Time to boycott WH Smith over travel books?

vikingaero

I very rarely venture into WHS for books. WHS is way overpriced for everything. I much prefer Waterstones. I sometimes check out books in Waterstones but buy online from Amazon if I don't need them in a hurry.

I don't think you have much to worry about Simon. WHS have been going down the pan for years. I bought my copy of Brits Guide to DLRP from Amazon.

SimonVeness

:cool2: vikingaero. Amazon definitely get a big :T from me. Stocking the widest possible selection of books is always going to be a popular move, and their prices are hard to beat.

knightstyle

Just looked at WHS website and you can preorder the 2010 version. So they are buying in some of these guides.

miamoo

I think this is a very interesting subject, and I'm glad that simon has brought it up, as I had no idea.
I buy my books from amazon mainly, but did pick up the Brits guide to Orlando from WHsmiths a few years ago (great book by the way).
I sold it later on that year on ebay, and I got back what I paid for it! so its a very popular book.

PolishBigSpender

Is this actually true, or a very clever way of drumming up business?

ferf1223

also someone who doesn't use WH Smith for much (Boxing Day sales can be good though!) While the vast majority of my book purchases are made through amazon (or when I don't want to purchase them, checked out from the library)...I do know some people (mostly older) who do immediately think of going to Smiths when they want a book...BUT these people go to town centre shops - not stations and airports.

I'd be surprised if many people waited until they get to the airport to buy a travel guide (a few people, sure, but most will have bought them elsewhere beforehand), but then again, a lot of people in London and other cities with a lot of commuter traffic might pop to one at a railway station near their office on their way to or from work...so I can see that that might have an impact...there are some people who prefer to flip through a book before committing to buy - and may opt just to purchase then and there rather than reviewing the book in person before going away to order online.

It won't impact me at all and I'll keep buying from amazon (have had 2 Brit's Guides to Vegas over the years - mostly a great guide, a few bits of outdated info but mostly very good).

ferf1223

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

Is this actually true, or a very clever way of drumming up business?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article6457388.ece

ferf1223

knightstyle wrote: »

Just looked at WHS website and you can preorder the 2010 version. So they are buying in some of these guides.

It's only airports and stations they're withdrawing everything but Penguin books from.

SimonVeness

Yes, that's absolutely right - ONLY the WHS Travel stores (airports, stations, motorway services and hospitals, funnily enough). However, you can't help but think if it works for them at these 450-plus outlets, it might work in main bookshops, too.

Also a few other sources that have picked up the story, the Mail online (travelmail.co.uk), the Telegraph (telegraph.co.uk) and Melville House Publishing (mhpbooks.com):

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/charles_starmer-smith/blog/2009/06/09/wh_smith_and_the_protectionist_world_of_travel_book_publishing

http://mhpbooks.com/mobylives/?p=7037

http://blogs.travelmail.co.uk/2009/06/do-you-pick-up-your-guidebooks-at-the-airport-dont-bother-whsmith-want-to-restrict-your-choices.html

Lady_S

Simon, I can't really boycott them as I would never buy from them. However, I can tell you that your guide to New York is my bible!

Sal
x