Where do you order your books from?

[tribemama]

Hi,

I would like to order as many books for SOTW vol. 1 that is listed and I also have a bunch of Math books I would like to order. I have many children - so I figure building my own home library would be easier(this will get used more than once) - then paying my late fines to the library! Also is there a book list for SOTW on everything she recommends or do we have to go chapter by chapter? I just do not want to pay 65 different shipping and handling charges!
Anyway, any suggestions on how everyone orders would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tribemama
Mother to the Tribe

[Targhee]

I use
www.amazon.com
www.rainbowresource.com
www.half.com
The For Sale board here at WTM forums

[WTMindy]

I get most of my books from Amazon.

[Cadam]

I usually order from rainbowresource.com (http://rainbowresource.com/index.php) They have great prices but this late in the Summer they are a little slow. As long as you have a few weeks it shouldn't be a big deal.

The books to supplement SOTW are all optional enrichment things used just for that chapter. The Kingfisher and Usborne world history book which are continually used throughout the year.

The intention was never to use all of the supplemental books, but rather to have many options. It would cost thousands and thousands of dollars to purchase every extra book, but choosing a few from each chapter would be a wonderful way to start a home library. We have enjoyed all of the SOTW suggested books that we found at the library.

[fshinkevich]

I usually get them from Amazon, with the free shipping. If I need them in a hurry I get them from Barnesandnoble.com because they do free 3 day shipping. Plus I paid for the membership so I get a discount.

[Aletheia Academy]

I open windows on my screen for Rainbow and Amazon and compare prices. I rarely pay any shipping fees. I also keep wish lists going on both those sites. The prices at Amazon sometimes change- both higher and lower.

[elegantlion]

I use amazon or cbd.com. I also use paperbackswap.com. It is a used book exchange.

[Pata]

Check out www.betterworld.com. I just got several used books for great prices and they shipped for free.

[Ali in OR]

Do you have more time or money?

I use a lot of time to save a bit of money. I use Biblioplan, so it's not the same list of books, but it's still a lengthy list of books that I use each year. I make a spreadsheet in Excel listing each book. I check our library's on-line catalogue and note which books are available in the library. I have a column to mark yes or no as to whether I want to buy the book (not in library or a classic I want to own). Then I have columns to note the prices from different sources: Amazon, Rainbow Resource, Sonlight, used market.

Some are cheaper at Amazon, some at Rainbow Resource. Some are only available from Sonlight. I spend enough to get free shipping from Amazon and RR. Shipping for each item from Amazon marketplace (used books) is $4.00. That is sometimes the cheapest source (some books priced at just pennies, but you pay the $4 shipping). I also used Campusi.com sometimes to check prices at hundreds of sources to find the best deal on used books. Filling out the spread sheet takes a lot of time, but I like knowing that I'm paying the best price for my books.

[prim*rose]

amazon - not only because of the free shipping but the books we ordered for school were also part of their buy 3 get the 4th free. The savings really add up!

[Mom to Aly]

If you have a half priced bookstore check it first--some of the copies at ours are old, so the books are priced $2, and we pay a dollar, well worth the time and gas to go, if you have a list! Otherwise, Amazon & half.com

[Leighton Academy]

I do the same as a PP, I open several windows (amazon, RR, half.com) and compare prices. I also factor in the 4 for 3 deals at amazon and free shipping. Factoring in those usually means that I buy from amazon.

[Trivium Academy]

Rainbow Resource, http://www.hslibrarybuilder.com/ (for oop books), BookCloseouts.com (http://www.bookcloseouts.com/default.asp?N=0&rid=Trivium) for discount prices, Amazon and www.bookmooch.com (http://www.bookmooch.com) for book swapping

[Plaid Dad]

AllCatholicBooks.com has excellent deals on many of the curricula I use and they have a flat shipping rate. Adoremus Books has free shipping over $25. I also buy from Amazon and, in a few cases, directly from the publishers (e.g., RightStart math, Classical Writing).

[woolybear]

I use the library when possible, including Interlibrary Loan. I shop used library booksales. I use various used curriculum websites. On rare occasions I go to Amazon or Ebay.

[sagira]

I use Rainbow Resource too. Since I won't be starting until the beginning of September, I'm still tweaking my wish list. I don't want to interfere with someone else's shipping -- someone who needs it quicker than I do :)

[stacey05]

Rainbow resource, timberdoodle and cbd.

[alaws]

Definitely Amazon - free shipping, fast shipping, and the buy 4 books for the price of 3 (books under $10).

[jenniferlee]

mainly rainbow resource
Jen

[angela in ohio]

I try to stay ahead of the game and stock our home library from library sales and used book sales/stores. Other than that, I use Rainbow Resource (paperbacks, historical fiction, etc.) or abebooks.com (big ticket items.)

I just put in a big order to Seashellbooks.com, but it isn't here yet, so I don't know yet if that is a good thing to advise. :) They were the only place I could find with used books for $1.00-1.99 and free shipping on a $25 or over order. Everyplace else either gets you in the shipping or in the high price for used books.

[ljf]

I use www.campusi.com (http://www.campusi.com) - it is a book price comparison site. I check RR separately as campusi doesn't searh there.

[wheezie]

I look around to see if I can find stuff used first. If I can't I almost always just order from Rainbow Resource.

[gandpsmommy]

Usually from Amazon, with super saver free shipping.

[Pylegang]

I use:
www.veritaspress.com (http://www.veritaspress.com)
www.christianbook.com (http://www.christianbook.com)
www.rainbowresource.com (http://www.rainbowresource.com)
www.amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

[Michelle T]

I open windows on my screen for Rainbow and Amazon and compare prices. I rarely pay any shipping fees. I also keep wish lists going on both those sites. The prices at Amazon sometimes change- both higher and lower.


I compare prices at both Amazon and Rainbow Resource. I also look at used prices on Amazon. But be careful, shipping on used books is $3.99 EACH, so I only buy used if the TOTAL is at least $3 less than the new book price.
Michelle T

[Denisemomof4]

why hasn't anyone mentioned that? When I price shop I usually find their prices the cheapest. Shipping is free after $95, used to be $75

Denise

[dtsmamtj]

www.exodusbooks.com (http://www.exodusbooks.com) Eli sells both new and used. He ships any size order for $3.50 I think. He is a home school graduate. If you want something that isn't on sale in his used section ask to be put on his waiting list for when it does come in - that is if you aren't in a hurry for it. HTH


T

[Kris]

We've mostly used Amazon, but I did get a few last year through Abe Books that I couldn't find anywhere else.

[KLA]

Children's Books - run by a homeschooling family.

http://www.homeschooldiscountproducts.com/servlet/StoreFront

[karensk]

Rainbow Resource, christianbook.com, Amazon.
When ordering from Rainbow Resource, I now always pay the $10 expedite fee so that my order isn't held up by one or two items on backorder; one time it took nearly 2 months to receive my shipment due to backordered items. Now it usually takes a week.