This archive report was first published on 6 September 2019.
Amazon's mistake has sparked outrage among independent booksellers, who feel the online retailer has undercut their ability to turn a profit.
Josh Christie, co-owner of Print: A Bookstore in Portland, Maine, signed an affidavit to keep Margaret Atwood's 'The Testaments' in a monitored and locked location until its official release date of September 10. However, some Amazon buyers had already received copies of the book a week before the release date.
Rebecca George, owner of Volumes Bookcafe in Chicago, expressed her frustration with Amazon's actions, saying, 'They are their own monopoly of chaos.' She hoped Amazon would face a fine for violating embargoes.
Amazon blamed the mistake on a technical error, but the company's response only stoked resentment among independent booksellers.
On Thursday evening, 'The Testaments' moved to the top of Amazon's best-seller list, surpassing 'Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead' by former defense secretary Jim Mattis.
Independent booksellers are also concerned that the early release of the book could lead customers to buy it from Amazon instead of their stores.
As one bookseller noted, 'If a bunch of people are showing they have their copy, a lot of misinformed people will go and order from Amazon.'
