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

Online book ordering has provided growing competition for traditional 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 this month, and anything purchased in September will be sold at a 12.5 percent discount. Future discounts 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 instituting purchase order payment plans for libraries, schools, government agencies, corporations, etc. Its online system also limits ordering to authorized users to guarantee security. Additionally, B&N offers free shipping, which Amazon. com does not.