Online Book Store Comparison
I’ve been looking at getting a couple of brewing books and have just been through the tedious exercise of comparing prices. Not sure whether the results would be similar if I was looking for popular novels instead.
Here are the prices in NZ dollars and including shipping:
Amazon — $61.24
Morebeer — $109.26
Whitcoulls — $59.00
Mighty Ape — $73.98
Fishpond — $84.96
The Nile — $66.48
Seek Books — (Didn’t have both books)
Goodbooks — $69.98
Whitcoulls wins but is closely followed by Amazon which puts the other NZ book stores to shame. If you know of a good alternative please feel free to share.
[**edit**]
David, in the comments, informs me of The Book Depository over in the UK who beat the rest at ~$54.00 including delivery.
Tags: amazon, book stores, whitcoulls
It should be noted that Goodbooks donates all profits to Oxfam which may influence any buying decision. And it’s $15 less than Fishpond at that.
The Book Depository (1,2) just shades whitcools at $54 using todays exchange rate.
They’re usually a good place to hunt down slightly odd books. No built in charity though
Wow! That’s pretty impressive. Thanks for that. Amazing that they’ll ship to NZ for free and that they can come in under any NZ stores. Looks like I’ve found a new favourite store.
I heard about the Book Depository just weeks ago, and have used them once – they do seem the cheapest.
Here’s an idea, Damian.
Write to the publisher requesting a review copy. Have a read and then post a review on your blog.
Cost nothing. Your review will also help others.
Doesn’t work with all publishers but most are just pleased to get reviews out there. You get to help inform others. And often get the book before it appears in the usual outlets.
Hmmmm, a good idea indeed. Though I guess it stand more chance of success if I had already been reviewing books here and if I had a readership of over, say, three.
I’ll keep that approach in mind.
Is that pretty much what you’re doing when you review all those books on your site?
Yes, it is Damian. And, as I found, you have to start somewhere.
But these days I very rarely buy a book – and when I do I find I have no time to read it because I have another pile I feel committed to because they were free!