Comments on: Book discounts aren't always a bargain

By: Lucy

Lucy — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:39:45 +0000

Yes. Hmm.

Support your independants, I say. Having worked in both chain (Dymocks and Collins Booksellers) lordy, more than 10 years ago – how did that happen? – and, up until a couple of years ago, totally independantly run ops, the latter are by far better value in the long run. Staff are happier, too. Mostly…

Good on you Duncan. Well-spotted shocker, that one.

By: Serenity-Later

Serenity-Later — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:11:46 +0000

I know this is an old post but I just wanted to share my recent book-buying experiences. The book you mention in your post, Vefa's Kitchen? I purchased that lovely book off a UK online site for a sweet 19.75GBP and no extra for shipping, so i got my mitts on this book for less than $40AUD.

I know what you're saying about online sources not being the issue here, but perhaps with more and more attractive options becoming available to people, maybe conventional retailers will need to start lifting their game a bit to stay competitive. my opinion anyway.

By: Daniel Chan

Daniel Chan — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:48:04 +0000

@Duncan. I'm getting a sense of deja vu with this discussion.

By: Duncan

Duncan — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:56:31 +0000

@Estelle and Mae: thanks for coming over!

@Coby and Daniel: it is always a personal decision about whether to support small booksellers and pay the RRP (typically). In terms of cultural and retail diversity, it's probably the better decision, but people find many reasons for choosing other cheaper options too.

By: Daniel Chan

Daniel Chan — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 09:39:00 +0000

If you're buying books, the cheapest option is usually K-Mart and Target. In terms of cookbooks, you're not going to find your Thomas Keller books, but you will be able to get mainstream titles by Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, Donna Hay, Neil Perry, etc. They are usually about 35% below RRP.

By: Mae

Mae — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:12:52 +0000

Well, this post (and Estelle's – I followed a link from her post) certainly opened my eyes. I tend to shop around anyway but wasn't aware the prices were marked up from RRP. Luckily, I'm on a second-hand book buying resolution.

By: Coby

Coby — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:59:52 +0000

I had no idea this was happening, the suggestion that they mark up some books in order to be able to discount others isn't new though, other retailers do this too. After all a 'recommended' price is just that isn't it. Certainly pays to remember the adage 'buyer beware' as I certainly wouldn't *expect* a priced item on the shelf to be dearer than RRP.

I'd really like to support smaller bookshops and do so when I can, but I admit, the majority of my books come from a UK online bookshop. Having small children it is easier to shop online and it works out cheaper than all but the best bargains I've seen, as don't charge shipping, either.

By: estelle

estelle — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:41:04 +0000

Yes! Naughty. I noticed this too at A&R, and Babette Smith recently bemoaned the GIANT markups A&R put on her books.

Lisa pointed me over here after she saw my post on this (much shorter than yours). I'm not trying to goatherd you over there, by the way, just saying what a coincidence it is, considering chains have been marking up books for a while now. Guess it's a timely discussion with all the PC brouhaha.

By: Duncan

Duncan — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:54:25 +0000

@Emmelyn: the only decent macaron books I know of are in French. Most books (whether in French or English) are just cute books with recipes — no professional tips or problem solving. If you're looking for more recipes for fillings and flavours, the internet is so full of interesting ones that a book is hardly necessary

By: EMMELYN

EMMELYN — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 10:16:29 +0000

Hi Duncan
Any idea where I can get any macaron books in Melbourne besides Stephane Glacier macaron edition? Can't seem to get any online…

Thanks D