when ebooks barely cost less than physical volumes without any of the utility, that’s absolutely scammy.

Not sure how it is for you, but most of the e-books are at least half the price of the physical volumes where I live. The only exception is the publisher Seven Seas, which is more 3/4 of the price. For example, Demon Slayer is 12 euros physical, but 6 euros digital.

And e-books definitely have utility, like no need for storage space. They’re also easier for travel, since it all fits on one device.