Would you purchase a book if you saw it on the shelf before the street date?

[Lester C.]

I don't think of myself as a criminal as I live a law abiding life but if I saw a book that a retailer had accidentally put on the shelf before the street date I'd purchase it without hesitation. What about you?

[RickThunderclees]

I don't think of myself as a criminal as I live a law abiding life but if I saw a book that a retailer had accidentally put on the shelf before the street date I'd purchase it without hesitation. What about you?
Agreed, I would too. I'd keep it on the DL though, that way the business that accidentally sold me the book wouldn't get in trouble. I worked for a book store that accidentally shelved Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix more than two weeks early!!! haha, I don't think we sold any though before our boss noticed.

[Lester C.]

Agreed, I would too. I'd keep it on the DL though, that way the business that accidentally sold me the book wouldn't get in trouble. I worked for a book store that accidentally shelved Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix more than two weeks early!!! haha, I don't think we sold any though before our boss noticed.
Wow. I couldn't even begin to imagine the crap storm that would have resulted from leaking one of the most anticipated books of all time before the release date. I hope no one lost their job over that one.

[Rampaging Rabbit]

I would, it's not criminal. It would be out of order to spill the contents though, so I'd keep it quiet.

[Expletive Deleted]

Sure.

I guess I'm not seeing how it's criminal, or even unethical, from a consumer's point of view. It's the retailer's problem. As long as people aren't jerks about it (scalping copies on eBay, spreading spoilers), I couldn't care less.

[Athena Bast]

If you buy it, you're not at fault, the retailer is last I looked.

Pay with cash if you're concerned though.

Some books have STRICT on sale dates, others can be more or less the week of..

[The Batman]

Yeah I probably would, I don't see anything particularly immoral about going against someone's marketing plan.

Why do you ask Lester, did you see a copy of Tempest for sale already?

[RickThunderclees]

Wow. I couldn't even begin to imagine the crap storm that would have resulted from leaking one of the most anticipated books of all time before the release date. I hope no one lost their job over that one.
Haha, it was a small business too! If the publisher would have sued they would have easily went under.


She wasn't reprimanded in any way, just asked to please place the books back into the box.

[saintsaucey]

hell yeah. i totally bought angel season four and buffy season six before they were supposed to be out. if the store screws up its totally not your fault

[Lester C.]

Yeah I probably would, I don't see anything particularly immoral about going against someone's marketing plan.

Why do you ask Lester, did you see a copy of Tempest for sale already?
I wish. I've really enjoying The Legacy Series. As far as I'm concerned Jacen Solo is bringing sexy back.

[Julusnc]

Most books have numerous proof copies floating around the industry many months and in some cases years before a real print run.....I am of the belief as long as I paid what was asked its all good.I am the customer that paid $25.00+ for a hardback and I keep them in business......

[Slam_Bradley]

Sure. There is nothing remotely criminal about it and I don't find it to be ethically questionable. No problem.

[Sabrina_Fried]

There used to be a bookstore (that shall remain anonymous to protect the guilty) not far from where I live now that used to routinely shelve books as soon as they arrived, even if it was before their official street date. It wasn't that the staff were bad at following instructions, quite the opposite, this store used to have some of the best booksellers I've ever had the pleasure of dealing with. And it wasn't that they were worried about competition, because despite jumping the gun on so many books so often, there was relative harmony and equality in sales between them and the four other bookstores within a 10 minute walk. But the owner/manager of the store at the time had a philosophy: If the publishers were so afraid of bad reviews that they had to embargo their own books, then clearly it's not a book the store wants to be stocking in mass quantities. Therefore the more the publisher tried to prevent the store from selling their books, the fewer books the store ordered. In short order, the publishers and distributors learned to leave this store alone to do its thing, and even studied the results to project how the books would sell when the official on-sale date hit.

I used to buy ALL my Star Wars books from this bookstore, and I typically got them at least a week or two before the on-sale date. Which was kind of good if you write a column about Star Wars stuff and you want to see if there is anything in the books you might want to include in your next column.

Then this store got bought by the Huge Monopoly, the owner/manager was quitfired and replaced with a corporate drone. The store never, EVER jumps the gun on books anymore. Apparently the publishers are not happy because this means the Huge Monopoly ends up buying hundreds of copies of books that the store is never going to sell which they then remainder or return to the publisher because they just can't seem to accurately gauge the demand for a given book.

I buy my Star Wars books from Amazon now. Exclusively. I don't get them any sooner, but at least they are cheaper and I don't have to deal with the mall crowds.

Sabrina

[Agent Helix]

If I wanted to read it, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

Of course, I probably wouldn't know if it was before street date or not, since I tend not to keep up with book release dates.

[Superboy Prime]

Sure.

