Ask local book shop to match online book prices?

Immaculata

I usually buy books and calendars for some people as Christmas presents. I make a list and give it to my local bookstore, and they order them for me. I was aware that it's a bit more expensive to do things like this, rather than order from an online book store, but I wanted to support my local book shop, and what I lost on the slightly higher prices, I gained on not having to pay postage and packing.

Now like a lot of folks, I've basically been made redundant recently, and finances are tight. And the online book shops offer free postage now, too. So I'm tempted to ask the local book store to match the online book store's prices. I don't want to offend the staff of the local book store as they are very nice people, but on the other hand, I don't want to pay over the odds in the circs. What do you think?

nibtrix

Well, first off, the local book shop have a lot more overhead costs than an online retailer, plus they don't have the amount of stock an online retailer would have. So it's unlikely they could match the prices and actually make any money.

Apart from that though, there's no harm in asking. Be prepared for them to say no, although you might get a discount if you're spending a fair amount.

wmpdd3

When I worked in a book store the most discount we ever gave was 20%. The books are sale or return too but the calendars are not so I'd say make up a list and add the online prices and total it off and ask them to match that.