreads group and a marketing budget of $10,000 for the first month itself. I have been in this industry since the last 2 and a half years and i can assure you that we will try our best to help the authors who feature on our store.

[Julie Harris]

Thanks, everyone. I've decided to give it a whirl for three of my books which aren't moving very much on KDP, and will report back in due course.
Julie.

[aristotle]

www.goodreads.com/topic/show/760418-word-of-warning-bookplex

bardsandsages.com/juliedawson/2012/03/15/bookplex-why-honesty-real-honesty-is-the-best-policy/

[Nathaniel Phillips]

Wow. Thanks for the links aristotle. Very good info.

[Ted]

Very interesting information on those links, aristotle. Thanks. Reminds me of that old saying, "A leopard cannot change its spots."

Authors should do due diligence when considering dealing with any business.