by Susan Ives, Alamo PC

The Internet has given my credit cards wings. It flies all over cyberspace. But buying books online is much more than an expanded selection. It’s a new way of thinking about how we buy books.

When I walk into my favorite small bookstores, they greet me by name. They know what I read and they know their stock, inside out. They’ll steer me to good books. They’ve read many of them themselves. Laura and Ginny at the Great Exchange have been known to stash a book under the counter for me; Patsy at Remember the Alibi will slip me the occasional reader’s copy. I love browsing, shopping and just hanging out. They take trade ins. Listen to my off-the-cuff reviews. Contrast that with the big stores whose names all begin with “B.” It ain’t the same. 

Amazon.Com, carries zillions of books (and music CDs, videos, DVDs, software, electronics, toys, lawn furniture and kitchen equipment…). But that’s not their main strength. It’s the personalization of the experience – as if my favorite bookseller had a database implanted in her brain. To give you an idea of how it works, let me walk you through a typical session.

I type Robert Barnard into the search box to see if there are any mystery books of his I haven’t read. They list 138 items, including hardbacks, paperbacks and audio books. The first one listed is Fete Fatale and I can’t remember if I read it or not (the curse of a compulsive reader.) I click on the title, and read a plot synopsis. I still can’t remember, so I add it to my wish list with the click of a button. Maybe the brain cells will kick into gear tomorrow.

The wish list is a combination of Laura sticking a book under the counter and a bridal registry. I can come back to it and buy a book later, if I want. Shipping at Amazon ends up being cheaper if you buy a lot of books at once rather than pay for shipping book-by-book, so I tend to stash future purchases in my wish list and buy a bunch at once. My wish list is available to anyone who bothers to search for my name. It is a great way to keep in touch with the reading preferences of far-flung family members. People can, of course, buy books on your list and have them shipped directly to you. A message printed on the packing slip is free; they will gift-wrap for a few bucks extra. 

That taken care of, I still have a hankering for something to read next week. But what? Amazon will help. First, they have a list of other books bought by people who also bought Fete Fatale. Next, a list of other authors whose books have also been bought by people who purchased it. Finally, a list of lists – anyone can set up annotated “listmainia” lists of favorite books. 

I set up one called Computer Crimes – see if you can find it! Look under the Friends and Favorites button and search for my name. Any of these data mining techniques might help you find another book you like.

I’ve bought 180 books from Amazon: they keep count. What if I want to trade some in to make more room on my shelves? I can do it. Amazon matches sellers and buyers. I can sell a used book through Amazon. One click, and they claim it takes 60 seconds to set up. They handle the payments, take a slight cut off the top, add in a slight shipping subsidy and credit the purchase price to my account.  My responsibility as seller is to mail the book directly to the buyer within two days. They’ll list my used books on the same page as their new book, and keep my listing there for up to one month, or until sold. 

What if I want an out-of-print book? Order it, and Amazon will query their network of used booksellers to see if they can get one for you. Within two weeks, they will e-mail you with the result. One of their Z-shop independent sellers or auctions may also carry it; if so, they’ll list it for you and make it easy for you to buy. I recently bought an out-of-print video this way and it worked like a charm.

Amazon remembers who you are. They remember what you’ve bought. Based on this information, they make recommendations about books in the same categories. Every time I visit Amazon they greet me with a unique page that says, “welcome, Susan Ives!” Most of the books, music CDs and videos listed on this introductory page are selected just for me, based on my past purchases. If I want to refine my recommendations, I can delve deeper and review all of their recommendations on a scale of 1-5, and exclude purchases that I didn’t like or were outside my normal tastes, giving Amazon a better idea of my likes and dislikes. I can also sign up for monthly mailing lists. Occasionally they send me a discount coupon or a free gift.

I’m beginning to sound like I’m on the Amazon payroll. Other online booksellers also have added-value features. Try 

• Barnes and Noble
• Borders
• Powells

a bookstore that makes me want to move to Oregon. 

Buying books online is a real page-turner. For me, it’s a best seller.

Susan Ives a past president of Alamo PC, spends all of her money on books, CDs and, to her husbands frustration, library fines.