With most physical stores closed during this pandemic, we often turn to online shops to buy what we need. One of the things we need is a good book. Of course, there’s nothing like checking out a book in a store and taking a whiff off the pages, but it is better to stay indoors and order through the internet during this time. So is it convenient to buy from online bookstores?

Indeed, it is. Remember the days when you’d have to check out at a store and wait for your books to be bagged up? Now you can browse for books online, then order them through the website. That’s a great convenience; it allows you to browse for books without worrying about leaving home.

Does convenience outweigh the disadvantages of buying online? What are the cons of shopping for books online? For one, you don’t get to see the books at all. You won’t be able to browse for books in a store. You won’t see the actual book before you order it online.

Online Bookstores and Scams

You should order through online bookstores that have good reputation. Look at the reviews and testimonials of people who bought from them. Choose one with mostly positive comments, or take the time to review the site yourself. If you happen to find a scamming site, don’t buy from them!

One example of a scam you need to be careful of is sites that offer books that don’t exist. If you order one of those books and send a payment for it, they’ll wait for your money without shipping anything back. Be careful! To avoid this scam, you need to closely review your order and ensure that what you’re buying exists before sending money.

Physical Bookstores with Websites

Familiarity brings comfort. If you are the type who loves browsing for books in an actual store, then you’ll love these known shops that have an online presence. To start our list, here are three traditional bookstores with websites.

  1. National Book Store, a well-known bookstore in the Philippines, began accepting online orders in May 2020. Aside from a wide selection of books, National Book Store also sells office supplies, which is especially useful if you’re taking online classes or working from home.
  2. Fully Booked, a book lover’s go-to for extensive selections, became one of the top online bookstores in the Philippines after introducing delivery services in April of 2020. Their digital catalog is heaven-sent. Scrolling through their website’s list of available books almost replicates the experience of browsing the aisles of our favorite Fully Booked locations.
  3. Rex E-Store offers the widest range of learning materials, including affordable children’s books, school textbooks, even law book volumes. In addition, Rex, who has always been a reliable source for educational materials, also sells teaching materials and classroom tools.

Online Bookstores on Social Media

  1. If you prefer ordering through social media, this one should fit the bill. Librodega is one of the most affordable local Facebook bookstores. The prices of its books rarely go above 300 pesos. Given the quality of their selection, this is truly remarkable.
  2. Chapter IX Bookstore has everything from popular paperbacks to obscure hardcovers. By browsing the categories, such as signed editions, books on writing, art books, and so on, this online shop makes discovering new favorites and locating hard-to-find editions of old favorites a breeze.

Available in Marketplaces

  1. Known as the “digital home for physical books,” The Bargain Reader has a large selection of books for the booklover in you. This store also accepts book requests from readers looking for unique books that are not yet available at any bookstore. They have stores set up on Shopee and Lazada.
  2. Bookshelf PH is a great place to look for local books. It aims to bring the best of Filipino literature to local readers and promote great Filipino fiction and nonfiction books and authors. If you are interested in their featured books, you can order through their Shopee and Lazada stores.

We are grateful for these online bookstores despite challenges and shifts in 2024. In the absence of brick-and-mortar bookstores, they have proven to be helpful to bibliophiles. One day, stores will be able to improve their customer experience and recognize the value of customers who shop online.

About the Contributing Writer:
Marlo Rene is a Grade 9 student from Quezon City. Gamer. Food nerd. Internet geek. Passionate thinker. Wannabe pop cultureaholic. Falls down a lot. General travel aficionado. Writer.