Much much too expensive for what is effectively a printing and binding service, especially given the books are all freely available for download.
I suppose if there was a book I really really liked that was actually out of print, impossible to get, and looked really nice on the archive.org scans, and I wanted a physical version... maybe. But competing against mass produced cheap prints of these books, never.
I've always liked reading, but I don't get enough time to do it. If I didn't live a 40+ minute train ride from work, I'd probably never do it. I usually manage to get through a book and a bit a month, depending how long I get sucked into the newspaper-hole for.
My opinion of books (the physical product) has fallen to an all time low. I care nothing for collecting books. Almost any book I read, I read only once. If I do re-read a book, it will be at least a decade later, as I have a reading list that will probably last me the rest of my life without a single re-read.
I don't much like borrowing books from the library as I don't like to have a time limit. Nor do I like the responsibility of keeping the library book in good condition. I like throwing books in the bottom of my bag and forgetting them.
I hate reading off screen, so digital books have never appealed to me. The idea is nice, but I doubt any cheap ($30ish) reading device of the quality I'd want will be on the market in my lifetime. I particularly hate the implication that I should pay to print (or burn the CD for) any product I've already paid almost full price for.
I like paper backs (the cheapo sized ones). Hard covers tend to be too heavy. I have lame-o RSI wrists.
So I read with interest the idea of the "Book ATM" [The Age], being launched at Angus & Robertson bookstore. It provides (hopefully) what I want. Very cheap books, printed on demand in minutes.
No price is mentioned in The Age article (good job guys) but Time Magazine says, "The $50,000 machine could transform libraries into minibookstores, making hard-to-find titles as accessible as cappuccinos. At $3 a book they might be cheaper too."
Translate that to Australian money and tax and it's probably around $5 to $7. I'd be out of mind happy with that, spending similar money to import $1 books (+ $5 postage) from USA eBay booksales. (Note, cost is far more, see Update).
I just want to read the book. I care nothing for it's printing quality.
As long as it lasts about 10 years so I can read it again.