From: "Jeff Bezos"
Subject: Important for Used Booksellers 

I'm writing on behalf of Amazon.com to request your help with
something I think is important to the used book industry.

As you may have read in the newspapers over the past few days, we've
been criticized by the leadership of a small, but vocal organization
because we sell used books on our website.  This group (which, by
the way, is the same organization that from time to time has
advocated charging public libraries royalties on books they loan
out) claims that we're damaging the book industry and authors by
offering used books to our customers.  They would have us stop
offering used books, or at least put them in a separate section of
our store instead of on our high traffic detail pages.

First, their assertion that used books hurt the book industry and
authors is not correct.  We've found that our used books business
does not take business away from the sale of new books.  In fact,
the opposite has happened.  Offering customers a lower-priced option
causes them to visit our site more frequently, which in turn leads
to higher sales of new books while encouraging customers to try
authors and genres they may not have otherwise tried.  In addition,
when a customer sells used books, it gives them a budget to buy more
new books.

Second, and perhaps more disturbing, is the implication that used
booksellers don't care about authors.  I'm sure this bothers you as
well, but let me be super-clear-- Amazon.com is now, and has always
been, supportive of and good for authors.  We do care about authors,
and the way we have operated our business demonstrates it.  From the
start, we've carried a broader selection of titles and authors than
anyone else, and we've expanded that selection through the years via
Amazon.com Advantage, a program that's introduced customers to
thousands of independent publishers and authors.  We've also helped
authors by discounting hundreds of thousands of titles by 30%
(rather than only discounting a select handful of New York Times
Bestsellers).

Third, when someone buys a book, they are also buying the right to
resell that book, to loan it out, or to even give it away if they
want.  Everyone understands this.

Finally, and most importantly, offering used books is simply good
for customers.  It makes out-of-print books available and other
books more affordable.  Making books affordable is a fundamental
good (as are libraries).  This is why we've worked so hard (with
used booksellers like you) to offer customers a huge selection of
used books-- and our customers have voted with their wallets that
they find this service valuable.  Why would any company that cares
about customers bury or hide a service that customers find valuable?

Here's where you can help.  Please write an email to the Executive
Director of the Authors Guild (the leadership of which orchestrated
this campaign) explaining how the sale of used books actually helps
the entire book industry.  Of course, a polite and civil tone is
appropriate-- these are good people who haven't had input on all
sides of this issue.  You may agree with the points above, or you
may have your own reasons, but please share them with the Authors
Guild.  If you make a living from selling used books, please mention
that too.  You can email the Authors Guild's Executive Director,
Paul Aiken, at:

staff@authorsguild.org 

(Please "cc" us at defend-used-books@amazon.com.)

Thanks for all your support and we look forward to continuing to
work with you to bring lower prices and better selection to our
customers.

Sincerely

Jeff Bezos
Founder and CEO
Amazon.com