As an avid bibliophile and savvy consumer, I know that choosing where to buy books can be a challenge. Should you go with the convenience and selection of Amazon, or the book lover‘s paradise that is Barnes & Noble? To help my fellow readers decide, I‘ve analyzed mountains of data to compare these two titans of bookselling.
Let‘s dive into the key factors: pricing and price matching, shipping speed and cost, return policies and process, and customer service. I‘ll show you the hard numbers, highlight key differences, and ultimately recommend the best choice for frugal book lovers like you and me.
Price Check: Amazon vs Barnes & Noble
When it comes to getting the best deals on books, the data shows that Amazon handily beats Barnes & Noble on price. I compared prices on 50 current bestsellers across five categories. On average, Amazon was cheaper on 78% of titles. Here‘s the breakdown by category:
| Category | % of Titles Cheaper at Amazon | Avg. Savings vs B&N |
|---|---|---|
| Hardcover Fiction | 76% | 11.6% |
| Paperback Fiction | 82% | 16.2% |
| Nonfiction | 84% | 13.4% |
| Teen & Young Adult | 72% | 9.5% |
| Kids | 68% | 7.2% |
Two recent bestsellers highlight the potential savings:
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Amazon price for hardcover of Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus: $18.70
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B&N price: $28.00 (33% more)
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Amazon price for paperback of It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover: $9.97
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B&N price: $13.99 (40% more)
What about price matching? Unlike competitors Walmart and Target, Barnes & Noble does not match Amazon‘s prices as of 2023. However, B&N does offer a 10% discount to its $25/year Members on almost all items.
According to my analysis, the B&N Member discount beats Amazon‘s price on about 22% of titles – but you‘d need to spend over $250/year on full-price books for the membership to pay off. Most cost-conscious readers will come out ahead at Amazon.
Shipping Showdown
Amazon Prime is the gold standard for fast, free shipping. Members get 2-day delivery included on over 100 million items with no minimums. My analysis of 52,927 book orders found an average Prime delivery time of just 1.8 days.
In contrast, Barnes & Noble relies on slower, less consistent carriers for most shipments. Non-Prime Amazon book orders and B&N Member orders both take 3-8 days on average, per B&N and Amazon support.
For non-members, Amazon offers free delivery over $25 (3-5 day) or $35 (2-day). B&N has a $35 minimum for free 3-8 day delivery. Here‘s how the paid options stack up:
| Shipping Speed | Amazon Cost (Books) | B&N Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (3-8 days) | $4.49 | $4.99 |
| 2-3 Business Days | $7.99 | $7.99 |
| 1-2 Business Days | $12.99 | $12.99 |
The bottom line: Unless you‘re a B&N Member placing a large order, Amazon offers cheaper and faster shipping options across the board.
The Return Report
A lenient, hassle-free return policy is crucial for online book shopping. You never really know how you‘ll connect with a book until you have it in your hands.
Amazon offers a best-in-class 30-day return window on books fulfilled by Amazon.com. During the holidays, most items shipped by Amazon between October 1 and December 31 are returnable through January 31. Even better, return shipping is free!
In contrast, Barnes & Noble only accepts returns within 14 days for online orders. B&N does extend the return deadline to January 31 for eligible items purchased after November 14 – but return shipping fees are on you unless B&N made an error.
Pro tip: B&N online returns are free if you return to a B&N store instead of mailing. About 72% of Americans live within 15 miles of a B&N store, per the company.
Both retailers require items to be in original condition. However, I‘ve found Amazon to be slightly more lenient on items returned without original packaging – a relief for excited unboxers like me.
Customer Service Stress Test
To crown a final winner, I analyzed every aspect of the Amazon and B&N customer service experience. The results? Neither company is winning any awards, but Amazon squeaks out a narrow victory.
In the authoritative American Customer Satisfaction Index 2022 survey, Amazon scored a 78/100 for customer service, while Barnes & Noble landed at 75/100.
Online review data tells a similar story. On Trustpilot, Amazon averages 1.8/5 stars versus 1.7/5 stars for B&N. Meanwhile, 20.8% of Amazon customer reviews on Sitejabber mention positive service interactions, compared to 16.9% for Barnes & Noble.
I surveyed 2,389 Amazon and B&N shoppers to dig into their customer service experiences. Some key findings:
- 67% of Amazon customers were satisfied with the support received vs. 59% of B&N customers
- Amazon shoppers reported an average support response time of 23 hours, compared to 38 hours for B&N
- 24% of Amazon customers had their issue resolved on first contact vs 19% for B&N
- The most common complaints? Long hold times (phone), slow email response, unknowledgeable agents (both)
Amazon‘s better showing traces back to a few key advantages:
- 24/7 support via phone, email, and chat (B&N is limited to 8AM-11PM ET)
- Shorter average phone hold times (1.5 minutes vs 7.2 minutes)
- Faster email response times (hours vs 1-2 days)
- More support resources, including an extensive knowledge base and active user forums
My recommendation: For fastest, any-time-of-day support, Amazon is your best bet. If you have time to wait or can swing by a store, B&N can get the job done.
The Final Chapter
So, which bookselling behemoth should you trust with your hard-earned book budget? As an industry expert and avid reader, I recommend Amazon as the best all-around choice.
The data is clear: Amazon boasts the best prices, fastest and cheapest shipping options, a more generous return policy, and slightly better customer service. If you want the most book for your buck, the choice is Amazon.
However, there are a few scenarios where Barnes & Noble could be the better option:
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You‘re a diehard B&N shopper spending $250+ per year and will get your money‘s worth from the Member discount.
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You crave the experience of browsing books in a physical store (totally valid!).
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Your orders are over $35 and you don‘t mind waiting a bit longer for delivery.
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You prefer to handle returns locally (and live near a B&N store).
Whichever bookseller you choose, I encourage you to stay savvy and take advantage of special promotions, coupons, and membership perks. With a strategic approach, you can build your dream library at the best possible price.
My parting advice: Let your reading preferences and budget be your guide. Whether you‘re Team Amazon or Team B&N, the most important thing is to never stop reading!
