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Dear John:

Why are UK editions more expensive than US editions? - P. Lange

John Replies:

There are lots of reasons UK editions are more expensive. First, dollars vs. pounds sterling. The exchange rate favors the UK. Next, transportation costs. It's expensive to bring books from the UK to the US and vice versa. Finally, the cover price typically favors the UK market. And, we might add, relative scarcity will affect prices. Very few dealers are willing to risk buying UK editions because if they don't sell they cannot be returned to the publisher.

The market prices on UK imprints of popular books do tend to appreciate at a faster rate than their US counter-parts.

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