The fact that paperbacks didn't come out until months after the hardcover came out? I mean, this is what my parents told me the deal with hardcover books was in the 1980s, but it's not like it's hard to figure it out.
But are you claiming form factor is not part of the price at all? If so, how do you explain it for books that have both versions actively in print?
Or especially if I'm going to gift it to someone who really wants it.