I guess I'm not seeing how it's criminal, or even unethical, from a consumer's point of view. It's the retailer's problem. As long as people aren't jerks about it (scalping copies on eBay, spreading spoilers), I couldn't care less.

Exactly.

I wouldnt have a problem purchasing a book before it's released date. It's happened once or twice before, and recently it's happened with a particular DVD (The Punisher: Extended Cut) that I ran up on at a local Sam Goody's a few weeks ago. So yeah. If it was a book I wanted to read, and it was there. Consider it sold. :)

[Solaris]

So far it looks like I'm the lone "no." :D

If I *knew* the release date, and knew the book was out early, I'd take a copy to the manager and tell them it had been put out prematurely, so they could pull it. I used to work at a Waldenbooks, and we accidently put out books before their release date once or twice... I remember the staff and manager panic that ensued, once we realized it, and how we scurried to get the books off the shelves. I'd hate to think what kind of trouble someone could get into from corporate and publisher if it was one of the biggies (like Potter books).

I can afford to wait to see what happens next in a book, however much I may be anticipating reading it. The guys behind the counter might lose a job over it.

Of course... if it's a book I'm REALLY wanting to read... I might ask the manager if they could hold a copy for me to come in and buy on the release date, as a return favor. :D ;) If they can't, that's okay though---but a lot of folks would, for such a helpful patron.

[Agent Helix]

I have ethical and moral qualms with people buying the Punisher DVDs.

[Superboy Prime]

You may have more than ethical and moral qualms if you were made aware of other DVD's I've purchased. Or do you just single out Punisher DVDs?

[Agent Helix]

I don't know.

I'd rather not have to declare a blood war this early in the morning, though.

(P.S. - Just a joke.)

[Hoss]

I tend to agree with Solaris. If you know that your actions could get someone into trouble, then there is an ethical component in your undertaking them. The ethical thing to do is to make the retailer aware of the situation.

[Agent Helix]

Yeah, but if you're ig'nant like me, and don't know if a book's out before street date, you're ethically in the clear.

[Hoss]

Yeah, but if you're ig'nant like me, and don't know if a book's out before street date, you're ethically in the clear.

Of course. Which is why ignorace is the highest level of being.

Everyone knows that.

[Agent Helix]

I live my life by the "If I can't see it, nothing bad is happening" rule.

[jwd]

I would and I have. I just picked up the latest Star Wars book last Friday and it wasn't released until today. A lot of times I don't actually pay attention to specific street dates. If its on the shelf then as far as I'm concerned its fair game. Its the stores decision and responsiblity to know when things are suppose to be put out on the shelves and not the consumers.

[Nstar83]

I guess i wouldn't do it.I for some reason am lacking in certain minor moral qualitys while strongly on target an firm with others.If its not suppose to be out I'm not going to buy it early.If my friends with common interests saw me reading it found its not suppose to be out it could get more people out nabbing it an end up getting someone at the store in trouble in the long run.One copy sold early wouldn't be a big deal but i think multiples would, i wouldn't want to add to the chaos.

Side note for Star Wars

I'm still on the third book in the Dark Nest series,while i'm extremely happy that the books are still on going after the rumor i heard that NJO would end the extended universe novels for the future I guess i am really going to be a fool an shell out the 30 for the first hard cover of the "legacy of the Force series"I don't see it going to paper back anytime soon an I don't like ending up three books behind.

[Sabrina_Fried]

Nistar,

Amazon.ca has a listing for the paperback version of Betrayal saying it is going to be coming out on May 1 2007. Just search for ISBN 0345477359. So hold out if you can, or else do what I am doing: Put the hardcover on your bithday/holiday wish list and hope someone chooses to buy it FOR you ;)

Sabrina

[parrish]

I probably would by mistake, too, since I bought a DVD the weekend before it came out once, without knowing.

Buying it beforehand is much better than stealing it though.

[Valmore]

If, for some reason, the next "Song of Ice and fire" book managed to come out before the street date, I'd TOTALLY buy it on the spot.

However, since it takes Martin about 10 years in between books...

[alovelyfeeling]

Ofcourse! I would if it was a book i had been waiting for along time! :evilsmile

[twilight]

I would have no problem with that.

[atoningunifex]

I would and have. I bought one of the Carol O'Connell books four days before its street date. And I had no moral qualms whatsoever.

What's more, I know libraries in our library system routinely put things out before street date. The only time I know of there being any discussion on the matter was with the Harry Potter books. The publisher was quite...adamant...that not only should the books not be put out before street date but that no library staff touch the books until street date. There was a rather amusing letter that got passed aorund the office and resulted in most everyone going to the Harry Potter box and touching it and laughing.

I guess I don't see the big deal about buying before street date. It's not like the publishers are losing money. And 90% of books have already been read and reviewed before street date. basically all you're doing is messing with their publicity. They'll still take your money with a complete lack of gratitude.