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The Book Depository offers free worldwide shipping for paper books
The Book Depository is one of those frumpy-looking sites that are actually pretty incredible once you get past the plain looks. It's a massive bookstore, and what makes it so attractive for non-US customers is that it offers free worldwide shipping on everything. No minimum orders, no hidden costs. I have no idea how they do it, but I just bought a book there for $11 including shipping. That same paperback would have cost me $22.50 in Amazon, $10 of which would have been for shipping and handling.
One interesting thing I've noticed is that the same book was listed under two different prices ($11 US vs. $14.50 US) at the same instant, depending on where I accessed the site from. I think they may be using geolocation to quote you a slightly higher price when needed, to offset shipping costs. But even that higher price did not reach Amazon levels, and you can always just use a proxy to connect from a closer location.
[Thanks, Yaara!]
[Edit: Apparently "worldwide" does not actually mean "all over the world". The site ships to many countries, but not everywhere (say, Mexico, for some reason). The complete list is here. Thanks Unckmania!]
Comments
6
Subscribe to commentsemmzeeFeb 16th 2010 12:53PM
Yup apparently Book Depository has been around for years, but I only learned about them recently. I love Amazon, but since I live in Canada I'm forced to choose between Amazon.com (great selection & prices, but high shipping costs) or Amazon.ca (free shipping, but much poorer selection/availability and often higher prices).
So I tried ordering from Book Depository recently and was satisfied by their service. One surprise re shipping was that they shipped each of the three books I ordered in separate packages! Coincidentally this morning I received the first of the four books in my second order. So I don't know how they do it but they actually ship your books separately which means you don't have to wait for all of them to be ready before your order ships.
Thumbs up from me! Although for some books (if you don't mind used copies) Abebooks.com can still be cheaper!
UnckmaniaFeb 16th 2010 1:21PM
I was extremely excited when i saw the webpage. I added 5 books right off the bat, pulled out my credit card and BAM!. There is no shipping to Mexico, or any Latin American Country.
You might want to put the information up there with the post, before getting any other latin like myself all excited...
Erez ZukermanFeb 16th 2010 4:17PM
Ouch, I'm sorry for that! I had no idea -- they say "worldwide". Thanks for letting me know -- post updated.
tspmeloFeb 16th 2010 2:47PM
http://aphrohead.com/ is another site with free worldwide shipping...
I have used both of them and the service is great.
Duane WilliamsFeb 16th 2010 6:42PM
Let’s compare a book currently in my Amazon cart: Naked Angels, The Issues Projects: Collected Plays. It retails for $18.95. Amazon sells it for $17.05. Amazon charges no tax and no shipping if you combine it with something else to bring the total to at least $25. The Book Depository charges $18.65.
KuroyumeFeb 16th 2010 7:58PM
blah, no shipping to Latin America... i was reado to go on a book shopping spree :(