Does anyone know why books are so expensive in NZ

Robert

We like to buy paperbacks for ourselves and always in the UK we bought lots of books for the children to encourage reading mostly mail order from places like Amazon, The Red House and The Book People. The books here seem outrageously expensive for example Whitcoulls have 'Gulag' at $29.99 while AmazonUK are selling it at £3.99. I realise that the RRP is £6.99 but even so...

Has anyone found anywhere that sells cheaper books on a regular basis?

Azazel · I Like It Here Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 64

Why not order from amazon and get it delivered to nz?

Moorf · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 2:44 am Post subject:

Just WAIT until I get there and fulfil my dream of running a second hand bookshop Nice One

Coffee on tap, net access, reading room with comfy sofa's and books galore!!

Are there many bookshops (2nd hand or otherwise) in Christchurch - I shall do my research when I am there on the ground but any info would be very handy Nice One

Lee&Nicky · I Like It Here Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 70

Do they have in NZ something like the "net book agreement" that we used to have in the UK? Not sure exactly how it worked, but used to have a friend who owned a book shop in London donkeys years ago and I remember him saying that when the NBA was abolished it pushed virtually all independent bookshops like his to the wall and let in the likes of Waterstones and other chains to sell books in special offers and at big discounts thereby expanding the book chainstores at the cost of the inependents. I assume the NBA was some sort of a trade agreement obstructing book sellers from underpricing etc, which of course kept book prices at a relatively high minimum level.

Just wondering, as I can't see any logical reason why books should be so much more expensive in NZ. Maybe we have just got used to buying books dirt cheap in the UK.

Lee

Moorf · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:17 am Post subject:

Would it be shipping costs that add to the cost of books there?

Are homegrown books still as expensive?

wilson182 · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 5:26 am Post subject:

Cant wait Moorf, Our family will most certainly be regulars. Nice One

Ill ask hubby about the bookshops, cause I know that was something he was looking into.

Timbo · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 6:46 am Post subject:

I cant comment on ChCh, but we did see a book exchange shop in Whitianga ( I think ). If a small one horse town like that has a demand for books when it only has about 4500 residents, there must be more of them about.
Then again, there is always the public library.

susanlin · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 4:04 pm Post subject: books

Hi

As an avid reacher I am also surprised and disappointed at the price of books in NZ. I order from amazon - the postage is moderate but it does work out cheaper. Does anybody know of mail order book store in NZ?
Moorf - brilliant idea about book store! PLEASE set it up in ChCh!

Sue
PS - I use ChCh library a lot - very good in my opinion- have reserved lots of titles - bestsellers etc - only $1.50

susanlin · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 4:08 pm Post subject: books

PS - slightly off topic but....what about a book recommendation thread? Particularly books related to moving, NZ etc? I'm sure everyone of you on this site has read 'Emigrate with Caution'! What about 'Living and working in NZ' I found that book really good, loads of contact numbers, websites, references etc. I am trying to get round reading the 'history of NZ' - Michael King anybody read it, recommend it?
Sue

Moorf · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 7:04 am Post subject:

Do it Susan.....!! Clapping

veronica · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 5:54 pm Post subject:

Yep, books are expensive but they have some great LIBRARIES and they are free, you can get loads of books for a Month. There are quite a few second hand book shops in chch but I haven't a clue how they do. cheers

Robert · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 7:49 pm Post subject:

Second hand book shops here seem to be similar to those in the UK with similar decor and the obligatory old book smell (!) I suspect the coffee culture style cafe proposed my Moorf would go down very well in the right area as coffee is very important here.

The use of libraries is much more widespread here than I expected compared with the UK and having recently joined our local library I can say the quality of service seems as good as my local library in the UK. I prefer owning the books though as they are often read multiple times and it is a pain having to remember to return library copies.

I doubt that the cost of mailing is the issue (see the posting above about Amazon) rather the fact that very few kiwis seem to do much shopping around, assuming that the local cost is high for distance reasons and not thinking that it could be cheaper elsewhere. needless to say, I am spreading the word about Amazon. CD WOW is also a great resource for legal CDs, DVDs and games at much lower than local prices and all shipped post free.

I would love to see the book people or some such outfit working over here - perhaps someone in the know could set one up? I regret my own business acumen is negligible!

wilson182 · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 7:48 am Post subject:

Hi Sue

Interesting comment about Amazon. Ive got a couple of questions if thats ok?

1. Which Amazon does it come from, Paul thought the nearest one to us was the American one.?

2. Do you have to pay an import tax when the books arrive.? We ordered some herbal tablets from America, and had to pay customs when they arrived in New Zealand.

Many thanks

Debs

Timbo · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 7:55 am Post subject:

Robert. Do they have travelling librarys in New Zealand?
I would have thought this would be a good idea given the geography of the place.

Hmmm!! Mobile library/second hand book shop with cappucino on tap.

michelle · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 9:48 am Post subject:

Read books constantly, joined a library, couldn't afford it otherwise.

Found the libraries to be much better than the Uk.

Michelle