You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Hi,
I know a lot of us would rather not buy from Amazon but get drawn back in by the "frictionless" nature of the whole experience.
This is a time of year when I buy a lot of books for people and thought I'd highlight a couple of alternatives to the mega-monopoly.
Bookshop - a website that provides a cut of sales to independent bookshop - you can even nominate your local shop to direct receive the cut from what you buy.
Blackwell's, books for life and for learning Blackwell's - smaller UK chain with a good range
La Biblioteka - sheffield based arty magazine vendor - perfect for the wooderburnerist in your life.
And of course Waterstones, even though they're owned by a hedge fund. Buy books, stationery and gifts, online and in store | Waterstones.
Anyone recommend any others ?
Aren't Blackwell's part of Waterstones now as well?
If buying books for children, I cannot recommend this place highly enough - https://rocketshipbookshop.co.uk/
+1 for uk.bookshop.org - I used to use hive.co.uk but the wholesaler that ran hive also supplies bookshop, so I've not hurt them by switching, and bookshop gives a bigger cut to the shop you specify (30%, as opposed to (I think) 10% from hive). More expensive than Amazon but it's putting cash into the tax coffers and the pockets of authors and bookshop workers - I'm in the fortunate position to be able to afford a few and happy to pay a bit extra (by which I mean the full price, as opposed to buying discounted books).
Aren’t Blackwell’s part of Waterstones now as well?
Nope, still independent.
Bath has Toppings, who are moving soon from a small shop at the end of The Paragon, to an enormous building opposite Bath Abbey! Highly recommended, they have a lot of guests who do talks and signings, I went to one by Kate Humble, who was lovely, one by William Gibson, and one by Neil Gaiman, which had to be held at The Forum, which is around 2000 capacity!
There’s also Mr B’s Emporium, which is a wonderfully rambling shop tucked away in a little street behind Jolly’s department store. They don’t display their books by genre, just by author, which is designed to remove preconceptions about the books subject matter.
The Waterstones shop is also huge.
Bath has Toppings, who are moving soon from a small shop at the end of The Paragon, to an enormous building opposite Bath Abbey!
That's really good to hear.
On a bit of a tangent, do independent audio book retailers exist? Something like the audiobook version of bandcamp
I currently use the Apple Books app on iPhone which works great but I'm keen to use something a little bit less "mega corp"-esque
Both Daunt Books and Foyle’s are part of Waterstones now.
But I still love them, and if having been bought out enables them to survive with their respective ethos intact, then I’m alright with that.
At the same time, OP, great thread!
bookshop couldnt help me earlier, but blackwells came through. thanks for the other options as well
Yep, used Blackwell's last week.
Bookshop.org is a great idea woefully executed. Their search facility is ****ing useless. Such a missed opportunity.
Also keen to avoid Amazon but there’s a limit
Wife wants the new Dolly Parton book for Xmas-
£26 del via Amazon
£35 del via Bookshop
Also keen to avoid Amazon but there’s a limit
Wife wants the new Dolly Parton book for Xmas-
£26 del via Amazon
£35 del via Bookshop
And £24.99 from Blackwell's
NEXT
NEXT
They're selling books now?
And £24.99 from Blackwell’s
Excellent- ordered!
What about Wordery? I’ve used them a few times in the past and no complaints.
Wordary here as well. Currently 13% off so as cheap/cheaper than Amazon
Excellent- ordered!
Smiles.
I've just ordered some books from hive.co.uk. Was intending to use bookshop.org but they didn't have everything I wanted.
I'm really looking forward to hanging out in bookshops and libraries again.
...as cheap/cheaper than Amazon
Well, that's the important thing.
Well, that’s the important thing
Unfortunately, it is. As consumers we've been conditioned to hunt down bargains and get the best deal, but we see that in narrow financial terms.
Hopefully wider understanding of the impact of low prices on the wider economy (tax, working conditions, insecure jobs) will let the people who are lucky enough to have disposable income and able to pay higher prices to make that choice in a positive way, which then supports local businesses and communities.
It's the same with food shopping, during this year loads of spending has been diverted from local restaurants and small businesses to supermarkets and Amazon. It takes a conscious effort to not spend all your cash at ocado and to make sure the local butcher, baker, whatever is still getting some of your trade.
Not tried the online as they are close enough to visit but if quirky is your thing, we love