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Amazon.com is the CHEAPEST way to buy new and used books. From best-sellers to text books, Amazon's website hosts individual sellers that compete to offer customers the lowest possible price. Older edition books often sell for under $3.00 while newer books are also offered at least 30% below retail.

While other products (many, many other products) are offered by sellers on Amazon in addition to books, I have not personally found these prices competitive. In addition, because huge discounts do not appear to exist for these products, I found it to be not worth the consumer-to-consumer risk and have therefore chosen not utilize Amazon for products other than books.

Over the past few years, Amazon has offered free shipping promotions which began as "Free shipping for orders over $100" and is currently set at "Free shipping for orders over $25."

Checkout is a breeze with Amazon.com. You only need to enter your credit card information once, then every time you finalize a purchase after that it only takes moments as the info is saved in their system. Of course, if you would rather enter your credit card information every time for security purposes, that option is available.

A couple times, I had the unfortunate experience of having to use an Amazon gift certificate at checkout. Each time (they were a couple years apart) the process was tedious with many failed attempts. Attempts by Amazon to recognize the gift certificate, not by me entering the number. I wish they would make this more convenient.

LIke eBay, Amazon.com sellers and buyers may rate each other based on their experiences. The resulting average shows up in star ratings next to the sellers name.

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