I just received a Nook for Father's Day and I suspect that I was one of many. Even though I had some struggles yesterday with set-up, I eventually got through it and have been pretty happy since.
Until now. For B&N to market the Nook that heavily for Father's Day and to then dramatically change pricing the next day is just wrong and short sighted. I realize how this works. Someone in the marketing team said let's use this one last promotion to get those sitting on the fence who haven't yet bought but who can be nudged to buy. (Or in this case, their wives/kids to buy.) And then we can use pricing to increase penetration for the segment below the current price point. If we had changed pricing prior to Father's Day, we might have risked cannibalizing some of that revenue.
Just one problem, though. I went from pretty happy to really annoyed. I went from being a promoter to being a detractor. And I suspect I'm not the only one.
This reminds me of when Apple launched the iPhone and then radically changed their pricing shortly thereafter ... and promptly alienated their most loyal early adopters.
So I applaud the price change, but their timing stinks and I don't think it was coincidental.
Barnes & Noble cut prices for its nook e-reader from $259 to $199 and introduced a $149 Wi-Fi version in a move to put pressure on Amazon’s Kindle and grab more market share.
The move is likely to put Amazon on the defensive and the e-commerce giant appears to have been 
either caught flat-footed or resting on its early Kindle lead. Many folks have noted that Apple’s iPad is a dedicated e-reader killer, but let’s exclude Steve Jobs & Co. from the picture. Even excluding Apple, Amazon looks a bit behind the curve on e-readers.
Update: Amazon cut the Kindle price to $189.
Consider the following:
- Barnes & Noble is using its stores for nook distribution and has integrated the device with its retail experience nicely. Barnes & Noble also inked a distribution deal with Best Buy.
- Sony’s Reader franchise also enjoys broad distribution and hits multiple price points ranging from $169.99 to $349.99.
- Meanwhile, Amazon lacks a Wi-Fi only option and will run you $259. Amazon did do a retail distribution deal with Target and has only just started running ads to promote the Kindle. These ads also indicate that Amazon needs to promote the Kindle more. Before the nook, iPad and better competition, you’d never see Amazon promoting the Kindle in the back of Business Week and other magazines and on TV.
And now Amazon is going to look like its playing defense again. Amazon will have to cut prices. I’ve been researching e-readers for a few weeks now. The difference between the $259 price point and $199 is huge. At $199 and lower, you figure you can get ROI in a year while you ponder whether you want or need an iPad (assuming you primarily intend the device to be for reading). Sony with its multiple price points was gaining traction in my little buying/research experiment.
Now the nook may be back on the table. The Wi-Fi version—the current nook minus 3G—will offer complementary AT&T hotspots and at $149 looks like a good deal.
The big point here is that Amazon’s Kindle is off the table at $259—unless of course that price falls.
Simply put price matters, but ultimately Amazon needs to cook up Kindle 3 and quickly. If Amazon doesn’t move the needle again on e-reader innovation it’s going to be stuck playing a game where price is the only real differentiation.
Stifel Nicolaus analyst George Askew said in a recent research note:
We believe Kindle’s retail presence signals a need for Amazon to combat the popularity of Apple’s iPad. The Target partnership provides Amazon the ability to display the Kindle to consumers in a physical retail environment. We believe that Kindle’s availability at Target should mitigate competition from Sony’s eReaders. Sony sells multiple eReaders through Target at price points of $169.99 and $199.99. The pricing difference notwithstanding, we believe that Amazon’s eBook network, and wireless connectivity, make it an attractive alternative to Sony’s eReaders.
Update: There are a lot of questions about nook purchases at the $259 price point. Here’s what Barnes & Noble had to say:
Also, noted that some of the comments are asking about recent purchases. You may want let those readers know that customers who are within the 14 day return policy period can contact customer service or see their local B&N store manager. Barnes & Noble will gladly provide them with a $10 refund — the difference between the $259 purchase price, free $50 gift card, and new $199 price.
More:
