Why don't I order off of Amazon more often?

[autumnpalm]

So I was at the bookstore today and I found a number of books I wanted to buy. Most were hardcover/new releases and pretty expensive. I was really tempted to buy them in the store but decided to wait until I got home to see if they were cheaper online. I just got finished ordering the books off of Amazon.ca and saved over $100.00!

I will admit, I'm a little impatient and wish I didn't have to wait the 2-3 business days but... the shipping was free so I guess I can't complain, right? I was so surprised to see how much cheaper they were online. I checked the prices on Chapters.ca (Canadian bookstore) and they were basically the same. I am never buying books in a bookstore again unless it's a used bookstore! I buy a LOT of books and am now kind of cringing as I realize how much money I could have saved had I been a little less impulsive at the store over the years. Seriously, I could probably pay for a weeklong stay at the Grand Floridian!

Am I the only one who didn't know this?

 

[themilesfamily]

If you like Amazon, I just wanted to recommend getting the Amazon credit card. One of the perks is you accumulate points for using it and when you get a certain number of points, they send you a $25 gift card to use at Amazon.com.

You get points for anything you pay for on the card -- and it's something like triple the points if you use it to buy something on Amazon. I'm getting $25 gc's all the time and we've gotten so much free merchandise! I also use it a lot because it has the lowest interest rate of all my cards, (although I try to pay off my CC's every month, anyway!!)

 

[autumnpalm]

Ooh, do you know if Amazon CCs are available in Canada? I'll look into that!

Although goodness knows the LAST thing I need is another credit card!

 

[minniecarousel]

I just ordered Mousejunkies on Amazon, since I can't find it in a local bookstore. Since I wanted free super-saver shipping, DH suggested 2 copies of a local history book for our sons for Christmas. (DH's ancestors were early settlers in this area.) May as well get them now.

 

[autumnpalm]

Oooh I just bought Mousejunkies the other day (at the bookstore, paid full price) but I haven't started it yet. I've read so much about it on the DIS that I couldn't resist! My grandparents are going on a trip to Disney soon, so I'm going to give it to them once I'm done so they will hopefully be bitten by the Disney "bug" before they get there!

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh yes, Amazon is good. Little note...I spent today at the company picnic, b/c hubby works there, and it's where we met at a work party after he became my Lead. Possible bias.

Have you considered...a Kindle? Is it available in Canada yet? I was a big naysayer of the thing until I held one and played with it for 5 minutes...now I await the day I can sell most of the paper books in my bookshelves, use those shelves for other things, and just read up a storm in the super-cool gadget that a few months ago I laughed at heartily.

 

[FireDancer]

I love Amazon and have purchased the majority of my books there. I have also purchased a lot of other things there like running and cycling equipment (mostly clothing and accessories) and computer parts.

They are a really good company and as far as online goes on of the best retailers out there.

 

[pogo791]

[ . . . ] I am never buying books in a bookstore again unless it's a used bookstore! I buy a LOT of books and am now kind of cringing as I realize how much money I could have saved had I been a little less impulsive at the store over the years. Seriously, I could probably pay for a weeklong stay at the Grand Floridian!

Am I the only one who didn't know this?

Amazon is great when you know what book you want, and you want to save money.

But both Amazon and bookstores have their place in my life. Between the two of us, DW and I probably buy about fifty books a year (and yes, they add up. You should see how our floor-to-ceiling shelves are overflowing ... ) Almost all of them were bought in a bookstore.

When ordering through Amazon, you can't leaf through the book to see if it's interesting or not. But most important, you can't apply the serendipity principle. We love to ramble around the shelves and tables at bookstores, sniffing around to see what looks good. I've come out with many fascinating books over the years, on topics ranging from the history of religion, to the sociology of food, and the economics of fashion. Weird stuff, which I would never have gone in to get. With Amazon, it's difficult to scroll through the site to see if there is something new that you (or DW) might be interested in.

Sites like Amazon (along with other factors) are also beginning to crowd out the independent bookstores. So many good bookstores have gone under, both in the U.S. and in Canada. (Chapters is one of the few bookstores in Canada that I really love visiting.) Most tend to have mass-market titles, which I can just as well pick up through Amazon, since I know what I'm getting.

 

[quasar4legs]

I have a huge collection of photography, cooking and art books and even though I'm in australia it is generally cheaper for me to buy from amazon rather than in my own country
I also use the book depository from the Uk because they offer free shipping world wide.

I LOVE my books, glad you had a good time shopping online.

Cheers

 

[jam217]

I like Amazon for all the above reasons and also you don't pay sales tax.

 

[Ohiodislover]

We purchase A lot of things from Amazon. Always fast shipping too.

Just a note--If you are looking for a particular item, and they don't have it, or if you are waiting for it to go on sale you can set up Email alerts. I do this with the K cups for my Keurig, and I always know when they r going to go on Special

Another place for books we like is www.half.com Sometimes you can get stuff dirt cheap, and if from the same seller, combine shipping.

I love going to Borders, or Barnes/Noble. But its just not always in the budget.

 

[Ohiodislover]

I have a huge collection of photography, cooking and art books and even though I'm in australia it is generally cheaper for me to buy from amazon rather than in my own country
I also use the book depository from the Uk because they offer free shipping world wide.

I LOVE my books, glad you had a good time shopping online.

Cheers

Interesting you said that. We had some Drew Struzan books on Ebay a few months back. We had a buyer from France who paid $70 in shipping for a $50 book. We were confused, but he said that it would still be cheaper than buying it in France.

