How To Save Money On Books
Books were once a luxury item that only the rich and privileged had access to. I remember my mother telling me the obligatory “when I was a girl” stories in which all she received for Christmas every year was 1 toy, 1 orange, and 1 book. And back then, that was the only book you got all year.
These days, book retailers are being forced to go out of business because they simply can’t profit off the rapid decline in the price of literature. As a childhood bookworm, I feel for the plight of the book businesses; as a cheapskate I am happy to seize the bargains.
Op Shops & Second-Hand Book Sellers
Op shops have always been a bargain lover’s paradise and they continue to be so. So many of the books upon my shelf are from charity stores or dusty, Dickensian bookshops and a perusal of their inner covers reveal prices like $2 and 50c. *sigh*
Ebay
The online shoppers’ fair ground- no bargain-hunt is complete without a visit here. Unlike second hand stores, online you can search around the world for the publication of your choice in less than a minute. Prices are not as cheap as they used to be however, with many sellers looking to profit or even live off their eBay sales, so do your homework before you click “buy it now”.
Book Depository
I have no idea how this shop stays in business, offering an enormous array of books at rock-bottom prices and offering free worldwide shipping- they really ought to be losing money! Visit BookDepository.com to view their huge range.
Amazon
Like the jungle of its namesake, Amazon.com contains rarities galore. This is the place to search for that rare, out of print picture book you’ve been on the lookout for. Just last week I picked up an obscure British book on making Victorian scale replica dollhouses I had been looking for since reading it at my primary school library 20 years ago. Price? Less than $10.
Kindle/eReaders
The new affront to book retail, the e-reader allows consumers to purchase and download “books” to their personal electronic tablet device which is then read, much like a portable computer screen. It is naturally cheaper than a new novel as the printing cost is zero but of course, there is the initial outlay for the reader to take in to consideration. And you really can’t drop it on the floor.
Library
The ultimate source of cheap books. Heck, you can’t get much cheaper than free! If you haven’t joined your local library, you are missing out.
