Comments on: Book-of-the-month clubs: Not a great idea

By: Judi

Judi — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:19:37 +0000

A friend of mine did the book-of-the-month club a long time ago… just wanted to say that you can call them if there is a specific book you are looking for.. they may have it.

I don’t do them… But I do get my books from the flea market now.. I have gotten SOO many books this way and for really cheap… it’s just one of my addictions… ha!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:24:02 +0000

Not a big fan of anything-of-the-month clubs, myself. Although I read everything I can find when I have the time, I am very picky about what gets to *remain* in my personal library. Most books I really don’t want to purchase. The library is great, except for when you can’t get there when they’re open (I live in a small town). I used to belong to an online book rental place (like Netflix, but with books) and that was awesome until the Post Office started really dragging their feet with media mail (the company was East-coast based and I’m in California). It was less than $20/month for unlimited checkouts, 3 books at a time. Ah, I miss those days!

By: Terri Ann

Terri Ann — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:04:10 +0000

I once joined one of those CD clubs, very similar to these book of the month clubs and in my experience as long as you are careful you can still make out decently with some of these clubs.

I had joined the CD club in high school, just after my entire CD wallet had been stolen from the girls locker room. I managed to get most of my favorite CD’s back for the 1¢ deal or the discount price advertised and then was careful to immediately return all the free crap they sent me. I don’t know how much I spent in the long run but in the pre-MP3 days I made out pretty well and managed to recover my lost collection for a fraction of the record store price.

Like you said though it’s always important to read the fine print and do the math before you sign up for anything.

By: st8homom

st8homom — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:55:34 +0000

I laughed when I saw this post. I was enticed my MyPoints to joining Zooba. It doesn’t seem as costly as the others, and they were offering 1500 points for joining.

First of all, you get a “buy it now” book for “free” for joining and your first monthly book. So, for 9.95 and no shipping you get two books. Then you buy two more in the future.

I found a couple of cooking books that I have had my eye on. They were less expensive than at amazon. One of them is called How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman It is a huge book and a super reference. I was happy to pay 9.95 for it.

The prices (9.95) are a lot cheaper than the typical “book a month” club where you also have to pay shipping on top of the retail price of the book.

Anyway, I guess I’m kind of laughing at myself. I wonder if I would have joined if I hadn’t been enchanted by the 1500 points? Which is what? About 5.00?