Some Useful Online Bookstores

I rarely go out to buy books in the bookstores because I can never find what I'm looking for.  And I don't have the time to keep browsing the shelves!!

I also tend to buy books that are sometimes unavailable in Singapore, like out-of-print Christian titles, cookbooks, health & fitness type of books.


Anytime I needed some books, I'd just give Kinokuniya a call and either have them deliver it or reserve it.  If we happen to pass by during the weekends, we'd collect it along the way.  

Otherwise, they are pretty cheap for delivery - S$5 per delivery (minimum purchase of S$10) and if you purchase above S$50, delivery is free.  Sure beats the hassle of driving to Takashimaya, paying the crazy parking on the weekends or even taking 1 hour each way to go to Takashimaya via public transport.  Value for money eh?


Few months ago, ST published some useful links for getting even cheaper books!!  And I have tried out a couple of them, here's the result:

1. Kinokuniya -  As above.  They have an online catalogue, so you can compare prices and decide.  But prices are in the same range as Amazon.  So ever since I discovered the online stores, I have given Kinokuniya up.
   
   
2. Amazon - They charge a lot for shipping to Singapore (US$12+++ per book or something like that), and it's the roughly the same when you choose Amazon Marketplace.  You can lower the shipping costs somewhat if you choose the Super Saver option - where you order above US$X amount of books and get free shipping to a USA address, and make use of Globeshopper or something similar to ship to Singapore.  However, after I discovered the following few websites, I gave up Amazon for good, and only use it to check out book reviews!!
   
   
3. Better World Books - I bought some really cool out-of-print books at a crazy discount and the delivery is awesome - Free Shipping in the USA, $3.97 (per book) Worldwide.  Reaches Singapore within a week, much shorter than Amazon.
   
   
4. Open Trolley - This is Singapore-based and I am very impressed by their range of books.  I found an out-of-print Christian title here at a price that beat all the rest!  Tin Hang Zai also found a health book here at a price that beat the rest.  Delivery is roughly S$5 per order, and S$0.80 if you self-collect from Plaza Singapura.  Very competitive.
   
   
5. Acmamall - This is also Singapore-based and they have an impressive range as well - they were able to provide titles that Kino could not.  Delivery is also S$5 per order, and free above S$80.  They sell beauty products, flowers and gifts too!
   
   
6. Book Depository - Their prices are competitive as well - and Tin Hang Zai also bought some books from them that were priced lower than Better World books.  Singapore is included in their Free Delivery Worldwide!!

If you are looking to buy some books, I would say, compare prices between 3, 4, 5 and 6.  And go with the cheapest.  Forget about Kino, and visit Amazon only if you need to read book reviews before buying a book.