if you avoid crowds, take your time browsing, or just hate going to bookstores (& the malls they're in), then today you've run out of excuses! Turns out you don't actually have to leave the house at all to get your hands on a new book. After a bit of surfing, I found a few places where people in Malaysia can buy books online (consider this post as alternatives to the obvious Amazon.com).
You won't always need a credit card with these vendors; some accept anything from Paypal to Maybank2U, bank drafts, etc.
IMPORTANT: ReadKL is not being paid to recommend these links. These are just options. Be responsible and do some research before picking out an online bookstore (eg. call them, google them, read up), and only purchase from one that you're comfortable with.
- Kinokuniya charges RM8 delivery charge for online orders on this peninsula, but as Ah Yap puts it, going to the KLCC store in person involves paying "for petrol, tol and KLCC per-hour-based car park fee" anyway. Orders are processed on working days. Read Kinokuniya's user's guide for more info.
- MPH is everywhere in KL, so it makes sense that their site is a virtual bookstore too. Available books arrive within 14 days, and at the time of this post, delivery charges are RM7, or free if your order exceeds RM150. Read their FAQ.
- Aphrohead and BookDepository are two bookstores not based in Malaysia, but offer free shipping here anyway, so you only pay for the books you buy! Bear in mind that BookDepository has a few currency options, convert them to RM and see which works out cheapest for you. You'd be surprised how a buy from one of these shops might end up cheaper than one from the 'big guns' of Kino or MPH.
- Times Bookstores has delivery but personally I find their website a little confusing, because it doesn't seem like a virtual bookstore. However they're "happy to offer home & office delivery" but only with a minimum order of RM200. Any less, and a RM10 fee applies. Read their Customer Service section.
- AcmaMall is based in Singapore and is fairly popular in local Google searches. A general complaint is that purchases can be held up at customs if the books bought are considered 'banned' in any way, but naturally there are also good testimonials as well. At the time of this post, shipping for books (even pre-orders) are free, and estimated to take 5-14 business days. Read their First Time Visitors section.
- Advanced Book Station is a store in Taman Melawati, but you can shop from them online too (cause they're advanced! hehe). I couldn't find an FAQ or anything on delivery charges, but they're open to inquiries by email/phone & volume discounts. Read their contact page.
- Ujana Ilmu has an extensive collection of books in Bahasa Malaysia, even with various university publishers. I've only googled them a little but their reputation seems to be sound. Payment accepted in most forms, including Paypal & Western Union.
- Henghebooks for local Chinese reading (sorry I can't say more, I don't understand the site's language).
- Lee Book has a lot of methods of payment, Chinese & English educational books and a very cute website.
- Synergi Books is a blog for secondhand books. You'll find a rather large collection; paperbacks for RM6-15, and hardcovers from RM12-20. As for the shipping rates, scroll down on the website and look to the right.
- Mudah.my has a music/movies/books section with secondhand books for sale. Click here.
ADDENDUM
- Here's another one, BetterWorldBooks (thanks Nxsa for sharing this great find). They sell cheap used books rescued from landfills to help fund global literacy initiatives. Used books save the environment, and even the shipping is carbon-neutral. They ship for $3.97 worldwide, which is currently just a little over RM13. Nxsa says that it might take a month for the book to reach you though. Read their FAQ.
Feel free to retweet, add options I left out, or leave feedback in the comments section as always.
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