Question for Aussie's and Kiwi's

09/23/2009 11:48:40 PM · #1

I am looking at getting a few books for Adobe Photoshop, HDR processing and Perhaps a Cookbook for my wife. The main book stores here in Wellington are way over priced. So I started looking for alternatives. I found an online book store called The Nile. Which appears to be based in Austrailia and NZ., Just wondering if anyone from this part of the planet has ordered from them and if the service is good bad or ulgy? Please share your experience if you have any.

I found a 2nd option called Fishpond which is a few dollars more per book but looks like a nice site, However the Nile is offering free shipping and Fishpond does not list how long shipping will take. So I am leaning well towards the Nile unless I read some horror stories here. Feed back on either or both would suit my needs.

Thanks

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary

09/24/2009 03:13:14 AM · #2

Bump for Primetime.

MichaelC

Sony Alpha a7R III

09/24/2009 04:24:57 AM · #3

I only use Amazon, but then I wait 'til myself & my friends have a collection to order

suemack

Canon EOS-20D

09/24/2009 04:35:54 AM · #4

Haven't tried The Nile, but have used Fishpond and found their service quick and efficient.

ETA just looking at The Nile, cool site thank you!!

ETA (again) I think as far as the photoshop books go Fishpond looks to have a greater selection.

Message edited by author 2009-09-24 04:45:52.

09/24/2009 04:49:15 AM · #5

they both have all the books I am interested in, So I am looking at best price at the moment. I have talked to someone here in Wellington that ordered from the nile once and said they didn't have any problems. So I might go that route, but am going to wait to see if anyone responds to this thread with opposite experience. Will probably order tomorrow.

on a side note, What part of NZ are you from?

Originally posted by suemack:

suemack

Canon EOS-20D

09/24/2009 04:56:16 AM · #6

Whangarei. We don't get a great selection of books/mags in the shops up here so shopping online ......... wow it's so tempting seeing all the books that are available!

09/24/2009 05:08:25 AM · #7

At least you get better weather up there. :) I know what you mean though. I was so used to being able to find everything I wanted or needed with in 30 minutes from my house back in the states, now I have hard time shopping, Learning what stores sell which items brands etc. I have ordered alot of stuff from the states to be sent over because i can't find it here. Ive actually shopped online more in the last few months then I have the past 10 years.

Originally posted by suemack:

Whangarei. We don't get a great selection of books/mags in the shops up here so shopping online ......... wow it's so tempting seeing all the books that are available!

suemack

Canon EOS-20D

09/24/2009 05:21:27 AM · #8

Originally posted by Bugzeye:

At least you get better weather up there. :) ....

Wouldn't always count on the weather either, it's pouring with rain tonight :P

Olympus 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 Zuiko Digital

09/24/2009 05:31:25 AM · #9

I think it is raining everywhere tonight.

Originally posted by suemack:

Originally posted by Bugzeye:
At least you get better weather up there. :) ....

Wouldn't always count on the weather either, it's pouring with rain tonight :P

joynim

Olympus E-500 EVOLT

09/24/2009 05:39:34 AM · #10

Never used either of them but they look good ;)

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM

09/24/2009 06:22:12 AM · #11

I pulled the trigger on this and ordered two books from The Nile. I will let you know how it goes. they said 5-7 business days on one book and 6-10 on the other which according to their site means that one must be coming from Austrailia. Free Shipping on both so I am happy so far. Not to mention the price, Borders here in Wellington is selling one of the books for $80 NZ, I got it for $59 NZ the other was 89 NZ at Whitcoulls got it for 64 NZ If this works out well. I will probably never shop at the stores again other than to preview the books before I order them online. Borders is good for that beceause they have a Gloria Jeans Coffee Shop upstairs that you can take the books over to and read while you have your coffee.

3DsArcher

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

09/24/2009 07:40:58 AM · #12

Your right, books are expensive here in NZ. Borders is a regular stop for me when ever I'm in the city (Auckland). I don't buy many because of their prices but they do have a great selection. I never actually thought of buying books on line so I am very curios to know how you get on.

09/28/2009 05:18:21 AM · #13

Update: I got confirmation of my order right away, Then waited 3 days and emailed to ask about status because on my account info via their website it said order still pending. The next morning I got an email saying that my books were in transit to NZ from Austrailia and once they arrive in NZ they will be sent to me, They will email me as soon as they send them out, Customer Service is not the fastest but I have definately dealt with alot worse. Overall I am quite satisfied with it so far. I will update again when the books arrive.

Olympus 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 Zuiko Digital

09/29/2009 03:28:47 AM · #14

Just got confirmation from The Nile that my books are enroute to my house already. They are scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Considering that they projected 5-15 days for 2 of the books I ordered I have to give them a thumbs up, under 5 days is quite good.

So if anyone was thinking about ordering from them, I can now honestly say it is a decent company with very good and prompt service. Apart from the initial response to my question to them about order status. However the speed of delivery more than makes up for that.

Message edited by author 2009-09-29 03:30:47.

joynim

Olympus E-500 EVOLT

09/29/2009 04:16:25 AM · #15

Excellent :)

3DsArcher

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM

09/29/2009 05:49:38 AM · #16

Originally posted by suemack:

wow it's so tempting seeing all the books that are available!

I'll go along with that. I have spent quite a bit of time tonight looking at both The Nile & Fishpond. Neither of which I knew existed before this thread began. There are certainly a lot more books I would like to get my hands on now.

09/30/2009 03:47:57 PM · #17

Just thought I would let you know, my books arrived in perfect condition.

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

09/30/2009 04:09:37 PM · #18

can't you order stuff through Whitcoulls?

I know your stuff arrived but it could be an idea in the future.

Retroesque

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

09/30/2009 04:27:03 PM · #19

Fishpond ROCKS!

I've purchased from them several times. Just last week I ordered three books - two arrived two days later and one a week later - all free postage if you purchase over $50AUS - highly recommend!

Nuzzer

Canon EOS-7D

09/30/2009 04:27:03 PM · #20

I've never head of The Nile before ... cool.

Retroesque

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

09/30/2009 04:30:59 PM · #21

Originally posted by Nuzzer:

I've never head of The Nile before ... cool.

Me neither - and I just checked the books I just purchased from Fishpond and The Nile are cheaper again! Thanks for the heads up.