Now as an author, I know the cover art is extremely important to get the casual reader to ‘pick up the book’ or rather ‘click on the link’ so the copy can keep their attention. There are tradeoffs on what artwork you can get and then there are the infinite opinions on what art is good art for that cover. In the end .. does the art portray the material? And does it create a little bit of it’s own story, it’s own intrigue, to capture reader? That is the challenge. Of course, there are now the Book Trailers:

The Black Jewel

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I buy a lot of books but when I do, it’s usually a book I’ve already read. I tend to read things first either from the library or borrowing from a friend. So when I purchase a book, it’s either one I know I love, or if I haven’t read it, it’s the next in a series/by an author whose work I already know. So, covers DO make a difference to me. Since I’ve often already read the books already, owning a copy has two purposes – I have a copy to re-read and lend out, but mostly it’s because I’m saying “hey, I love this book enough to own it and display it on my shelf.” Some of my favorite books I don’t even own because there isn’t a version that wow’d me.

A couple of months ago, I bought a bunch of sci-fi classics for my fiancé. I spend days digging around amazon, trying to find the coolest versions with the best covers. Some of the currently published versions were so hideous (here’s one example – I literally could NOT justify spending money on THAT.)
That said, publishers should always put effort into their covers. There’s no reason not to improve upon covers, lest people prefer to buy an used version/cover (which won’t make them money).

One trend I’ve noticed that I really love, is publishers re-releasing replicas of first edition (or other popular) covers (the best example I can think of off the top of my head would be The Hobbit) It’s a smart move because there’s a nostalgia factor and people who buy books for aesthetics love it as well.