Amazon.com, B&N Debut Bulk Buying for Libraries

-- Library Journal, 8/13/2001

Online book ordering has provided growing competition for tradtional book jobbers serving libraries such as Baker & Taylor and Ingram. Amazon.com and B&N.com are pushing deeper into library territory with the introduction of a new purchasing program designed for those who order in bulk. Amazon.com recently contacted LJ with word that it is offering a bulk buying program for librarians, teachers, and others who order large quantities of materials, ranging from books, audio, and video products, to software and FAX machines. "It will allow multiple people to use a single account and offer purchase orders as a payment option," Laura Calliari, a marketing rep for Amazon, told LJ. The site launches in September, and anything purchased the first month will be sold at a discount of 12.5 percent. Future discounts, however, were still being determined at press time. Bulk-buying accounts can be created instantly, and librarians can designate their preferred payment method--purchase order or credit card--and list names of authorized purchasers so their accounts are secure. Account managers can track the activity of multiple buyers, and Accounts Payable receives item-level billing for all purchases. Price estimates are displayed before orders are placed. The operation is available 24/7.

B&N.com is joining suit and also instituting purchase order payments for libraries, schools, government agencies, corporations, etc. Its online ordering also limits ordering to authorized users to guarantee security. B&N also offers free shipping, which Amazon.com does not, so even further savings can be incurred.