I think it's kind of ironic how we here at DP like to figure out ways to sell ebooks and resell ebooks. I'm not saying all of them are crap because some people do take time to write them well but you know as well as I do that some are selling you these at $15-$20 a pop when they're not worth it. It's like some people are trying to sell things that we might not buy ourselves, unless we heard a review that it was a good one. Kind funny. Just my take. What do you think?
I think it's up to the buyer to know what they're buying. If it looks like someone's charging too much, you should do the research to see if it's available elsewhere. You should also research the author to see if they have any credentials on the topic. As for pricing, I'm selling one for $17 ($12 to DP members), and it's selling well, frankly b/c the buyers here generally already know my background in the subject area. And that's a very short e-book. I have longer ones in the works that are on topics not done before with a good bit of potential, and they'll go for more. Paying higher rates for something that's just been assembled from some PLR articles I can see as a problem. But if you do the research first as a buyer, you'll be fine, and shouldn't really end up too disappointed.
I purchased an ebook online for $7.00 a month or two ago because I wanted to learn more about Adwords and setting my account up properly. I have to say that their little "trick" was one of the most worthless things I have ever read. While the trick they used may have been beneficial for the market they were in, I didn't find it very useful for the market I was trying to reach. Also, Take a peek at worldwidebrands.com free ebooks. I think he totally hammers on the idea of people trying to sell worthless information. It really made me think of that ebook I bought. Not only that, now I get emails every few days from this website, none of it being valuable and all spam. I would recommend to anyone that instead of trying to find an "easy solution" in your research for whatever it may be by purchasing an ebook they should do some testing on their own and read free information. I've found free information much more valuable than the ebook I purchased. There is some knowledgable people in these forums that are more than willing to send you in the right direction. If they ask you for payment for their advice (sending you to their pretty cookie-cutter ebook website), then you know it is probably nothing more than a scam.
If you're being spammed, you should simply remove yourself from that mailing list... they're required to give you that option. And keep in mind that not all e-books contain "worthless" information. Sorry that you had a bad experience. But it just goes back to what I said before... you need to be an informed consumer, knowing who you're buying from and what their credentials are before jumping into a purchase. Paying for consulting isn't a scam. Professionals can't spend all of their time answering questions for free, and when we do it, it's a form of marketing in itself whether we acknowledge it blatantly or not. Looking for an "easy solution" in any medium (not just e-books) is never a smart idea, b/c you're just asking to get scammed. But paying for quality information from an authority source doesn't constitute a scam.
I used to sell £2.99 gambling system ebooks on ebay made me about £270 but owe ebay £140 fees still have not payed and have no plans on doing i hate ebay with all my heart banning me and exspect me to pay fees fools will soon realised i canceled my bank card that i used there
I don't think that all ebooks are crap, but there are plenty out there that are. What I do personally is buy from people that I have been following online and that I know are trustworthy. Research the author and the product to see what other people are saying. Make sure they offer a refund policy. Jessica
The problem is that there are too many on the internet that claim to be professionals or experts in areas in which they are not. This is why I still stick by my statement that people who want to make you pay are in most cases scamming you. I understand that there are some smart people here using these forums as a method of advertising as you mentioned.... heck, its the sole reason that brought me to these forums (Although i've also come to find some useful information here as well). I am confident I could tell people how to be fairly successful and make money on the internet, but it wouldn't be near as glamorous or as easy as most people want to make it out to be. Anyone that even gives a hint that it is an easy thing to do is simply wanting you to line their pockets with YOUR money. Anything worth having is worth working for... its a quote my dad always used to tell me, and the more I spend time investing my money and time into ecommerce/online projects the more I find this statement to be true.