On Amazon it was possible to receive your order of books at home by paying only € 0.01. The era of the virtually free is now is about to end. Indeed, Emmanuel Macron’s government has decided to introduce a minimum fee of 3 € for shipping costs.
The end of free book delivery (less than € 35)
In the September 23 issue, The echoes so announced that for receive your books ordered on Amazonnow it will be necessary to pay € 3. There will be one exception to this rule: if the total amount of the basket exceeds the € 35and if it does not contain just booksthen the shipping costs will amount to a penny.
The government followed the opinion of the Authority for Electronic Communications, Post and Press Distribution (Arce), an administrative authority that regulates the posts and distribution of the press.
A ruling against Amazon deemed insufficient by bookstores
This new law comes after long months of conflicts between libraries and Amazon, the latter accused of looting the book market. It aims to achieve a better balance between the e-commerce giant and independent structures.
However, the measure was very well received unfavorable by the booksellers: according to them the price set by the new provision is firm too short. According to The echoesbookstores wanted the delivery price on Amazon to be set at € 4.5, justifying this price by the fact that their shipping costs amounted to more than € 7.
The Syndicat de la Librairie Française spoke about it in a press release published on 23 September:
The purpose of this law (…) was to rebalance the conditions of competition in the book delivery market and then enable booksellers in order to develop their presence on the internet.
The government’s decision unfortunately it will not achieve these goals. The retained thresholds (3 euros up to 35 euros of purchase, 0.01 euros over) will lead booksellers to continue to systematically sell at a loss if they ship the books to the customer’s door.
Ultimately, this measure seems dissatisfaction of the two parties to the conflict while upsetting consumption habits in a context inflation. Whether it will take the step remains to be seen the European Commission will come into effect next summer.
Featured Image Credit: © Toa Hetfiba / Unsplash
Source: Madmoizelle
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
