by Kellee Stone
Member since:
May 28, 2008

Online Book Stores vs Brick & Mortar

July 15, 2008 11:18 AM EDT
views: 139 | comments: 40

I have been thinking about shopping for books.  Sometimes I like the personal assistance in a brick & mortar store and being able to browse through books.  At other times I like the ease  of online shopping.  Which do you prefer and why?

 

Kellee

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Comments: 40

Chuck M. Jul 15, 2008, 11:51am EDT
I like going to a brick and mortar store any day over shopping online. It's just a matter of time before the online stores wipe out mortar stores - just like what's happened to the record stores.
Chris E. Jul 15, 2008, 12:00pm EDT
Brick and mortar - I prefer to get my hands on a book and look it over.
LittleMissSunshine - Shel & Barney Rule L. Jul 15, 2008, 12:01pm EDT
I do both. I like Barnes and Noble and I like sitting and having coffee with friends looking at books.

At the same time, if there is a book and I know exactly what I'm going to get I might order online. Other times I like the immediacy of the book store.
Elizabeth V. Jul 15, 2008, 12:19pm EDT
I shop for books wherever they're cheapest. That usually means used book sales. I shop at Borders stores or amazon.com if I have a gift card/certificate for them.
Marianne R. Jul 15, 2008, 12:30pm EDT
Depends on what I am shopping for, if I have a gift certificate and if I can wait. I do both and like both.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Jul 15, 2008, 12:43pm EDT
I don't have a preference, it comes down to price.
Jennifer N. Jul 15, 2008, 2:38pm EDT
I prefer brick and morter. There's nothing like wandering around and looking inside and holding the books.

But online has bigger selections and better prices... so both have their perks.
Phyllis R. Jul 15, 2008, 2:46pm EDT
I like both equally......hubby and I go to B & N just to hang out, -- sometimes 2-3 hours! I have ordered lots of books and coloring books online too!
Chris S. Jul 15, 2008, 10:04pm EDT
It really depends. If there is a book I have in mind, I tend to just buy online. But if I'm in the mood to browse - you have to be in a book store. I can spend hours browsing the shelves. I love the smell of a book store!
Thomas W. Jul 15, 2008, 11:03pm EDT
brick & mortar. -easier for things to catch your eye...
Randall C. Jul 15, 2008, 11:04pm EDT
unfortunately I live to far away from major brand name stores, like Barnes and Noble, so I shop online. as with the price of gas why not...Amazon is pretty good, but as with everything nowadays they get you with shipping
Sandi S. Jul 16, 2008, 7:45am EDT
Walking through the store you may be drawn to books you didn't know you were looking for. But with 2 small kids (3 and 1) I use Amazon. It's easier!
Sveth Aris Jul 19, 2008, 2:41pm EDT
An interesting, well written post! Keep 'em coming.

Oh, and BTW, enrich your experience on Gather by joining us at pointmasters.gather.com.
Marsha S. Jul 19, 2008, 5:43pm EDT
I love browsing the brick & mortar although it's a very rare occasion that I buy a book new.
M. Bradley McCauley McCauley Jul 23, 2008, 4:17pm EDT
I enjoy both and I'm becoming very fond of eBooks--especially when I can download them and take them with me. Like Marsha, I rarely buy a book new but do enjoy browsing.
Barbary Chaapel Jul 23, 2008, 4:25pm EDT
Kellee,

I tried sending you a gather message in answer to your question about summer reading but it wouldn't go through. So.........here is the message:

Kellee,

Major coincidence! Around August 1st I'm going to publish my month of July book and movie picks on Gather.

Meanwhile, if you go to the web site, www.shelfari.com and maybe type in my name or nonameharbor I have a vast list of really favorite books there. Join and become my friend?

