Is Amazon killing off bookshops?

Forgot to say... Amazon's print-on-demand is in addition to the Kindle option for indie authors. I have one friend who has only sold about 100 books over the last two years, but she just wants her writing out there.

I used to have a secondhand bookshop - it was the best thing ever; I absolutely loved all aspects of it from getting in boxes of 'new' stock to getting to know what my customers wanted - and finding it for them. Unfortunately, the recession finished it off but it had been a struggle long before then and the irony was the shop only survived as long as it did because I was selling on Amazon. The doors finally closed in 2008 so e-readers weren't an issue for us but I think they would have hastened the end. I do miss that shop!

Nana3 I have several indie author friends who publish on Amazon and they'd have no outlet for their books without it.

Some of the used book outlets listed on Amazon, eg Book Depository which was started by a former Amazon employee, have now been acquired by Amazon! I don't know which other ones, though as many are in the US but ship here at silly low prices.

Marketplace vendors have complained to me that Amazon controls their pricing, so they cannot price lower than another vendor. For example, joint vitamin supplements. I used to get a big quantity at a low price from one vendor, then suddenly the price doubled. The vendor emailed me back saying that Amazon does this. What he did to not lose me as a customer was to send me double the quantity! It's a bit of a faff, but I now do this with him every few months for my joint-care supplements.

durhamjen Thanks for the Hive link. Got all excited at the concept, especially for the children's books and toys, then when I put my postcode in, there are no participating independent bookstores in Bristol, even though I know there are independent bookstores.

I remember a tv or radio programme on which owners of small businesses who sell through Amazon asked people not to stop using them or they couldn't exist. Does this apply to book sellers on Amazon does anyone know?

My husband published magazines and often pointed out that soft wood trees for paper were a crop: harvested, quickly grown, replanted and in their growing time they combated CO2 depetion.

I buy and borrow books from various sources: bookshops, supermarkets, libraries, book sales, charity shops and online. Sometimes Amazon is the only place to find something you want to read but cannot track down elsewhere. I have been getting into the Swedish 'Martin Beck' detectve novels after watching the TV series and the books are over 40 yers old. I am buying them three at a time from Amazon, the only place they and their reprints can be found.

Yes it was worth repeating cos I hadn't seen it before - will definitely look at the website - thank you!
Jane10 I may be a bit behind on this too as don't think anyone has asked - can you tell us the title of your book?

I don't use Amazon for ethical reasons.
I use www.hive.co.uk
You can order from them and have them delivered to your home or your local bookshop. Over £10 is post free. A percentage of the cost goes to a local bookshop of your choosing. I donate mine to Seven Stories.
Prices are often cheaper than Amazon.

I know, I know, I've said all this before. Worth repeating.
Often used to go in bookshops when we lived in York, but the nearest ones to me now are chains, apart from the ones in Corbridge, and I only go there occasionally.

I've never had a kindle and don't want one. I like handling a book, looking at its cover, reading the back cover and the reviews, etc. I think reading from a screen is a completely different, and somehow less intimate, experience.

I understand why people buy from Amazon and supermarkets - it is convenient and usually cheaper - and useful for locating books that are no longer in print. We buy our books like that sometimes but I also buy from book shops because I enjoy wandering round book shops. If they are not supported, they will disappear and then I think the huge range of books that are currently available will shrink.

Charity shops, the local library, The Book People and yes, wicked old Amazon, where I turn when I need anything specific. I've had a lot of secondhand books from sellers on there and they have always been very lightly used. Our nearest proper bookshop (Waterstones) is lovely, but £4 worth of busfares to get there to be added on to the extra cost makes it an infrequent treat. I'm trying to be good and not hoard books I've enjoyed, but it's difficult, as I always fondly imagine I'll read them again. The last time I had a reluctant purge I took all twelve Poldark books that I started reading back in the 60s to the charity shop, and I really regret it now!

It's the charity shop for me, took 15 or so back today and bought another 10.

I have a kindle and I do buy from Amazon still but I am a real sucker for a bookshop! Give me a Waterstone's any day. I usually end up buying at least three books - often the 3for 2 offer but I just love the experience. When I looked after my DGC for half term holidays we did different things each day but we always had one day that we went to Dillon's - they had a lovely section where we could sit on benches near the children's books area and they could also stand on the benches to reach higher shelves. We all sat and looked at books and then eventually chose one each to buy and take home for a really good read together. Sadly this Dillon's was taken over by Waterstone's and knocked down when they built the new shopping centre but it holds many happy memories for us.

