Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Amazon Explained

I received the last volume of the Tightwad Gazette series (Tightwad Gazette II) that I was missing yesterday! I'm very happy with it because it is a hardback copy in perfect condition. Its much nicer than the 2 other volumes that I purchased in paperback in the early 1990s.

Another great thing is the price. It was only one cent! Amazon sets the shipping rate for books at $3.99 so that's a given when ordering any book. The seller makes a couple of dollars on the shipping and that's how they can sell books for a penny.

So I ended up actually paying $4.00 for the book.

Here's my complete set!




I considered purchasing the Tightwad Gazette book which contains all 3 volumes, as well as some additional tightwaddery information, but they weren't that cheap. Since I only needed one it was better for me to just buy it. If you wanted to buy all 3, you would end up spending $12.00 if purchased individually. So in my opinion, you'd be better off to buy the 3 in 1 volume. However, you could compare the prices and do the math to make that decision if you are in the market for these books.

I am a big believer in using my county library system instead of buying books, but there are some that I like to have on hand for reference that I go back to again and again. The Tightwad Gazettes have saved me mucho denaros over the years!

I had been wanting to buy a book recommended on some homesteading blogs called, "The Encyclopedia of Country Living". The library branch located near me didn't have this book, but a branch located in a nearby town did. So my branch obtained it for me and called me when it was in.

My plan was to read the book and see if I thought it was a book I needed to own. I had checked on Amazon for the book and it was expensive. After reading the book I decided I didn't need to own it. Its a very good book, but I don't think I'd go back to it over and over. If we were living off the land like my family did when I was growing up, this book would be absolutely necessary! But at this point in my life I don't plan on raising chickens for food, etc, but some day you never know...... with the way the food system in this country is going, I might.

I hope you've noticed the Amazon Widget located on my left side bar. If my understanding is correct, this is how it works. If you go to the Amazon website through the link on this blog and buy anything, I would get a small credit for it. You don't have to buy the books I recommend. So, if you are planning to buy something from Amazon, I'd appreciate your letting my blog refer you to their site.

I have had good luck with the things I've ordered from Amazon. I've bought several books for a penny, plus the $3.99 shipping and have been very happy with the books.

One of my favorite books purchased from Amazon was a copy of "Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman". The copy I bought has a beautiful blue suede hard cover and is in perfect condition. Its a great reference book.

The bottom line is though, if you can get a book from the library for free, I'd go that route to make sure I needed to own a book first. That's the frugal thing to do!

You may have noticed that the "Google Ad Sense Ads" that I had a while back are gone. I noticed some ads that I wasn't comfortable with on the blog and wondered if there were ads showing up when I wasn't looking that I wouldn't approve of too. So I just got rid of it. I don't want to offend anyone!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! $4.00. I have been wanting to own these books again. I use to own all three of the books,but they got ruined a couple of years ago.(don't ask) ha.

I will be checking out Amazon.com.

Thanks! :)

Melinda

Anonymous said...

Hi Debbie,
I love amazon. I just got an order today. I check books out at my library first to see if they are ones I wnat to add to my collection.
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Little Penpen said...

I ordered two Complete Tightwad Gazettes yesterday (new) from Amazon!!!! These will be Christmas gifts for the newly weds and newly weds to be! I only own the first two volumes too, so I'm looking forward to getting my hands on this volume for a few hours before I wrap them!

Anonymous said...

I bought the Complete Tightwad Gazette years ago from Amazon, and never regretted it. It has so many tips in it and really motivates me to be frugal - although I will never be anywhere near as frugal as Amy is!
I've never had any trouble when ordering from Amazon. Even though the postage to Australia is quite high, for the books I bought it is worth it.
Let us know which of Amy's tips you put into practice, won't you? And I should go and have a look at my copy again :) I especially love her quick Cuban Bread. I've made that quite a few times...

lv,

Joy

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