Buying discount books online
I love love love buying books. There’s just something about looking at pretty cover designs, eyeing off what other shoppers are buying, seeing what’s in the top ten list.
My favourite bookshop is Better Read Than Dead in Newtown. It’s obvious that the staff are book nerds and the front of the shop is full of books personally recommended by them.
Unfortunately, Better Read Than Dead is on the expensive side. I’ve tried buying books secondhand from places like Berkelouw but I seem to be allergic to every book I buy from secondhand bookshops. It’s no fun having a minor asthmatic attack when trying to read Ruth Park’s Harp in the South.
Luckily, there are a couple of great online bookshops that can make book shopping a bit more affordable:
FishPond - Australian
FishPond claims to be Australia’s biggest bookstore with a guarantee that all prices are better than Amazon. The books I have been wanting to buy were about $5.00 cheaper than RRP. FishPond also sells gaming consoles and games and offers free shipping on all orders over $50.00. I have numerous friends who buy from FishPond and have been incredibly happy with the experience.
BookDepository – International
BookDepository is UK-based online bookstore with free international shipping. Seriously! I bought two books from BookDepository and even with the exchange rate I saved well over $20.00 on the total order. The free shipping was the icing on the cake, and the first half of my order arrived within 10 days – not bad for an order from the other side of the planet!
I have to confess that while I’m great at buying books, I’m not so good at reading them. I always fall back to old favourites like Down Under by Bill Bryson. I’ve read it about 10 times and I never tire of it.
What’s your “old favourite” book that you could read over and over again?
Postscript: I hadn’t heard of Booko until you all started telling me about it – and it’s great! It compares book and DVD prices for you, including shipping. Well worth checking out
Love books too, when I am in the mood, often read them in one sitting.
I like using http http://www.booko.com.au for finding the cheapest place to buy your books, Big W online is a great one.
I have a million favourite ‘old’ books, but Judy Blume’s Summer Sisters is the one that springs to mind. Typical trashy coming of age story.
Quick comment on the shops you’ve listed above – have used both and find Book Depository is generally much quicker. Fishpond orders have taken up to 4 weeks to get to me (for ones that claim dispatch in 2-4 days), whereas Book Depository have gotten them to me (from the UK to Oz) in 4 working days (order on a Thursday, receive Tuesday / Wednesday, at worst Thursday). I TRY and buy Aussie, so if the prices are similar and I’m in no rush for the book I’ll Fishpond it, otherwise the Depository wins out every time :)
.-= sharkcrow´s last blog ..Hypothetical Thailand Trip =-.
Call me ‘Pollyanna’ …I love Anne of Green Gables series -though haven’t read it in years.
I read whatever comes to me by chance in the quick pics on the trolley at the library I find heaps of good reads …
.-= trish´s last blog ..My status … =-.
I’ve taken to using booko.com.au to find the best price. Mostly it is Book Depository – who have excellent customer service by the way.
sharkcrow – interesting about Fishpond’s shipping, I’ll have to keep it in mind when shopping around
trish – i always wanted to love the green gables series, but never got into them
leigh/nick – i’ve edit the post to include booko – thanks!