I want to support local bookstores and I go there from time to time. I love visiting independent bookstores or bookstores in malls. However online book prices are often much better than those at local bookstores even after adding shipping costs or some sellers even offer free shipping. So I buy books online more often than from local bookstores. I also understand that local bookstores will disappear if no one buys from them which is already happening as many of my local bookstores have closed in the past few years. (2 shops in 5 years)
This is my dilemma, is it morally wrong to purchase books online when their prices are approximately 10–20% lower than those of local bookstores? Should I support local bookstores?
by Delicious_Maize9656
8 Comments
How can I tell you that? It’s a personal decision.
I’d rather have swaths of bookstores still alive and active than 20% off on all the books I buy. I LOVE books but I love bookstores more.
Yes. Reprehensible. The virtue police death squad is in its way to your location. Sit tight and await liquidation. Do not resist you heathen.
No.
The idea that we must all “buy in” to the mark-up of commercial products to engage in the systematic exchange of our earned resources is a doomed fallacy.
Artists, authors, and creative people deserve their due for labor. But we are not obligated to break our means to offer a percentage to the corporate management class.
Who cares. Capitalism is everywhere. I’m lazy as hell when it comes to shopping.
I just use the library and buy from my local bookstores whenever they have sales. Also many have memberships for perks like discounts.
I really prefer not to support Amazon at all since they are actively trying to destroy locally owned businesses in general and create a monopoly on as many industries as they can. My morals are my own though. It’s up to you to decide what matters to you.
I don’t think it’s “morally” wrong, but I’d feel bad going into a small bookstore to look at a book and then ordering it online.
On the flip side, if I’m at home trying to order a new book, I wouldn’t feel bad about ordering online instead of driving to the store to buy it.
it’s one book and the economy is down the toilet. it’s fine.