European Tribune - Comments - Sunday Open Thread

Sunday Open Thread | 48 comments (48 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

I'm considering upgrading my biochem/organic chem textbook library and the site Amazon.com comes to mind as a source. Has anyone here actually used Amazon? Any horror stories? Do's and Don't's?

BTW, I just "borrowed" my neighbor's copy of Victoria's Secret Christmas Specials Catalog 2009 Vol.1 and I think I know Victoria's secret. It's a 4 membered steroid ring named testosterone. Aaaah, biochem.

Now where's the fun in that! - Megatron

by THE Twank (yatta blah blah @ blah.com) on Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 at 10:42:10 AM EST

Re: Question (none / 0)

I use Amazon loads and sometimes import from the US if it isn't available through the UK site. Never had any problems apart from one book that wasn't as pristine as they had claimed but was still entirely fine.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 at 10:57:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Question (none / 1)

Amazon's quick, easy-to-use, reliable (though I haven't ordered much from the US site).

To search for a work, try Bookfinder.com.

For second-hand books, AbeBooks is good.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 at 12:04:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Question (none / 1)

I found it very reliable until my last order where for some reason they decided they couldn't be bothered and simply refunded my money without explanation. then they asked me to review the product they hadn't sent me.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 at 12:45:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Question (none / 1)

A book? Or another type of product? And from Amazon or an affiliate (Marketplace)?

Not that I want to fight for big corporate Amazon...

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 at 01:07:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Question (none / 1)

A CD and from amazon. I made one large order of about 10 CDs. they announced it was coming in 3 parts. First two arrived (5CDs) but the third was in preparation and then ah can't be arsed.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 at 01:16:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Question (none / 1)

This isn't necessarily Amazon's fault. They have three classes of items - 'in stock' which means what it says, 'due soon', which usually also means what it says, and 'ships in X weeks', which means 'Don't hold your breath, because the distributor probably doesn't have any.'

I've never had a problem getting the first two delivered, either from Amazon or the marketplace.

I've never had anything in the last class turn up at all, so I just ignore that category when I put in an order.

The only time Amazon misdelivered was when I ordered some books about Buddhism from the US, and they sent me some Harry Potter hardbacks instead.

I got to keep the Harry Potter, and they resent the original order without complaining.

I don't think they're a great company or particularly good to work for, but they seem adequately competent as an online retailer, so I wouldn't worry about buying from them if it's something that's not available locally.

Tragically, they're almost always cheaper than my local bookshop, which can get most things delivered next day, but charges a lot for the privilege.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 at 01:50:02 PM EST
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Re: Question (none / 0)

ThatBritGuy:

they're almost always cheaper than my local bookshop,

Mine too. "Local" for me is a 50 km round trip, too. And unfortunately the bookseller does the sustaining part of his trade on school books, and so tunes his opening hours to teachers' availability. I was outside his shop at 10 am last Saturday, it wasn't open yet... So I order books on Internet.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 at 03:10:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Question (none / 1)

I use Amazon as a portal to a whole group of used bookstores who use Amazon for access. Just check the xxn used at $ entries, and you get a list of stores selling the title used. There is a marketing technique being used more and more of selling used books for very low prices, like .99 or 1.99 with shipping charges of $3.99, and since many of the books I am looking for are obscure, this works for me.

by greatferm (greatferm-at-email.com) on Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 at 03:13:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Question (none / 1)

Amazon is one of my lifelines, as it is 120 miles to Springfield MO, where is the nearest Barnes & Noble etc. The selection on Amazon is much larger than most book stores and the site combines the advantages of a new and used book store. I have bought one used book on a link from Amazon that was listed as excellent to very good, but that had some underlining. But usually the higher rated used books are virtually like new.

As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 at 08:41:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Question (none / 1)

Don't combine an order from a third-party merchant with one from the main store, and then decide to change to another credit card halfway. Their software then generates two orders to the former. When you mail a complaint, they deny this can happen, and when you followup with a detailed description of the unusual circumstances that resulted in this bug you don't get a reply (which may have helped with getting my credit card company to cancel the charge...)

I haven't ordered anything from them since.

by gk (g k quattro due due sette "at" gmail.com) on Mon Nov 23rd, 2009 at 06:22:01 AM EST
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Re: Question (none / 1)

For political reasons, I prefer sourcing books locally or directly from the publisher even if it turns out being more expensive. Only if time is of the essence I'll order from Amazon or other online retailers.

In the US, Powell's is good.

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Nov 23rd, 2009 at 06:29:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Sunday Open Thread | 48 comments (48 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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