A pricing scheme

[benlehman]

Nathan proposed this to me as a pricing scheme for Drifter's Escape. Sadly, I've already done a lot of selling of the books at the present price point, but it's worthwhile to think about for future endeavors.

The pricing scheme is as such:
Two paypal buttons. One $10 + SH, one $20 + SH. The $10 button is labeled "reduced rate for poor people." The $20 button is labeled "standard rate for middle class and wealthy people."

So, I'll ask you: What are your thoughts on this? Why? Would this excite you or turn you off? Which button would you pick and why?

Comments

The story of price

[amberley.livejournal.com]

Or label them as $10 for People Beholden to the Devil, and $20 for People Beholden to The Man.

The way you've phrased it is very offputting to me but I might buy a copy just because of that.

Books are good at offering different value propositions, from mass market paperbacks all the way up to lettered limited editions, and part of their sales story is how well they integrate into the stories people tell themselves about the kind of person they are, but I should be headed to Gamestorm instead of expanding on that idea in livejournal.

The higher price point would be more palatable if it either included an extra (signed, numbered, or some kind of extra, whatever), or was explicitly a "Pay double and I'll give one away free to someone who'll enjoy it."

Cory Doctorow posts all his books free on the Internet, but he also has a page set up where people can donate copies of Little Brother to schools and libraries by way of thanks.

"I like your work so much I want to share it with others" has a much higher appeal (to me, anyway) than "I feel guilty about doing well so I'm willing to pay extra for nothing." Others' milage may vary.

Also, you shouldn't feel that just because you've been selling them for $15 they're stuck at that price point forever. People who bought them for that (including me) must have felt it was worth it, so if you charge less or more in the future, that has no effect on their sunk costs.

Re: The story of price

[kitsuchan.livejournal.com]

I think there are plenty of people in the game who would qualify for the hardship rate and are still beholden to the man.

Re: The story of price

[(Anonymous)]

And plenty of folk beholden to the Devil got the $20