Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

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guppyguy
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Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by guppyguy »

I'm an avid reader (30-40 books per year) and have used Amazon (mostly hardcover/used where available) for the most part.

Any recommendations of other online sources for new/used books with competitive prices?

(Yes I've tried the library but I prefer to mark up and own most of the things I read).
DoTheMath
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by DoTheMath »

Try Bookshop.org. I haven't used them, but my understanding is that they work with/through independent bookstores.
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JupiterJones
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by JupiterJones »

The aforementioned Bookshop, but also...

Powell's (love this place)

alibris

And, of course, eBay.
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Mr. Rumples
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by Mr. Rumples »

Arcadia Publishing has an amazing amount of history books about the United States, both by locality, ethnic group and subject.

https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/books

Tattered Cover in Denver also does mail-order.

https://www.tatteredcover.com
"History is the memory of time, the life of the dead and the happiness of the living." Captain John Smith 1580-1631
Tribonian
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by Tribonian »

Second the Tattered Cover in Denver and Powell’s in Portland. Both are worth visiting in person, too.

I also recommend contacting your local brick and mortar independent bookseller. You can probably place orders with them on line. It’s good to keep the indies healthy so that options and recommendations aren’t all algorithmic. The best bookstores have lots of books you don’t know you want yet.

If you are looking for a particular title, Alibris is very convenient.
SmallSaver
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by SmallSaver »

I'll third (or whatever) Powell's, they're great, independent, and unionized. A real asset to their community and they have a good used section.

Also, I can get books into my local book store in a week or so usually.

The problem will be prices. Amazon is usually (always?) cheaper IME. Up to you if it's worth it to buy them somewhere else.
Hypersion
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by Hypersion »

Try something free first.
http://bookmooch.com/
anonenigma
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by anonenigma »

increment
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by increment »

anonenigma wrote: Mon May 10, 2021 3:34 pm https://www.abebooks.com/
Offerings there may be similar to those at amazon; they are "a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. after being acquired in December 2008."
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Huygens
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by Huygens »

I buy most of my books used from http://betterworldbooks.com. They claim that "every time you purchase a book from BetterWorldBooks.com, we donate a book to someone in need."
There are the haves, have-nots, and have-yachts.
RudyS
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by RudyS »

I second someone's comment about "of course eBay." Has worked very well for me. Be sure to check feedback rating of the seller.
jeep5ter
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by jeep5ter »

I second the recommendation of Abe Books
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gatorking
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by gatorking »

Bookfinder.com
runninginvestor
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by runninginvestor »

Spouse buys a bunch from here: https://bookoutlet.com/

Edit: It is actually Book Depository, https://www.bookdepository.com/
Last edited by runninginvestor on Wed May 12, 2021 3:33 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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legio XX
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by legio XX »

In addition to what has already been suggested - https://www.addall.com/
They give price comparison and can actually can find things other than textbooks. I was wondering why eBay offerings - which I check first - didn't show up on their site; didn't know Azo had acquired them.

I've used Abe a lot and - bricks and mortar w/ online presence - https://www.strandbooks.com/

Powell's, yes!

While we're at it, I use amazon.de and amazon.it for current scholarly books that I live on. If there's an alternative I'd like to know about it.
mermlund
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by mermlund »

I use thriftbooks.com for used books. Haven't been able to find another place with better prices and selection.
iamblessed
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by iamblessed »

I use abe and ebay.
Horologium
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by Horologium »

mermlund wrote: Mon May 10, 2021 5:12 pm I use thriftbooks.com for used books. Haven't been able to find another place with better prices and selection.
My son raves about Thrift Books.
margered
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by margered »

Have I missed it or has no one name is nentioned your public library either in paper or digitally.
Topic Author
guppyguy
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by guppyguy »

margered wrote: Mon May 10, 2021 9:45 pm Have I missed it or has no one name is nentioned your public library either in paper or digitally.
Nope, I mentioned it in the first post. :sharebeer
iamblessed
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by iamblessed »

margered wrote: Mon May 10, 2021 9:45 pm Have I missed it or has no one name is nentioned your public library either in paper or digitally.
He like to mark books so that would not be a good idea.
ILnative
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by ILnative »

I'll pile on and recommend Powell's in Portland. Great service and great company - I personally appreciate their business practices.
adestefan
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by adestefan »

https://bookshop.org/ is another good one. I have stopped buying books from Amazon and have started to get books from local shops. I know that’s not possible for everyone. I’m lucky enough to live 15 minutes away from two major cities with robust local stores.
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oldcomputerguy
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by oldcomputerguy »

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/

They also have their own ereader (Nook).
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TimDex
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by TimDex »

I’ve been directing my dollars away from Amazon deliberately. I’ve been using thriftbooks.com and biblio.com, and have been extremely happy with the service.
"All man's miseries derive from not being able to sit quietly in a room alone. " -- Pascal
eucalyptus
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by eucalyptus »

I buy a lot of books. Often, Alibris and Abe. Rarely, Barnes and Noble, because I'm grateful a bookstore chain survives. Never, ever Amazon.
Topic Author
guppyguy
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by guppyguy »

I really LOVE indie book stores, especially the ones with cats meandering around, plenty of leather chairs, and the smell of old books. I try to find them whenever I travel, but unfortunately I don't have any here in town (Houston).

I'd rather pay a little more and support the independent market from a distance.

Thanks for all the good suggestions!
RevFran
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by RevFran »

I order from both a local Indie and indies I’ve met and loved on travels...a bit more $ and takes more time than Amazon, but I still do it for at least half my books (especially gifts — so happy for them to gift wrap and mail!)

Indies I like to order from

https://www.elliottbaybook.com/

https://www.quailridgebooks.com/

https://www.eighthdaybooks.com/

https://www.squarebooks.com/
rockstar
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by rockstar »

Library. Link your Kindle to your library account.

Otherwise, I opt for later delivery and use credits.

Abes Books for used is good.

Finally, local used book stores. I like Bookmans in AZ.
helloeveryone
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by helloeveryone »

guppyguy wrote: Mon May 10, 2021 1:21 pm I'm an avid reader (30-40 books per year) and have used Amazon (mostly hardcover/used where available) for the most part.

Any recommendations of other online sources for new/used books with competitive prices?

(Yes I've tried the library but I prefer to mark up and own most of the things I read).
Recently I found that typing the title in google and click “shopping” - will pull up other resellers that don’t show up on amazon. I started doing that when I noted some books’ used prices were still ridiculously high on amazon yet were still pretty cheap on the random sites that come up on google shopping.
ensign
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by ensign »

guppyguy wrote: Mon May 10, 2021 1:21 pm I'm an avid reader (30-40 books per year) and have used Amazon (mostly hardcover/used where available) for the most part.

Any recommendations of other online sources for new/used books with competitive prices?

(Yes I've tried the library but I prefer to mark up and own most of the things I read).
If you have a library card, link it to the Libby app. I’m a prolific reader and save thousands of dollars a year.
Topic Author
guppyguy
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Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

Post by guppyguy »

ensign wrote: Wed May 12, 2021 6:14 am
guppyguy wrote: Mon May 10, 2021 1:21 pm I'm an avid reader (30-40 books per year) and have used Amazon (mostly hardcover/used where available) for the most part.

Any recommendations of other online sources for new/used books with competitive prices?

(Yes I've tried the library but I prefer to mark up and own most of the things I read).
If you have a library card, link it to the Libby app. I’m a prolific reader and save thousands of dollars a year.
Just downloaded the app..thanks !
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