Blackwell bookshop on university campuses

I bought from Blackwells on campus, and they asked for no identification or the like. Why would they, they're just an unassociated business.

Reply 4

apotoftea

I tend to use Amazon as my local Waterstones is utter pants for acedemic texts, especially Historical ones.

But I have used Blackwells elsewhere without a problem. Also use Abe Books and Alibris books (both online).

Once you have your NUS card, you'll be able to save 10% (not much but it adds up) on all your Amazon orders. Waterstones/Ottakers (same company now) rarely offer student discounts

Reply 5

bluenoxid

I found Blackwells next door to my campus to be more expensive than Amazon and Waterstones (especially when their 10% discount came into play).

I was a bit shocked to be honest that I could save a few quid by a 10 minute walk considering that Blackwells consider themselves a retailer to students.

vickytoria77

Once you have your NUS card, you'll be able to save 10% (not much but it adds up) on all your Amazon orders.

You need an NUS Extra Card for that http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/NUS_Extra_Card

Reply 6

apotoftea

Noxid

You need an NUS Extra Card for that http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/NUS_Extra_Card

Didn't realise that there are 2 types of NUS card

Reply 7

db

I tend to use Amazon. It's a lot cheaper and easier with, in effect, unlimited stock. Not so good if you need the book on the day though, obviously, but the postage is pretty speedy. Even with next day delivery it's still pretty cheap when compared to Blackwells which seems quite pricey.

Reply 8

bluenoxid

vickytoria77

Didn't realise that there are 2 types of NUS card

There are 3 actually

NUS Card, which is your basic card (you get it for free). Gives you voting powers, shows you are a member of the university and varies from uni to uni in what is on it. Most places will accept these as discount cards as they just want evidence that you are a student.

NUS Associate Card which is specifically aimed at 6th formers and Open Uni students, giving them discounts at certain places (costs them money)

NUS Extra Card which is a commercial card designed to give you discounts that they have specifically negotiated with companies such as Amazon and HMV (costs £10)

Reply 9

kellywood_5

I prefer Amazon.co.uk because it's cheaper, but sometimes they only have the books I need in Blackwells because I do languages and the specialist foreign language ones like Grant and Cutler are really expensive.

Reply 10

Ollie87

1

I normally buy off Amazon. If I've left an essay to the last minute and i need the book for today/tomorrow then I'll get it from the Blackwells on campus. It's a lot cheaper from Amazon.

Reply 11

CoolSocks

Ollie87

I normally buy off Amazon. If I've left an essay to the last minute and i need the book for today/tomorrow then I'll get it from the Blackwells on campus. It's a lot cheaper from Amazon.

I second that. Try to get all your books on the internet, try amazon, ebay and other internet book sites. You save a lot of money. Blackwells take advantage of students in a sense by charging so much.

If more people used the internet, bookshops like Waterstones, WHSmith etc would go out of business, the R.R.P they normally charge is so expensive. You can often get books at half the price or less on the internet.

Reply 12

Angelil

Don't buy from Blackwells - I like the atmosphere in their shops, but they're absurdly expensive and buying your books from there will cripple your bank account. Amazon marketplace and charity shops are your friends ;yes;

Reply 13

johnb1987

OP

Thanks for the replies.

I have a list of books that I need for next year that I found on the unit specifications.

Actually, I am going to Blackwell bookshop to see if the content of the book is good, and going to compare them with others to see which one is better. If they are good take down the book details, and buy it off Amazon.co.uk.

Reply 14

Angelil

Sounds sensible.
Have fun with that :p:

Reply 15

db

johnb1987

Thanks for the replies.

I have a list of books that I need for next year that I found on the unit specifications.

Actually, I am going to Blackwell bookshop to see if the content of the book is good, and going to compare them with others to see which one is better. If they are good take down the book details, and buy it off Amazon.co.uk.

Surely you'll want the book that was recommended, and therefore most likely to be taught/referenced from, regardless of whether you deem the content to be 'better'. If they are just for background reasing it probably shouldn't matter, but if it's going to be part of the lecture series you might be best sticking to what you're told will be used.

I suppose it depends on the subject as well, some texts use different terminology and symbols which can get to be a nightmare.

Reply 16

johnb1987

OP

db

Surely you'll want the book that was recommended, and therefore most likely to be taught/referenced from, regardless of whether you deem the content to be 'better'. If they are just for background reasing it probably shouldn't matter, but if it's going to be part of the lecture series you might be best sticking to what you're told will be used.

I suppose it depends on the subject as well, some texts use different terminology and symbols which can get to be a nightmare.

According to the unit specifcations, there are a lot of book for each unit for the 'indicative reading'. I want to have one book per unit, instead of more than 2. That's why I'm comparing the books to see which one would be better.

Reply 17

db

Are you really in a position to decide which books are better though? If you've been recommended more than one book per unit, maybe it's because you will need more than one book.

If you're worried about buying too many books I'd recommend emailing someone in the department and asking if they could tell you would books are more required than others. The idea of something being better is completely subjective and what you think is the best text might be trashed by your lecturers and hardly used.

Reply 18

bluenoxid