Imagine.
Kellee Stone Jul 23, 2008, 4:45pm EDT
Thanks Barbary, I did get the message a little while ago. I will check out your book. Sounds interesting.
jessie voigts Jul 23, 2008, 10:13pm EDT
i like brick and mortar stores, but we live in the boonies, so most of the time i make do with online. sigh. i'm on goodreads - i need to get on shelfari!
Corinne M. Jul 24, 2008, 10:22pm EDT
I prefer the b&m stores because I like to LOOK at the books, hold them in my hand, flip through pages, smell the paper - I know that sounds ridiculous but that's how I like to shop for books.
Christopher B. Jul 26, 2008, 2:02pm EDT
I generally do both. If I am in need of a specific book, I'll probably do that online. If I am just looking for a good book, I'll probably go into the book store. Also my writing group often meets at a local bookstore (and all of them have a coffee shop these days) so after we socialize I often buy a book there as a thank you. In addition local books are easier to spot in local book stores than they are online.
Carol P. Jul 27, 2008, 10:23pm EDT
I used to prefer going in and spending time with cup of coffee in a bookstore, but now I have gotten used to ordering online, I like it better.
Carol P. Jul 27, 2008, 10:24pm EDT
Can you tell me about your book mentioned in your profile?
Ellie !. Jul 27, 2008, 10:25pm EDT
I used to be addicted to Amazon.com when the kids were little. I could browse and read after they were asleep at night. But, oh, how I love the smell of ink and paper!
Alison H. Jul 28, 2008, 1:20pm EDT
It's all good! If visiting a city, a bookstore would be a destination for me. At home, I go to library book sales, thrift stores, used book stores, and will shop online for a particular title I want. I refuse to pay list price for a book unless I have a gift card.
Alex In Wonderland Jul 29, 2008, 11:15am EDT
i prefer shopping for books online because I can get them used for a much lower price. Plus I don't like to buy them new if there are old copies lying around. No used bookstore in my area can compete with Amazon.com
Zara Stevens Aug 3, 2008, 9:47am EDT
I love browsing through a bookstore, but because I live in Japan, the choice of stores that stock English books is limited - so I live for Amazon!
Peter Joseph Swanson Aug 6, 2008, 3:54pm EDT
I used to love my downtown Borders that I lived near, but it closed. So now I do Borders.com.
Debra C. Aug 8, 2008, 8:40pm EDT
I often shop amazon, but I also shop locally -- and when I find a book that I want at the brick & morter, I buy it there. Browsing is part of the joy of books. Tattered Cover (in Denver) was one of the first bookstores to make bookshopping a lifestyle. I guess ensuring that some of my shopping is B&M is one of the best ways I can thank them for that life lesson.
Robert D. Aug 11, 2008, 11:48pm EDT
I like to browse online some, making wishlists and stuff, but there is no comparison with a bricks & mortar store! I love B&N and Books-a-Million, but I prefer the smaller Mom and Pop stores that really know how to help you.

I visit bookstores in every city that I go to on business, looking for the funky small stores. The Barnes & Noble at the waterfront in Baltimore is one of the best I've ever seen. It's built into 3 floors of an old powerplant at the harbor, including shelves inside the 4 smokestacks! I have a picture of it at Barnes&NobleBaltimore
kokomo *. Aug 12, 2008, 2:55am EDT
I don't care to browse in bookstores very much. I order all my books from Amazon. That's why I was glad to hear that Amazon is now a new partner with Gather!
Penny M. Aug 15, 2008, 1:43pm EDT
I like to browse in book stores and see what I am actually getting
Rae M. Aug 21, 2008, 9:37am EDT
Since I sell used books on line, I have to say on line, as I know I can usually get books cheaper on line. But I do still enjoy going to the bookstore sometimes.
M C. Sep 1, 2008, 1:46pm EDT
Aside from the library I like half.com. The books usually arrive within a week and are priced based on what "condition" you can tolerate. I've never received a book from there that's un-readable, and the last few I've bought were just $0.75 plus a few dollars shipping.
Diana Raabe Sep 2, 2008, 9:33pm EDT
Well, you can't shop in your pj's to a brick-and-mortar store...
Mark C. Sep 10, 2008, 10:43am EDT
I prefer browsing at a real bookstore, sitting down with a cup of coffee and reading magazines. I only buy books online if it's a specific book I am looking for.
Infinity M. Sep 13, 2008, 2:00pm EDT
i luv bookstores - i can linger all day (if i happen to have that luxury called time that day :)
i especially like bookstores that have a coffee bar - i also like secondhand bookstores
HEIDI F. Sep 13, 2008, 10:55pm EDT
depends. the big chain stores are kind of boring, but there is a local store called hyde brothers that is totally awesome. it's crammed full of used and new books two floors of em.
Lavonne W. Sep 19, 2008, 8:17pm EDT
I am crazy about shopping for used books at amazon. Even though I pay a shipping charge I never buy books unless they are priced at under one dollar so its still a deal. About two thirds of my purchases were for books priced at .01. That's right one cent!
Kellee Stone Oct 14, 2008, 9:56pm EDT
Thank you so much for all the different answers to my question. I enjoy both depending on all the things you mentioned. I felt I was just being wishy-washy, so you gave me some things to consider and made me feel much better. Smiles, Kellee
wiaka's just ... curious Feb 5, 2009, 2:15pm EST
Bricks and mortar is great when you want to just spend some time ( if you have time ) to browse through books. Last week I took my daughter and granddaughter to our local Barnes and Noble and we picked out the books we wanted and then took them over to have treats at the Starbucks cafe and chated it was very nice to sit down and hear them talk about different things ... it was real quality time I shall cherish.

If I know what book I want I look it up on the internet and have gotten some great deals by searching and looking at reviews.

Blessings

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