Bookdepository.com already deliver free to HK, beating local Paddyfield, Dymocks, Swindon, Page One etc.. and Amazon et al. But I noticed recently that – when you click through to their website – their prices didn’t correlate with the prices thrown up on comparison websites like bookbrain.com (or megashopbot.com which compares the comparison sites!). Often prices doubled.
For instance, a search for ‘Korea Lonely Planet’ throws up Book Depository as cheapest, with free worldwide delivery, at £11.81.
Splendid, until you click the link through and find it at £15.14 on their website…
To test if they were using IP geolocation to offer higher prices to foreign site visitors, I looked at the same page through a UK proxy… 54% off? Jackpot:
As this would be the view my sister in England would have of the page, I asked her to order the book for HK delivery – and it worked!
That’s right readers, you can now burn a copy of Tony Blair’s memoirs for just £15.84, instead of £19.88.
So if you’re not in the UK, it’s best to use Bookbrain.com to search the true prices of Book Depository titles, and then employ an internet or human proxy to buy!
How interesting, thanks
How interesting, thanks
Why don’t just use the excellent HK public library system. You can go to the catalogue reserve a book for $2.50 and pick it up at the library of your choice.
Why don’t just use the excellent HK public library system. You can go to the catalogue reserve a book for $2.50 and pick it up at the library of your choice.
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you could try tunnelbear.com VPN client, they give a certain amount of free usage each month, and you can switch between US and UK to get an IP address outside of HK. I haven’t tried it but this should bypass the GEOIP. tunnelbear is no-hassle to install and use and I use it regularly.
thanks for the tip! how would you change proxies though? i love book depository. i found that sometimes books turned out cheaper if bought using certain currencies, as rates don’t seem to be updated live i think.
thanks for the tip! how would you change proxies though? i love book depository. i found that sometimes books turned out cheaper if bought using certain currencies, as rates don’t seem to be updated live i think.
i’ve seen quite a few books on https://www.secondhand.hk/