Online bookstores in the UK and France

[VivianDarkbloom]

Can anybody here recommend online bookstores in the UK and France other than Amazon and Fnac?

[Heteronym]

I only use Book Depository. (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/)

[VivianDarkbloom]

Thanks for the tip. I had never heard of that store.

[wessexgirl]

I believe that Amazon have just bought The Book Depository, (or did I imagine that?).

I use Waterstones a lot. I don't get the chance to go into the shops much, so I browse their website loads, and there is more discount online, with special offers. I'm currently enamoured of their £3 off Oxford World Classics, which I collect, which is just online and which makes the books about the same price as on Amazon. They often do a BOGOF offer on them too, so I play it canny and go for the dearest ones I want when that offer is on. I tend to go for Waterstones when they're around the same price, just to try and give my custom to a bookstore, as good as Amazon are, they are like Tescos, (taking over the World). If you are in the UK, you can also go for The Book People, who do amazingly cheap offers, where you can get some great deals. They do lots of sets of books, which cries out to the collector in me :biggrin5:.

[TheFifthElement]

I guess it depends on the kind of books you like. I totally love Persephone Books (http://www.persephonebooks.co.uk/); they have a very limited selection as they are selling their own books, but the bindings are beautiful and very sturdy and I've not had a bad book from there yet.

Then there's Daunt Books (http://www.dauntbooks.co.uk/) who, again, don't carry a massive selection but do have impeccable taste. Plus the guy who owns Daunt Books has just been made MD of Waterstones so maybe there's hope for the tired old Waterstones yet. One can hope.

[VivianDarkbloom]

Any more tips?

[mal4mac]

I believe that Amazon have just bought The Book Depository, (or did I imagine that?).


I was hoping you had imagined this, but a quick Google search revealed it's true :-( Amazon must have have become upset about their highly efficient way of undercutting their prices on almost all books.

General tip - In Amazon UK always check the Amazon Marketplace alternatives, even if Amazon is cheapest. Don't buy from Amazon marketplace, go to the website of 'likely' companies in the list - you may get 'better than Amazon' deals - including free worldwide delivery - like Book Depository.

I've been buying a few CDs via PriceMinister, a French company that now has a strong UK presence. Also worth looking at for books - they don't actually sell stuff themselves - they offer an alternative to Amazon marketplace. They have some great offers if you sign on for their newsletter (like £5 off if you spend £20, an offer they tend to renew monthly... this may be their way of trying to grow quickly in the UK market...)

Aprohead books is always worth a look, I'll be turning more to them if BD goes downhill...

Type in a book title and choose the 'shopping' option in Google, often provides some good bargains. I also like this price comparison tool:

http://www.best-book-price.co.uk/

In this you'll see 'Zavvi' & 'the Hut' appearing quite often with good offers - I've used these and like them.

WH Smith online are often very good - they keep P&P costs down by delivering to your nearest branch.

HMV are excellent for CDs (best-book-price has a CD option) - they have neat boxes that provide real protection, are often cheapest, and are fast. Their store in Oxford Street, London is also a 'must visit' for classical music fans.

"The Book People" come up with amazing offers now and again - like 10 classic novels for £10. So definitely check them out, their paper based magazine is quite fun & worth signing up for - they stop sending it if you don't order often, though! They are especially good for children's books.