why are engineering books much costlier in US than India?

Question

e.g. EDC by david a bell costs rs 325 in india( published by Prentice-Hall of India), where as the original US edition( Published by Prentice-HAll USA) of the same costs nearly rs 3000. There is no change in the content. Both copies are genuine

Is it because the indian market is bigger? Atleast the technology books market

There is absolutely no change in the two editions. Both are paperback. The paper too, by mere observation appears to be of same quality

Answer 1

Prentice Hall of India reprints the books in India. If you look at the production quality (paper, illustrations usually b&w or missing) etc. you will see that it is not exactly the *same book*.

Then, please remember that a very great proportion of the cost of a book is the distribution cost (inventory carrying costs, shipping, distributor and dealer margins). Since these costs are proportionaltly less in India, (Rupees vs. Dollars), that also contributed to loessening the cost.

I do agree that the 'enlightened self-interest' of the publisher in wanting to curb piracy losses, is another factor in reducing the rates!

Answer 2

I think publishers fear that people in other countries will steal the books anyway (by photocopying them), so they offer them at lower prices. Something is better than nothing, after all. The lower priced edition will likely be on cheap paper or something, but it'll be the same content. The books probably cost about the same relative to the cost of living in the country in which they're sold.

Answer 3

Actually, it has to do with the fact that the US editors and publishers get a bigger cut of the sales than in other countries. That's why you're technically not allowed to buy or sell the "international edition" in the US, because the publishers are missing out on that money.

Answer 4

Price is governed by supply and demand. The main difference is likely that the supply of money per capita is much higher so publishers can make a larger profit in the US. If the prices were that high in India they likely would not sell enough copies.

Answer 5

Oh that is funny. They were expensive back when i was in school 10 years ago, can't imagine what they are now.

I found my professors would often make us buy their own book- which would be ridiculously expensive.

I went to a private college, do you? I think public universities legally must choose lower priced texts. That could explain a piece of the price difference.

Grad schoool doesnt get any better!

Answer 6

Because in us it value of these books but in India not

Answer 7

Because the books in the U.S. are printed in English...

Answer 8

us -- bonafide copies

india -- pirated copies (so can sell for cheap)

Answer 9

My guess.... Greed.