KPSS 2008 Soru=52

By the words “this puzzle” in the text, the author is referring to the fact that ----.

Most books are published in two forms – hardback
and paperback – the paperback edition being
published and available for sale several weeks or
months later than the hardback edition. The cost of
producing a hardback book is only about 20% higher
than the cost of producing the same book as a
paperback, but the price of a hardback book is about
three times the price of a paperback book. Why? The
key to solving this puzzle is the fact that hardback
books are published first, followed by the paperback
edition. Booksellers use hardbacks and paperbacks
to distinguish between two types of consumers: those
who are willing to pay a lot and those who are willing
to pay a little. The people who are willing to pay the
most are eager to read the book as soon as it comes
out, so they pay $24 for a hardback book. The people
who are willing to pay less are more patient and are
willing to wait a few months for the $8 paperback
version. The pricing of hardback and paperback
books is an example of price discrimination, in which
certain people are prepared to pay a higher price for
what they want.