I discovered the mobile library van service (also under threat) when I retired. A boon to our rural area. It trundles along once a month and it's wonderful browsing the shelves. The staff are wonderful and it's another meeting place especially in the winter. I do use Amazon and have not visited a book shop for decades (but then we don't have any!)

I was in an Oxfam bookstore today and they said their donations are down. Don't know if that's just in my SW city, but with Kindle/e-Books and all, I know I am not donating as many books. But I still take my paperbacks/hardbacks in when done with them if not needed.

Thanks for letting me know Elegran, makes sense now

Several people on GN have said that previously, shandi. Perhaps they don't want to be told they are repeating themselves every time amazon is mentioned, and accused of "virtue signalling".

I'm really surprised that no one has said that they won't or don't use Amazon as their ethical credentials are appalling on every level.

I have managed to avoid using them for the last three years or so and although I know that I am paying more buying elsewhere, as I don't look at their website I am blissfully unaware of how much it is costing me to boycott them. Makes me feel better anyway.

Also now boycott Sports Direct and trying not buy from any Arcadia outlets.

Am definitely turning into a difficult and grumpy old woman.

I think bookshops are really trying hard these days. Lots of after hours book groups and readings and author events. I do agree with rosesared there does seem to be a lovely cosy atmosphere at these things. Long may it continue!

We have a fabulous new bookshop which has recently opened in our small town. I am determined that I will support it, however I have just bought the latest Elly Griffiths hardback from them for £16.99 on Amazon it was £11.89 a big difference. At present I can afford to do this, but if things become a bit tight financially I will reluctantly have to go back online.

I read mainly on Kindle, but still enjoy buying a book now and again.I do use Amazon but also my local bookshop, and the many fantastic bookshops ( both new and secondhand ones) in Oxford.
bookshops seem to be enjoying a revival just now, we went to some book readings not long ago in a bookshop (after hours) it felt very cosy being in a small group.

I have a couple of books on my iPad but have not read on it yet. I do love proper books, always have done. Nowadays I use our library mainly, swop books with friends and family and buy a few from charity shops and Sainsbury. I do buy from Amazon too. We do not have a bookshop locally. In town there is a WH Smith's which stocks only a few best sellers and a Waterstones which I have never much enjoyed browsing in as I think they stock what they want you to read instead of stocking a wider selection. There used to be a Boarders fairly close, used to love browsing in there. Apart from charity shops I cannot think of any second hand bookshop in the area.

I use my Kindle extensively mainly because I'm such a bookworm that the house was drowning in books. I like to reread books so didn't tend to give them away.
On the other hand, my own book (soon to be books) is sold in real shops but also via Amazon and Amazon Kindle. Libraries buy them too. I think its good that there are so many ways of buying books in ways that suit people.
There are some lovely small bookshops around here that stock really unusual and different books. I've had several books from the Golden Hare bookshop that the GSs regard as a real treat to read when they're round here. Its nice to see them really absorbed in a book instead of the instant digital entertainment they usually go in for.

I use other book shops on line for books as they are cheaper than book shops on the high street

I think quite a lot of people use amazon to buy books. I am a member of 3 different libraries and yet sometimes when I read an article about a book I would like to read, it is not in any of the libraries catalogue. If I am really wanting the book I buy from amazon and it is cheaper than water stones or smiths and also has free delivery too. Also I buy for my kindle.i do still love to go water stones near me as they have a coffee shop. Unfortunately, our shopping habits are changing and online businesses seem to thriving.

We have a local independent bookshop. It doesn't try to compete with the big guns, so it doesn't stock the top 100 bestsellers etc. Instead it has an amazing range of books I'd probably never have come across in mainstream outlets.

I've never been in there without seeing something that interests me and even if I'm not feeling flushed enough to buy, they have an amazing range of cards and small gifts so I never leave empty handed.

Over the years I must have bought rather a lot in there (not all for me!) as last time I visited I was told I have £25 in loyalty points to spend!