American readers were puzzled to find out that some e-books are more expensive than the same books in hardback. They do not know who is to blame for it. The New York Times quoted the letters of the confused customers who want to know the reasons for it.

While readers shift blame on the publishers, and that seems to be more reasonable that blaming the author, others blame Amazon for it. Refusing to use the Kindle they acquired to read the books the customers now have to overpay for digital versions of the books and they make the choice in favor of hardcover. People can’t understand why digital download is more expensive than printed book.

This is not quite correct to make Amazon responsible for it as the company had multiple arguments with the publishers lately concerning the price.

The situation, when the price for digital download is higher than for traditional book, is more frequent for the United States than Great Britain.

But the circumstances are not that simple as they seem to be. The matter is that e-books have to pay VAT and this does not refer to printed books.  On the other hand there are other books sold under the same conditions and they are sold for less than printed versions. Therefore the confusion remains. The customers instinctively think that books in hardback should be more expensive as printing, packing and shipping cost more in addition to other expenditures involved. However, the market will determine the price and not the customers.