Book Depository to be acquired by Amazon

It is a shame as reducing competition is a bad thing. I imagine Amazon will be dropping the free shipping it currently has to Australia once they have absorbed BD.

Realistically, Amazon is so big that it will always be able to consume anyone else that is a threat, just by virtue of having such deep pockets. Equally, I guess it sets a precedent for would-be businesses. If you can get the venture capital to set up a just-about-breaks-even site that gets big enough to be a thorn in Amazon's side, they will be forced to give you a giant pile of money to disappear.

I agree Stu, the free postage will probably go along with the great service..I have been receiving books from the Book Depository within 8 days of ordering them.. never had a problem

I alos hope they honour the prerelease orders that have already been placed.

Dior

Another article on this from theregister.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/07/ ... zon_buys_book_depository/

Perhaps recognizing the importance of the brand, the 900-pound gorilla has faithfully promised that it’s not going to squash The Book Depository brand. Customer disquiet has also led The Book Depository to reassure people that it will continue to operate independently.

Oh dear, competition authority is now getting involved.

http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/mergers/Mergers_Cases/2011/805523

It looks like anyone can express their views on this, not just UK nationals. I'll be sending them an email as I prefer having more competition to less.

Sadly, the chances of the OFT doing anything other than rubber stamping it are absolutely nil. I'm not sure if the OFT or the old MMC *ever* prevented any monopolies being formed.