Buying Current Best Sellers for Less
When buying a best seller you can find savings even on newly released novels written by the most popular and in-demand authors.- Apply for discount cards at large brick-and-mortar bookstores like Borders, Barnes and Noble, and Books-A-Million.
- Purchasing a best seller before it is released to the stores can sometimes result in receiving up to a 40 percent savings.
- Purchasing books at the online bookstore rather than the brick-and-mortar store is often less because the overhead in running an online store is less than a local store. Also the competition is stiffer online and you might capitalize on a company’s price-match policy. However, shipping costs can sometimes offset the savings so make certain to figure that amount in before you push the 'buy' button.
- Utilizing online coupon savings codes and special click-through discounts results in substantial savings with offers such as free shipping, and dollar off and discount off price breaks.
- Joining a book club for saving on best sellers often will not result in any substantial discount although there are other advantages advent readers may consider, convenience being one of them.
- Using price comparison tools offered online can also result in finding the book that you want at the best price.
- - Barnes and Noble - Membership cost $25.00 a year and you will receive exclusive member-only offers plus 10% on nearly every item in Barnes & Noble bookstores and online at Barnes & Noble.com including books, CDs, DVDs, bargain books, sale items, and everything in the store Cafe. It does not apply to used or out-of-print books or at Barnes & Noble College Bookstores.
- Borders - There is not a discount club for shoppers to join, however if you are a teacher or librarian for students in preschool through 12th grade, and can show current proof of employment (an employee ID or pay stub), you are eligible for the 20 percent Classroom Discount Card. If you are a home schooler and can provide any applicable state certification, you are also eligible for the 20 percent Classroom Discount Card.
- Books-A-Million - The Millionaire's Club Discount Card cost $10.00 a year and members save an additional 10 percent off most purchases plus receive exclusive membership offers.
- eBay - eBay offers an endless amount of resources for books on any topic, any condition, and at rock-bottom prices.
Finding Specialized New and Used Books for Less
If you collect books on a specific subject or within a certain category such as cook books, you can take advantage of all the tips above plus more.- A great place to find new books on specific topics for less are the sale bins of your local bookstore chains especially if it is at one of the store's outlet locations.
- Online stores always have 'sale sections' to browse.
- eBay.com is an excellent place to bid on a wide variety of books and also an great resource for purchasing complete book collections.
- Half.com offers discounts on textbooks and offers a wonderful selection of used books. You can also sell your books through half.com.
- Target and Wal-Mart often have children's books drastically reduced.
- Local book fairs offer one of the best opportunities to save a tremendous amount of money. Church and school book fairs generally offer blanket pricing depending on the category of the book. This is also a great place to find hard-to-find books within specific subjects.
- Estate sales and garage sales are another good resource to hunt for books to add to your personal library. It is common to find hard cover books that are in excellent shape for just a few dollars.
- If you enjoy collecting all the books of a particular author, for example Nicholas Sparks, you might luck out and find someone listing their collection on eBay or at a resale book store where you can either trade unwanted books for credit towards your purchase or just buy it at measurable discount prices.
- - Barnes and Nobles offers the 'Sale Annex' with books under $5.00 and $10.00 including older best sellers.
- Books-a-Million offers close outs, discounted best sellers and special values in the Bargain Book Clearance section.
- Borders.com has a page for shoppers to browse that list the 'Special Offers' that can be found locally.
- Amazon.com offers the 'Bargain Books' with a book featured weekly with over a 70 percent savings.
Donna Montaldo
Your Guide to Coupons and Bargains at About.com
