2023-10-11 10:21:23
You’ve been hearing about the book by Panayotis Pascot, aka the new literary sensation, for several weeks, and you’ve been planning to order it on the Internet. If you did it several days ago, you will pay 19.50 euros, the price of the book. On the other hand, if you purchased it from Saturday October 7, count the price of the book + that of delivery which will amount to 3 euros, for a total of 22.50 euros. Indeed, the entry into force of the Darcos law decree imposes delivery costs of 3 euros for any book order below 35 euros. This measure would favor bookstores against online sales giants like Amazon and Fnac. If the idea seems good (favoring local rather than multinationals), we surveyed our readers to find out their opinion and find out if this would change their consumption patterns. And the least we can say is that this one is not unanimous!
“Another measure made for sores! » Bernard raises the tone and highlights the divide that the decree produces between urban and rural dwellers. In fact, it does not have the same impact for those who live near bookstores, in town, and others who sometimes have to travel several kilometers by car to get to their business. Devi drives the point home: “It’s a measure thought up by “city people”, disconnected from the real world of millions of others. The first bookstore is 30 km from my house and I never find what I need. » Same story for Silver: “Another law for Parisians. I refuse to drive two hours to town only to be told when I arrive that there is no more stock and that I have to order. » Philippe puts forward the argument of essence: “On Amazon, I am sure to find what I am looking for. No need to travel for anything, no gas or parking costs! » Michel summarizes: “Once again we think global and not local. For city dwellers this is not a big deal because access to culture is easy. For those who live in the countryside or in small towns, this access is often via the Internet. Three euros for a paperback book is 50% more of the price! »
“Nothing is done for people with disabilities”
Among the readers who testify, several people with disabilities speak of “double punishment”. That of being in reduced mobility and being “financially penalized” for that. This is the case of Patrick for whom “ [se] moving to a bookstore is not easy” and who, in addition, “gets specialized books” that his bookstore does not have in stock. He has no choice but to order on the Internet, “I am doubly penalized by this law”. Jean, also disabled, will be “forced to group together [ses] purchases, this [qu’il faisait] already for ecological reasons. » He nevertheless finds it unfortunate that other people in his situation who buy fewer books find themselves harmed and are forced to reduce their literary purchases. Aurélien has chosen to no longer order on the Internet. He who is used to “receiving books in his mailbox”. He regrets the way in which people in his situation are treated: “Absolutely nothing is done in this country for the disabled, no more benches in Paris, inaccessible metro, inaccessible bus and now books too expensive…”
If the question of travel comes up often, our readers are also concerned about finding specialized books, in a foreign language, or less mainstream. Alain, a hypnotherapist by profession, frequently buys his books on Amazon. “It is true that bookstores offer the advantage of leafing through books before purchasing them, but unfortunately, the works I am looking for are often not available in stores, which requires ordering them. » He plans to continue to favor the platform, because “under these conditions, [il] it is [voit] not really the point of doing [ses] purchases in bookstores. The same goes for Noémie, a fervent reader in the original version, who is used to buying her books on the Internet as in the city where she is “the bookstores only have the original versions of Harry Potter or the preparatory program”. With the increase in the delivery price, it will undoubtedly go through an American online bookstore: “It will take a month but it will be cheaper”.
Impulse purchases give way to large orders
So, starting Saturday, how will our readers react? For the majority, no more impromptu purchases of a book on the Internet, the rule is now large orders. “I’m just going to group my purchases together to exceed 35 euros and continue not to pay shipping costs,” explains Marion. “The measure will just break the purchase of books individually on a whim and given the current situation, I am not sure that many people will go up to 35 euros for purchases,” she regrets. “I’m afraid that book sales will suffer from this new tax, because I doubt that it will benefit bookstores that much. » Pierre-Hugo* remains positive: “With delivery at 3 euros, I will buy several books to get to 35 euros. It won’t be lost since I read every day.” Thelma is also thinking of “making baskets on hold and triggering the order at 35 euros”. “But whatever happens, I think I’m going to buy less because I’m going to make fewer impulsive purchases! »
Cyril, a young 23-year-old bookseller, asks his fellow citizens: “Now that shipping costs will systematically apply, why deprive yourself of paying less and contributing to the dynamism of French independent bookstores? » He particularly emphasizes the personalized advice from booksellers which makes the difference. “From my point of view, it is therefore a measure which will not necessarily change much, except that it is still an additional incentive to turn away from the large companies which monopolize online commerce. »
*The first name has been changed
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