I have a coupon from Alibris the book buying website. And I’m having a hard time using it. Which is unusual because I usually have no difficulty spending money on buying books (or DVD’s or CD’s) online.
But the coupon is for a dollar off or five dollars off if my total order is over fifty dollars. And I can’t find anything on Alibris that’s cheap enough to justify buying. Everything I’ve found is priced several dollars higher than everyone else’s prices.
I’m looking at the DVD box set for the first season of MadTV. Its list price is $39.98. Amazon is selling it new for $14.99. They have used copies for $12.99. Deep Discount DVDs - $27.89. Buy.Com - $31.98. DVD Planet - $29.96. Overstock - $29.64. Digital Eyes - $29.95. DVD Empire - $29.97. Movies Unlimited - $31.99. eBay has copies being auctioned off at $9.99.
The Alibris price? $53.92
And the reason I was looking for DVDs in the first place? Because their book prices are worse than their movie prices.
Now I’m a book buying slut. I buy books from online book stores, independant book stores, chain book stores, used book stores, remainder book stores, library book sales, flea markets, garage sales, salvation army stores, supermarkets, department stores, book clubs, and newsstands. I buy hundreds of books every year. I’m the easiest guy in the world to sell a book to.
So, Alibris, if you’re trying to make a business out of selling books and you can’t sell me a book, you have very serious problems.