Where do you...

[Mc Lovin]

Buy your books from?

if none of the above, where?

[Fetchez la vache]

I thought whsmiths was where you go to browse before buying from amazon.

I do like the "buying experience" of waterstones though... if that doesn't sound a bit like marketting bull...

Something about their stores that gets me all hot under the collar

[Strangely Brown]

Amazon or Play.com. I only go to mainstream bookshops to browse or if I have vouchers to spend.

[captainzep]

Books you say?

Actual books?

Erm...

Does Car/Evo magazine count?

Oooh wait. I 'borrowed' a quite good book from villa we stayed in on holiday.

[JJCW]

Fetchez la vache said:

I thought whsmiths was where you go to browse before buying from amazon.

I do like the "buying experience" of waterstones though... if that doesn't sound a bit like marketting bull...

Something about their stores that gets me all hot under the collar

Salesgirl at the Waterstones i was in was gorgeous - i had a good browse!

[The_Burg]

Usually from charity shops, get through a lot of books.
If i payed full price i would be broke!

[Mc Lovin]

I thought that as well, WH Smiths is somewhere for mag's and stationary, its not somewhere i like spending very much time.

Watersones is a nicer enviroment to be in and it usually has somewhere to get a coffe etc, however in all honestly i think i'd rather shop for a book online than instore.

Is this the general consensus or do people still enjoy "physically" shopping for books?

[Stu R]

Book shops, somewhat unsurprisingly. Being as there's not that many around here, waterstones / border normally get used, or the internet if all else fails.

I tend not to rely on word of mouth when choosing a book, in the hope of avoiding 'the da vinci code' levels of garbage being read again. It's nice to be able to have a look at the books before buying them, unless of course I'm in the middle of a series where I'm certain to buy the next book anyway.I don't mind paying a little extra for the privelidge.

Edited by Stu R on Thursday 18th December 10:15

[Strangely Brown]

Mc Lovin said:

in all honestly i think i'd rather shop for a book online than instore.

Is this the general consensus or do people still enjoy "physically" shopping for books?

I like browsing around bookshops. But I don't usually like paying bookshop prices. I'll buy from whoever has the book I want at the lowest price.

[elle]

If it's a particular book i'm after, then it's usually Waterstones or WH Smiths

Supermarkets have some good offers on at times, so it's worth having a browse

[Mc Lovin]

Strangely Brown said:

Mc Lovin said:

in all honestly i think i'd rather shop for a book online than instore.

Is this the general consensus or do people still enjoy "physically" shopping for books?

I like browsing around bookshops. But I don't usually like paying bookshop prices. I'll buy from whoever has the book I want at the lowest price.

What if it was a specific book which was exclusivly available at a book store? Would you still buy it or wait for used copies or old stock to turn up on the net?

[john_p]

I like to browse in Waterstones as it's a peaceful environment and the selection always expansive (and well organised). The WH Smiths near here have nowhere near the choice required, haphazardly laid out and the bigger ones are too busy.

I will buy paperbacks from Waterstones but for hardback books it's Amazon every time (£12 vs £20).


e: I just checked out Waterstones online and the same book was £3 cheaper than instore BUT has free delivery, so now I might buy it from their shop if it's a present or something

Edited by john_p on Thursday 18th December 10:29

[emicen]

Fetchez la vache said:

I thought whsmiths was where you go to browse before buying from amazon.

I do like the "buying experience" of waterstones though... if that doesn't sound a bit like marketting bull...

Something about their stores that gets me all hot under the collar

I prefer buying from Borders or Waterstones than online, far easier to browse in a proper store. (and really whats the point in browsing in a proper store then buying online, is it really worth the extra time etc to save a few quid?)

Costco have an interesting selection of books too.

[Mc Lovin]

elle said:

If it's a particular book i'm after, then it's usually Waterstones or WH Smiths

Supermarkets have some good offers on at times, so it's worth having a browse

Picture books? ;)

[Strangely Brown]

Mc Lovin said:

Strangely Brown said:

Mc Lovin said:

in all honestly i think i'd rather shop for a book online than instore.

Is this the general consensus or do people still enjoy "physically" shopping for books?

I like browsing around bookshops. But I don't usually like paying bookshop prices. I'll buy from whoever has the book I want at the lowest price.

What if it was a specific book which was exclusivly available at a book store? Would you still buy it or wait for used copies or old stock to turn up on the net?

I have no objections to buying from bookshops, just that online prices are usually significantly cheaper. I buy from the cheapest place at the time that I want the book. I don't usually bother with second-hand stuff unless it is out of print. I usually buy hardback if it's available.

[TheCaseAce]

I bloody love Waterstones, I do.

Bookshops are the best.

[Mc Lovin]

There was a bookshop i used to go to when i was a kid, i cant for the life of me remember the name, i thought it was brilliant, much better than Waterstones. All i remember is the company name begins with O?

[scotal]

Ottakers?

[Mc Lovin]

scotal said:

Ottakers?

Thats the one, is it still going? it was replaced by Waterstones in our local town a few years ago.

[miniman]

Mc Lovin said:

There was a bookshop i used to go to when i was a kid, i cant for the life of me remember the name, i thought it was brilliant, much better than Waterstones. All i remember is the company name begins with O?

Ottakers, I suspect. Now part of Waterstones IIRC.

ETA: D'oh too slow!

Edited by miniman on Thursday 18th December 10:50