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Report: Amazon Changed Price of the Bible over 100 Times in Five-Year Period

  • Amanda Casanova

    Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and…

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  • Updated Jan 21, 2015

Amazon has changed the price of the King James version of the Bible more than 100 times since May 2010, according to data.

According to the price-tracking site Camelcamelcamel, the price changes have ranged from $8.49 to the highest price of $16.99.

Amazon’s pricing structure, which is presumed to be automated, typically responds to product demand among other factors.  Amazon spokesman Scott Stanzel wouldn’t detail how the pricing works, but he told Quartz that is has a “cost structure that allows us to adjust our pricing quickly.” 

According to the data, the single largest price shift took place about the same time the world was predicted to end in December 2012. The bible price also jumped some during the airing of The History Channel’s miniseries “The Bible,” which premiered in March 2013.

The dynamic pricing structure has also been used on other holy books, including the Koran and Torah.

Amazon typically changes prices to test the demand for products or outdo competitor prices on best-selling items. Usually, Amazon changes the price on up to 80 million items on its website throughout a single day, particularly during the holiday season, according to Forbes Magazine.

Publication date: January 21, 2015