Later on in the night, the news reports on local free-to-air TV announced that MPH, Times and Popular bookstores in Malaysia were withdrawing their copies of the long-awaited seventh Harry Potter book and returning them to their publisher in the States(reported to be around 53,000 copies). Anyone who pre-ordered the book can still claim their copies or ask for a full refund.
This last minute announcement was due to the fact that two hypermarket chains (Tesco and Carrefour) were selling the exact same book (adult and child versions) at vastly discounted prices. You can get a copy of the said book for only RM69.90 in comparison with the RM109.90 price in regular bookstores. Earlier volumes of the Harry Potter series are sold at even cheaper prices (from RM19.90 to RM24.90). Even with the 20% members discount and early pre-order, it is still more expensive than the hypermarkets and therefore instead of competing for readers, they've collectively decided to withdraw.
This is the exact text email from Times Bookstores, sent at 11p.m. 20th July 2007.
Due to factors beyond our control, we regret to inform you that Times bookstores will NOT be selling Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows.
If you've already made a pre-order and paid for it, you may still pick up your copy from your pre-selected Times outlet (free tote bag given on a first come first served basis) from 7:01am on July 21. However, if you’d like a refund, we’d be happy to do so.
We apologize for this inconvenience caused, and thank you for your kind understanding.
Sincerely,
Times The Bookshop Pte Ltd
While the following was posted on the respective bookstore's online websites in reference to the local publishing distributor for the books.
With effective from 21 July 2007, Harry Potter 7 will not be available for sale in the following bookstores nationwide in Malaysia:
1. MPH Bookstores
2. Popular and Harris Bookstores
3. Times the Bookshop
We will honour the sale to customers who have pre-booked. The book can be collected from the shops from 21 July 2007 onwards.
All activities related to the launch of HP7 in the above stores have been cancelled.
We apologise for the cancellation of the activities and any inconvenience caused. Any queries with regards to this book, please refer directly to the sole distributor in Malaysia
Penguin Books Malaysia
Lot 2 Jalan 215
Off Jalan Templer
46050 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-7782 0466 Fax: 03-7784 1739
From the managements of:
MPH BOOKSTORES (M)SDN BHD
POPULAR BOOK CO (M) SDN BHD
TIMES THE BOOKSHOP PTE LTD
And at the press conference earlier in the day
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/20/nation/20070720172429&sec=nation
I'm guessing tomorrow might be another wierd day as fans might find it hard to buy the book since they are now only sold in the above mentioned hypermarkets, Kinokuniya and Borders only. The ads from Tesco and Carrefour are shown below. Amazing full colour ad from Tesco too showing the price of all seven books.
Tesco full page colour ad
Carrefour half-page B&W ad
..... Show/hide full post
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