I've been into books lately, usually I read literature both Indonesian or English but I am more to English literature especially the classic ones. It's hard to find old books or English books in Indonesia only several bookstore and I don't read book translations. No matter how hard their English are I like it better in the original language.
I buy books both online and domestic bookstores but mostly online. The pluses and minuses when I want to buy books from domestic bookstore are:
- their books are not complete some aren't yet arrived in Indonesia
- their tend to be a little bit more expensive (publisher fee, shipping fee, and their own fee)
- pay using local currency
Periplus. This bookstore are well-known for selling books in original language. English. Their website is not up-to-date enough with the new books. But you can always pre-order for unreleased books and contact through their email or twitter. Their CS is very helpful when you order online. I bought books couple times and even for an old book they don't mind if they need it to check it first in their warehouse. I want to have their Elite Card but I have to go to their bookstores which is difficult for me. Too bad.
Gramedia Bookstore. Indonesia well-known bookstores but very limited collection for books in English language, it's good only when it comes to Indonesian books. I don't buy from here often only comics but my husband find a lot of his books here.
Times Bookstore. As I remembered I bought one book from Times, another English books. One of my favorite bookstore. You can look through their collection here.
Kinokuya Bookstore. I visit Kinokuya most when I go to the mall. Haven't tried their online service, do they have it?
(ak.'sa.ra). Haven't tried to buy books from here because I can't find one.
Blame my impetuosity. If I want some books I want it immediately. On Google you can find a lot of online booksellers from the cheapest to the most expensive from all over the world mostly US and UK. For someone like me who lived across oceans far from US or European land shipping cost will be a major problem to buy books but that ain't gonna stop me.
The pluses and minuses when I want to buy books from foreign online booksellers are:
- their books are in wide range genre and more complete collection
- their tend to be a little bit more expensive (US currency)
- pay using US currency
- you must have Credit Card
- long time shipping day
Book Depository. A UK-based online bookseller free of charge, worldwide, to over 100 countries. I love bookdepository the most because it's FREE SHIPPING. Yes, their book price is a little more expensive compare to Amazon but believe me it's worth it. I bought six books, yes SIX books, from bookdepository and well satisfied with their services. The shipping to the rest of the world including Indonesia is 7 - 10 working days. I love to shop books here. Gonna do it again in the future for sure.
Better World Books. I love this site. First, you can buy books while you make some charity because every time you buy a book they donate to someone in need. Second, they sell new books and used books. Third, FREE SHIPPING. Yes, I have to be a smart buyer. I order an old book from Better World Books and cost me only US$ 5 and their condition as good as new. They have funny system, 'your book' will send you an email telling you that they're thankful and happy because someone has pick up and buy them. I was astonished at the first time. For new books yes I have to admit the price is higher that bookdepository.
Thrift Books. A US-based bookseller which sell new and used books. Haven't tried once because it have shipping fee US$9.9. Maybe someday I'll try to buy books from here.
Amazon. Yes, this site is very well-known to buy a books. Super complete collection. But I find it very expensive to buy books to be deliver to Indonesia. Their books price are the cheapest among all bookseller but if you buy books above US$ 50 you will get charge for Tax and because all the books are not from one publisher they will send it in separate and it makes the shipping fee as much as the books we bought. Amazon only good if you lived in US because they provide free shipping.
For Indonesian people, there's a third party that provided services to buy books from Amazon or other US or UK books but they'll end up as expensive as Amazon. The choice is always ours.
.Cheers.
No comments:
Post a Comment