However, the lack of competition is also a problem, I think. When I bought my kindle about six years ago, I chose the Amazon ereader (as opposed to another brand) on the basis that because Amazon is such a large and successful business, the kindle ebook store was unlikely to disappear, and that’s turned out to be right. I’m in the UK where for most people it’s easy to access an alternative (Waterstones, or a good independent bookshop). Love this conversation, thanks so much for opening up a discussion! I (mostly) boycott Amazon on the basis of the way they treat their workforce (especially in warehouses, where employees have ungenerous contracts which leave them vulnerable, and are tightly monitored and face severe penalties for minor issues). If, like me, you are not a fan of Amazon’s treatment of publishers and employees and their attempts to gain a monopoly on the bookselling market, it might be worth spending a couple extra dollars here and there to support other sellers. However, there may be other factors that influence that your decisions on where to buy books. In pure economic terms, saving any money is good, whether it’s 10 cents or 10 dollars.
#Barnes and noble membership free#
Also, shipping is free with a Barnes & Noble membership or free on a $25 order–something I often see readers grumble about, but it’s worth noting that Amazon has basically the same shipping options–free with paid membership or free on a $35 order.) (Yes, this is mostly about Barnes & Noble online, but check with your local store about whether they will honor the online price for the “purchase online, pick up in store” option. For other books, Amazon might be slightly cheaper, but the price difference can range from a few pennies to about $3. Barnes & Noble and Amazon tend to have similar pricing for new and upcoming books, particularly ones that are bestsellers or receiving a lot of hype. This small set of examples confirms what I have noticed in my personal observations. Amazon: $8.39 Barnes & Noble: $9.89 Verdict: Amazon is slightly cheaper. Amazon: $13.39 Barnes & Noble (Exclusive Edition): $13.39 Verdict: The Same Price Here are some quick comparisons:Ī Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer I looked at prices for a book on its release day, a book that has yet to come out, a book that came out recently, and a book that came out years ago. My personal experience is that Barnes & Noble online often has the newest books for similar prices to Amazon (both discounting more steeply than indie sellers can), so I decided to do a mini experiment to check on some book prices. (Krysta explains more in her post on why she won’t buy books on Amazon.) Yet the online retailer is immensely successful, and one of the reasons customers cite for shopping there is cheaper prices. However, your local Barnes & Noble store representative will work with you to determine the best available discount for your purchase.Amazon has made numerous headlines over the years for their poor treatment of employees and delivery drivers, their potential tracking of customers’ info through Alexa devices, and their strategy of selling items (like books!) at a loss in order to drive competitors out of the market. Member discounts may not be combined with bulk orders or discount purchasing cards. However, Member benefits are not available at any Barnes & Noble College Bookstores or their websites. The Member card may be used at all Barnes & Noble Stores as well as Bookstar Stores. See Member Program Terms & Conditions for more details. PLUS special offers sent via email throughout the year!Ĭertain exclusions apply. Must have a valid email address on file to receive the offer. In Store Only - 20% off your first purchase when you join the Barnes and Noble Membership in store.Ī special birthday offer delivered during your Birthday month. Free Standard Shipping with no minimum purchase for ship-to-home orders placed in retail stores (orders placed in retail stores will be sold at the Member-discounted in-store price, and not the BN.com price).Includes books, already discounted items, Bargain books, music, movies, Toys & Games, DVDs, Music, children's titles, all items in the Cafe, newsstand, and almost everything else. 10% off the Barnes & Noble sale price of other eligible items.Click here to browse a list of current hardcover bestsellers. Applies to the top 20 hardcover bestsellers based on sales at Barnes & Noble Stores. 40% off the list price of the current hardcover Barnes & Noble Store Bestsellers.