Buying Books Online vs. In-store

Do you know reading can possibly help prevent Alzheimer’s disease? Studies show that being mentally stimulated is one way of decreasing the chances of getting the dreaded illness. Reading can also be very therapeutic and lessen stress levels; not that you need any more reason to sit down with your kindle or favourite hard copy! While the introduction of the World Wide Web brought many a book shop to their proverbial knees, it also opened up an entire new outlet where people could purchase books – online. Below is a list of pros and cons for buying your books both online and in-store:

Online

Technology has definitely made life so much easier; purchasing books included. However, there can be some disadvantages to buying online:

Pros:

Book availability - with online book sellers, it’ll be very easy to search for a certain book with a few keystrokes and clicks. There’s no need to leave the house to visit several book stores if you’re looking for a hard to find volume.

Second-hand book options – It’s easier to find a pre-loved book if you’re hunting for one online, particularly a rare one. You can search online book sellers at classifieds websites like Quicksales or the online Salvos stores.

Affordability – Buying books online can score you books at lower costs since online sellers don’t need to pay store rental fees. There’s no doubt that buying books online allows you to score better deals than in-store – if you’re willing to put in the time to research and scour the internet for the best deal. Some online book sellers also waive taxes and shipping fees. This means more money for you the reader – possibly to buy more books!

Cons:

Payments – You’ll need a credit card or Paypal account to make online purchases. Also be sure to check the seller’s customer service ratings to be to avoid getting scammed.

Waiting time – Your newly ordered books arrive in your eager hands for at least a couple of days so if you’re desperate to start peeling back the pages, you’re better off heading to your local book shop.

Incorrect orders– This doesn’t happen often, but there is a possibility you might end up with the incorrect order and have to wait while the book is returned, exchanged and sent back to you.

The old-fashioned way of buying books has its good and bad sides, too. Read on to find out the advantages and disadvantages of buying books in a store.

Pros:

No need for credit cards or a Paypal account - Getting paperbacks from a store is the best way to go if cash is king for you.

Quality – You can inspect the book before paying for it or check if there are any damages; you can’t do this if you’re buying books online.

Speediness – Once you’ve paid for your books, you can take them home and read them right away. No need to wait for the delivery!

Cons:

Cost – Physical book shops pay for staffing fees, rent, and electricity. Part of the book sales will cover the book shops’ expenses which is why it is generally cheaper to buy online.

Convenience – You need to leave the comforts of your own home to look for the books you want, and may need to visit a few stores if the first one you visit is out of stock. This will become an additional expense for you.

Ebooks – ebooks are sold online, therefore if you’re after a book you can read on your tablet then you’ll need to shop for these online!

Wherever you get them from, buying books is a fairly enjoyable task I think most would say. The important thing is you weigh up the pros and cons of both methods and go with the one which works best for you. If you wish to go the online route, make sure that you’re buying from a reputable online book retailer or seller, and that you are buying the correct copy you’re after. Alternatively if book shops are your thing, call before dropping by to ensure they have the copy you want in stock.

~Provided by Quicksales.