Thursday, December 1, 2011

How Can We Help?


With Christmas fast approaching, an instant recap of what my microeconomics course calls "sustainable competitive advantage":

Most paid-in-advance special orders from us are now 30% off Canadian cover price. Ever feel like you had to buy something on-line, or from a corporate giant, because you suspected that buying local & independent was going to cost you more? That's a choice you no longer have to make.

What's more, if you order $100 or more of books from us at once, we'll deliver your books to your home or office, anywhere in the city of Vancouver, at no additional charge.

Q: How do you guys make any money at this?

A: By selling lots and lots of books, and by receiving an extra bit of margin from our favorite suppliers, based on the steadily increasing volume of our orders.

Q: Phone orders?

A: You bet. Visa, MC, AmEx. Or our wireless debit machine at your door, just like the pizza guy.

Most special orders from come as fast, or faster, than when ordered online.

Example: book ordered from Big Canadian Chain and shipped from Ontario to Vancouver: 5 to 7 working days.  Book ordered from PFB and shipped from Vancouver-based or Western Canadian supplier: 2 or 3 days.  Plus, when you order from us (or any other real bookstore, for that matter), you never pay shipping, handling, or border brokerage.  Nor do you have to wait in a 55-person lineup at your local Canada Post outlet, listening to Phil Collins sing "The Little Drummer Boy."

We hope you'll keep us in mind this holiday season.  If you have any questions about any book-related issue, please phone or email.  We are always happy to hear from you.