Getting Rogue
According to Newsweek, Amazon.com and Wal-Mart are now in a bidding war to lowball Sarah Palin's memoir, Going Rogue. Newsweek reports that Amazon originally listed the book at its cover price of $28.99; I actually doubt this is the case, since Amazon almost always shaves a bit off the price to start with--I suspect they probably were initially offering the book around the fifteen-dollar price point. Regardless, it seems Wal-Mart then offered the book for presale at ten bucks, leading Amazon to drop their price to $9.00, leading inevitably to Wal-Mart offering the book for $8.98. Will Amazon match the bid?I'd like to think so; in fact, I'd like to see this followed to its inevitable conclusion. There's an old standard joke about some things looking like they'll be so awful "I wouldn't read/watch/listen to that if they paid me!" Let me say for the record, I'm not proud and I can always use beer money: I will happily accept a copy of Going Rogue if either Wal-Mart or Amazon pays me $28.99 to do so. (I have selected this amount based on the cover price for the book--it should go without saying if either retailer or any other bookseller wishes to pay me more than that to give me a copy of Going Rogue, I won't decline.)
Now, obviously, the purchase of a book doesn't obligate one to read it or even keep it. But I will even go a step further in my offer to book retailers. First, I will be willing to accept multiple copies of Going Rogue accompanied by cash or checks (I regret that I cannot reciprocate most retailers' willingness to accept major credit cards at this time, and Discover is completely out of the question). Second, I will keep these copies of Going Rogue for a reasonable amount of time before giving them away or exchanging them for credit at one of the used bookstores within a short distance of my home. And, third, yes, I will actually read a copy of the book (it would be redundant to read multiple copies, however). It shouldn't take more than an afternoon, right?
How proactive do you think I need to be? Should I wait until Wal-Mart and Amazon list the book at a negative dollar value, or should I wait until they contact me with their payment and delivery information? It's a novel situation, understand. Either way, I look forward to drinking beer. Oh, and the book. Also. Of course. Sure, why not?
Comments
Margaret and Helen did a fabulous, snarktastic job of that with Ann Coulter's book.
Eric, I'd be happy to send you a nice 6 pack of Stone Ruination IPA and a copy of the book, along with a certified check for $8.98. BUT, one caveat...I would like a book report within one week.
Just email me your address; remember, Fed Ex won't ship to a PO Box. (Something about the goverment being such a worthy competitor in their business arena).
Janiece, same goes for you.. A nice box of wine, perhaps?
Now, how do you want to approach the next step? (I've intentionally not left an e-mail address here in the past and would rather not change the policy; however, several UCFers with public e-mail addresses do know how to get in touch with me if you want to approach them.)
Understand, my possessing a copy of, reading, and reviewing Sarah Palin's Going Rogue is contingent on receiving a copy of the book along with suitable advance payment consisting of either:
1) The cover price of $28.99 as set forth in the original post, or;
2) The adequate alternative of one six pack of Stone Ruination IPA and $8.98 (payable in certified check or money order).
Review of said book will appear on this blog within one week of receipt, along with appropriate disclaimers of compensation received, etc.
A picture can certainly be arranged, though you may have to settle for a smirk.
I'll provide you with a mailing address once I've settled the beer situation. No review without brew. (If nothing else, I may need to place the cold bottle against my forehead to try to cure a Palin-triggered headache.)
Dave's earlier message read:
Leanright said...
Well, I don't feel much like searching to find out if I can have booze shipped out of state, so, perhaps a $15 Gift Card for BevMo, and I will trust that you partake in this fantastic brew on your honor, I will happily preorder the book, since I too will be ordering one for me, I might as well order two.
That along with an $8.98 certified, or cashier's check, all sent to whatever address you would like. Should you take my offer, simply email me at
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX@gmail.com
When the book is out, I will do my best to live up to my end of the bargain ASAP.
Could be fun.
October 26, 2009 5:51 PM
Can I say for the 47,000th time that I am enjoying having a president that is smarter than I am?
Sorry, I just couldn't help myself.
I look forward to your beer shipping research, although I would like to keep this as legal as possible. I prefer to not ship what I am legally not ALLOWED to ship, thus my offer of a gift card. I would be willing to go to $20 on the gift card, along with the book, and $8.98 in certified check or cashier's check. I will send said check and gift card with the book.
All you would need to do is pick up this scrumptious 6 pack on your own. I'm sure you will need all 6 to make the book palatable.
Cheers, my friend on the left.
You
What?
Dave: some preliminary research indicates that a number of online beer retailers will ship to North Carolina, including Beer On The Wall et al.. I'll leave it to you to find a retailer who you feel comfortable with who will make the delivery and charges a shipping rate you feel is appropriate. Google brings up a number of possibilities; I just recommend you check the retailer's FAQ for shipping limitations (if any). I'll drop you a line tomorrow via e-mail with my mailing address.
If this challenge is too much for you to bear, then it's certainly not too late for you to back out. I won't hold it against you.
I just wanted to see how little it would cost me to get a liberal to read "Rogue". Let's see, $10.00 for the book times 2, one for buying it, one for paying you to read it, $15.00 for the beer, and probably $10.00 ground shipping for everything....Eric would basically be willing to spend a few days or so of his life reading Sarah Palin's book for only...$45.00.
Deal of a lifetime and a story I can tell for generations.
Honestly, I feel like the one taking you for a ride, Dave. I'll be shocked if the book is anything more than the usual banal, superficial political bio or if it takes more than a few hours to read.
I know the torture for you will be SO much greater than for me...provided that 6 bottles make it to you unbroken.
I'd like your thoughts on the beer as well. I'm and IPA aficionado, and you've told me in the past that you enjoy IPA's as well.
By the way, one of the best is, I believe from a brewery in Delaware, check out www.dogfish.com