Amazon vs Black Expressions?

[Eric at BooksofSoul.com]

Which is the better place to shop? I posted this question to another group but it might just be more appropriate in this one. I would prefer to shop at my local bookstores (EsoWon or Zahra's in LA, even Borders) to support the local and independent businesses, especially when they do a good job of making their stores a place to visit. And let's not forget the library, too. But, occasionally, I shop over the Internet. I always do Amazon. But what are people's impressions about Black Expressions?

I guess I should admit that I was turned off by the sign-up-first, buy-a-book requirement at Black Expressions.

[Eric at BooksofSoul.com]

Talk about timing! I just read an article at http://dcist.com/2009/04/vertigo_books_to_close.php

A couple pieces of the article:

"Another independent bookstore bites the dust. In an email to customers (and a blog post) Friday afternoon, the owners of College Park's Vertigo Books announced they will shut down for good on April 24. The announcement was accompanied by several parting shots at online shopping behemoth Amazon.com, which the owners more or less explicitly blame for their shop's demise. "

"As we have said before, your shopping dollars help create the community you want to live in. For every $10 you spend at locally-owned businesses, $4.50 stays in our community. The math is simple and compelling:
Vertigo Books $4.50
Barnes & Noble/Borders/Costco $1.30
Amazon $0.00
The money you spend with locally-owned businesses continues to circulate as we pay employees, buy supplies and pay taxes that are used to provide basic services to residents."

Hmmm, makes one think about how where I should be spending my money. Any comments?

[Rhonda McKnight]

I prefer to buy from Black Expressions. They have great sales all the time and some include free shipping. The books are hardcover which is nice and then it's black owned. The customer service is excellent. Try resolving a problem with Amazon. It's not happening. BE is very responsive. I really like doing business with them. I highly recommend it, it's as close to buying from a local black owned business as you'll get.

[Kim Wilson]

It was hard to get started. So if you're listening BE, ease up so we can get in.

[Rhonda McKnight]

Kim,
What do you mean hard to get started. Joining BE was easy. It only took a few minutes on the website.

[Zhana]

I've never shopped Black Expressions. Amazon is much more established and therefore seen as more trustworthy.

[DeidraK]

I shop Amazon too and I wouldn't buy from a book club type place because of the limited selection. I mean I have but I didn't really like it. I don't really like to check out books from the library either. It's better for me to own my books (working on a dream library/study). If I have a boo boo and spill something on the pages, no harm no foul, I own it and it probably only cost me pennies + 2 or 3.00 for shipping.

I not only buy books for pleasure from Amazon, but I have bought books for school from there. I live in a very limited area so a local bookstore is out of the question. They don't have those around here. If I lived in a city where bookstores were common but were struggling to stay afloat, I would suggest to them to get creative with their marketing and to not be afraid of sales (small business fear sales like the plague). People whine and complain about the Internet stores running them out of business but whatever, there is always competition. Determine your market and go after it. Compete with places like Amazon on your level. In the end no one really cares if you can't keep your doors open, they just want the best price with the best quality and sometimes it's all about price.

Oh and on dealing with Amazon on problems with transactions, I haven't had a problem with them. I keep all of my transaction communication and that's basically all you really need aside from the policies.