A couple of months ago I came across a recommendation for an online book seller The Book Depository, located in the UK. The thing that really caught my eye was the "free shipping worldwide" because as anyone who has ever tried to buy from Amazon from outside the US knows, shipping is often more than the book you want! I had a look at their prices compared to our own local online bookseller Fishpond and I was stunned. The first book I had a look at was Martha Stewart's latest Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts which I'd seen reviewed about the place a lot at the time and found it for just under $50 NZ. On Fishpond it's $75.99. The same price differences applied to pretty much every single book I checked out and I was floored. Really it seemed too good to be true, but the recommendation had come from a reputable blogger (whose name I've since forgotten!) so I didn't dismiss it right away. But really I still wonder why the price difference? I feel a bit guilty ordering from the UK when I feel I should be supporting the local act, but with that kind of price difference it's hard to. I wonder if there's something I don't know, something I should be taking into account that would sway things the other way? Or are the local book sellers just robbing us blind? All morality aside, Mat and Hazel gave me a pre-loaded Visa card for my birthday so I went for it:
I'm sure I'll be 'reviewing' these books in the near future! The books arrived really promptly, though all separately packaged which seems a bit odd. Still, no complaints on my part so I can thoroughly recommend The Book Depository!
and for Hazel:
The Moomintroll books are a bit old for her ("when's the next picture?" she says) but she actually seems to quite enjoy them despite that. I just couldn't resist getting them and hope she enjoys them as much as I did/do! When I was in Sweden in 2007 I spotted a very cute little Moomin apron in a shop window and had to have it. She was just turned two at the time, and looking at this photo I just want to kiss those little cherub lips! She was happy about the apron and the Klippan felted wool bag but a bit unsure about her mummy being home after 3 weeks!
