How to check if a book is available in HK?

[flameproof]

First thing I do before buy is to check if the library has it:

https://webcat.hkpl.gov.hk/search/query?theme=WEB

Commercial Press also has an online search for the books they sell:

CP1897.com | 商務印書館門市網站

[Elegiaque]

I've used ShopinHK, and it worked great. As far as I understand, using them is feeding a smaller fish (is that right?), unlike amazon.

The library here is good, too, although one annoying thing with it is that if you don't renew a book by it's due date you cannot renew online anymore, so you *must* return the book to the library. Stupid.

[Kinch]

I've used ShopinHK, and it worked great. As far as I understand, using them is feeding a smaller fish...

Now I'm suddenly curious what would happen if one dropped a goldfish in a tank full of beer.

[Claire ex-ax]

Thank you all for your useful recommendations.

It's crazy how prices vary from one website to another!

The book I intended to order:

Price at Amazon: 209 HKD
ShopInHK: 200 HKD
Book Depository: 125 HKD

I haven't heard before about Book Depository which turns to be awesome with free delivery worldwide. Funny thing is that it is a subsidiary company owned by Amazon!

Book Depository (originally co.uk) had a nice little business strategy, nix the discounts - send the books for free. It was doing quite well and that got it noticed by Amazon, which obviously bought it out.

BTW, occasionally books sold by the Book Depository are cheaper on Abebooks.co.uk than on its actual website. They still have free delivery, so if you are buying a bunch of books or one very expensive one, do comparison shop across all the websites.

[kimwy66]

Yes, I forgot about Abe Books, they are good also. Hubby found them, because they have a huge range of Haynes Manuals, not that he ever does any DIY, but he likes the books

[Kinch]

Yes, I forgot about Abe Books, they are good also. Hubby found them, because they have a huge range of Haynes Manuals, not that he ever does any DIY, but he likes the books

If you want to have some fun, google terms like 'joke haynes manual'.

[smiley1]

Can always check prices against Paddyfield as well

[Skierx]

First thing I do before buy is to check if the library has it:

https://webcat.hkpl.gov.hk/search/query?theme=WEB

Commercial Press also has an online search for the books they sell:

CP1897.com | 商務印書館門市網站

I second checking at the Library first, I have only once not been able to find the book I was looking for, and lately I have been reading some pretty obscure books. Once you have your library card you can search the entire library system online and request the book be delivered to your local library for only $2.50.

[Kinch]

Can always check prices against Paddyfield as well

Site is down. They've probably been abducted to China too.