An online bookseller that's not amazon?

[BrandoraPaithwaite]

I usually get family members a book each for Xmas and so it's a pretty easy amazon order annually to get most of my Xmas shopping done.

However I feel pretty bad about using amazon now I know more about their tax dodging and horrible treatment of their staff. I went past an amazon depot on the train the other day and I even saw right in and saw the workers.

Is there another online bookseller to use? Would rather order online if possible.

Book Depository?

Wordery

Book people

World of Books - these are second hand and some amazing bargains but graded by condition, I perhaps wouldn't risk for a adult gift but great for children on yourself

There's usually discount codes floating around for them too

Waterstones

Abe Books for 2nd hand, not sure if they do new as well.

I would recommend Wordery. An independent online bookshop and the prices are fairly comparable. Good service too.

Wordery are so slow! I am also looking for an alternative where they also gift wrap. Persephone books is fabulous and gift wrap but obviously they don't sell a wide selection. Had some lovely presents from there though.

I would recommend Wordery. I think the Book Depository are now owned by Amazon.

What was so bad about seeing the Amazon staff working??!!

I don't disagree with you on the tax but are they really that bad an employer?

There’s Hive as well and Blackwells. Oxfam online for second hand books.

Ordered from Wordery once and the book arrived with one corner all bent back, which has never happened with a brand new book from Amazon or anywhere else.

Waterstones are online, although I’ve never ordered from them.

Book Depository are owned by Amazon.
Personally I like Wordery. It’s not very speedy always, but well packaged and arrives pristine. I sometimes use A Great Read too, which isn’t speedy either but good. You can also order online from Blackwells.

Wordery, definitely. Competitive pricing, free delivery, pay their taxes They don't do giftwrap, but nor do Waterstones or any of the others mentioned here, and it's nicer to do yr own anyway, I think. I stopped using Amazon 5 yrs ago for precisely your reasons, OP, and really haven't missed them at all. I would order now, as despatch is very good but can slow down a little bit over December.

Book Depository is owned by Amazon.

Big Green Bookshop. Independent, online store. They used to have an actual shop but are now all online. Will give you great recommendations and their book subscription scheme is fabulous. www.biggreenbookshop.com

World if Books 😊

Of 🙄

I was going to suggest Hive as well - probably more expensive than Amazon but I too feel the same about ordering from Amazon this year.

Also second Oxfam bookshops - some cities have Oxfam shops that just sell books (I volunteer in one) and the books are good quality and well priced.

It's not practical to do your own wrapping if you have to send your books to the recipients as you have to pay two lots of postage. It would be so good if more places offered wrapping . There's a gap in the market!

I was going to say Hive as they support independant book sellers.

Wordery offer free postage on everything, but I take your point that there is an untapped market for non-Amazon giftwrapping services, smemorata*

Anyone who does a search for 'Amazon working conditions' will find out what they need to know, or you may be able to find the 2017 Panorama documentary online. A couple of recent books (Hired by James Bloodworth in England and Seasonal Associate by Heike Geissler who worked in a German Depot) have also documented: long hours (10 hr shifts), on feet all day/night in cold warehouses, every move electronically monitored and speed-targeted, all for just above minimum wage and with no job security/zero-hours contracts for most. The emergency services are called out regularly to my local depot due to staff injuries, with the GMB recording approx. 600 instances nationwide from 2015-2018.

I'm sorry that's not very festive, but Amazon give me the rage

*I don't work for Wordery or have any connection to them, just a big fan!

Not sure on shipping costs to UK, but you can always try Powell's Books. It's the largest independent bookseller in the U.S.

Hooray, I just got my books from Wordery with 9% off and free delivery!

Thank you everyone