 

[Goofyzgurl]

I love Amazon. I've ordered more than books there. I love to go on there and look at the reviews of whatever I'm buying. Dh got me the kindle for mother's day, I've been loving the fact that I get the book right away. I do not being able to flip thru the books first. I buy most of my books at the 2nd hand book store in town. I click through Amazon so much that I accidently bought some stacey's bagle chips, before I could cancel, it was already sitting on my door.

 

[Mom21]

I click through Amazon so much that I accidently bought some stacey's bagle chips, before I could cancel, it was already sitting on my door.

 

[ZuZugal]

I always have things in my cart w/Amazon that I want to purchase but don't need right away. I check the gold box daily and my cart about once a week. They let you know when the price of something in your cart has dropped (or gone up.)

I had something in my cart that dropped $10 in price yesterday so bought it. Sometimes it pays to be patient!!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I make about 100 Amazon orders every year. I love not having to go to physical stores. When I am at a physical store and see a book or item that I want, I often check Amazon for the same item on my Blackberry or iPhone. If there is a significant price difference, I just order it on Amazon. I also like checking reviews on my phone while I'm at a store.

Amazon is great when you know what book you want, and you want to save money.

But both Amazon and bookstores have their place in my life. Between the two of us, DW and I probably buy about fifty books a year (and yes, they add up. You should see how our floor-to-ceiling shelves are overflowing ... ) Almost all of them were bought in a bookstore.

When ordering through Amazon, you can't leaf through the book to see if it's interesting or not. But most important, you can't apply the serendipity principle. We love to ramble around the shelves and tables at bookstores, sniffing around to see what looks good. I've come out with many fascinating books over the years, on topics ranging from the history of religion, to the sociology of food, and the economics of fashion. Weird stuff, which I would never have gone in to get. With Amazon, it's difficult to scroll through the site to see if there is something new that you (or DW) might be interested in.

Sites like Amazon (along with other factors) are also beginning to crowd out the independent bookstores. So many good bookstores have gone under, both in the U.S. and in Canada. (Chapters is one of the few bookstores in Canada that I really love visiting.) Most tend to have mass-market titles, which I can just as well pick up through Amazon, since I know what I'm getting.

My wife and I are also big readers. We see things differently. I find that I can browse better on Amazon. I can see reviews. I can see related books. I do miss out on leafing through a book (although Amazon's "Look Inside" helps somewhat). Having to chose between reviews and paging through a book, I prefer the reviews. I might like shopping at book stores more if I had more time, but I usually don't. I like the efficiency of doing it online.

The Kindle was an even bigger game changer. Now I can read samples before I buy. I can order a book any time, any place, in seconds.

As for independents, the only loss I see is losing the relationship with the book seller. Amazon carries a much larger and broader selection than any independent could ever dream of. Even the loss of having a good store clerk to recommend books isn't that bad because there are so many reviewers / recommenders on Amazon.

I like Amazon for all the above reasons and also you don't pay sales tax.

You don't have to pay sales tax, but you do have to pay a Use Tax. It is a myth that you can save on taxes by purchasing things out of state. I suppose that it is easier for tax cheats to get away with no paying their taxes on out-of-state purchases.

 

[autumnpalm]

Oh, I do love going to the bookstore! I can spend an entire afternoon getting a drink from Starbucks and then browsing around Chapters. But from now on, I definitely plan on ordering them online once I get home. I'm all for supporting independent stores and I do when I can but... Chapters (a huge chain bookstore in Canada for those who haven't heard of it) isn't exactly an independent retailer! Actually, they are responsible for a lot of independent bookstores going under. And the books from true independent book stores are usually even more expensive than in-store at Chapters.

I try and buy "local" when I can but... $100 is a lot of money to save for me. I'm in university and can use all the savings I can get!

I have to say, I haven't really looked into the Kindle yet. I wonder if they are available in Canada? Off to do some research!

 

[MomofKatie]

We buy everything we can from Amazon. I have learned to go to Amazon to check prices on just about everything before buying at a brick & mortar store- most of the time, Amazon beats the price (and no sales tax and free shipping). Last fall, I signed up for Amazon Prime, and purchased every single Christmas gift on my list. Amazon did all the shipping for me- it was great.

We have gotten books, grocery items, stereo equipment, clothing, shoes, sporting equipment, DVDs,- you name it- from Amazon. You can't beat it for price and convenience.

 

[FireDancer]

I agree with Mark's post. I will go to the local book store to check out a book and get a cup of coffee. If I want something I check the Amazon price. If it is cheaper I usually get it on Amazon. I often purchase a book before I am done with my current one so the lag time is no big deal. If the price is within a dollar or two sometimes I will get it at the local store.

As far as tax goes, if the online seller doesn't collect it I don't volunteer it at tax time. The government gets plenty out of my pocket already so I don't feel guilty keeping my online purchases to myself. I often buy online for the specific reason of not paying sales tax. I would rather pay shipping to a company than more tax to Washington or (in my case) Columbus.

 

[hoosll]

I order about 10 books a month from Amazon as well as many other items like DVDs, music, toys, baby things, I love it!

For paperback books you are better off sticking to discount stores or getting a free membership card at Borders (10% off) or paying $25 a year for a Barnes and Noble card. Sometimes I will get the paperback if I need extra to make super saver mailing. Usually books arrive faster than they estimate. I also love getting my used books from Amazon, always delivered very professionally.