The Price of Books in Australian shops
My experience of buying books in Australia has been one of seeing high prices all the time, in the retail Book shops. There is the odd occasion where a bargain is to be found, but not often enough to rely on it.
Buying Books by Mail Order
Serious book buyers tend to look online for the best prices, and that is what I always do. As one example; The hardback Twilight series was cheaper online than the paperback version in the discount shops.
For some time, the best prices came from the UK, but I have found recently that this may not be as common as it once was. Each book that I have looked at in the last few weeks has been cheaper in an Australian online store than the normal UK one that I am used to.
I recommend trying them yourselves, just in case.
- Australia: Fishpond.com.au
- UK: Bookdepository.co.uk
- USA: Bookdepository.com
Buying Second hand Books in Australia
Charities often hold massive Book sales, especially in my area, where you can pick up many second hand books from around $1 each. Well worth looking in your local papers for such events.
Some example prices in December 2010
Jamie’s 30-minute Meals By Jamie Oliver
- $29.97 Free delivery Australia wide from Fishpond.com.au
- $35.68 Free delivery to Australia from Bookdepository
Why Can’t Elephants Jump? by New Scientist
- $11.97 Free delivery Australia wide from Fishpond.com.au
- $13.41 Free delivery to Australia from Bookdepository
The price of books in Australia has now been rising again, when compared to the British Pound, due to the change again of the FX rate between the GBP and AUD.
Bookdepository are now seeming to be cheaper again, and they do have free delivery to Australia.
All mail orders are now done via the http://www.bookdepository.com site, and not http://www.bookdepository.co.uk