BOOK Fairs

[hquek]

windows:

went today, not crowded and no queue.

but didn't see any nancy drew, enid blyton, usborne, wishing tree, magic treehouse etc...books are in a mess and m not gd at \"digging\"...so only btg those readily avail 5-in1 and 8-in1 booksets which are a steal...
maybe next time shd go 1st day....

True. I went on first day during opening hours. THings were very neat and plentiful (eg Usborne references); same day night time, the mess was just horrible and it became quite hard to search for things (better to tail the staff with trolleys). Brought DS1 there to jaga my finds (he sit one corner to read, I go hunt down more).

Spoke to the staff there, they will not be repacking the mess pp leave behind. They top up the books once tables a bit bare.

I pity the staff honestly, apparently they will have to pack up all the books within a limited time come monday morning...really a tiring job.

Rgding queues, depends on timing. Certain times there is hardly queue to pay, other times it just build and build....until scary. I think I spent close to an hour queueing.

[mummy of 2]

I went on first day late afternon. Not crowded but messy and payment queue was :!: and I was there alone cos DH refused to go. Ended up not buying anything. Think will have to go once it's open, and must go with someone who to help queue, otherwise not much point in going

[hquek]

yah, I was very happy that I brought DS1 along. Can help jaga a bit (but still must go back to check on him cos he’s small boy afterall), and also help queue a bit.


Also, important to bring trolley along. The 2 boxes were super heavy. At least I can try to roll it along.

[Charmaine_chong]

Hi hquek,


May i know when is the sales ending?

Is this sales better than Popular? I always go for popular.

I see your post about buying books at Shenzhen. Mind to share more. Is it really cheap and good to buy there?

I used to buy from a china lady. Now i buy from dangdang. Wondering is Shenzhen a better alternative?

Can share more?

Thanks a million.

[hquek]

hi charmaine_chong,


Sales ended Sunday. Next one at expo is borders. Cannot compare with popular. I go MPH for english story books, reference books (like usborne esp), and omnibuses/book packs. Popular is more of reference guides, chinese books (?). Oranges and apples. I do like going to popular sales also.

I’ve only been to shenzhen once…and that was to the SZ Book City (girnomous bookshop) - easy to get there via mrt (once you exit from station, it’s the children’s section). It’s big but the titles are not as fantastic as dang dang. Even that, I was surprised to see Horrible Science in chinese (!).

Been to a book shop at Zhuhai also (when I went to macau for holiday). Typically, book shops in China sell books at retail price (ie the number printed on the backcover) - at tops you only get 10% if you are a member. DangDang (DD) on the other hand sells at good discounts on many titles. It would be a dream if you have someone in China who can receive titles from DD cos shipping is only RMB5.

(Retail prices in China is wayyyyy cheaper than what you get in popular/maha yuyi - can easily compare by looking at backcover).

I wanted to order stuff from DD cos the nett price after shipping is still less than retail price. BUT…still trying to absorb from the damage done at mph first.

[Charmaine_chong]

Thanks Hquek.


I have been to Popular sales many times but never been to MPH. Now i know what to expect at MPH sales. Thank you.

Hquek, For dangdang. Eventhough the shipping is only RMB5 to other location of China. I still need to ship back to Singapore, so got to pay for freight eventually. Do you know how much is the freight to ship it back to Singapore? I have friend there but not that close though.

I went to Shanghai last year. Yap, the book store selling the price as shown at the back of the book. Must well, get direct from Dangdang as it ship back to Singapore. Cost of the book inclusive freight is the same as per price tag at the back. The books are often sell at discount price.

Haaaa. Book isn’t cheap. I spend a lot on books too.

[mummy of 2]

I see another potential member for our BA

[hquek]

Actually when I buy from overseas, I usually ask friends who are coming back to carry back; or I'll be the mule.


No clue about shipping in china (or even if it can be trusted). Yup, my last trip I specially checked out the prices in dangdang before deciding if I want to lug it back.

FYI, books in Malaysia. I think are cheaper than in SG. I like to buy chinese books in Malaysia since quite a few of those are printed there. Can use popular card also. yet another place to stake out.

Yah, books not cheap at all; but buying at sales can make a whole world of difference. Eg, Little Men books retail for $7 at MPH stores; it was going for $1.80 (after all discounts). :!:

[hquek]

mummy of 2:

I see another potential member for our BA

Honestly we should just borrow off each other...I think the few BA potentials can open library liao. Just that the stress of making sure my kids don't damage other pp's 'xin gan bao bei' gets me all worked up.

[mummy of 2]

hquek:

Honestly we should just borrow off each other...I think the few BA potentials can open library liao. Just that the stress of making sure my kids don't damage other pp's 'xin gan bao bei' gets me all worked up.

Plus tracking where our books are, and whose books we are holding on to :!: