Book Stores Versus Online Ordering
 

I use book stores, mostly because I don't have a PayPal or a credit card.
Otherwise, my choice would be online. There's so much neat stuff that I can't get in the bookstore, or even order through the bookstore.
(They'll only order through chapters.indigo.ca >.>)

I'd rather book stores. Going to Chapters you can pretty much have anything ordered in a few days and that way you don't have to worry about using your credit cards or waiting for it to arrive in the mail a few weeks longer than it would get to the shop itself. Also, I like being able to specially choose my copies of books. If there's more than one in a book store, I will pay close attention and take my time before deciding.

Story about ordering books online.

For my bf's b-day I wanted to buy him a fancy adult-like set of the Narnia books, since he really likes them. I found one on Chapters.ca. I buy it, but when it comes in the mail, it's the regular version of the covers. I know that the content's the same, but the point was I wanted fancy covers. I took it to the nearest Chapters and they said they were confused as well. Apparently the code for both sets were the same, so they had no idea whether that set was even available anymore or whatnot. I just got my money back. Man though, that was disappointing. I did however get copies of My Tank is Fight and a guide to the Narnia books, which he enjoyed. :)

I'm more of a fan of shopping at bookstores. That way, I can browse through the books as I please.

However, when it comes to rarer/hard-to-find books, I almost immediately turn to the internet. Not Amazon, though. My experiences with them have been absolutely terrible.

i work in a bookstore, so obviously that's my favorite. there's something magical about being surrounded by volumes of paper. but i surprise myself with how often i order books online, even though i get a fantastic discount in the stores. the thing is, i've begun to collect older mangas. ones that are probably technically out of print. and bookstores are so limited, even on what they can order for you, that amazon.com is still an amazing way to go. i really wish big bookstore corporations like the one i work for, would get on the bandwagon and have more ability to access "used" books. i think the only way we'll be able to get an edge on amazon is to do that...

I tend to not order books online, even if they are from an author I like. I like going to bookstores because of the smell of the paper and ink, but I also like to kinda fllip through the books to make sure I really do want to read it.

I try my best to get the book at the store, if at all possible. It's better for me, because it's cheaper. xD Shipping charges compared to no charges. I suppose one could argue that the price of gas would be higher than the price of the shipping, but my Dad or Mom would probably drive me, so it's all good. 8D

I love bookstores more just because the act of browsing can lead you to new, unexpected discoveries! Online is fine for just getting that one book you really must have, but you're unlikely to just stumble into a new book. It's limiting, being online.

Besides, at bookstores, sometimes they have books they're getting rid of for $1. I buy tons of books at bargain bins, stuff I wouldn't buy normally, and I've made some great finds! That doesn't happen online. Websites don't have the same space premiums that bookstores do.

Hey Tamer~ ^^

I love browsing. :sweat: I kinda... like the way that book stores smell. Many of them have coffee shops in them, too, and that makes it for me right there. But the books just smell good. (And my computer is right next to my younger brother's room. His feet... well, they don't smell too bueno.)

I figure it would be easier for me to order online since the nearest bookstore is 75 miles away. The nearest "city" is 75 miles away. (Yup, I live in small-town Middle of Nowhere, Texas.) I just love to look at all the different kinds of books and hope that maybe one day I'll get the guts to put my story fragments together and put them on one of those shelves. ^^

For me the bookstore is just a good-smellin' dream. XP

I sometimes find it easier to make new discoveries online, because I have more control and accessibility to search for topics, read reviews, that sort of thing. I like being able to research new discoveries, and that's much easier to do online *nodsnods*

I preffer book stores. I like being able to look at the books, read the back description and the first few pages. I also like the smell of the books and the calm feeling book stores have.

I do both. I'll go to the book store and look around at books and should I find something that sounds appealing I'll look to see if I can't order it from somewhere cheaper. Most of the time I can find a book that is 40-70% cheaper online--even after taking shipping into consideration. The only books I won't buy online are new books, because you very rarely get a deal with them.

And as much as I like browsing books in person, I find that the bookstores around me are really disappointingly limited. Especially the art sections--I know of so many more good art books then they have. I almost always have to special order a book in a series I'm completing or order them online.

Sure, I like looking at books in person, but I also love my Amazon recommendations. I've found more books that appeal to me that way.

i really think both have their ups and downs. on the book store side of the spectrum, most places are good about you looking through books and skimming content or even sitting down and reading the books. which i think is really good when you are going into a book store with really no idea as to what you want to get. you can be pleasantly surprised by some of the treasure you will find in bargain bins too.

on the ordering online side, there are just some books that book stores don't carry anymore but will order in. the thing is sometimes ordering those books online get to you faster and can cost you less then having the book store order it in for you. if you hit up the web sites at the right time you can end up with free shipping and major sales on the items you are purchasing.

So i think that both ways are really good as long as you are careful.

the other great way to get books for cheep and not feel guilty if you don't like the book or just if you are a collector of old books, is going to the used book stores. you can find some amazing things in the used books and even if the book doesn't end up being very good you may find something that totally goes along the lines of the decor of your house or just really looks pretty on a book shelf. i confess i do shop for books like that too just to have them on a book shelf to give a room that old world feel.

I prefer buying my books at the store, I just love walking into a bookstore, theres a feel and a smell about it that just makes me happy. Its more of an all over experience for me.

I do like ordering books online as well but mostly if its something thats just hard to find or if it is significantly cheaper.

another advantage of a bookstore is that there are people who work there, who can help you with the books. i often have people that come in and are like "it's a blue book with 'windows' in the title." you can't really search like that on a computer, but if they've worked there long enough they know you're asking for The Boy Who Loved Windows by Patricia Stacey.