Tuesday, May 27, 2008

The Book Depository

Posted by lea at 11:00 AM

It's about time I wrote something about these guys because they're seriously great. www.bookdepository.co.uk have all manner of books at incredibly reasonable prices (read: cheap) with FREE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING. You heard me right – free international shipping.

Generally the books arrive within a week or so, although I've had one experience when the book didn't arrive at all. Around 2-3 weeks after I'd placed the order, I sent them a quick email and they wrote back, 'We're terribly sorry you didn't receive your order...' It turned out that they'd run out of stock and hadn't gotten round to informing me, but their 'terribly sorriness' was so endearing (and perfectly British) that I really couldn't get mad – not to mention the fact that all my other orders have been delivered in good time (and FREE – did I mention that?).

Many of the books I've bought have been around the 5GBP mark (British pounds). Up to a few months ago, that was around AU$15, but now it's a measly $10 b/c the Aussie dollar has been performing so incredibly well. I've decided to buy up all the Alexander McCall Smith books in the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series while the dollar's doing so well. They costing me around AU$11 each – the alternative is Borders or Dymocks, priced at around AU$22 – no need to tell me twice. (I never buy from Angus & Robertson since I read about them squeezing out independent publishers by forcing them to PAY for shelfspace if their books didn't perform well at the till.)

Our latest book club book 'Stardust' by Neil Gaiman cost me a whole $7 – that's cheaper than lunch in the city! No wonder I'm addicted to book-buying lately.

So check them out, much cheaper than your other alternatives – the only downside is that you have to wait until the book is delivered. If it's a gift or something you don't mind waiting to read, then order at least a week or two in advance. Otherwise, you'll need to traipse down to your local bookstore for instant gratification.

www.bookdepository.co.uk

8 comments:

blue on May 27, 2008 at 12:23 PM said...

So cheap! I wonder how they do it?

Caesar on May 28, 2008 at 1:34 PM said...

Yeah, I've had roughly the same experience. One time I ordered something which claimed to be available within 2-3 days, but they then later cancelled my order due to having no stock. The worst part is that because you pay by credit card, when you get the refund, you get back that little bit less than what you paid, no thanks to the fees. I then proceeded to order the same book again, and it this time there was no problem. Their inventory management system sucks.

Other than that it's been pretty good and reliable.

Oh yeah, and I think their support is Indian, not British, which explains the "terribly sorrily". They should please do the needful.

blue on June 6, 2008 at 2:24 AM said...

I had good experiences with the Book Depository this week. 1 book took less than a week. The other was about a week I think.

A&R Whitcoulls (Angus & Robertson's parent company) is buying out Borders so things might get even tougher out there for independent publishers.

lea on June 6, 2008 at 9:59 AM said...

ARGH!!! no!!! i'm already in a vendetta against A&R but now borders too? it's too much. i'm going to have to seek out those really cool little independent bookstores to haunt.

check out http://danny.oz.au/books/shops/sydney/ for reports on some bookstores around sydney - interesting.

Anonymous said...

TBD are awesome! i bought 'who did a sh!t on my head' boxset from there!! glad you're back lea.

Unknown on September 3, 2008 at 4:31 PM said...

well in my case, sadly they haven't delivered. i looked on there last nite coz i wanted to buy the new stephanie plum book - fearless fourteen. its out for over 13 pounds which is like $27. thin ki'll wait to borrow it from the library.

blue on September 3, 2008 at 8:10 PM said...

every public library in Sydney has a copy... but they're all on loan...

lea on September 5, 2008 at 1:20 PM said...

Hey hey - I just received my latest purchase and found a free book depository bookmark inserted in the pages! Despite its self-promotional purpose, these little attentions to detail please me to no end.

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